Diseases and Conditions

Female sexual dysfunction

Alternative medicine

More research is needed, but therapies that may help improve sexual satisfaction include:

  • Mindfulness. This type of meditation is based on having an increased awareness and acceptance of living in the present moment. You focus on what you experience during meditation, such as the flow of your breath. You can observe your thoughts and emotions, but let them pass without judgment.
  • Acupuncture. Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely thin needles into your skin at strategic points on your body. Acupuncture may have positive effects on low libido and lubrication difficulties, especially if these problems are related to the use of some antidepressant medications.
  • Yoga. During yoga, you perform a series of postures and controlled breathing exercises to promote a flexible body and a calm mind. Certain subsets of yoga aim to channel the body's sexual energy and improve sexual functioning.

There are also some herbal supplements and topical oils marketed to increase libido and sexual pleasure. However, these products haven't been well-studied. One product has estrogen-like properties and may encourage the growth of breast tumors that need estrogen to grow. Talk to your doctor before trying any herbal or topical oil formulations.