Fenugreek For Libido

October 23, 2019
Benjamin Bunting BA(Hons) PGCert

Written by Ben Bunting: BA, PGCert. (Sport & Exercise Nutrition) // British Army Physical Training Instructor // S&C Coach.

In this article, we shall discuss how fenugreek can benefit your libido and overall sexual experience.

This review of fenugreek and its libido-enhancing effects is supported by a number of references from reputable sources to ensure the accuracy of the material produced.

These references can be found at the bottom of the page.

By the end of reading this article, you will know more about the following areas:

Overview of fenugreek
Libido and its influencers
Fenugreek benefits for male libido
Female libido benefits of fenugreek
Fenugreek dosage
Libido supplement safety
Other benefits
The take-home

What is Fenugreek?

Fenugreek is a herb that is also commonly referred to as Trigonella foenum-graecum.

The seeds are often found in foodstuffs such as condiments or used directly in cooking, particularly in dishes that are related to the Southern and Central regions of Asia.

Additionally, it has been around since approximately 4000BC and traces found in the tomb of Tutankhamen.

Fenugreek was a widely used medicinal plant in places such as Europe and the USA, yet it is still popular in India [2].

This is reflected by India's position as being the largest producer of fenugreek in the world. [3]

The seeds do have some nutritional value; they are very high in iron content plus protein and fiber.

Yet there's also nearly half of your recommended daily dose of magnesium, plus over a quarter of your needs for vitamin B6, a healthy amount of potassium notwithstanding smaller amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, and calcium.

These figures are interesting because those vitamins and minerals have evidence to demonstrate they are beneficial towards producing a healthy amount of testosterone which can help combat age related andropause.

Additionally, research published in 2020 demonstrates that fenugreek can also help with the relieving the effects of the menopause.

So, as a quick overview of fenugreek, we can see there's a lot of history, a lot of use and it has some solid nutritional value.

Yet, let us look at its benefits for libido, in both males and females plus the required doses.

Libido, What Is It?

ground fenugreek seeds

If we break it down to its very raw purpose, libido is essentially a function to procreate and survive as a species.

Libido itself is one of many areas that consist of normal sexual function and intercourse.

Having a low libido can contribute to a lessened desire for sex and the ability to have sexual intercourse. [4]

WebMD suggests that this sexual desire and want to have intercourse is very different between men and women.

They say that men have a higher sex drive and it is more straightforward.

Whereas, the suggestion is that women tend to place more value on cultural, environmental, and emotion. [5]

The Victorian State Government website in Australia explains that libido is simply a persons sex drive. [6]

What they also cover is that no person's sex drive or libido is the same.

This desire for sexual activity is influenced by a number of factors, and generally cannot be seen as an 'on-off' mechanism.

It has been discussed that the different factors influencing libido can range from biological, psychological, life circumstances, medications, and social.

The Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Gustav Jung stated that the libido is an appetite in its natural state. [7]

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Libido Changes

We have already touched on the numerous different factors that can influence a person's sex drive and libido.

While libido is the mechanism to procreate, some seem to have more desire to do so than others. Again, this is completely normal as everyone is different.

However, let's take a closer look into the areas that can cause libido changes for a person.

Libido and Age

Yes, age. It catches us all eventually.

However, it is certainly speculated that a males libido is naturally increased during their teens, which correlates with puberty and the influx of increased testosterone production.

This peak eventually tails off over time but does appear to create a sudden spike of sexual desire. [8]

On the other hand, when females reach puberty in their teens, they experience a slower increase of sexual desire until they reach their thirties when it peaks and thus drives female libido. [9]

This then takes us to our next point regarding age...

Libido and Menopause

If we just go back to the ultimate reason for libido: the need to procreate.

It will come as no surprise to hear that a woman tends to hit peak sexual desire just before ovulation.

This period is when a woman is at her highest point of fertility. [10]

However, when a woman enters her menopausal stage, this marks the point when she would stop having her period, ovulate and be able to become pregnant. [11]

Naturally, as a woman can no longer ovulate and isn't fertile, the basic or natural need for libido diminishes, this is also accompanied by a reduction in testosterone which also contributes to a lessened libido.

