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16 of the best libido-boosting supplements, balms, chocolates, and drinks for improved sexual function
For when you need a little help getting off
Libido is a mysterious thing. One day it’ll have you raring to go, and the next it’s nowhere to be found. While these fluctuations might seem offputting, confusing, or even concerning as you’re going through them, don’t worry.
Around a third of women in the UK lost interest in sex for three or more months in the last year, according to the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles in 2019 — so you’re not alone!
Best libido-boosters at a glance
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What causes low libido in women?
Research shows that your sex drive can be impacted by anything from stress to diet to how well you’re sleeping — while some scientists think it can be affected by whether your feet are too cold. And of course, we’ve all wondered whether the pill and other medications could be the reason for a dip in our inclination to have sex (hint: it could).
People who have vulvas can also experience major changes in their libido throughout different stages of their lives. “As we approach perimenopause and menopause (which starts in our late 30s) our oestrogen levels start to decline,” explains Laura Dowling, founder, CEO and chief scientist of fabÜ.
“These hormonal shifts affect all parts of our bodies, as we have oestrogen receptors everywhere — including your vaginal biome. Often women shun intimacy because they experience vaginal dryness which leads to (or doesn’t at all) pain during sex, and very often a urinary tract infection.”
We know this all sounds very disheartening, but all of this to say: just as with any health-related issue, reduced libido can be totally out of your control. “We know that our minds and bodies must be relaxed in order to feel like sex as well as enjoy sex — but the world we live in is enormously stressful,” says Jessica Sepel, nutritionist and founder of JSHealth. “So really, if you are struggling with low libido, it’s not your fault!”
While we’re all guilty of wishing there was a magic bullet we could take to improve our health at some point in our lives, unfortunately there isn’t one when it comes to sexual health. But there are things you can do to support yours, from healthy habits to products and libido supplements that can help give you a boost.
What are libido supplements?
These products contain expert-approved ingredients like adaptogens, vitamins, and minerals that can encourage better blood flow, mental clarity, serotonin production, and even improved physical sensation, which can help you feel more aroused and help with better sexual function.
Libido boosters range from pills, tonics, teas, and sprays to topical creams and balms, but most contain the same active ingredients. These ingredients include things like maca, cacao, ginger, and ashwagandha, which can all have a noticeable effect on your sexual wellbeing when paired with a healthy lifestyle.
“Different substances from plants and the ocean have been used historically in different cultures to energise, vitalise, and improve sexual function and physical performance,” explains Sepel.
Are libido supplements safe?
Most products for sex drive contain natural ingredients that can affect the way your body works, and with any supplement, it’s always worth speaking to your doctor before taking anything new. Some antibiotics, for example, shouldn’t be taken with zinc supplements, and as many libido supplements contain zinc, it’s wise to flag this with a health professional before you start taking them.
How we tested the best libido supplements for women
Time for a myth buster: our team of sex writers doesn’t *just* lie down on the job (only where necessary, ofc). Each of them — all with vulvas, and between the ages of 23 and 32 — selected the best products out there, from supplements to patches, chocolates, drinks, serums, and tinctures.
We assessed each product over a series of weeks — and in some cases, months — to see how effectively they improved our libido, as well as how easy they were to implement in our lives, and how instantaneous the results were.
If you’re experiencing a low sex drive, we’ve rounded up the best libido-boosting products for a healthier sex life below.
The best libido boosters for women to shop now
Pros
- Save through a subscription
- Contributes to overall physical wellbeing and libido
Cons
- Brand doesn’t give a ton of info about how best to take these
These libido supplements by Roam contain 100% natural ingredients to help regulate circulation and blood flow, and boost your mood and energy — obviously important contributing factors to whether you want to have sex or not!
With 30 supplements to a pot, the capsules contain maca (to boost arousal and desire), ashwagandha (to support stress and regulate mood), and fenugreek, as well as vitamins B2 and B6.
The supp also has L-citrulline, an amino acid that naturally occurs in watermelon, which could also positively contribute to sexual health.
Roam also makes a libido supplement for men which contains similar ingredients, along with zinc and tribulus.
Pros
- Ethically sourced ingredients and female-founded company
- One of the more affordable routes to a fun night
Cons
- You’ll want more…
Horny goat weed might sound like a made-up ingredient (and one you don’t want in your body), but it’s one of the key components of these Sex Bonbons by The Oh Collective. If you’re not a fan of taking supplements, these chocolates could be a great temporary alternative for boosting arousal.
