Food Affects Sex Drive: Eat Smarter For Better Pleasure

The link between the foods we eat and our sex drive isn’t just wishful thinking. Food affects sex drive and you can improve your sex drive with just the foods you eat. At the same time, some foods are also libido-killers.

Here are just a few foods that can put a sizzle in your sex life, and some foods that are ultimately like applying water to that fire.

Food Affects Sex Drive – Eat This For Better Sex 

• Strawberries

They are Sexy. You can feed them to your lover and even dip them in chocolate to make the strawberry eating experience even better. They’re also good for your sex drive.

Good circulation is thought to be crucial for sexual functioning in both men and women, and strawberries are rich in antioxidants that benefit your heart and arteries What’s more, strawberries also contain vitamin C, which has been linked to the increase in sperm count in men.

• Avocados

These super fruits are rich in vitamin E, which has antioxidant properties, potassium, and vitamin B6. A slice of avocado may prevent or delay heart disease and promote better blood flow. They’re also a good source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

Ultimately, anything that helps your heart and circulation can also be critical for a healthy sex life. Men with heart disease are twice as likely to have erectile dysfunction because both conditions can result from artery damage.

• Almonds

Contain zinc, selenium, and vitamin E, which are vitamins and minerals that seem to be important for sexual health and reproduction. Selenium can help with infertility issues, while vitamin E may help heart health. Zinc is a mineral that helps produce men’s sex hormones and can boost libido.

• Sweet Potatoes

Rich in potassium, which helps fight high blood pressure. High blood pressure is often associated with a higher risk of erectile dysfunction. They’re also rich in beta-carotene, providing the body with vitamin A, which is suspected (but not proven) to be helpful for those with infertility.

• Sesame Seeds

Zinc is thought to be good for sexual health. It can help testosterone and sperm production in men. The No. 1 source is oysters. But really, how often do you eat oysters? Another source: Sesame seeds. Mix them into granola or sprinkle them into a healthy stir-fry. Some breakfast cereals also contain zinc, such as Kellogg’s All-Bran Complete Wheat Flakes. One serving (3/4 cup) has more than 100% of the recommended daily intake.

• Watermelon

This popular summer fruit is low in calories, but also high in potentially sex drive boosting phytonutrients. Research suggests that the lycopene, citrulline, and beta-carotene found in watermelon may help relax blood vessels. And provide a natural enhancement for revving up your sex drive.

• Salmon

So, salmon and fish like tuna, black cod, halibut, and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. The nutrients maintain our cardiovascular system by decreasing inflammation and maintains fat in the blood at healthy levels.

Foods To Avoid 

There are also some foods that you should try and avoid if you’re aiming to rev up your libido.

• Alcohol

Although alcohol can be a saviour on a first date, as it almost acts as the social lubricant. In reality, alcohol can be detrimental to your sex life. Too much alcohol lowers sexual desire, decreases arousal and sensitivity, and may lower inhibitions leading to unsafe decisions about sex.

• Steak

While meat does provide protein and zinc, meat also tends to be high in saturated fat and cholesterol.

A meat-heavy diet is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, health conditions that can affect blood circulation and sexual function. What’s more, a small 2006 study suggested that eating meat, may result in a less attractive body odor. In the study, 17 men ate either a meat or non-meat diet for two weeks and then switched.

Women were asked to rate their attractiveness based on smell alone (from armpit pads worn by the men), and they tended to prefer non-meat eaters. Weird experiment, I know, but maybe it could be the final straw that sees you on a vegetarian diet.

• Fatty Foods

Many fried and fast foods have high levels of “bad fats,” such as saturated and trans fat. These foods can negatively affect your heart and impede blood flow due to a build-up of fatty plaque in the arteries.

What’s more, fried potatoes, such as French fries, have been associated (along with other foods) with a greater risk of type 2 diabetes, which is known to cause sexual health problems in both men and women. It is suggested that the type of oil used to fry the food is key. If it’s fried in partially hydrogenated oil it would have trans fat, which is worse than saturated fat.

If it was fried in a liquid plant oil, the food may be very low in saturated fat.

About the Author: Ebony a consultant from Oh Zone Adult Lifestyle Centres

Some Flavorsome Delights For All Those Intimate Times!

I am reviewing two of our recent additions to our Adult Lifestyle Centres sex toy shops in the oral sex department. Including Sensuva’s Sizzle Lips Warming Edible Gel which is a flavoured lubricant. And the Sensuva’s Deeply Love You which is a throat relaxing spray.

I am normally exclusively a salted caramel lubricant girl. But I have been really impressed by these products. They have been selling really well.  Even though they don’t come in salted caramel flavour (*tear*).

Sensuva Deeply Love You comes in three flavours.

• Cinnamon.
• Chocolate Mint.
• Buttered Rum.

