Italian researchers have found a way to improve male libido without drugs. Although popular stereotypes have pegged low libido primarily on women, many men also suffer from this problem. These scientists appear to have figured out a safe way to boost men’s sex drive for these individuals.
Seasonal Changes in Testosterone:
The investigators noted that testosterone levels tend to rise in the summer and decrease in the winter. Sexual interest and activity seem to follow suit. They hypothesized that testosterone levels might be sensitive to bright light exposure.
The Light Box Experiment:
The researchers recruited 38 Italian men with low sex drive. They exposed half of the subjects to 30 minutes of bright light from a special light box early in the morning. The other half received low levels of light as a control.
Those who had two weeks of bright light exposure every day experienced a 50 percent increase in testosterone levels and a tripling of sexual satisfaction. Those in the control group saw no improvement. There probably should be further studies to confirm that using a light box (or taking an early-morning walk outside) can improve men’s sex drive.
Annual Meeting of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, in Vienna, Austria
Testosterone Responds to Diet:
Previous studies have shown that men can boost their testosterone by paying attention to their diet. We discussed this approach with John La Puma, MD, author of Refuel: A 24-Day Eating Plan to Shed Fat, Boost Testosterone, and Pump Up Strength and Stamina.
