True or myth that sports reduces libido? Let’s talk to an expert

expert

How does exercise affect sexual desire?

The connection between libido and sports goes back centuries. The history of interaction began 1000 years ago in ancient Greece, when it was believed that making love before the Olympics could negatively affect the performance of athletes. The first to apply this principle was Ikkos (not to be confused with Aikos) of Tarentum: he adhered to strict sexual abstinence in preparation for competitions. Now the concept has changed somewhat, but until now, athletes who sympathize and those who do not sympathize with Ikkos are on different sides of the barricades. Does sexual activity affect performance in competition? What does science say?

Without testosterone, you can’t make a meal.

For both men and women. Testosterone is a kind of Adam’s rib: it is not only the main male hormone, but also the precursor of the main female hormone – estradiol. Testosterone exists in free form and in combined form with sex hormone-binding globulin (hsCRP).

Gold mines are becoming scarce

Studies have shown that women’s libido rises after 20 minutes of vigorous exercise. And higher testosterone levels in men are achieved by short, intense exercise. More intense exercise negatively affects sex hormones, resulting in lower libido.

When exercising, testosterone is produced according to the inverted U rule. To some extent, exercise will increase your sex drive, stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, but when you go beyond the “peak”, you will not be in paradise.

One more question remains: does sexual activity the night before exercise affect the various indicators of their effectiveness? Doubtful. If you have sex 7, 6 hours before exercise, you won’t even notice the difference. Note to hypertensives: studies have confirmed that the more intense and pleasurable the climax, the lower the systolic blood pressure the next day.

Make libido great again

Long, grueling workouts and obesity reduce libido, but what can we do to support ourselves in times of doubt and brooding?

Add more high-intensity short workouts.
Keep one long workout a week that you enjoy (such as one swim, run or endurance run), replacing the rest of your volume workouts with interval training.

Choose a high-fat diet
Fats are hormone precursors – and in particular, natural sources of cholesterol and saturated fatty acids (such as avocados, olives, coconut milk, fish oil, and fish) stimulate the production of sex hormones.

Don’t give up meat
In particular, eating beef is a great way to boost testosterone levels, especially in men.

Avoid alcohol, simple sugars, and processed foods
Don’t deplete your body with artificial hormone imbalances!