At THE BIRTHWAVE in Nungambakkam, Chennai, we guide many couples through their
fertility journey-and one key factor that repeatedly comes up is something many overlook:
libido. Yes, that’s right-beyond timing intercourse, monitoring ovulation, and adopting
“fertility diets”, there’s a powerful factor linked to fertility that often remains unaddressed:
the couple’s sexual desire and drive.
In this blog post I’ll walk you through:
• What libido really is.
• The physiology behind libido-and how it connects to fertility.
• Why many couples making efforts to conceive forget to work on libido.
• Natural, holistic ways to boost libido (and fertility) for both partners.
• When medical options are appropriate-and how we integrate them at our clinic.
• How this applies here in Chennai-and why working with a holistic wellness clinic
like ours can make all the difference.
Let’s dive in.
1. What Is Libido - and Why It Matters
Defining Libido
Simply put, libido is your sex drive or sexual desire-the internal motivation or urge to
engage in sexual activity.
It’s not just about the ability to have intercourse-it’s about the desire to have it: the mental,
emotional, biological inclination.
Importantly: there is no “normal” number for libido. What’s normal is what’s normal for you
and your partner.
Why It Matters for Fertility
When a couple is actively trying to conceive, the usual focus tends to be on mechanical
things: timing intercourse around ovulation, ensuring sperm count is adequate, evaluating egg
quality, etc. But sex is more than a mechanical act-it’s an interplay of body, mind and
Relationship.
A healthy libido means more frequent and better quality sexual intimacy, which naturally
leads to better chances of conception. Conversely, if one or both partners have low libido, the
frequency and spontaneity of intercourse may drop, stress may rise, intimacy may suffer-
and that can subtly undermine fertility efforts.
Also, libido reflects overall reproductive hormonal health, circulatory/nerve health, emotional
well-being and lifestyle factors-all of which also impact fertility. In a real sense, libido is a
signal-a sign that everything from hormones to blood flow to mental health is in good
Shape.
So if you’re striving to conceive and you’re only focusing on ovulation calendars, you might
be missing a key piece of the puzzle: how your sexual energy and desire are doing.
2. The Physiology Behind Libido (and Fertility)
Let’s unpack how libido is generated in the body-and how it intersects with the fertility
System.
Hormonal foundations
In both individuals, libido is heavily influenced by sex hormones:
• In men: The hormone testosterone is pivotal-it promotes sexual desire, sperm
production and healthy reproductive organ function.
• In women: While testosterone plays a role too, estrogen and progesterone-and their
balance-are important. The reproductive hormones in women also strongly influence
Libido.
• The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis: This is the system in the brain
(hypothalamus → pituitary → gonads) that regulates sex hormone production and
reproductive function in both sexes.
For example, one major review notes:
“Many lifestyle choices and life events can modulate activity of the reproductive
axis and thus impact significantly on both reproductive physiology and
Behaviour.”
Neurotransmitters, brain and desire
Libido is not just hormones in the blood-it’s brain chemistry too. Neurotransmitters like
dopamine (which promotes reward and desire) and serotonin (which can dampen drive if
elevated) are involved.
The brain, in essence, receives cues-hormonal, emotional, relational-and translates them
into “do I want sex now?” If stress is high, lifestyle is poor, emotional connection is weak,
libido can dip.
Relationship between libido and fertility cycles
In women, libido tends to increase during the fertile window-this is no accident. A blog post
Explains:
“Experts suggest that women often experience increased sexual desire in the
days leading up to and during ovulation… estrogen levels peak, causing a surge in
luteinizing hormone (LH), which drives heightened sexual desire.”
In other words: your body is wired so that when fertility is highest, desire tends to too. That’s
a signal nature gives us (even if modern life dulls the signal).
In men, low testosterone or disruption of the HPG axis leads to low libido, which may
accompany low sperm production or other fertility issues.
Circulation, nerve supply & tissue health
Desire and sexual function also require good blood flow, nerve function, hormonal receptor
sensitivity. Poor circulation (due to smoking, diabetes, high BP), poor nerve health, or low
hormone receptor activity can dampen libido-and also affect fertility.
Relationships, stress, and mind-body factors
The physiology is intertwined with psychology. Stress increases cortisol, which suppresses
sex hormones and libido. Relationship issues reduce desire. Fatigue, poor sleep, nutritional
deficiencies-all affect hormones, neurotransmitters and thus libido.
