Are Hormones affecting your Sex Life?
Read about the author Samantha Evans
Hormones play a huge part in many aspects of our lives, especially when it comes to sex. By understanding how hormones affect our sexual pleasure, we can start enjoying better sex.
We’ve all experienced those moments when we’re having sex and it just isn’t happening for us, your mind wanders, the chatter starts in your head and no matter how hard you try, arousal is alluding you!
Glancing at the calendar, the reasons for this make sense.
Your monthly cycle
Your hormones go through a wild ride during the month with peaks and troughs affecting your libido.
While not all women are regular as clockwork, generally within the month, Day 1 is the first day of your period, Day 14 marks ovulation (when an egg is released) and Day 28 is the start of your next period.
Progesterone produced on your ovulation day can cause your libido to plummet, and this can last for 7 days. The next week sees your libido start to climb before your next period, making you feel sexy, and just prior to ovulation there is a big burst of hormones released, making arousal easier.
So, in general, Days 24-27 and 6-14 we’re raring to go with big hormonal hits around Days 11-14 but Day 20, we couldn’t care less!!
Women produce testosterone too, which encourages the sex drive; testosterone slowly increases a few days before our period and peaks just before ovulation.
Moody but still in the mood!
Even though our hormones tend to be lower right before our period making us feel a little low, often we’re still “in the mood”. This is when chocolate consumption escalates to make us happy and boost serotonin levels.
Having sex can make us feel happier by releasing feel good hormones.
Research by the University of Colorado, Boulder surveyed 15,000 people about their sexual activity, and found that those who reported having sex 2-3 times a week were 55% more likely to report a higher level of happiness than respondents who had infrequent sex.
Use some lube!
Some women notice that they are less “wet” prior to their period- this isn’t as a result of not being aroused, it’s those hormones. So, use some lubrication to make your sex play feel more pleasurable, such as YES organic lubricant or ID Velvet Silicone Lubricant
Reaching orgasm may take longer
One of the stumbling blocks to achieving an orgasm is that we worry too much about it. Instead of letting the wave of pleasure flow over us we need to switch the chatter off in our heads. If you are constantly thinking, “Am I there yet? Will it happen? When will it happen?” you won’t orgasm.
However, reaching an orgasm may be harder to achieve right after ovulation so if this the case, concentrate on exploring alternative ways to enjoy sexual pleasure.
Try a vibrator which offers different, often stronger sexual stimulation or a simple bullet vibe.
The Satisfyer Pro Plus Vibration offer air wave technology combined with vibratory power, unique sexual stimulation.
Have fun incorporating a sex toy into your sex play, such as a “vibrating cock ring”:“product/je-joue-mio, “ Doppio 2”:product/doppio-2 or couples’ toy which will pleasure you both.
Experiment with bondage, enjoying sensory deprived sex to heighten your sexual senses, increasing your levels of arousal. Finding your inner dominatrix can increase your sexual pleasure.
It’s not strange to still feel like having sex during your period!
Some women are completely turned off by sex during their period but others get turned on but think they shouldn’t be having sex. Around 20% of women still have sex during their period, depending on flow, cramps and mood.
So, if you feel like having sex, and so does your partner, go for it. It’s best to go slow, make sure your bed is protected and limit your position. Even if you don’t want full penetrative sex, you can still enjoy sex play with your partner.
Having sex during your period may actually shorten its duration. This is because the sex is likely to cause an increase in uterine contractions that in turn cause the uterus to empty more quickly.
Due to the increased sensitivity of the vaginal area, achieving an orgasm can be easier.
Having an orgasm can alleviate the intensity of your cramps. Prior to orgasm, the uterus is relaxed. When climax occurs, blood flow increases, and the contraction of the uterine muscles during orgasm releases pain-relieving chemicals to the brain.
Orgasms also lift your mood, reducing other PMS symptoms, such as irritability and feeling a bit blue.
Taking the Pill can affect your libido
Many women will tell you that they notice a drop in their sexual libido when they start taking the contraceptive pill. Some notice reduced lubrication during sex play, less enjoyment in sex and a decrease in their number of sexual fantasies.
Often changing the type of pill you take or looking at different alternative forms of contraception can lessen the impact upon your sexual desire and arousal.
Stress affects your sex hormones too
We all feel stressed during our busy lives but we need to learn to handle our stress more effectively. Stress can cause a dip in testosterone levels which affects your sex drive. A healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise can help lift your mood. Relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga can be beneficial too.
This may sound mad if your libido has dropped but one way to alleviate stress is to masturbate or have sex. Masturbation allows you to focus on one thing; therefore, if you feel stressed, take time out for a little “me” time.
You don’t have to go solo, mutual masturbation with your partner is fun too!
When we think of sex, our brain releases dopamine – a chemical which gives us a feeling of pleasure.
The Menopause can both decrease libido and increase it!
The menopause is always depicted as a period during a woman’s life that is to be endured, and sadly many women do experience symptoms which affect their daily life and relationships. On the other hand, some women say that the menopause made their sex life better.
However, there are many things you can do to overcome some symptom of the menopause such as taking hormone replacement therapy, natural supplements, changing your diet and exercising regularly.
Using vaginal lubricants during sex can ease vaginal dryness while investing in a vibrator can increase your chances of having an orgasm if your ability to orgasm diminishes, or just mixing up your sex play and trying new things.
Sex isn’t just about penetration but enjoying any form of sexual intimacy that bring you sexual pleasure.Often men experience sexual dysfunction during this time, so why not buy his and her sex toys to enjoy your own sexual adventure together?
Don’t let your hormones rule your life, learning to recognise why you feel the way you do will allow you to live your life the way you want to, not how your hormones make you feel. A few simple changes can help you improve your sex life, increasing your sexual pleasure and intimacy, and make you a happier person.