Superfoods for Optimized Fertility
August 7, 2019 No Comments
If you’re wondering why your sex drive disappeared, you’re not alone—studies show approximately 60% of women report sexual dissatisfaction, and low libido is one of the most common complaints I hear from clients. The good news: your sex drive isn’t broken. It’s biochemistry—and it’s fixable.
Your libido affects far more than your time in bed. It affects your vitality, fertility, and experience of a pleasure-filled life. In this guide, I’ll break down the hormones that control desire, the most common reasons female libido drops, and exactly how to boost your sex drive naturally with food, supplements, and lifestyle changes.
Table of Contents
Menstruation (Days 1–5): Libido varies. Some women feel increased desire; others don’t. Hormones are at their lowest.
Follicular phase (Days 6–12): Estrogen rises steadily. Energy and desire increase. You start feeling “like yourself” again.
Ovulation (Days 13–15): Testosterone peaks. This is your libido peak—your body is biologically primed for conception. If you never feel this surge, something is hormonally off.
Luteal phase (Days 16–28): Progesterone rises, which can dampen desire. In the second half, all hormones dip and PMS symptoms may further reduce interest. This is normal—desire naturally ebbs here.
Read more: Biohacking Your Cycle for Better Sex.
Chronic stress is the #1 sex drive killer. Cortisol directly competes with sex hormones for resources. Your body’s pregnenolone (the master hormone) gets “stolen” to make cortisol instead of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. The result: depleted sex hormones and zero desire. See: Stress & Hormone Imbalance.
Magnesium is directly linked to libido. It supports production of sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) and neurotransmitters (dopamine, epinephrine) that regulate sexual desire. Magnesium keeps testosterone “free” in the bloodstream rather than bound to proteins—higher free testosterone = higher sex drive. It also reduces cortisol and anxiety. For the full deep dive: Magnesium for Fertility (including Magnesium and Libido).
Hormonal birth control suppresses your body’s natural hormone production and raises SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin), which binds free testosterone. Even after stopping, SHBG can remain elevated for months—keeping testosterone low and libido flat. Read: How to Quit the Pill Without Side Effects.
Sleep deprivation reduces testosterone production, increases cortisol, and leaves you too exhausted for desire. Even one week of poor sleep can drop testosterone by 10–15%.
Insulin resistance damages ovarian function and disrupts sex hormone production. Sugar crashes cause fatigue and mood swings—neither conducive to desire.
Beyond magnesium, deficiencies in zinc, B vitamins, vitamin D, iron, and omega-3s all impact libido. Each plays a role in hormone production, energy, and neurotransmitter function.
Post-pill: Elevated SHBG binds testosterone for months after stopping. Support with zinc, Vitex, and nutrition. Allow 3–12 months.
Trying to conceive: Timed intercourse and performance pressure can kill spontaneity. Focus on reconnecting emotionally, not just reproductively.
During pregnancy: First trimester nausea and fatigue suppress desire. Second trimester often brings a libido surge (increased blood flow). Third trimester: discomfort typically reduces interest.
Postpartum: The estrogen crash, breastfeeding (prolactin suppresses desire), sleep deprivation, and body image shifts create a perfect storm for low libido. It’s normal and temporary. See: Postpartum Hormones.
Perimenopause: Declining estrogen and testosterone reduce desire, lubrication, and tissue elasticity. Bioidentical hormone support and targeted supplements can help significantly.
If you’re trying to get pregnant and looking for a solution-based, comprehensive approach, read my complete guide: What’s Actually Preventing Pregnancy — and How to Fix It.
I offer 1:1 consultations for hormone balancing, including libido support. Schedule a consultation or explore The Fertility Code.
If you’ve been told everything looks normal but you’re still not pregnant — or you have a diagnosis like PCOS, endometriosis, or poor egg quality and nothing is working — there’s almost always something deeper that hasn’t been found yet.
Standard fertility testing rarely evaluates the factors that actually determine whether pregnancy happens: egg quality, ovulation quality, metabolic health, inflammation, nutrient status, and how your body responds to stress.
After nearly 20 years and hundreds of clients, I’ve found that most fertility struggles come down to a small number of hidden biological drivers. When those drivers are identified and addressed in the right order, the body responds.
That’s exactly what we uncover inside The Fertility Code — my 12-week, high-touch fertility program for women who are done guessing. We find what’s been missed and build a clear, personalized strategy around your body, your labs, and your history.
With 1:1 coaching, direct access between calls, lab reviews, evidence-based content, and structured accountability, you get expert eyes on your case so you can stop second-guessing and start moving forward with clarity.
Over 90% of the women I work with go on to conceive.
If you’re ready to finally understand what your body needs for a successful pregnancy — and fix what’s been missed — you can explore the program here → The Fertility Code.
Or schedule a free Fertility Strategy Call to see if the program is right for you.
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