We can summarise:
Libido is the intersection of biological readiness (hormones + physical health) +
psychological readiness (desire, relationship, mental state) +
relational/behavioral readiness (connection, communication).
3. The Mistake Couples Often Make:
Ignoring Libido While Trying to Conceive
When couples visit us at The Birthwave trying to conceive, the conversation often centres
around ovulation timing, semen analysis, ovarian reserve, diets. One key area is not talked
about enough: how their libido and sexual energy are performing.
Here are the common mistakes:
Focusing only on “mechanics”
• “Let’s schedule sex every two days around ovulation.”
• “I’m tracking basal body temperature, ovulation kit, cervical mucus.”
• “We’ll reduce stress by avoiding other distractions.”
These are all good-but if the couple’s libido is low, or there’s sexual tension, fatigue,
relationship strain or one partner feels pressured, then sex becomes a task, not an act of
connection. In that scenario, the quality of intercourse suffers, the couple may subconsciously
avoid intimacy, and fertility may be indirectly impacted.
Not recognising that
desire
fosters spontaneity and bonus chances
When libido is healthy, couples engage more freely-and that often means more frequent
intercourse beyond just “scheduled” fertile days. Each extra intimate moment boosts the
odds. When libido is low, you limit yourself to the boxed “fertile window only” mindset,
when in fact conception is more likely when intimacy is natural, relaxed, connected.
Emotional or relational issues overlooked
Many couples may be dealing with:
• Performance pressure (“We must conceive this month”).
• Fatigue or stress (work, family, finances).
• Medical procedures/hormone treatments for fertility overshadowing “fun” sexual
connection.
• Mismatched libidos between partners (which creates tension).
If these aren’t addressed, libido suffers-and the fertility journey becomes draining rather
than life-affirming.
Missing the “health barometer” information libido gives
Because libido reflects overall hormonal and circulatory health, ignoring it means you might
miss underlying issues. For instance, low libido in a man may coincide with low testosterone
or sub-optimal sperm quality. In a woman, low sexual desire might reflect hormonal
imbalance (thyroid, prolactin, progesterone deficiency) or lifestyle stress that also affects egg
quality and uterine receptivity.
Why this matters for your clinic SEO & conversion
When you position your clinic (The Birthwave) not just as a fertility/timing centre but as a
holistic wellness & libido-aware fertility clinic in Chennai, you stand out. Couples searching
“gynecologist in Chennai”, “natural fertility clinic Chennai”, “holistic pregnancy coach
Chennai”, “trying to conceive libido issues” will value this deeper insight. This becomes a
differentiator-and helps generate leads who are ready for an integrated approach (mind +
body + fertility) rather than only the mechanical route.
4. Natural & Holistic Ways to Improve Libido (and Fertility)
At The Birthwave, we believe in empowering couples with practical, lifestyle-based tools that
enhance both libido and fertility. Here are the key areas to work on.
Lifestyle & foundational health
1. Nutrition & body weight
o Maintain a healthy BMI. Excess weight or underweight both negatively affect
hormones and libido.
o Ensure balanced macro-nutrients and micronutrients: healthy fats (for
hormone production), adequate protein, whole grains, colourful vegetables.
o Avoid excessive caffeine, alcohol, smoking-all of which suppress libido and
Fertility.
2. Physical activity
o Regular moderate exercise improves circulation, boosts mood, enhances libido
and supports fertility.
o Avoid excessive high-intensity exercise if fertility is a priority (as chronic
over-exercise can suppress HPG axis).
o Incorporate pelvic floor and core stability work which improves sexual
function and uterine health.
3. Sleep & stress management
o Aim for 7–9 hours good quality sleep. Poor sleep increases cortisol which
lowers sex hormones and libido.
o Practice stress reduction techniques: yoga, meditation, breath work. The
calmer your nervous system, the more receptive you become sexually and
reproductively.
o At THE BIRTHWAVE, we encourage couples to take our Fertility Yoga
sessions, which are aimed at reducing your stress levels, promoting mobility
and asanas which help improving blood circulation to the uterus and deep
meditative techniques including yoga Nidra which improves the quality of
Sleep.
