I'm A Licensed Acupuncturist: How The Practice Can Support A Healthy Sex Drive

If you've found yourself turning away your partner's advances in the bedroom over and over again, and can't remember the last time you prioritized self-pleasure, you may be dealing with a low sex drive. While scheduling time for sex or trying to create the right context can be helpful tools for some, they don't necessarily work for everyone. If your changes in desire go deeper than lack of time or not being "in the mood," there are alternative practices you may not have tried. Enter: acupuncture.

Along with thinning hair, menstrual changes, and low energy, James says women who are tired or overworked may experience low libido. For men, it's usually low energy and not being active, she adds. 

"By balancing hormones, decreasing stress, and regulating the nervous system, acupuncture reduces the body's stress response," she notes. And since lack of sleep is one of the most common reasons people skip out on sex, acupuncture can also be used to promote sleep and enhance energy levels. 

Along with acupuncture appointments, James suggests stress-management tools like talk or sex therapy, exercise, a balanced diet, and proper rest. Having a supportive partner can go a long way, and more importantly "self-love, self-acceptance, and having a healthy body image promotes confidence and being comfortable with yourself," she adds.

By balancing the body's chi (or energy) and tending to other underlying causes like stress or poor sleep, acupuncture may help support a healthy sexual desire—especially when paired with other stress-management tools. If your sex drive is not improving and you're concerned, consult with your doctor.