There have been deep throat sprays for oral sex on the market for a long time. They numb and relax the area to avoid gagging. And make the experience of giving head more relaxed.

What I like about these ones

Is that they are more attractively marketed and packaged than the usual.  I really like the chocolate mint flavour.  Have not tried them in person whilst actually doing the deed. But I have sampled our testers in store to get an idea of what customers should expect.

Steps To Use The Relaxing Spray

1. Shake the bottle first.
2. Open your mouth wide.
3. Uncap the bottle.
4. Spray the liquid towards the back of your throat.
5. Keep your head tilted slightly upwards.

Reason I say “Keep your head tilted slight upwards”

Is that when I tried it, it was during a slow period at work. And with no customers, in the store I thought it would be a good opportunity to try it out without too much embarrassment if it somehow went wrong.

So I sprayed it in my mouth and the slight shock of the strength and flavour distracted me.  I was sort of looking downwards, opening and closing my mouth just getting used to the sensation. When the buzzer went off to let me know customers were coming in to the shop.

I jerked my head up, not realising that the spray had made me salivate a bit more than usual.

And a wonderfully dignified drool is what happened next

As my head came up.  Of course, just as I was about to try and greet customers.  Please learn from my shame and don’t make the same mistake at home.  Unless of course some unexpected drooling is going to enhance the scene (and who am I to judge?)

Ok, so that was a slightly shaming experience

BUT it goes to show that this would be a great product for oral sex as the numbing effect is definitely for real. Extra saliva will only add to how great it feels for the recipient. It’s also a funny story to re-enact when I’m drunk, so there’s that.

Flavour-wise

I found both the Cinnamon and Buttered Rum to be less than thoroughly delightful. But they’re not bad enough to not use the product.  Chocolate Mint, on the other hand, was really quite tasty.

Just be warned, all the flavours taste quite strong initially.

Numbing effect happens pretty quickly

Seems to last between 10 mins and half an hour. Most of the effect had gone for me after about 15-20 mins from one squirt of the stuff. But it took about half an hour before it was 100% gone. Which is pretty ideal really for the purposes.

If oral is going continuously for longer than that you’re probably going to have a pretty sore jaw.  And you can always re-apply if you want a stupendously long session.

Next, on to the Sizzle Lips

It comes in three flavours.

• Caramel Apple (slight favourite, it is caramel after all).
• Strawberry.
• Hot Buttered Rum.

Now, these three flavours are all major winners in my book.  Super, super tasty. Even though I wasn’t keen on the Rum flavour in their deep throat spray, in the lubricant it’s delicious.

Quite probably it’s just hard to find a flavour that can overcome the numbing agents in the spray.

But yes, the lube, Oh My God yes.

Not only are the flavours fantastic, but there is also a slight warming effect too. I wasn’t sure how fantastic that would be in my mouth. But it was actually incredible.

Whole thing is like eating the most mouth-watering dessert, and I can only imagine how fantastic it would be in the bedroom. Warming lubes increase arousal and pleasure when used in intimate areas. One which is tasty as hell gets two very enthusiastic thumbs up from me.

High quality.

Sizzle Lips are water based lubes

So they are safe to use with toys. Although I would avoid getting them inside your vagina as flavoured lubes can sometimes provoke thrush.  Best to save them for oral sex.

You can always use a wet wipe such as Wet Stuff Swipes, which is safe to use on intimate areas, to get off any residue if you move from oral to penetration in the one session.

These lubes also contain glycerine (from vegetables) and tea tree oil. So if you are sensitive to these products just be aware and if necessary avoid them.

About Your Sex Drive

Now, I know there are other women out there who, like myself, who have no idea what they want or desire sexually sex drive. Sometimes its crazy and you can’t even look at your significant other without mentally undressing them and jumping their bones as soon as the opportunity arises. But also, at other times when the opportunity presents itself, its just shrugged off like meh. But then other times you might really want it but then you also kind of don’t at the same time. Well, I’m here to tell you, you’re not alone.

To some, yes this may sound crazy, but it can be really frustrating.

I have been dealing with these kinds of issues through my entire sexually active life. It’s almost like there’s a little gremlin in your head pushing all the wrong buttons at the most inconvenient of times. And this can sometimes really ruin the mood, especially if you have made all the moves to hint that you are up for it but then all of a sudden, it’s gone and your partner is left extremely confused.

You Need To Speak With Each Other

I’ve had partners in the past who I had never confided in about these feelings as they where never willing to talk or communicate about much sexual stuff. To them it was “sex is sex”. So, let me tell you, COMMUNICATION IS KEY! If they don’t know how you feel or what you want, then you’ll never be satisfied or content with the sex you have with them and it may even be the other way around, how will you know what they want if they don’t communicate it with you.

