Weird Things That Will Kill Your Sex Drive

Most of the time, when we think about sex, we're trying to figure out what we can do to get more of it, or at least improve the sex we're already having. We practice our kegel exercises, do as many hip-opening yoga poses as possible, and eat foods that have aphrodisiac qualities, like dark chocolate and avocados. But while we're chasing around things that could potentially increase our chances of having mind-blowing sex, we might be missing some of our daily habits that seem innocent on the outside, but can actually wreck our sex lives.

Low libido isn't exactly an uncommon issue in women's lives today. In fact, gynecologists report that many women come into their offices complaining about how little they're interested in having sex with their partner. On the surface, it may not sound like such a big deal, but not wanting to get laid can have some significant consequences on the rest of your life. A study in the Journal of Sexual Desire showed that 70 percent of women suffering from low libido subsequently experience difficulties in their personal relationships and suffer from low self-esteem. And researchers found that women who lack a desire to have sex also often have trouble enjoying everything else in life, from eating delicious food to being creative and productive.

Your sex life deserves to be treated with the same care as any other bodily function, like your digestion or even your ability to breathe freely — so don't overlook the small things, because they could have a big impact on how often you get down and dirty.

Here are eight weird things that will kill your sex drive.

Not Getting Enough Sleep

Sleep affects pretty much everything in life —it dictates how well we handle our stress, helps our digestive system function properly, and impacts whether we make rational decisions at the office. So of course it's going to have some kind of influence over our sex life, too. When you don't catch enough Zzz's, research shows that you have less testosterone in your body, which is a hormone you need to rev yourself (and your partner) up in bed. A study conducted by the University of Michigan also proved that women who weren't getting enough sleep struggled with getting wet when the time came for sexual play.

Change whatever you need to change in your schedule, but make sure you get your beauty sleep every night. Remember that the quality of your sleep matters as well. That means no electronics in bed, and quit throwing back the caffeine as early in the day as possible.

Using Sex Toys Too Often

Yep, that's right — having sex with yourself too often may be decreasing your sex drive. Not all sex toys put you at risk for this, though, so don't throw away that vibrator just yet. What matters is what material your toy is made out of. The vinyl that is sometimes found in sex toys can lower your libido by screwing with the balance of your hormones and decreasing the amount of testosterone in your body, so now's a good time to see what your vibrator is made out of. If vinyl is the main ingredient, seriously consider switching to silicone or glass, because it might be the cause of your dry spell.

Not Exercising Regularly

You're probably sick of hearing it, but I'm gonna say it anyway: regular exercise makes your life way better. It eases your mental health issues, reduces stress, and generally puts you in a way better mood. All those endorphins that rush through your body when you work out also have a positive effect on what happens between the sheets — without them, you might not be in a giddy enough mood to get naked with your SO. Exercising also increases your blood flow significantly, which makes it easier for you to get wet down there. It also makes it easier for you to move around and achieve those fun sex positions. In other words, you're seriously missing out on some great sexual bonuses if you're living that couch potato life.

Having Drama At The Office

All the hormones that come from stress, including and especially cortisol, weigh down our our sex hormones and thus kill our libido. If you're copping some heat from your boss or you're under pressure to finish a certain assignment at work, you're probably taking that stress home with you every day and subsequently robbing yourself of the desire to have sex. Try to de-stress as much as you can on a regular basis, which will reduce the amount of cortisol in your body, making way for those yummy sex hormones to do their job.

Changing Birth Control

When you think contraception, you don't usually think about whether it can make or break your sex life; you just want it to do its job and prevent you from getting pregnant. But a study from the University of Stirling found that switching your birth control may have an effect on your libido. If you've recently changed contraception methods and you suddenly notice that you're not as horny as you once were, speak to your OBGYN and see if there is a better option for you.

Using Artificially Scented Candles In Your House

You might think you're setting a very sexy mood for yourself and your partner with all those rose-scented candles, but in fact, you might be completely throwing off your game. In 2008, a study by South Carolina State University proved that the smells coming from artificially scented candles made from petroleum can actually lower the amount of testosterone in your body, which could make you feel less horny than usual. Next thing you know, you're politely turning down your partner when they suggestively rub your back.

Eating Lots Of Unhealthy Food

All those late-night frozen pizzas don't just make you feel groggy and sluggish the next morning; they may also be the culprit for temporarily ruining your sex life. Eating processed and packaged foods that are high in sugar and unhealthy fats is the quickest way to feel tired and very unsexy. That's not exactly a recipe for a night of mind-blowing sex. Switch up your diet if you feel like you need an extra boost in bed; stick to the fresh stuff that makes you (and your vag) feel alive, such as dark leafy greens, berries, and fish.

Not Drinking Enough Water Throughout The Day

Your vagina needs to be properly lubricated for sex to even be an option, but that can't happen if you don't have enough fluids in your body. People who don't drink enough water may experience trouble with vaginal lubrication and reaching orgasm, and the dehydration they're fighting could even make sex painful. Shoot for eight eight-ounce glasses of water a day, no excuses. No matter how busy you are, you can always find the time to toss back some H2O. You might be missing out on some quality orgasms if you don't.

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