Ashwagandha, passionfruit, and Korean ginseng all contribute to the overall flavour of the choccies — plus they boost your circulation, immunity, and mood.
The Oh Collective recommends eating one chocolate 30 minutes before you plan to get it on, and thankfully they’ve provided a cheeky truth or dare card to keep you entertained while you wait for its active ingredients to kick in.
Oh, and this is one for our vegan readers — as they’re made entirely from plants. Woah!
Pros
- Science-backed
- Subscribe and save!
Cons
- Have to take for two months to see a change
Formulated for an energy boost and improved sex drive, these tablets contain magnesium and nicotinamide to reduce fatigue symptoms and support healthy hormone balance over time (and who doesn’t want that?).
The magic ingredient in Libido+ is tribulus, which has been used as a plant medicine for virility in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Some experts suggest that tribulus can boost testosterone levels and improve energy levels.
JS Health recommends taking these libido supplements regularly for two months to see results — so stock up on two of these bottles when you add to cart!
Pros
- Light texture, so you don’t feel like you’re drowning in serum
- Pump bottle is easy to use
Cons
- Gotta wait for 15 minutes for it to work its magic
If you’d rather apply a product directly to your body, you might want to consider a serum or vulva balm, as opposed to a supplement.
This Arousal serum by Dame contains cooling peppermint, circulation-boosting cinnamon, and warming ginger to encourage blood flow to the vulva and create a pleasurable tingling sensation.
Not only is it pH-balanced — so it won’t cause unwanted nasties like UTIs or thrush — and non-sticky, but it’s also multi-purpose! The serum makes a great moisturiser for dry skin — but be careful if you’re prone to soreness or sensitivity around your vulva, as the tingling effects might not be right for you.
Pros
- You’ll feel, well, everything
- Tincture application is easy as
Cons
- Not suitable for pregnant people
Just like Dame’s Arousal Serum, this arousal oil is a topical libido booster. Thanks to being loaded with CBD — the non-psychoactive component in cannabis, FYI — once loaded on the vulva, the oil can bring blood flow to the genital area within 30 minutes.
Unfortunately, your cooch won’t experience a *typical* high à la smoking a doobie, but you’ll reach similar heights of euphoria via the ultra-sensitive orgasm that comes your way due to the enhanced sensitivity in your C-spot and G-spot.
A caution for those who practice: this oil is not compatible with latex condoms, so it’s best to add in to your foreplay or non-penetrative goings-on!
Pros
- It’s an experience and a treat — we love <3
- They’re tasty and functional
Cons
- Once they’re gone, they’re gone — but you can keep using the cards!
Crafted by intimacy coordinator Victoria Tomlinson, For Play chocolates are designed to be shared (because it’s caring, right?!) with a loved one on a date night in.
With three treats for him and her (or him and him, or her and her, depending on your particular relationship cocktail) each bite is chock-a-block with adaptogens and botanicals to have your nether regions tingling.
An hour before you want to play (no, we don’t mean Monopoly or Articulate), chomp these choccies down and sink your teeth into the six cards intended to boost your intimacy in other ways, before heading into the bedroom...
Pros
- A cute shape never hurt nobody
- Not a quick fix, but a slow burn
Cons
- Pricey but worth it
“Any supplement that sells itself as an aphrodisiac or instant libido booster is doing a disservice to both the people who take it and the fundamental understanding of women’s sexuality,” Bellesa says in the description for this product. Preach!
Leave it to the Canada-based brand to advocate for women’s pleasure — so naturally it has created heart-shaped supplements that taste like mangosteen and pomegranate to gradually increase your libido.
Stuffed full of cranberry extract to help prevent UTIs and inflammation, lemon balm to uplift mood and support restful sleep, ginseng and beetroot to promote blood flow, and maca and ashwagandha to improve libido, these pills promise to “optimise your sexual vitality”.
Can we recommend adding a Bellesa sex toy, like the Thrust rabbit vibrator, to your cart while you’re at it, too?
Pros
- Up to 50 servings per bottle
- Alcohol-free
Cons
- Not clear how long you have to take them for to notice the effects
For your consideration — a tincture. A nifty little liquid that can be a great alternative to pills, powders, and teas.
