Exploring the female libido: The connection between progesterone and sex drive

Understanding the female libido

Before we can answer, “Does progesterone increase sex drive?” it’s important to gain a better understanding of what a “sex drive” means. The female libido or sex drive is how much you desire sexual activity. Every woman’s libido is unique and there’s no right or wrong level of horniness. How much you want sex is determined by a few factors, including:

• Brain – Several important parts of your brain are involved in sexual desire. The hypothalamus plays a major role by controlling hormones that increase sexual motivation. The limbic system, especially the amygdala, helps process emotions and feelings related to sexual attraction. The prefrontal cortex is also involved by helping you think through social rules and control impulses.
• Neurotransmitters – Certain brain chemicals affect desire as well. Dopamine acts as a “go” signal, making things feel rewarding and exciting. Serotonin can sometimes reduce desire, while oxytocin promotes bonding and closeness during intimacy.
• Hormones – Your hormones play a huge role, not only in your libido but also in your menstrual cycle. Three sex hormones, testosterone, estrogen and progesterone, are the primary culprits. Interestingly, women who are sexually active often have higher levels of these hormones than those who aren’t. Testosterone is often called the “sex hormone,” it plays a major role in stimulating sexual desire in both men and women. It influences brain regions associated with motivation and reward.
• Medications – Along with sex hormones like progesterone, libido levels can also be impacted by medication. Some examples include hormone birth control, antidepressants, and blood pressure medicines.
• Interpersonal – While biology lays the groundwork, psychological factors such as stress, mood, past experiences, and relationship quality also significantly influence sexual desire. Social and cultural norms shape how individuals perceive and express their sexuality.
• Lifestyle – Your lifestyle and behavior can also impact your sex drive. Habits like smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and inactivity can negatively impact your libido.

Of course, while these factors can affect your sex drive, their impact varies from woman to woman. Remember, there’s no right or wrong level of horniness; your sexual desire is as unique as you. 

Why do women experience low libido?

Low libido can have a negative impact on your mental health and relationships. Wanting to want sex when you can’t get in the mood can be extremely frustrating. There are numerous reasons why your libido is low, including hormonal imbalances. Above, we brought up the question, “Does progesterone affect libido?” The short answer is maybe; all of your sex hormones have an impact on how you feel throughout the month, including your levels of sexual desire. While it’s important to understand the progesterone sex drive connection, it’s only one of the possible hormones that play a part in your libido.

The link between progesterone and sex drive

While scientists are still learning the true level hormones play in a woman’s sex drive, with low progesterone horny feelings tend to increase. So, does progesterone lower libido? While it may not be the direct cause, having higher progesterone levels can be a contributing factor to a lowered sex drive. But why does this reaction occur? The answer lies in what progesterone does to your body.

How do other female sex hormones affect your libido?

Progesterone works together with estrogen to prepare your body for potential pregnancy. During the first part of your menstrual cycle, your estrogen levels are higher as your body matures an egg. However, after ovulation, progesterone levels begin to rise, preparing the uterus for a fertilized egg. As this happens, it overtakes estrogen (the hormone that helps you feel a heightened sexual desire).

Think of estrogen as your body’s built-in aphrodisiac, making you more attracted to things like your partner’s voice. It also increases vaginal lubrication and helps with vaginal wall elasticity, two important factors in making sex more pleasurable. Without the higher levels of estrogen, you may experience a lowered libido. So does progesterone make you horny? Nope, that role goes to estrogen, and it takes its job very seriously! Another female hormone that is thought to impact libido is testosterone. While it’s often associated with men, testosterone is sometimes prescribed to women to help deal with sexual dysfunction.

However, its effectiveness is still being studied and not widely accepted as a way to combat low sex drive. For many women, the role of hormones can be confusing. You may find yourself wondering, “Does progesterone help with libido?” The answer is no; while it may not be the only thing responsible for lowering your sexual desire, of the high progesterone side effects libido changes are common.

How does hormonal birth control influence libido?