Relationship & sexual connection
4. Open communication
o Talk with your partner about what you both desire, what your rhythm is, what
makes you feel connected.
o Address mismatched libidos early: without judgment, find middle ground,
schedule times for intimacy but keep some spontaneous.
5. Create the mood
o Intimacy isn’t just intercourse-it’s connection. Date nights, touching,
hugging, massages increase oxytocin and emotional bonding, which enhance
libido.
o Limit interruptions (phones, children, work) when you plan intimacy. Make
space for connection.
6. Prioritise pleasure
o Remove the “task” mindset. If sex becomes only about conception it can lose
its spark. Re-frame it as part of your journey together-not just a means to an
end.
o Variety, fun, playful exploration keep libido alive.
Body-mind / holistic practices
7. Mind-body therapies
o Yoga, especially styles focusing on pelvic flow, breath, mindful connection,
boost libido and circulation.
o Acupuncture: some studies show improved sexual function and fertility
outcomes.
o Pelvic floor awareness & Tantra-inspired connection sessions: for many
couples we coach this simply and sensitively, enhancing intimacy and physical
Readiness.
8. Nutrition & supplements (under guidance)
o While we don’t promote quick-fix “libido pills”, ensuring adequate vitamins
(D, B-complex, magnesium) and minerals (zinc, selenium) is foundational.
Hormone production depends on nutrients.
o Foods such as avocado, nuts, seeds, dark chocolate, small amounts of chilli
(which boosts circulation) can support libido.
o Herbal adaptogens (under supervision) like ashwagandha, maca may help
reduce stress, boost vitality-but should be integrated by a trained holistic
Practitioner.
Timing & fertility-specific tweaks
9. Aligning with fertile window and libido rhythms
o Recognise that libido often naturally rises during ovulation in women. Use
that as a clue-not just a calendar.
o For couples, scheduling intercourse during the fertile window is still valid-
but don’t only rely on that. Encourage regular intimacy throughout the cycle to
keep the system “primed”.
10. Healthy hormone balance
o At the clinic we check not just fertility hormones (FSH, LH, AMH, etc), but
also sexual hormone health (testosterone in men, free androgen index in
women, thyroid, prolactin). Low libido may flag a treatable hormone issue that
also affects fertility.
5. Medical & Clinical Options for Libido Support in a Fertility Context
If lifestyle and holistic strategies aren’t fully restoring libido (and you’re trying to conceive),
it’s time to bring in medical/clinical support. At The Birthwave we integrate these options in
our personalised care plans.
When to investigate medically
Consider further assessment if:
• Libido has dropped significantly or persistently in one/both partners.
• One partner has known hormone imbalance (low testosterone, thyroid issues, elevated
prolactin, etc).
• Sexual function issues are present (erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness or
discomfort, pain during intercourse).
• Fertility tests show concurrent issues (low sperm count, low ovarian reserve, irregular
cycles) and libido appears low.
Clinical investigations we may perform
• Hormone panel: testosterone (in men & women), free T, estradiol, progesterone
(women), LH/FSH, prolactin, thyroid (TSH, T4), cortisol.
• Sexual function evaluation: history of libido/sexual activity, partner’s sexual health.
• Other relevant fertility tests (semen analysis, ovarian reserve, uterine/pelvic imaging)
which may indicate correlates of libido issues.
• Psychosocial assessment: stress, depression, relationship issues, sexual
trauma/history.
Medical/therapeutic interventions
Depending on assessment:
• Hormone therapy: For example, in men with clinically low testosterone and fertility
desires, testosterone replacement may be considered-but note: some testosterone
therapy may impair sperm production, so this must be managed carefully.
• Female sexual desire disorder treatments: In women, if hypoactive sexual desire
disorder (HSDD) is diagnosed, specialist therapy or medications may be discussed
(via an endocrinologist/sexual health specialist).
• Medication review: Many medications (antidepressants, beta blockers, hormonal
contraception, etc) may suppress libido. Changing or adjusting medications may
relieve libido suppression.
• Addressing sexual function issues: Erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness or pain can
dampen libido-treating the mechanical/functional issues (with PDE-5 inhibitors,
vaginal moisturisers/therapy) can restore sexual desire.
• Fertility-integrated approach: At The Birthwave we combine the above with our
holistic plan-so if low libido is impeding conception, we treat both the sexual desire
aspect and the fertility aspect together (rather than in isolation).
