Not all supplements are super.
The wellness market is chock-full of supplements that promise you better sleep, healthier skin, improved muscle growth and extended longevity.
But while many can support a healthy lifestyle, some may cause supplemental damage in the bedroom, including a popular one for hair loss.
Libido, or the biological desire for sexual activity, can be affected by several factors, from what you eat to hormones, stress, vascular health and more.
Some people, like those going through menopause, may reach for supplements for a little extra lovin’.
But a daily routine of popping a few supplements and herbs to boost your health may actually be draining your desire.
Ones like melatonin, saw palmetto, St. John’s wort and licorice root may actually be altering or lowering hormone levels that are tied to libido.
1. Melatonin
If you’re reaching for melatonin every night, but find yourself dozing off before you get lucky, you may want to rethink your nightly dosage.
Designed to help people catch some Z’s, it’s often recommended to start with the lowest dose of the sleep and relaxation supplement. But many may reach for the 20-milligram option to get the best rest.
However, this could backfire on libido by negatively influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, a chain of glands that affects reproduction and hormone levels.
This, in turn, could suppress reproductive hormones like luteinizing hormone, reducing sexual interest in female animals.
The research around melatonin use and sexual drive is limited, though.
2. Saw palmetto
Men may often take this supplement for hair loss and to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate, a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). But there could be a catch.
While saw palmetto is sometimes used to increase libido, it may have the opposite effect due to how it affects testosterone.
Saw palmetto works by blocking the enzyme that changes testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, which causes hair loss and affects the prostate.
While rare, it may have mild testosterone-related effects, namely lowering the amount of the hormone, leading to a lower libido.
3. St. John’s wort
An herbal remedy for mood support, St. John’s wort may also cause sexual side effects — many of which are similar to those of antidepressants — including erectile dysfunction, delayed orgasm and lowered sex drive.
Not to mention, the herb is also strongly discouraged by medical experts and even called “the worst supplement to take if you are on other medications,” according to pharmacist Ethan Melillo.
In fact, the Mayo Clinic lists nearly two dozen types of potentially harmful Saint John’s wort interactions, including with antihistamines (may cause buildup of the drug in the body), narcotics (may increase sleepiness) and birth control (may diminish its effectiveness).
4. Licorice root
While many people use licorice root for several different reasons, including digestive issues, sore throat and cough, it may do more harm than good.
Some studies show that consuming licorice may lower testosterone levels, but more research is needed to determine its full effects.
It may also have anti-androgen actions by blocking the enzymes needed to make testosterone, as well as disrupting hormonal balance.
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