When I first met my current partner, of course like any relationship at the start, every time you’re with them you want to go at it like rabbits but that doesn’t last forever and if you’re like me, that period is even shorter again. So naturally, we grew out of that stage, but we still went at it a fair amount, it never just stopped and for some reason that amazed me, especially because I was very rarely up for sex as it was.

Surely enough we moved in together, my sex drive went back to its normal wacky self, but he naturally has a high sex drive. This is where the communication started where I had never had it before. All he wanted was to please me, that’s what got him off, he wanted to know exactly what I wanted, where I wanted it and how long I wanted it for! I was absolutely blown away (no pun intended).

Don’t Be Too Shy To State Your Sexual Needs

I’d never experienced a man, so hell bent on pleasing me. At this point I somewhat started to open to him about what I wanted but was still too shy to completely lay out what I thought was wrong with me as I though it may affect our relationship and how he saw me.

Turns out I should have told him straight up, like I said communication is key 100%. We got further into our relationship and he would occasionally ask questions like “You don’t seem like you want it, what’s wrong?” or “Are you still into me?”.

When these questions started becoming more frequent and concerning, it made me realise that not only was this affecting me, but he was slowly noticing more and more that something wasn’t quite right, and it was starting to affect him too. So, we sat down and spoke about it all and I mean ALL, there was emotions, tears and feelings being released like nothing else. He comforted me and made me feel okay with who I am and these feelings I had that made me feel not normal.

The fact that I had finally spoken to him and opened up about how I felt helped not only our sex life but also helped our relationship. He now knows that if I seem a bit off chances are, I’m not up for it and he will realise that rather than going just ahead with it.

Important Things That Can Affect Sex Drive

• COMMUNICATION!   Always remember that this should be your first thought. Like I said earlier, how will either of you know how you feel or what you want if you don’t discuss and understand each other.
• I found that sex toys really helped me cope with what I was dealing with. For example, if I really didn’t feel like doing anything but he was raring to go. Pull out the toy and go to town! I enjoyed and was more than happy to help him because I knew he was enjoying it and I was still helping him. At other times I wouldn’t have felt like physically doing the deed but for some reason I felt comfortable using toys. Let me tell you, men are more than happy to watch that! You can still enjoy each other’s company in a different and possibly more personal way.

Explore Your Sexuality Together

• Watching porn together.  Now I know this one may be a bit of a grey area as some couples don’t agree on watching porn at all. But if you’re open to it and they want to get down and dirty but you’re just not sure, ask them to watch porn with you beforehand. You may find you where in the mood for it you just didn’t know yet.
• Physical foreplay. If you know what turns you on and you know what might get you in the mood, hell even if you don’t know but you want to do the deed, try some foreplay, go with the flow, and see where it goes. Tell him where to go, guide him and tell him what feels good.
• Being relaxed. Always be sure that you are comfortable and relaxed with your significant other and environment when getting freaky. At the end of the day, its your body. They may be your partner but if you’re not comfortable, NO MEANS NO and they need to respect that and vice versa.

Do Steroids Affect Sex Drive? Medical Advice And Debunking Lies

Steroids are often linked to strength, muscle growth, and confidence, which leads many people to assume they also improve sexual performance. That idea spreads quickly online, especially in fitness spaces where personal stories are treated as proof. However, sex drive is controlled by a mix of hormones, brain chemistry, emotional health, and physical well-being. When one part shifts, the effects are rarely simple or predictable. This is why two people using similar substances can report very different sexual outcomes.

Medical advice tends to be quieter than gym talk, yet it paints a clearer picture. Anabolic steroids change how the body produces and regulates testosterone, which directly influences libido and erections. At first, some users feel more desire, but this phase does not always last. Over time, suppression of natural hormone production can lead to lower interest in sex, difficulty maintaining erections, and emotional changes that further affect intimacy. Understanding these mechanisms helps separate short-term impressions from long-term reality.

Table of Contents – Do steroids affect sex drive

• How Steroids Interact With Hormones
• Short-Term Changes In Libido
• Long-Term Steroid Use And Sexual Function
• Psychological Effects That Impact Sex Drive
• Can Sex Drive Recover After Steroids?
• Common Myths About Steroids And Libido

How Steroids Interact With Hormones

Steroids affect sex drive mainly by interfering with the body’s hormone system. When anabolic steroids enter the bloodstream, they signal the brain that enough testosterone is present. As a result, the brain reduces signals to the testes, lowering natural testosterone production. This process, known as suppression, can happen quickly and does not always match how strong or energetic someone feels at the gym.

Testosterone plays a central role in libido, erection quality, and sexual motivation. However, balance matters more than sheer quantity. Research published in medical literature shows that external steroid use disrupts this balance by shrinking natural production and altering related hormones such as luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. These changes explain why sex drive can fall even when blood testosterone initially appears high.