When discussing the question, “Does progesterone affect libido?” another important factor to consider is hormonal birth control. While there isn’t enough evidence to say without a doubt that the hormones in birth control negatively affect your libido, there are some indications that they might. It comes down to the fact that your body wants to procreate. Your hormones are designed to make you hornier during ovulation when you’re most fertile. Since hormonal contraceptives inhibit ovulation, you’re not experiencing the heightened monthly sex drive. But remember how we said hormones can be confusing? Well, wondering will progesterone increase libido continues to push scientists and doctors to perform more studies, where they’re finding that progesterone-only birth control pills have no effect on sexuality, with some clinical trials even showing an improvement in women’s wellbeing. Since the trials studying the question, “Can progesterone increase libido?” provide mixed results, some women choose to turn to non-hormonal birth control instead. These can include natural family planning, condoms, and copper IUDs. Talk to your doctor to discuss the method that’s right for you and fits with your long-term goals.

Tips on monitoring progesterone levels and its impact on women’s sex drive

If you’re struggling with sexual dysfunction or a low libido, it’s normal to ask, “Does taking progesterone increase libido?” Progesterone monitoring isn’t part of a treatment plan used to increase libido; it’s generally used for fertility purposes. However, in some cases, hormone replacement therapy is an effective treatment that can help revive your sexual desire. Remember, with low progesterone increase libido feelings are more common, while higher levels can make you feel less horny. If your doctor has ordered testing, here are a few tips to help make sure you get accurate results.

Know when to test

During the luteal phase (the second half of your cycle,) your progesterone levels are highest, so that’s when you’ll want to monitor them. For the best results, test your levels between 6 and 8 days after ovulation or the 21st to 28th day of your cycle.

Know how to test

There are three ways to test your progesterone levels: urine, saliva, and blood. For the most accurate results, many doctors choose to run a blood test.

Know how to prepare

To properly prepare for testing, follow these guidelines:

• Tell your doctor the date of your last period
• Alert them to any medications you take
• Rest for 30 minutes prior to testing
• Don’t smoke for 2 to 3 days before your test
• Avoid alcohol, coffee, or strong tea the day before testing
• Fast from food for 8 to 10 hours, but no more than 14 hours before testing (Juice and water are typically fine)

While it’s normal to question, “Does low progesterone cause low libido?” it’s important to know that there are no tests to check for this specific issue. Your doctor can walk you through any possible tests or treatment options for your unique situation.

When to consult a healthcare professional

So, can progesterone increase libido? No, progesterone isn’t known to heighten sex drive, so how do you know when to talk to your doctor about your symptoms? If your lowered libido is causing you distress or negatively impacting your relationship, it’s important to speak to a healthcare professional. They can work with you to give the support you need and develop a treatment plan designed to target hormonal imbalances if required.

Hormona is proud to offer the award-winning Hormona app, designed to empower women to take control of their hormone health. This revolutionary hormone tracker provides the tools and insights needed to help women better understand their bodies so they can feel their best.

FAQ

Why do I feel so good on progesterone?

One role of progesterone is to calm the central nervous system, making it a natural antidepressant. It can help improve your mood, promote restful sleep, and encourage relaxation. That’s why many women feel so good when they are taking it.

Will progesterone make me more feminine?

If you’re looking for the answer to the question, “Does progesterone help libido?” you may also be wondering if it will make you more feminine. Estrogen, not progesterone, is the hormone associated with increasing female characteristics like softened skin and fat cell redistribution to the butt, hips, and face.

Does progesterone cream increase libido?

Interestingly, in some ways, yes. For women who are peri- or postmenopausal, progesterone cream may improve skin elasticity, firmness, and libido as a result.

How do I increase my sex drive?

There are a few ways you can help increase your sex drive. These include managing stress, exercising, changing your hormonal birth control if it affects your sex drive, and taking hormone treatments if prescribed. If you’re interested in alternative medicine, you might also consider herbal supplements like Ginkgo Biloba, although their effectiveness is limited and still needs to be further proven.

What happens if you just take progesterone without estrogen?

Taking progesterone without estrogen is very common, and all LARC (implants, injections, and hormone IUDs) only contain a progesterone component and are very effective contraceptives.