This is accompanied by vaginal dryness and experience pain during sex.

Libido and Hormones

Hormones are important for both male and female libido.

Testosterone

We spoke about how a male hits their peak sexual desire during puberty when testosterone levels are high, similarly, women are more sexually heightened up to a week before ovulation...when her testosterone levels are also high. [12]

There is a clear correlation between testosterone and a healthy libido.

In fact, a loss of libido, particularly in men is associated with the natural decline of testosterone that is commonly referred to as the andropause. [13]

Do you want to learn more about the benefits of testosterone? CLICK HERE

Estrogen

Additionally, women also need to produce estrogen to create a healthy balance of sex hormones to maintain sexual desire as well as promoting vaginal lubrication. [14]

However, women are subject to many hormonal changes throughout their lives which can upset this balance, and, in turn, affect their libido.

Men also require estrogen to maintain libido as well.

While it is difficult to determine the balance required between estrogen and testosterone, there is evidence (some still conflicting) that estrogen does have a positive effect on libido in men. [15]

Libido Killers

Let's consider other factors that can reduce your libido.

Libido and Alcohol

Men may have heard of the 'brewers droop'.

This is a term coined because of the effect alcohol can have on libido and result in erectile dysfunction. [16]

However, alcohol does also affect women.

It is reported that it may increase subjective sexual desire while actually reduces arousal and sexual function. [17]

Depression

Depression is a serious illness that has a negative effect on many aspects of a person's life.

Having a reduced libido is one of the symptoms of depression, along with feelings of hopelessness and losing the interest of pleasure in things that were once enjoyed.

Additionally, anti-depressants can also cause a lack of interest or desire in sex. [18]

Exercise

Another area that requires balance.

No or very low levels of exercise can lead to diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cancers.

This has shown to increase sexual dysfunction among both men and women.

Evidence presents a strong relationship between physical fitness/exercise with improved sexual function. [19]

However, there is also evidence that those involved in arduous and extreme bouts of endurance exercise can also lead to a diminished libido. [20]

Stress

Many people experience pressure during their day-to-day lives.

This stress can lead to constricted arteries which can affect blood flow and in turn ensure erectile dysfunction. [21]

Furthermore, those who suffer from PTSD, particularly those veterans of military service experience sexual dysfunction of up to three times that of those without PTSD. [22]

How to Increase your Libido Naturally

In many respects, where possible, we need to address the areas addressed which are known to kill libido.

In that case, if your exercise levels are low, increase them but not to the point where you are committing yourself to extreme endurance feats.

Another area is to reduce alcohol consumption if your levels are high and it is having a negative impact.

If possible, treatment and advice should be sought for depression and stress.

Additionally, we can also seek out natural aphrodisiacs.

These can be foods, herbs, plants, or seeds.

An aphrodisiac is something that can arouse sexual instinct, increase desire and pleasure.

It need not just be something to be consumed and can be visual or tactile.

However, one such internal aphrodisiac is fenugreek.

Fenugreek Benefits for Male Libido

It was reported that a daily dose of 600mg of fenugreek supplemented to 60 healthy men between the ages of 25 and 52 resulted in a higher libido.

The study also saw a higher quality of life, as well as increased self-reported satisfaction with muscle strength and energy.

The results were based on a study of a 6-week duration. [24]

An additional study of 50 male volunteers also saw remarkable benefits for libido, testosterone, sperm health, and overall performance.

This study lasted 12 weeks and 500mg was supplemented. [25]

Fenugreek and Libido in Females

Studies also demonstrate that women can benefit from fenugreek as well.

80 women supplemented either a placebo or 600mg daily of fenugreek and many aspects were measured, including stress, fatigue, and quality of life.

