Winter and sex drive: connections and tips

When you’re dripping with sweat, getting used to your partner is probably the last thing on your mind. Nevertheless, thanks to air conditioning, you can enjoy sex even in summer. But when there’s less sunlight and warmth in winter, your libido can also suffer. You probably want to stay warm in bed to protect yourself from the cold. Decreased physical activity and seasonal affective disorder during the colder months can also play a role in your desire to have sex with your partner. Let’s find out the connection between winter and sex drive.

What is sex drive?

Before you jump into winter and sex drive, you should understand what libido actually means and what factors can influence it. Sex drive or libido implies a person’s desire for sexual activity. “This varies greatly from person to person and is influenced by many factors,” says psychiatrist Dr. Ashish Bansal.

• Hormonal fluctuations: A woman’s libido can be affected by hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. “During different phases of a woman’s life cycle, estrogen and testosterone levels vary significantly and affect sex drive,” says the expert.
• Prescription medications: Certain medications alter a woman’s libido by affecting hormonal balance or blood flow in the body. “Antidepressants or medications that lower blood pressure can reduce sex drive,” says the expert.
• Psychological well-being: When a woman is highly stressed or depressed, there is a significant reduction in libido.
• Relationship health: A woman’s sex drive also depends largely on her relationship with her partner. If the relationship is deeply connected by emotions, her sex drive will be high.
• health: Certain health conditions such as diabetes can reduce libido. According to a 2017 study published in the journal Sexual Medicine Reviews, one of the major complications of diabetes in women is experiencing sexual problems, including decreased libido.
• Smoking, drinking or drug abuse: A woman’s sex drive is greatly influenced by her daily habits. “For example, alcohol consumption, smoking or drug use are largely associated with reduced libido,” says the expert.

Winter and sex drive: This is how cold weather affects sex drive

Inability to orgasm or pain during sex are some of the problems women often face. According to a 2011 study published in Women’s Health, low libido is the most common of all female sexual disorders. One factor that can contribute to low libido is cold weather. Winter and sex drive also have a connection. A 2016 study published in the Central European Journal Of Urology showed that the frequency of sexual thoughts decreased among participants, which affected their libido in winter.

There are some key factors that can reduce sex drive in winter:

1. Food choices

In winter, people tend to eat foods that are difficult to digest. As a result, they may become lazier and may experience a lower sex drive. “The tendency to overeat or consume heavy foods during the colder months is linked to low libido,” says Dr. Bansal.

2. Reduced vitamin D levels

Due to less sunlight in winter, vitamin D levels decrease. This, in turn, can affect levels of serotonin, a “feel-good” neurotransmitter, affecting mood and reducing libido. A study published in Scientific Reports in January 2024 found a link between vitamin D deficiency and lower sexual desire and satisfaction.

3. Decreased physical activity

It’s not just winter and sex drive that are connected. The season also usually influences people’s exercise routine. During the winter months, the days are shorter, which is why people tend to do less physical activity. You shouldn’t stop training even in winter, because exercise is an essential factor in increasing libido. “It can increase blood flow and serotonin levels, which can improve mood and increase sex drive,” says the expert.

4. Body image

When it comes to winter and sex drive, body image can play a role. In winter, women dress in multiple layers to stay warm. This can make them feel bigger than they are, and if they gain weight due to lack of physical activity, it affects their body image. “Negative thoughts about your own body can lead to low self-esteem and therefore a low sex drive,” says the expert.

5. Higher melatonin levels

Melatonin, a hormone that plays a key role in the sleep-wake cycle, is linked to winter and sex drive. In cold temperatures, melatonin production increases, which in turn leads to laziness and reduced libido. A 2018 study published in the Molecules Journal found that participants’ melatonin levels were significantly higher in winter than in summer.

6. Seasonal affective disorder

It is a form of depression related to the change of seasons, with symptoms beginning in the fall and lasting into the winter months. Typical symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include lethargy, low mood, decreased libido and weight gain, according to a 2004 study published in Medical Hypotheses.

Not all women have a low sex drive in winter. There are some factors that can increase libido in the colder months:

• Looking for warmth: The cold temperatures can make women desire more physical warmth from their partner. “This desire for more physical intimacy increases sex drive in winter,” says Dr. Bansal.
• Holiday time: For many, winter is a time for family trips. Relaxation time offers the opportunity to reduce stress. This increases positive energy and can increase libido.

Winter and Sex Drive: Tips for Improving Sex Life

Winter and sex drive may have a strong connection. If the cold weather increases your sex drive, it’s good for you. Finally, there is evidence that sex also boosts immunity. A 2021 study published in Fertility And Sterility showed that participants who had sex more than three times a month had strong immune systems, which are necessary to fight off bacteria and viruses.

If you’re struggling with low sex drive, do the following to improve your sex life:

• Physical exercise: Do any kind of physical activity regularly, as exercise helps improve your mood and release feel-good hormones. Aim for activities that you enjoy, such as hiking, cycling, yoga, or strength training.
• Sun exposure: Sun plays a role in winter and sex drive. Try to get at least 15 to 30 minutes of sun exposure daily to maintain your vitamin D levels.
• Healthy eating: Eat a diet rich in vegetables, lean proteins, fruits and nuts to provide your body with essential nutrients. Avoid heavy, fatty foods because everything you eat directly affects your sexual health. “Include berries as they are rich in antioxidants and can protect your body from free radical damage and improve blood circulation. “This can increase your sex drive,” says the expert.
• Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can have a negative impact on your sex life. It can reduce sex drive. Therefore, try to get a good night’s sleep for at least 7 hours.
• Give meaning to foreplay: Instead of going straight to bed with your partner, spend more time touching, kissing, and performing oral sex. Focusing on foreplay can be good for your libido.
• Use lubricant: Winter vagina, a condition that causes dry or dehydrated vaginal skin, can worry you and affect your desire for sex. To get rid of this problem, it is best to use lubricants such as coconut oil or aloe vera gel.

Colder months can affect your desire for sex. The cold can either decrease or increase your libido. Even though there are good and bad connections between winter and sex drive, you can always make efforts to increase libido. Watch your diet and exercise for better sexual health.