Another issue is conversion. Some steroids increase estrogen levels through aromatization, which can further affect desire and performance. Elevated estrogen may contribute to reduced libido, mood swings, and physical side effects that harm confidence. Studies available through the National Institutes of Health highlight that these hormonal shifts are a key reason steroid users report mixed and often declining sexual function over time.

Short-Term Changes In Libido

In the early stages of steroid use, some people report a noticeable rise in sexual interest. This often happens because hormone levels spike quickly, which can affect mood, energy, and confidence at the same time. As a result, sex drive may feel stronger for a short period, especially during the first cycle. However, this effect is not stable and varies widely between individuals.

However, short-term changes can also be uneven and unpredictable. While desire may increase, erections can feel less reliable, or arousal may not match mental interest. This mismatch happens because the body has not adjusted to the sudden hormone shift. Meanwhile, natural testosterone production may already be slowing down, even though the outward effects are not yet obvious.

Long-Term Steroid Use And Sexual Function

With continued steroid use, the risks to sexual function become clearer. Long-term exposure suppresses natural testosterone production more deeply, which often leads to reduced libido over time. Many users report losing spontaneous sexual interest, even if they remain physically active. This change can feel confusing, especially when strength and muscle gains continue.

Erectile issues are also more common with prolonged use. Medical guidance explains that steroids can affect blood flow, nerve response, and hormone signaling needed for erections. According to clinical explanations from Numan, erectile dysfunction linked to steroids is often tied to hormonal suppression rather than age or fitness level. Therefore, performance issues may appear even in otherwise healthy individuals.

Fertility can also be affected during long-term use. Lower sperm production, testicular shrinkage, and hormonal imbalance may all play a role. Although some effects can reverse after stopping steroids, recovery is not guaranteed. The longer suppression continues, the harder it can be for normal sexual function to return without medical support.

Psychological Effects That Impact Sex Drive

Steroids do not only change hormones; they can also affect mental and emotional health in ways that influence sexual desire. Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and lowered emotional control are commonly reported during use. These changes can make intimacy harder, even when physical ability seems unaffected. Sex drive often depends on feeling relaxed and connected, which becomes difficult when mood feels unstable.

Confidence can also shift in less obvious ways. While some users feel more assertive at first, others notice increased self-criticism or relationship tension over time. Psychological stress raises cortisol levels, which can work against sexual desire and performance. Therefore, even without clear physical symptoms, mental strain alone can reduce interest in sex.

Working in this field has shown me that many people blame their bodies first, when the real issue is mental pressure. Once stress and emotional distance set in, libido often drops regardless of hormone numbers.

Can Sex Drive Recover After Steroids?

Recovery is possible, but it depends on how long steroids were used and how the body responds afterward. Some people regain normal sex drive within months, while others need medical help to restore hormone balance. Post-cycle therapy is often discussed because it aims to restart natural testosterone production rather than forcing short-term fixes.

Medical guidance stresses patience and monitoring rather than rushing solutions. Blood tests, lifestyle changes, and stress reduction all play a role in recovery. Resources that explain natural libido regulation, such as this breakdown of libido levels, help show why recovery takes time and varies from person to person.

Common Myths About Steroids And Libido

Steroids are surrounded by strong claims, many of which ignore how sex drive really works. These ideas often come from short-term experiences or selective stories rather than long-term outcomes. Clearing up these myths helps set realistic expectations and reduces unnecessary worry.

• Steroids always increase sex drive permanently
• High testosterone guarantees strong erections
• Only heavy users experience sexual side effects
• Sex drive problems mean permanent damage

In reality, libido is shaped by hormones, mental state, health, and relationships together. Simplifying it to one hormone leads to confusion. A deeper look at how desire forms, explained in this guide on deconstructing sex drive, shows why outcomes differ so widely.

Key Takeaways – Do steroids affect sex drive

• Steroids can raise or lower sex drive depending on timing and use
• Short-term desire increases are often unstable
• Long-term use commonly reduces libido and erection quality
• Mental health changes play a major role in sexual function
• Recovery is possible but often slow and individual

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all steroids reduce sex drive?

No, effects vary by type, dose, and duration. Some users notice early increases, while others experience reduced desire.

Can steroids cause erectile problems?

Yes, hormonal suppression and blood flow changes can lead to erection difficulties, even in younger users.

How long does libido take to return after stopping steroids?

Recovery can take weeks to months. Some people need medical support if natural hormone production does not restart.

Does testosterone always increase desire?

No, balance matters more than high levels. Too much or suppressed production can both lower libido.

Should you see a doctor about steroid-related sex issues?

Yes, medical advice helps identify hormone issues early and improves the chances of recovery.

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