Made with rose, alfalfa, shatavari root, Siberian ginseng, ashwagandha, and damiana leaf, these drops by Blooming Blends are intended to be taken daily using the pipette.
This option is really not rocket science — because all you have to do to slip into the sexy zone is pop half a pipette of the liquid under your tongue, or add to water or your morning juice or smoothie for a near-instant buzz up to three times a day. Soon you’ll be slip ‘n sliding!
Pros
- Who doesn’t love a delightful drink?
- A pretty affordable way to amp up your arousal
Cons
- So delicious, it will soon be gone (thankfully they come in 12 packs!)
If supplements aren’t to your liking, perhaps a refreshing beverage might be more your speed? G Spot drinks were created by none other than Gillian Anderson, AKA Dr Jean Milburn of Sex Education, so you know you’re getting the good stuff.
The arouse drink contains a list of nootropic ingredients intended to support a healthy libido, including antioxidant-rich butterfly pea — also known as Clitoria Ternatea — Vitamin B6, and L-arginine.
The sparkling passionfruit-flavoured libation also contains L-citrulline, an amino acid that improves blood flow, and orange habanero chilli for an extra kick.
Pros
- Great for sensual massage
- Smells delish
Cons
- Not the sexiest packaging (thoughts on: you, me, knuckles deep in this tin of balm…?)
Another topical balm to get your bits in the mood, the Saucy Balm from LabTonica contains sandalwood, patchouli, rose, jasmine, clary sage, and black pepper for a tingle that’s not quite as intense as the longer-lasting impacts of supplements.
It’s as fragrant as it is moisturising — and is a great starter product if you’re interested in experimenting with sensation-based libido boosters that you can apply before sex and masturbation.
Top tip: get your nipples in on the action too...
Pros
- It’s a cup of tea, what’s not to love?
- Feels distinctly olde-timey to sip on a libido potion
Cons
- Only 15 teabags in a box :(
While drinking tea might seem more like a pleasant pastime than a way to get your rocks off, LabTonica’s Saucy Tea is intended to help you do just that.
The botanicals in this herbal tea are intended to support healthy hormone function, relax the senses, and strengthen the immune and nervous systems, all of which can help long term with arousal.
Each teabag contains gingko biloba, jasmine blossom, rose petals, cocoa shells, strawberries, rosehips, hibiscus, and another ancient aphrodisiac — damiana leaves. Call it a love potion, if you will.
Pros
- Sugar-free and vegan
- Supports overall wellbeing
Cons
- More expensive if you buy once — but save on subscriptions!
Any vitamin that looks like a sugar-coated fruit pastille is a winner in our books, and this sexual health stack from Get Nourished is no exception.
Formed of six brightly-coloured discs, these gummies include a combo of nutrients to have your mental and physical wellbeing working in synergy.
A layer of 5-HTP works to boost serotonin, while two ‘stacks’ of inositol work overtime to regulate your hormone and insulin levels, as well as regulating your ovulation. Meanwhile, essential vitamins C, B12, and D3 balance your immunity and slowly swerve your sex drive upwards.
To top it all off, each vitamin is vegan and individually wrapped in plastic-free packaging — so you can save the planet and your libido at the same time!
Pros
- Made by experts on women’s health
- Deals with hormonal imbalance, which can impact sex drive
Cons
- Have to take three a day
Nothing makes you feel less sexy than a painful period or your hormones being completely out of whack. While this daily supplement isn’t specifically intended to boost libido, it’s filled with a smorgasbord of vitamins and nutrients to keep your hormones happy and healthy.
Ginseng amps up arousal, as saffron, lemon balm, and evening primrose oil manage your moods (read: PMS) to contribute to overall wellbeing.
Of course, it’s packed full of vitamins B5 and B6, vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, and chromium for overall health support too — so your focus, energy levels, and memory will all benefit, too.
Pros
- Testers say they notice a difference after just 20 days
- Energy levels could always do with a boost, couldn’t they?
Cons
- Packaging is annoying to close — keep a clip on hand
These libido supplements by Libby Bido contain damiana extract, which has been used for hundreds of years to help conditions like urinary tract infections. Supposedly it’s also good for relieving menopause and period symptoms like pelvic pain.
These capsules also contain B6, ashwagandha, and maca, which are all intended to help give you more energy and support proper hormone function in the body.
As with any supplement, a pill isn’t a magical cure, but many of the botanicals in all of these products have been studied and proven to have some efficacy when it comes to supporting better health and wellbeing.
