Food supplements with ingredients of natural origin and scientific endorsement allow to recover the vitality and improve the low sexual desire, thus increasing the sensation of health and well-being in the woman.

“COVID-19, as well as confinement as a result of the pandemic, has affected various aspects of our lives, including sexuality,” explains Dr. Francisca Molero, a gynecologist and clinical sexologist, currently director of the Ibero-American Institute of Sexology and president of the Spanish Federation of the Society of Sexology.

In the webinar “Recovering the vitality and desire of women… Naturally! (www.ginecarefmc.com), Dr. Molero analyzed the results observed in different surveys carried out both nationally and internationally. As a result of the so-called “Age of the COVID-19” two very remarkable panoramas can be found. On the one hand, stable couples with good relationships who now seek to further improve their connection in all aspects, including sexual. On the other hand, those people who used to have sporadic partners and who now have a certain fear of spreading this virus.

STABLE COUPLES AND SPORADIC COUPLES

Regarding the first situation, Dr. Molero mentions that women with stable partners have realized the importance of having a stable bond with someone and the security they have in their sexual relationships, investing efforts to improve these relationships and consulting the gynecologist if they have doubts.

However, women with sporadic partners have reduced their sexual encounters and now are more likely to enjoy their sexuality individually. “Sexologists and gynecologists have a very important task to make women feel safe in this new environment without falling into extreme situations, such as annulling their sexual life out of fear,” said the doctor. The sexologist said that COVID-19 has changed the way we relate to each other and has also changed our habits, encouraging virtual sex.

In short, the “Age of COVID-19” has affected women’s and couples’ sexuality. It is true that the desire to strengthen relationships has increased during confinement. However, physical and emotional stress, and health and economic uncertainty, in addition to the alteration in daily routine have caused exhaustion. This have caused a decrease in libido of many women, a factor that is clearly detrimental to improved relationships.

FEMALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTIONS ARE MULTIFACTORIAL

Stress, an inherent companion of confinement, is one of the most influential and psychological factors in the appearance of female sexual dysfunctions. The impact of psychological factors on sexual health is well known, although there are also other aspects to take into account, such as the socio-cultural environment itself, the quality of interpersonal relationships, the appearance of health problems and even some medical treatments. In addition, there are situations throughout life that affect female sexual function, such as menopause, pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding or the use of hormonal contraceptives.

The prevalence of sexual problems in the female population ranges from 25% to 63% worldwide. Up to 86% of those affected are in the post-menopausal stage, with vulvovaginal and vasomotor symptoms, such as vaginal dryness and pain during sexual intercourse, which impact not only on sexual function itself but also on quality of life. Lack of interest or sexual arousal is the most common female sexual dysfunction among women.

It is clear that sex is important for patients, but despite the importance of a healthy sex life, women do not dare to ask about this topic in the consultion room. According to Dr. Molero, in Spain, only 18% of patients with sexual dysfunctions, only one out of five, consult their doctor about it. When the doctor expressly asks about it, the probability of diagnosing some sexual dysfunction is multiplied by three and be able to help the patient.

THE ROLE OF HORMONES IN FEMALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

Androgens (testosterone) and estrogens (estradiol) have a determining role in female sexuality. The effects of both are complex and interrelated. Estradiol plays an important role in vasodilation, vaginal lubrication and elasticity, and testosterone in sexual desire and arousal, so both hormones regulate sexual functions in an important way.

Testosterone is well known to be a male hormone, however, it is critical to women’s health as well. Its function is important for the mind (it participates in the regulation of mood and emotions, helping to maintain a sense of well-being), the body (it promotes bone, muscle and brain tissue health) and sexual function (it promotes desire and other sexual functions). As hormone levels decline with age, energy and bone density decrease, muscle mass is lost, and libido is also diminished.

“Menopause is a complex process that influences many aspects of a woman’s life. At this stage there is a higher incidence of depression, anxiety, lower quality of life, decreased full mental health and less vitality,” explained the gynecologist during the webinar.

LIBICARE, NATURAL ALTERNATIVE WITH SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE

Dr. Molero explained that in Spain we have Libicare, a food supplement from Procare Health, whose ingredients have positive effects on improving sexual function in women with low desire, in the recovery of vitality and increased general welfare. Its ingredients are Trigonella foenum-graecum, Tribulus terrestris, damiana, Ginkgo biloba, B vitamins and selenium.