After just 8 weeks, it was measured that the group who were being administered fenugreek saw a significant increase in sexual desire and arousal when compared to the placebo group. [26]

Fenugreek Dosage for Libido

The common dose of fenugreek which provides positive results is 500-600mg daily.

Military Muscle is in line with these proven doses and offers 600mg for each daily dose.

Are Libido Supplements Safe?

It is difficult to state whether all libido supplements are safe, that is because there is no set nutrient profile for libido supplements.

One product can hugely differ from another in terms of the included ingredients.

However, fenugreek is generally safe for most people with any issues mainly surrounding gastrointestinal discomfort rather than any othe problems. [27]

This is unless you are pregnant. Furthermore, fenugreek may interact with some other medicines. There's some concern that it may increase blood thinning when taken alongside drugs such as warfarin or reduce blood sugar levels too much when combined with hypoglycemic agents. [28]

A further point of interest is the fibrous content of fenugreek may have an effect on the absorption of any medications that you are taking, and therefore it is advised to take anything containing fenugreek at least 2 hours prior. [29]

If you do suffer from allergies of peanuts, soybeans and chickpeas you may wish to avoid fenugreek as there could be some reactivity due to them sharing the same Fabaceae family of legumes/peas/beans. [30]

Women who are currently suffering from hormone-sensitive cancers should not use fenugreek supplements.

Fenugreek Benefits for Men

Now we have discussed and learnt about the benefits for libido, let's also consider the wider benefits for of fenugreek for men.

Sperm Health

Evidence points toward fenugreek being effective at improving sperm health. [31] A study of 50 men saw 500mg of fenugreek daily saw improvements of sperm count, motility and morphology whih can help improve fertility.

Muscle and Strength

In another study of men who were supplementing 500mg of fenugreek daily resulted in significant improvements of both muscle size and strength for both the upper and lower body. [32]

Fenugreek Benefits for Women

Lactation

Fenugreek has been noted for its ability to increase breast milk production, in some cases it has helped double milk production. [33]

Period Pains and Cramps

A study involving over 100 women saw that 900mg of fenugreek daily reduced pain and accompanying symptoms or dysmenorrhea with no unwanted side effects. [34]

fenugreek for libido

Other Benefits of Fenugreek

Type 2 Diabetes

Clinical trials have found that fenugreek can be effective at controlling lipid and blood glucose levels for those suffering with type 2 diabetes. [35]

Satiety

There is evidence to suggest that fenugreek may be able to help control hunger amongst people to prevent them from over consuming foods and high fat intake which can lead to a calorie surplus. [36]

Reducing Fat Mass

A reduction of fat mass in athletes who were supplementing fenugreek was measured, while it wasn't that impressive, the reduciton was statistically significant. [37]

Cardiovascular Disease

Fenugreek may be able to reduce the fatty acids that are present in blood which are known as triglycerides. These fatty acids can be used either for energy or stored in to body fat. [38]

However, too much of them can lead to cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, fenugreek may also be able to improve the good cholesterol in your blood knwon as HDL which can help cleanout the bad cholesterol from your arteries and blood vessels. [39]

Hair Loss

A study conducted in Germany found that 300g of fenugreek daily as an oral supplement was able to reduce hair thinning and improve subsequent hair growth. [40]

Dermatology

Fenugreek is said to be able to soothe dry and inflammed skin and the fenugreek mucilage (a substance produced by the plant) can be dried and used as a banage for wound healing. [41]

Fenugreek: The Take Home

Fenugreek is a natural herb that has been used for centuries.

It consists of a variety of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to human health.

We have addressed libido, and how it is the root of procreation. An increased sexual desire theoretically can lead to the survival of a species.

However, there are many factors that can have a negative impact on human libido.

These range from ones that can be managed quite easily to other areas that are more damaging.

Yet, there are studies available to show that we can naturally increase and improve libido.

One such way is to use fenugreek, a dose of 600mg per day has proven to increase both male and female libido with a plethora of additional benefits such as muscle growth, hair growth and even skin care.

Military Muscle contains this exact dose, so you can benefit from taking our supplement.