What is libido?
Libido refers to sexual desire or interest in sexual activity.
There is no single “normal” level of libido. Sexual desire can change over time and may vary due to emotional, psychological, relationship, lifestyle, hormonal or physical factors.
Common influences can include:
- Stress and tiredness
- Anxiety or depression
- Relationship difficulties
- Pregnancy and caring for a new baby
- Menopause
- Erectile dysfunction
- Vaginal dryness
- Certain prescription medicines such as SSRIs
- Alcohol or recreational drugs
- Underlying health conditions
- Changing hormone levels
Low libido is different from infertility, erectile dysfunction and prostate symptoms, although these concerns may sometimes occur alongside one another.
What are libido support supplements?
Libido support supplements is a broad commercial category rather than one defined type of formula.
Products marketed within the category may contain:
- Vitamins and minerals
- Zinc
- Botanical extracts
- Amino acids
- Fertility focused nutrients
- Ingredients used in prostate formulas
- Ingredients associated with energy or cognitive routines
The presence of these ingredients does not prove that a product will directly increase sexual desire.
When comparing formulas, customers should look at:
- the intended product purpose
- the full ingredient list
- exact ingredient quantities
- authorised nutrient claims
- medication interactions
- serving size
- suitability for vegan, vegetarian or halal customers
- whether professional assessment is needed
Prostate and male hormonal nutrition
Prostate Stack is a comprehensive, fully transparent 16 ingredient prostate formula which includes:
- Pumpkin seed extract
- Beta-sitosterol phytosterols
- Graminex® G63® pollen extract
- Quercetin
- Stinging nettle root
- Cistanche salsa
- 2 saw palmetto extracts
- Pomegranate extract
- Tetrahydrocurcumin as Curcuprime
- Lycopene
- Pygeum
- Vitamin E complex as EvNol
- Broccoli sprout extract
- Zinc
- Apigenin
Each seven capsule serving provides 15mg zinc.
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood. This does not mean the product is proven to raise testosterone above normal levels or directly increase libido.
Choose Prostate Stack if…
You want:
- a dedicated multi-ingredient prostate formula
- 16 fully disclosed active ingredients
- Aaw palmetto, beta-sitosterol and pumpkin seed extract
- 15mg zinc per daily serving
- A product with no proprietary blend
- 30 daily servings
- A vegan, vegetarian and Halal-certified formula
Prostate Stack is not designed as…
- a treatment for erectile dysfunction
- a guaranteed testosterone booster
- a cure for low libido
- a treatment for an enlarged prostate
- a treatment for urinary symptoms
- a DHT blocking medicine
Female fertility and reproductive nutrition
Female Fertility+ is a 27-ingredient formula containing 13 vitamins, nine minerals and five additional nutrients. The formula includes vitamin D, zinc, folate, vitamin B12, CoQ10, NAC, choline and royal jelly.
Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction.
However, fertility and libido are not the same thing.
A person may have normal fertility and low sexual desire, or reduced fertility and an unaffected libido.
Choose Female Fertility+ if…
You want:
- a broad female fertility focused formula
- Vitamins and minerals alongside CoQ10, NAC and choline
- Three capsules per day
- 30 servings
- A vegetarian and Halal certified product
Female Fertility+ is not…
- a libido enhancer
- a treatment for infertility
- a product guaranteed to help conception
- a treatment for PCOS or hormonal imbalance
- a replacement for preconception or fertility advice
Nutritional thyroid support
Thyroid Stack contains L-Tyrosine, iodine, selenium, selected minerals and botanical extracts.
Iodine contributes to the normal production of thyroid hormones and normal thyroid function, while selenium contributes to normal thyroid function.
An underactive thyroid can sometimes be associated with a change in libido, but a food supplement cannot diagnose or treat a thyroid condition.
Customers experiencing fatigue, unexplained weight change, temperature sensitivity, mood changes or loss of libido should seek medical assessment rather than assuming they require a thyroid supplement. The NHS includes an underactive thyroid among possible health related factors associated with changes in sexual desire.
