Is great sexual health possible with natural herbs and nutrients? The answer may surprise you but it is a resounding Yes. There are quite a number of natural herbal options that may just do the trick...but first let's learn more about the factors involved in sexual health.

There are five major areas involved in male and female sexual health:

1. Psychological -- The causes of psychological sexual dysfunction and poor sexual health are numerous, and it is difficult to list them all, but most often low libido is related to depression, performance anxiety, marital stress or relationship problems, life crisis, financial difficulties, religious repression, or some type of mental illness. return of sexual health is possible through various forms of therapy, stress release, vacation, etc.

2. Hormonal -- Androgens, such as testosterone, are a major component of sexual health and good libido. Testosterone levels decline about 1 percent each year in men, which may contribute to lower male libido with aging. Testosterone also declines with age in women leading to a decrease in female libido. Women who have had surgical removal of the ovaries notice a drop in sexual interest. Return of sexual health through replacement of androgens can be helpful in those with age related sexual dysfunction. Testosterone is available by prescription only. An over the counter hormones, such as DHEA, converts into testosterone and thus has a positive influence on libido. Pregnenolone is another over the counter hormone that may increase testosterone levels and thus enhance libido.

3. Vascular -- Alterations in the flow of blood to and from the penis are thought to be a common cause of male erectile dysfunction. For instance, medical conditions such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high cholesterol, hypertension, or diabetes reduce blood flow to the penis and genital organs thus leading to difficulty with erection or genital swelling. Proper diet and exercise can bring back good sexual health. Additional factors that can impede blood flow include penile injury, surgery in the pelvic or abdominal area, and sitting on a bicycle too long. Men who log several thousand miles a year on their mountain bikes suffer scrotal damage that could reduce their fertility.  

4. Neural -- Nerve damage from disorders such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke affect the brain’s ability to respond to sexual stimulation. In women, abdominal or pelvic operations can occasionally lead to nerve damage. Sexual dysfunction is common in men undergoing surgical treatment for prostate enlargement or cancer.

5. Chemical -- Some chemicals involved in the human sexual response and libido include dopamine, acetylcholine, and nitric oxide. Sexual enhancement is quite likely through manipulation of these brain chemicals by using natural herbs.

Sexual Health and Medical conditions
Certain medical conditions reduce libido, performance, or enjoyment. These include hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and neurologic disorders, and insomnia.

Drugs that interfere with Sexual Health
Drugs that interfere with libido or sexual health include some anti-hypertensives, SSRIs, sedatives, and beta-blockers. Alcohol's negative affect on libido increases with age. Smoking can reduce genital blood flow.

Sexual Health Research Update
Exercise and weight loss may improve sexual function in obese men, researchers in Italy report. In a new study of more than 100 obese men with erectile dysfunction, nearly a third regained normal sexual function after participating in an intensive weight loss program.

Sexual Health emails
Q. Does exercise lead to sexual health?
   A. Without a doubt. Exercise can help you sleep deeper which does wonders for libido. Exercise also makes you feel better about your body, and this could also have an influence on your libido.

Q. My doctor told me that I need testosterone to boost my libido ever since I've had my ovaries removed. Do you think herbs can restore sexual health without resorting to hormones? I really don't want to take testosterone.
   A. Most doctors don't realize that there certain natural herbs have sexual health enhancement abilities as much as the hormones.

Sexual health
Alternatives to Viagra and pharmaceutical libido drugs
Viagra alternative for women's sexual health
 

There are several herbs that could help sexual health, these include LJ100 and also tongkat ali.