The Role of Hormones in Female Libido: A Beginners Guide
- Amy Simpson
- Feb 13
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 14
Female libido
isn’t an on-off switch, it’s more like a slow burn, needing time, connection, and the right hormonal balance to reach full intensity. Foreplay isn’t just about physical touch; it’s about the intricate dance of hormones that shape desire. Testosterone fuels mid-cycle passion, oestrogen enhances arousal, progesterone fine-tunes receptivity, and prolactin can sometimes hit the brakes. Understanding these hormonal shifts helps you work with your body, not against it.
Let’s break it down ⬇️
💪TESTOSTERONE
Peaks in mid-cycle and plays a key role in libido, energy levels, mood stability, muscle maintenance, and cognitive function.
Produced primarily by the ovaries and adrenal glands. It surges around ovulation, peaking in the mid-cycle, and plays a key role in libido, energy levels, mood stability, muscle maintenance, and cognitive function. While testosterone levels are lower in women than in men, they are actually higher than oestrogen levels throughout most of the menstrual cycle. This is because oestrogen fluctuates significantly, whereas testosterone remains relatively steady with a mid-cycle peak.
♥️PROGESTERONE
Improves our receptivity to our partner advances and bonding by interacting with oxytocin pathways.
Progesterone plays a complex role in libido. While it is often associated with a calming effect, high levels (ahem luteal) can sometimes dampen sexual desire. However, progesterone also modulates the effects of oestrogen and testosterone, meaning its influence on libido depends on overall hormonal balance. Some research suggests progesterone may enhance sexual receptivity and bonding by interacting with oxytocin pathways.
💦OESTROGEN
Enhances desire, arousal and nerve transmission. Manages vaginal, clitoral, and urethral arterial blood flow. Dictates the vaginal microbiome.
Oestrogen plays a key role in female libido by enhancing vaginal lubrication, increasing blood flow to genital tissues, and heightening sensitivity and arousal. It peaks just before ovulation, which aligns with the time of highest natural fertility, suggesting an evolutionary link between oestrogen and sexual desire. Oestrogen also interacts with dopamine and oxytocin, neurotransmitters that influence pleasure and bonding. However, its effects on libido depend on overall hormonal balance.
🐄PROLACTIN
High during breastfeeding or metabolic dysfunction. Reduces libido.
I've put this one in here for all my breastfeeding mamas and maybe my PCOS girlies. Prolactin is essential for milk production. It rises in response to infant suckling, reinforcing milk supply while also promoting maternal bonding. Prolactin generally suppresses libido, particularly after orgasm and during breastfeeding, by counteracting dopamine (the "desire" neurotransmitter). Elevated prolactin levels can lead to low sexual desire and anovulation. In some cases of PCOS, prolactin levels can be mildly elevated, contributing to irregular ovulation and menstrual cycle disturbances.
If your libido feels out of sync, your hormones might be trying to tell you something.
Whether you're moving through postpartum shifts, noticing changes in your cycle, or navigating the hormonal ups and downs of perimenopause—it’s not just in your head. Hormones impact everything from mood and energy to desire and deep rest.
As a naturopath (seeing clients in Bendigo and online across Australia), I support women to rebalance their cycles, optimise fertility, and restore hormonal harmony using personalised, evidence-based care. Let’s get your hormones working for you, not against you 💛