Choose Thyroid Stack if…
You specifically want:
- a transparent nutritional thyroid support formula
- Iodine and selenium
- L-Tyrosine and selected botanical ingredients
- A vegan, vegetarian and Halal-certified formula
- 30 three capsule servings
Thyroid Stack is not…
- a treatment for an underactive thyroid
- a levothyroxine alternative
- a libido medicine
- a fat loss treatment
- a solution for unexplained tiredness without medical assessment
Cognitive performance support
Focus+ is a stimulant nootropic formula designed for work, study, gaming and training. It provides caffeine, choline donors, amino acids and botanical ingredients.
Libido vs fertility vs erectile function
Libido - Sexual desire or interest
Fertility - The ability to conceive or contribute to conception
Erectile dysfunction - Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection
Prostate health - Health and function of the prostate gland
Hormonal health - A broad term covering several different hormones and systems
Thyroid function - Production and regulation of thyroid hormones
The NHS distinguishes low libido from erectile dysfunction and advises that recurring erection difficulties can sometimes be associated with physical or psychological causes requiring assessment.
Building a wider sexual-wellbeing routine
A supplement is only one potential part.
Factors worth considering include:
- consistent sleep
- stress management
- relationship communication
- mental health
- physical activity
- alcohol intake
- medication side effects
- menopause or postnatal changes
- erectile or vaginal symptoms
- broader cardiovascular and metabolic health
- seeking appropriate medical or psychosexual support
Lifestyle improvements or supplements may not resolve every case of low libido. The underlying cause should guide the response.
FAQs
What are libido support supplements?
Libido support supplements are products containing vitamins, minerals, amino acids or botanical ingredients marketed to customers researching sexual desire or related areas of hormonal and reproductive wellbeing.
They are not medicines and should not be treated as guaranteed ways to increase sex drive.
Can supplements increase libido?
No food supplement should promise to increase libido unless a legally authorised claim and the relevant condition allow that wording.
Because low libido can have many causes, the most appropriate response depends on the individual.
Stress, relationship factors, medication, menopause, depression and health conditions can all play a part.
What causes low libido?
Possible causes include:
- stress and tiredness
- relationship concerns
- anxiety or depression
- pregnancy or caring for a baby
- menopause
- erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness
- prescription medication
- alcohol
- certain medical conditions
Speak to a GP if libido change is persistent, distressing or accompanied by other symptoms.
Is low libido the same as erectile dysfunction?
No.
Low libido means reduced sexual desire.
Erectile dysfunction means difficulty getting or maintaining an erection.
A person can experience one without the other, although they can sometimes occur together.
Is libido the same as fertility?
No.
Libido describes sexual desire, while fertility relates to conception.
Can thyroid problems affect libido?
Changes in thyroid function may be associated with changes in energy, mood and sexual desire, but symptoms alone cannot diagnose a thyroid condition.
Anyone who suspects a thyroid issue should seek medical assessment and appropriate blood tests rather than self treating with supplements.
Does Prostate Stack increase testosterone?
Prostate Stack provides 15mg zinc per serving.
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood.
This does not mean however, that the product is guaranteed to increase testosterone or libido.
Does Prostate Stack treat erectile dysfunction?
No.
Prostate Stack is a food supplement is not positioned as treating erectile dysfunction. Recurring erection difficulties should be discussed with a GP or sexual-health professional.
Is Female Fertility+ a libido supplement?
No.
Fertility+ is a female fertility focused vitamin, mineral and nutrient formula. Fertility and sexual desire can be different areas of health.
Can I take libido related supplements with antidepressants?
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist first.
Some antidepressants can affect libido, while supplement ingredients may interact with medicines.
Do not stop or change prescribed medication without professional advice.
Can I take these products with HRT or hormonal contraception?
Consult a doctor or pharmacist before combining hormone-focused supplements with HRT, hormonal contraception or fertility medication.
Provide the complete ingredient list so suitability and possible interactions can be reviewed.
When should I speak to a GP about low libido?
Seek advice when:
- the change is persistent or causing distress
- it affects your relationship or wellbeing
- you also experience erectile dysfunction or painful sex
- you have symptoms associated with menopause or a possible health condition
- the change started after beginning medication
- you are concerned about fertility
- you have unexplained fatigue, mood or weight changes
The NHS advises speaking to a GP when you are worried about low libido or believe medication or contraception may be contributing.