Pros
- We’re living in an overwhelming world, but holy basil is here to help centre you 🧘♀️
- Get a 60-day money-back guarantee if you’re not happy
Cons
- Can’t take during pregnancy
Organic KSM-66® is an extensively-studied version of ashwagandha and it’s the key ingredient in these capsules. The supplements by Earth’s Secret also contain rhodiola rosea, another adaptogen with encouraging clinical evidence to suggest it can help alleviate stress symptoms and fatigue.
Then there’s holy basil (known as Tulsi), which has been historically used to soothe anxiety, and L-Theanine which is a natural amino acid typically found in green tea, intended to boost clarity and focus. Black pepper helps with the absorption of all these ingredients, which, if taken regularly can help with feeling calmer, focused, and more regulated — essential for feeling sexier.
Pros
- Easy to use as and when you feel like you need a boost
- So discreet, no one will know you’re trying to sex yourself up
Cons
- Only four in a pack
You’ve heard of elbow patches, you’ve even heard of pimple patches, but have you ever thought a little round sticker could help drop-kick low desire?
Each of these four patches can be stuck to the inside of your wrist — or any venous area with unbroken skin — for up to 12 hours. During this time they release reishi extract, to reduce stress, maca to uplift libido, and vitamin B6 to send blood flow to all the right places.
The best part? Once your juices are flowing and you’ve got the deed done, all you need to do is peel the sticker off and throw it in the bin. Simple as!
How to boost libido naturally
Although it can be tempting to panic, or swear off all chances of sex at signs of a reduced libido, there are things you can do to support your sex drive. Before turning to supplements, Laura Dowling, founder, CEO, and chief scientist of fabÜ, suggests looking at how you can live a healthier lifestyle overall. “The first thing I always advise women is to make sure she has her basics under control,” she says.
“While there is no one size fits all, a healthy libido starts with good overall health support. Look after that and you’ll be riding like the clappers in no time!” This can include getting “vitamins and minerals from whole foods”, Dowling suggests, as well as finding ways to reduce stress, have restorative sleep, and lead a generally balanced lifestyle.
But physical health is only part of the picture of sexual health, Dowling adds. “The ingredients needed for a boost in libido are things like fun, love, cuddles, and joy,” she says. Just as it’s normal to see a spike in libido when you’re on holiday, finding novelty and excitement in your daily life can hammer up the old horniness, Dowling suggests.
How can you find more joy in your life? Dowling says you should ask yourself. “Are you communicating well with your partner as your body changes? Maybe you need to introduce some sex toys to spice up the same old, same old sex life?” she suggests.
Emilie Lavinia is Cosmopolitan UK's Former Sex and Relationships Editor. An accredited Sex Educator and Sexologist, Emilie explores identity, equity and innovations in sex, love, wellness and identity with her writing, broadcasting, coaching and commercial work. Emilie has written for the likes of The Guardian, Stylist, Grazia, Woman & Home, Red and Women's Health. She has appeared in documentaries exploring sex and wellbeing by ITV, Channel 5 and the BBC. Emilie has represented the UK as a United Nations Delegate and is a passionate advocate for women's health, LGBTQ+ rights and sex education and public health policy. She is a representative for Young Women's Trust, United Nations Women and The Porn Conversation and works with a number of charities. She loves big books, Bell Hooks, her infrared sauna and her Pomeranian, Ivy Valentine. She lives in London and can give you a rating out of 10 for every sex toy ever invented. Sign up to Emilie's Substack newsletter The Cuff for spice and advice or follow her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, or her website: emilielavinia.com
Honey is the Senior Sex and Relationships E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health and Men’s Health. She covers shopping guides and reviews of the best sex toys; deals events — including Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday; and sex, dating, and LGBTQ+ trends.
Her journalism career started in 2020 when she started Sextras, a podcast and digital magazine about sex and relationships. Find Sextras on Spotify or Substack, where she writes and chats about everything from positive masculinity and how to practise sex magic, to why the latest kink or porn category is blowing up.
She has an MA in Magazine Journalism from City, University of London, and previously reported for HR magazine. Her features also appear in Glamour, Refinery29, The Independent, and more.
When she's not asking everyone she meets invasive questions about their sex and dating lives, you'll find Honey singing around her flat, teaching herself a new craft, or working her way through a new '90s/'00s box set with her flatmate.
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