Agnus Castus/St Johns Wort - for low sex drive ?

[sparkle1977]

Please help me here. I am experiencing problems with a low sex drive at the moment which is slightly affecting things between me and DH. It used to be the other way around in that mine was higher and DH lower but since having my second DC mine has got noticeably lower.

Are Agnus Castus or St John's Wort worth trying to pep things up or do they not really work ??

Also I take the contraceptive pill (Yasmin) so don't want to take a supplement which could interfere with that.

Hi sparkle1977

I tried these but not for low sex drive more for that time of the month blues feeling. They did help initially but they werent enough to keep me on the straight and narrow. I eventually went to docs got some ads and am happily a different person now!

Could just be hormones how old is second DC? Do you know why your sex drive has dropped, tiredness, depression or just not feeling like it?

I wouldnt beat yourself up about it I'm sure you'll be just fine you sound like you just need a little more time. Is your DH understanding?

Hi Sparkle,

St John's Wort will interfere with your contraceptive I think.

I have also been looking into Agnus Castus, or Vitex, as it is commonly called, and was led to believe that it can aid fertility. I may be wrong and I will gladly let someone correct me if that is the case.

I have read that it can decrease the Prolactin and thereofre increase the FSH and LH needed for ovulation, and should not be taken if on the pill, fertility drugs or HRT.

see near to the bottom of this page

and St John's wort here

Thanks, thats what I thought so shall avoid both I think to be on the safe side.

Are there any other recommended over the counter things for low sex drive do you know ?

Laurasarah - DCs are now aged 4 and 2.5 so don't really think its hormones causing the prob, more a case of me just not feeling like it.

Have also recently switched contraceptive brand which I thought might make a change but it hasn't.

I have read that Gingko (sp?) can boost low sex drive.

The contraceptive pill in general can have this side effect, possibly not just the specific one you are taking.

I have read that Ginkgo (sp?) can boost low sex drive.

The contraceptive pill in general can have this side effect, possibly not just the specific one you are taking.

Sorry for double post

Ginseng and damiana would boost your system but not recommended for more than three months.

Hoodia is supposed to help. Holland and Barratt stock it.

Do some problem-seeking research on herbal meds before you start taking them. Many can interefere with pharmaceutical remedies and there are evidential studies linking liver disease, heart disease and various other issues with certain popular herbs. It's difficult because the meds are not regulated, so dosage varies from brand to brand and there's no large-scale research funding.

Libido can be adversely affected by low levels of B-vitamins, iron, zinc and (possibly) selenium. You could try a vitamin & mineral supplement with mega B-complex - some provide around 4,000 times the RDA, it won't hurt you. Good dietary sources are Marmite (Bs), red meat (iron) and Brazil nuts (zinc).

Lots of women are low on B-complex and iron.

also VIAFEM is a herbal remedy for sex drive.

So glad I'm not the only person. My sex drive is non existant since having kids. Nothing to do with the kids as such as they sleep well. I just feel like I'm a different person and I can't go back to that sex loving woman that I used to be. It is a strain on our marriage, but, so far, my husband is very understanding. I feel like I don't care if I never have sex again but at the same time I miss it and miss that closeness and connection with my husband. Makes me sad. But am going to try the vitamin b complex and luckily love Brazil nuts!

Just don't buy cheap and nasty vitamins and minerals, they are not worth their money. Nutricentre stocks a huge variety of supplements as do other independant retailers. Do hurry as from April a new law will come into force which will see a dramatic cut of minerals / vits and herbs for sale.

OOoh, I swear by sunflower seeds. Ate them by the handfull everyday and they really work!