A Short Guide: Zinc and your Sex Drive

Have you heard that zinc can affect our sex drive? Today we are going to talk about what zinc is, what happens if we don’t have enough, and how it might affect your sex life.

What is zinc?

Zinc is a microelement that is present in our bodies. It’s important for lots of things in your body, including cell growth, hormone regulation, and your immune and reproductive systems.

What happens if I don’t have enough zinc?

Zinc deficiency can cause a range of different symptoms. You might notice you get sick more often than usual and take longer to recover, you might lose your appetite or lose weight. It can also affect sexual function.

What does zinc have to do with my sex drive?

In men, low zinc is known to be related to issues like erectile dysfunction and low libido, or sex drive.

There is some evidence that zinc also affects sexual function in women as well. A study looking at sexual function in postmenopausal women found that zinc supplements improved sexual desire, orgasm, vaginal dryness, and pain during sex. We think this works by increasing Testosterone levels. Testosterone is important for sexual function in everyone and not just men!

Most of the evidence about women’s sex drive and zinc is related to post-menopausal women. Studies are usually done to look for methods of treating the symptoms of Menopause without hormones. This being said, increasing your zinc intake might be helpful if you are worried about your sex life.

Where can I get zinc from?

Zinc is most easily found in food. The foods with the most absorbable zinc are usually animal products, e.g. fish, eggs, and dairy. But even if you don’t eat animal products you can still get zinc. it’s found in things like cereals, nuts, legumes, and grains. There is, though, less of it in these foods though, and the form is slightly harder for our bodies to absorb. Making sure you’re eating protein at the same time as your zinc-rich food can make it easier for your body to absorb it.

If you eat a varied and balanced diet then it is usually pretty easy to make sure you are getting enough nutrients, including zinc.

Can I have too much zinc?

Yes. Like most things in our bodies, balance is important. Too much zinc can cause stomach cramps and vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and headaches. This is most likely if you are taking too many zinc supplements. High zinc levels are unlikely to occur from diet alone.

So, will taking zinc improve my sex drive?

Maybe. Sex is such a complex part of our lives. There are so many factors that might make us not feel like having sex, such as stress, illness, pain, trauma, or other things going on in our lives. Increasing your zinc intake might help, but only if you’re deficient in zinc. If you have concerns about your sex life, talking to a doctor or therapist can help.

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