How we integrate this at The Birthwave
• We begin with a comprehensive intake: lifestyle, sexual history, fertility history,
partner’s health.
• We run hormonals + fertility tests + referral to sexual wellness specialist if needed.
• We create a personalised plan: holistic (nutrition, lifestyle, relationship coaching) +
clinical (hormones, medications) + fertility schedule.
• We emphasise ongoing monitoring: libido and sexual health are tracked alongside
fertility metrics.
• Our aim: couples conceive without feeling like sex is only a duty or focused entirely
on the “fertile window”.
6. Why Choose The Birthwave in Chennai for This Approach
If you’re based in Chennai (or willing to travel here), here’s why The Birthwave stands out:
• We combine gynecologist expertise + holistic wellness in one integrated clinic.
• Location: Nungambakkam-a central and accessible part of Chennai for couples.
• Our unique focus on sexual wellbeing + fertility distinguishes us from standard
fertility clinics that focus purely on mechanics.
• Local context: In India, often sexual desire and libido are seldom discussed openly-
but we create a safe, confidential environment where couples feel comfortable.
• We understand the cultural, emotional, lifestyle aspects of fertility in Indian
couples-and tailor accordingly.
• SEO-friendly note: If you search “holistic fertility clinic Chennai”, “libido fertility
Chennai”, “pregnancy natural birth Chennai”, “gynecologist in Nungambakkam” you
will find us-because we are committed to addressing the missing link many couples
Miss.
7. FAQ – Common Questions About Libido & Fertility
Q1: If we’re tracking ovulation perfectly, do we still need to worry about libido?
Yes. Tracking ovulation is good-but if one partner has low sexual desire, intercourse may
become less frequent, less spontaneous, or tense-which may reduce overall conception
chances beyond the “ideal window”.
Q2: Is low libido a cause of infertility?
Not directly in the sense that low libido doesn’t stop you conceiving-but it increases the
odds of missing fertile windows, having lower quality intimacy, and it may reflect underlying
health issues (hormonal, metabolic, circulatory) that do affect fertility. So yes-addressing
libido improves your fertility “ecosystem”.
Q3: Can I boost libido naturally without drugs?
Absolutely-many couples we work with improve libido through lifestyle, relationship,
emotional connection, and holistic methods. Drugs or medical therapy are only needed if
there is an identifiable underlying clinical issue.
Q4: My libido is fine, but my partner’s isn’t. What should we do?
This is very common. The one thing you both can do: open communication, make intimacy
feel safe and pleasurable, schedule “connection time”, and encourage your partner to get a
full assessment (hormones, sleep, stress, relationship). Our clinic sees many couples where
improving one partner’s libido improves the couple dynamic and fertility outcome.
Q5: How many times should we have intercourse when trying to conceive?
There’s no one-size-fits-all number-but in general, having intercourse every 1-2 days during
the fertile window is good. However, if libido is healthy you may have additional intimacy
outside the fertile window-and that is valuable too. The more connected, relaxed and
frequent-but not pressured-the better.
8. Final Thoughts & Next Steps
If you and your partner are trying to conceive and you feel that something is missing-even if
every “mechanical” check is fine-take a step back and ask:
• How is our sexual desire-individually and together?
• Are we enjoying intimacy, or is it a duty, scheduled task?
• Are lifestyle, stress, relationship, hormonal health acting as “roadblocks” to our desire
and fertility?
• Are we getting holistic support (body + mind + relationship) rather than just focusing
on egg/sperm/ovulation?
At The Birthwave, Nungambakkam, Chennai, we invite you for a full assessment where we
look not just at fertility mechanics-but at your libido health, sexual wellbeing and holistic
readiness for pregnancy. If you’re curious about how improving libido can accelerate your
path to conception, we’d be happy to guide you.
Take Action Today
• Book a pre‐conception consultation with us, where we review your fertility profile +
libido/sexual health together.
• Start a libido & fertility journal: track intimacy frequency, desire levels, mood, sleep,
diet, stress.
• Have an open discussion with your partner: what does intimacy mean to you both
beyond conception?
• If you’re in Chennai (or planning to travel here), join our couple-holistic fertility
workshop at The Birthwave-focused on libido, connection and natural fertility
Enhancement.
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