“I was healing what was energetically blocked,” she says. “I started to feel good and wanted to have sex.”

For millions of Americans trying to diagnose and treat a languishing libido, deciding between choices as diverse as prescription drugs, sex therapy and yoga can be daunting. But a few simple lifestyle changes, experts say, may provide the jump-start you’ve been looking for.

Mind The Body
The body’s sexual response system can wilt in numerous ways. For men, this translates to erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and low sex drive. In women, it's often libido, lubrication and orgasm problems. VIVUS, a pharmaceutical company, which produces treatments for erectile dysfunction, estimates that 43% of women between 18 and 65 experience some type of “sexual dysfunction,” while 39% of men over 40 experience erectile dysfunction.

Dr. Beverly Whipple, professor emerita at Rutgers University and co-author of Science of Orgasm, warns against attributing problems in the bedroom to just one or two causes.

“My definition of sexuality is holistic,” she says. “It’s not just the genitals and their functions, but it also expresses all the ways that make us who we are behaviorally, socially, culturally, emotionally, spiritually and psychologically.”

Removing obstacles that might block the mind or body, such as stress or physical inactivity, is an important first step in determining the source of sexual dissatisfaction. The chemistry of stress, for example, actually prevents the body from relaxing by releasing the high-alert hormone cortisol into the bloodstream. Erotic stimulation and arousal can be harder to achieve in this heightened anxious state. Research has also shown that chronic stress can lead to difficulty maintaining an erection for men and reduced lubrication for women.

While there are several ways to counteract stress, exercising dissipates the stress hormones in the bloodstream while improving circulation.

“Sexual activity is an entire body experience, and it is important to keep muscles, blood vessels and nerves performing at peak levels,” says Dr. Tina M. Penhollow, an assistant professor in the department of exercise science and health promotion at Florida Atlantic University. “Aerobic exercise improves blood flow, [which] is a key factor in sexual response.”

Penhollow, who recommends aerobic activities like jogging, swimming and biking, says that endorphins released during physical activity are related to the production of the sex hormone testosterone, which can raise libido. Strength training activities like weight training and resistance exercises also have a similar affect on sexual appetite.

Minimizing stress and maximizing physical activity can improve a depressed sex drive, but you can achieve a mind-body trifecta by also moderating consumption. Dr. Whipple recommends a healthy diet for general maintenance and advises those seeking an enhanced sex life to eliminate smoking, which constricts blood vessels, and limiting alcohol intake, which can depress the central nervous system.

Talk It Out
If grievances in the bedroom aren’t resolved by changes in stress management, exercise and diet, try discussing the problem with a physician or partner. Doctors frequently neglect to ask about sexual health during check-ups, says Whipple, so starting the conversation may require a proactive approach. Admitting disappointment or difficulty to a partner may be equally intimidating, but the benefits of a no-fault exchange will outlast the awkwardness of a sit-down.

Couples often have more success in improving their sex lives when they incorporate variety and sacrifice unnecessary distractions like television in favor of spending quality time together.

Dr. Whipple, who has been married for 45 years, urges people to explore intimacy as more than just a means to an end.

“Orgasm is much more than a reflex,” she says. “Experiment and find out what you like for your body. It can be as simple as holding hands or cuddling with someone.”