# What Libido Means and How to Boost It, Experts Say

> Experts reveal how to boost libido for women with science-backed tips and products.
- Title: What Libido Means and How to Boost It, Experts Say · Mashable
- Summary: Experts reveal how to boost libido for women with science-backed tips and products. Experts recommend mindfulness, responsive desire, and FDA-approved…
- Keywords: libido, women, vyleesi, addyi, testosterone, mindfulness, vibrators, cannabis, erotic literature, lemme play gummies, technology, culture
- Source: Mashable — https://mashable.com/life/libido-definition-how-to-boost-women-libido
- Author: Anna Iovine
- Published: 2026-10-17T09:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: libido, women, vyleesi, addyi, testosterone, mindfulness, vibrators, cannabis, erotic literature, lemme play gummies, technology, culture
## What is libido?
Libido refers to desire, interest in intimacy and sex, and thoughts about it.

> Libido is difficult to define. In general, though, it's about desire, interest in intimacy and sex, and thoughts about it
## Libido changes over time
Libido varies throughout a woman's life due to relationship changes, stress, pregnancy, and hormonal shifts.

> Libido is also incredibly personal and changes throughout a woman's lifespan, Lukens said.
## Two types of desire
Spontaneous desire involves immediate sexual interest, while responsive desire requires sexual activity to trigger desire.

> Spontaneous desire is a male model and youth-oriented model, and it's unfortunately the one we see in the movies when someone is overcome with passion and wants sex immediately.
## Expert advice for boosting libido
Experts recommend starting with a doctor's visit to assess relationship dynamics and sexual health.

> Lukens first asks a number of questions: What exactly is bothering them? How long has this been going on, and why do they want to fix this now?
## Mindfulness and responsive desire
Mindfulness during sex and understanding responsive desire can help women regain sexual interest.

> If I had a woman coming to me with desire issues, my first thing would be the psychological stuff
## FDA-approved treatments
Vyleesi and Addyi are FDA-approved medications that can increase sexual desire for women.

> Vyleesi is the brand name for a medication called bremelanotide, an FDA-approved injection for premenopausal women.
## Vyleesi usage and side effects
Vyleesi is injected 45 minutes before sex, with no more than 8 uses per month, and side effects include nausea and blood pressure changes.

> Patients inject Vyleesi around 45 minutes before sexual activity, and it can't be used more than once in a 24-hour period or 8 times in one month.
## Addyi benefits and risks
Addyi is a daily pill that increases sexual satisfaction but causes dizziness and interacts with alcohol.

> Addyi (the drug flibanserin) is a daily oral pill that's also FDA-approved.
## Natural boosters
Cannabis, vibrators, and erotic literature can increase libido with evidence supporting their effectiveness.

> Studies have shown that vibrators can also increase sexual desire.
## Libido gummies
Lemme Play Gummies claim to boost daily intimacy with ingredients like ashwagandha and maca root.

> Lemme Play Gummies from the Kourtney Kardashian-owned brand Lemme claim these gummies are for 'daily intimacy.'
## Key takeaway

Experts recommend mindfulness, responsive desire, and FDA-approved treatments like Vyleesi to boost women's libido.