There are a number of reasons why your sex drive is not where you want it, and the same can happen if your vaginal health is balanced. If you frequently pamper your sweet teeth, there may be one common perpetrator for both problems: sugar.
Whether you want to rekindle the fire of desire, find relief from vaginal health problems, or both, reducing sweets can work in your favor. First off, we have unpacked everything that is worth knowing when it comes to sugar, sex drive and vaginal health.
The link between sugar and sex drive
Sugar, a board-certified OB-Gyn who practices in Beverly Hills, California, does not directly lower the libido, according to Michael Reid, MD, and NCMP. However, by fluxing blood sugar and hormones, you can do so despicablely anyway.
“If you consume too much sugar, it can lead to blood sugar spikes and crashes, which can ruin your energy levels and mood,” says Dr. Reed. “It also contributes to inflammation and hormonal imbalances, both of which can affect sexual impulses.” Excessive long-term sugar intake can increase the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes. He adds that it can have a direct impact on sexual functioning and gender.
Melbourne Functional Medicine nutrition expert and founder Jabe Brown, BHSC, MSC, AFMCP, has poor glycemic control (i.e., is in diabetes) and is not only hormonal imbalances, but also blood flow and nerves. It also has been linked to reduced damage, which impairs sexual function. “Low energy and neurological disorders, for example, can reduce arousal and lubrication in women, but men can experience erectile dysfunction,” he explains.
Sugar affects a variety of hormones related to overall health, including insulin: a key hormone that helps regulate blood glucose. “This can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone,” says Dr. Reed. Increased sugar intake can also cause the release of the infamous stress hormone cortisol, and high levels of it can suppress the production of sex hormones associated with libido. “Over time, this imbalance can affect your libido, your menstrual cycle, and even your overall reproductive health,” continues OB-Gyn. “It’s all connected. Hormones thrive in balance, and sugar can all be thrown away from the sync.”
Does sugar have a negative effect on vaginal health?
As Dr. Reed suggested above, sugar can spell out bad news across the board for sexual health. This includes not only sexual desire but vaginal health.
“Too much sugar can cause a massive disruption to vaginal health, primarily by throwing away the good bacterial balance of the vaginal microbiota,” he shares. High sugar intake continues, you can:
Raising yeasts and increasing the likelihood of developing yeast infections destroys the pH of the vaginal microbiota, leading to irritating or recurrent bacterial infections
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Four Benefits of Reducing Sugar for Sexual Health
There are countless benefits to reducing sugar intake. When it comes to sexual desire and vaginal health, this includes:
1. Blood sugar balance
“Stable glucose creates an environment that is not attractive to infectious diseases such as bacterial vaginitis (BV) and yeast overgrowth (since) harmful bacteria and yeast, and yeast thrives with sugar, making yeast thrive. ” says Brown. He makes them compare to reducing sugar to “close the buffet” to promote these issues.
2. Healthier vaginal microbiota
In addition to sedating the infection, reducing sugar content can reduce general irritation because there is a better opportunity for the vaginal microbiome to flourish, Dr. Reed says.
3. More energy and confidence
“Many women report feeling more energetic (after cutting the sugar).
4. Strong sexual desire
Reducing your sugar intake can improve your hormone balance. Dr. Reed says it can help boost sex drive. (Bonus: He might say that taking off the sweets could lead to a more regular menstrual cycle.)
Brown adds that a more stable blood sugar level and hormonal balance helps you feel less “inflamed” overall. “Many patients say this stability helps them feel more people in their bodies in intimate moments.
All of these benefits work synergistically for improving sexual health and general well-being. “Lower sugar results in less infections, better pH balance, higher comfort, and naturally lifts energy and desire,” Brown sums up.
Foods that boost sexual desire and support vaginal health
Going to a sugar-cold turkey is easier than that, especially if you tend to indulge frequently. With that in mind, it can be easier and sustainable to scale and set small goals and move in the right direction rather than cutting it completely.
Additionally, it is worth prioritizing healthy whole foods that can increase libido (such as ginseng, oysters, garlic, etc.) and can support a healthy vaginal environment.
For each brown, the best balance bunch are:
Fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi and fermented cheese. “These help maintain a balanced microbiota, reduce the risk of bacterial vaginosis and make everything feel comfortable,” he explains. blueberry. This supercharged fruit does not help to curb your cravings for sweets. It also surpasses Brown’s list of vaginal health. “It’s packed with antioxidants that not only strengthen the immune system, but also support the vaginal tissues in the production of healthy and resilient collagen,” he shares. Blueberries are also a great source of fiber, packing 4 grams per cup. “By using more fiber and less sugar, you feed good bacteria that protect the delicate ecosystem (in the vagina). It gives your body its own door to unwelcome guests. It’s like giving you tools to protect.’ Dark, lush greenery. “They are rich in nitrates to support blood flow and folic acid, which are important nutrients for neck health,” says Brown. He suggests adding these greens to your daily meals, whether they blend in with smoothies, throw them in stir-fry, or use them as a salad base.
Take home
Even if your libido is on the rise, whether your vaginal health requires a lifeline or not, reducing your sugar intake can help you turn both of these issues. However, there may be other contributing factors that throw hormones into the sex drive, vaginal microbiome, and/or loop, so that sugar (and your overall diet) only constitutes part of a larger picture Don’t forget.
“Sugar is not the ultimate villain, but keeping it down can help you maintain a healthier libido,” concludes Dr. Reid. “It’s not all treatments, but it’s a powerful step towards getting your body healthier and more control.”
Sugar and Libido FAQ
Does eating too much sugar reduce your sexual desire?
Eating excess sugar can inadvertently lower your inadvertently by adversely affecting your blood sugar levels and hormonal balance.
How does sugar affect hormones related to sexual health?
Sugar consumption can affect hormones such as glucose, insulin, and cortisol. Dysregulation, particularly persisting over time, can interfere with the production and regulation of sex hormones in men and women, which affect sexual desire and overall sexual health.
Can sugar consumption lead to energy crashes that affect sexual desires?
“Yes. High sugar intake can cause rapid spikes, causing rapid blood sugar levels to collide, leading to fatigue and irritability, and reducing sexual desire,” says Brown.
Are there certain types of sugars and sweeteners bad for your libido?
According to brown, refined sugars (eg, table sugar and high fructose corn syrup) and high glycemic carbohydrates (eg, pastries and sugar drinks) are the most problematic for libido and vaginal health. “These can cause rapid blood glucose variability, promote inflammation and destroy the balance of vaginal pH and microbiota,” he explains. “For example, a sugar-rich diet is associated with recurrence of BV due to its role in feeding harmful bacteria.”
What healthier alternatives to sugar that may support better sex drive?
Instead of refined sugar, we aim to prioritize natural sweets like whole fruit that can satisfy your cravings, relieve blood sugar spikes, and reduce crash courtesy of fiber Please.
