Estrogen & Libido: Does Estrogen Make Sex Better?

When it comes to sex, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are the trifecta of female hormones, aiding sensation, desire, and more.

What effect does estrogen have on the libido and what are some natural ways to increase estrogen?

Estrogen’s Effects on the Body

Estrogen, which is mainly produced in the ovaries, is a hormone with a major role in many of our bodies' crucial functions, impacting everything from sex, fertility, and skin tone to the heart, brain, and mood swings. Estrogen levels vary naturally during our lives, especially during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.

If your body needs it, finding natural ways to increase estrogen can regulate your menstrual cycle, aid pregnancy, reduce acne, and give skin a youthful glow.

Lack of estrogen symptoms includes vaginal dryness, pain during sex, mood swings, arousal nonconcordance, irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, trouble sleeping, and abdominal weight gain.

But excessive estrogen can also negatively impact the body long and short term, so consult a medical professional before taking any estrogen-boosting steps or if you're unsure about symptoms you’re experiencing.

Estrogen & Libido

Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone all play a role in female sexual desire and functioning.

Finding ways to naturally increase estrogen and have healthy levels of this hormone in the body increases the libido and promotes natural vaginal wetness, reduces painful sex, and enhances sensual pleasure and sensation.

In cisgender men, transgender women, and nonbinary people with penises, estrogen impacts sex drive and the ability to become erect and produce sperm.

Maintaining healthy estrogen levels is key for reproductive, sexual, and overall health and happiness.

5 Ways to Naturally Increase Estrogen, Libido, and Sexual Satisfaction

1. Eat estrogen-fueled food

Certain foods contain phytoestrogens, naturally occurring plant compounds that function in a similar way to estrogen.

Naturally estrogen-boosting foods include nuts and seeds, legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas), soy products like tofu, miso, soy milk, edamame, fruits like plums, pears and apples, and eggs and milk.

2. Try herbal supplements

Traditional herbs like Red Clover, Chasteberry, Dong Quai, and Black cohosh have long been used to naturally boost estrogen levels.

Be sure to consult with a healthcare provider when trying over-the-counter supplements

3. Reduce your stress levels

Chronic stress can impact many aspects of your health, including your hormone production and function, estrogen, and libido.

When you’re stressed, your body produces a stress hormone called cortisol. High cortisol levels can disrupt estrogen levels and throw off your overall hormonal balance.

Stress management techniques can greatly impact overall wellbeing and maintaining healthy estrogen levels.

Some things to try include regular (but not excessive) exercise, meditation and breathing exercises, avoiding caffeine, and prioritizing time for yourself to rest each day.

4. Maintain a healthy weight

If you are below your ideal body weight, your body may struggle to produce enough estrogen, and natural functions like menstruation may stop.

Maintaining a healthy weight doesn’t mean obsessively watching what you eat.

Rather, try to maintain a healthy weight that is natural to your body by getting all the calories and nutrients you need with a varied diet and doing regular exercise.

This will enhance your estrogen and libido in a healthy, long-term way.

5. Prioritize your sleep schedule

Our bodies need sleep to function at their best. Most adults need at least seven high-quality sleep hours, though many people experience trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep.

Things proven to naturally aid sleep include going to bed at the same time every night, caffeine late in the day or eating too late, and making your bedroom a dark, cool, calm environment free from technology and distractions.

This natural way to increase estrogen will also benefit your energy levels, concentration, and mood all day long.

Estrogen, libido, and great-looking skin

Regardless of sex or gender, hormones affect a wide range of our bodies’ functions, and even small imbalances can have an impact.

After consulting with a healthcare provider, try these natural ways to boost estrogen to enhance overall well-being and have a healthy and happy sex life.