Have you noticed you’ve been feeling hornier than usual?
Perhaps you’ve been waking up ready to go. Or maybe you can’t get your last steamy session out of your head. If this sounds familiar, you might be experiencing a high sex drive (AKA increased libido).
Our sex drives naturally fluctuate throughout life due to internal and external changes. So, what you’re experiencing is likely very common and nothing to worry about – in fact, if you’re with a consenting partner, you should enjoy it.
- What is a sex drive?
- 6 reasons your sex drive is higher than usual
- Quick libido facts
- When your desire affects your daily life
- The takeaway
However, it’s normal to have some questions about an increase in sex drive. In this article, we’re looking at everything you need to know about your high sex drive.
Let’s get to the details ASAP.
What is a sex drive?
Sex drive is your desire for sexual activity. It’s also called “libido”, and it’s a natural part of life.
Most of us will experience changes to our libido as we age and as modern life chops and changes. It’s also worth noting that libido doesn’t have a normal. Some people enjoy daily sex, and others don’t need sex at all.
However, if you’ve noticed a dramatic change, you might want to know why it’s happened. A plethora of reasons can affect libido, and to help you work out what’s causing your increased drive, we’re listing the main factors below.
Experiencing a low sex drive? Explore the top 10 reasons for a low sex drive here.
6 reasons your sex drive is higher than usual
Wanting to scratch the itch more than normal? Here are some reasons your sex drive is higher:
Hormone changes
Hormones affect all of our body’s functions, but did you know some hormones are sex-specific? That’s right. Progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen affect our sex drives, which vary throughout life.
For women, estrogen is a major hormone to watch as this rises before and during ovulation. This causes an increased sex drive, which you’ll notice in the first two weeks after your period.
For men, higher libido is experienced in conjunction with higher testosterone levels. This is most common in young men and anyone using steroids (i.e. athletes).
Hormone fluctuations are natural, but they can cause other side effects. If you think your hormone levels are out of balance, seeing a doctor is the best course of action.
Working out
Did you know that exercise can affect your sex drive? Yup.
A 2018 study proved that the more you work out, the higher your libido could be. This study looked at men and women and found that women, in particular, benefited from cardiovascular endurance. So, maybe that run is a good idea after all.
Also, the more you work out, the more connected you feel to your body. Feeling stronger and more confident raises your self-esteem and will make you feel better under the sheets. Nice.
Puberty and ageing
One of the major effects on our sex drive is ageing, and as we go through different phases of life, we experience different libidos.
For example, in puberty, hormonal changes can increase interest in sex. This is particularly true in adolescent boys, who experience a ten times testosterone increase.
Typically, libido slowly wanes as we age. But according to a 2010 study, middle-aged women may have a higher sex drive than younger women. Women from the ages 27 to 45 experienced more sexual thoughts, had a more active sex life and had more intense fantasies than their younger counterparts. However, libido does drop around menopause for most women.
Less stress
Stress can negatively impact our desire for sex, and anyone who’s experienced a tumultuous life period will know this.
More cortisol is released when you’re stressed, which decreases your libido. Cortisol is the fight-or-flight hormone, and you don’t want too much of it.
So, when you’re not constantly stressed, you’re more likely to experience an increased interest in sex. Remember, sex isn’t just physical. It’s very closely linked to your mental state, and nervousness or worry will make getting into the mood much harder.
Learning how to relax is a must!
Medication
Medications can also affect our sex lives, as many actually lower libidos rather than raising them. So, if your sex drive is higher, it could be because you’ve recently come off your medication or decreased the dosage.
Of all medications, antidepressants are among the groups most likely to affect your interest in sex. However, anti-hypertensive medications, anti-mania medications, and hormones can also change your sex drive.
Some people even purposely reduce their medications to achieve a higher sex life. However, you should always discuss changes to your medication with your doctor before making any drastic changes.
You’re enjoying your sex life
Finally, it’s normal to experience a boost in sex drive if you’re enjoying your sex life.
As humans, we always want pleasurable experiences. So, if your new partner or new favourite position is blowing your mind, this could explain a heightened desire to get dirty.
Quick libido facts
Curious about your sex drive? Here are some quick-fire facts you can impress your mates with:
- Aphrodisiac foods have been disproved, but foods that benefit your circulatory system can increase your libido. Goodbye oysters, hello beans and legumes
- Alcohol can decrease your libido after around two drinks (similarly to smoking), as it decreases blood flow
- Pregnancy can increase libido, as women’s hormones fluctuate
- Frequent yoga sessions can improve your libido (and flexibility)
- Your ability to orgasm isn’t linked to the strength of your libido
- Libido and sexuality aren’t linked
When your desire affects your daily life
It’s important to remember that there’s no “normal” amount of sex to be having, nor is there a standard sex drive to achieve.
Your aim should be to practise safe and consensual sex, and that’s all that matters. It can also be helpful to find partners who have a similar sex drive, as your frequency will be more compatible. But this shouldn’t be a deal breaker in relationships.
However, if your sex drive is starting to affect your daily life, relationships, work, or family life, it might be time to work with a sex-positive therapist to manage your libido. There’s no shame in working with a professional, and their unbiased help will positively impact your life in the long run.
The takeaway
A jump in sex drive might catch you by surprise. But there’s nothing to worry about if you’re feeling sexier than usual. Hopefully, this article has helped you identify a reason for the change in your libido. Now enjoy!
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