The Role of Hormones in Female Libido: A Beginners Guide
- Amy Simpson
- Feb 13
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
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 telling you something. Whether you're navigating postpartum shifts, cycle irregularities, or just want to feel more in tune with your body during perimenopause, understanding your hormones is the first step. As a naturopath (in Bendigo and online anywhere in Australia), I help women rebalance their cycles, optimise fertility, and support overall wellbeing with evidence-based, personalised care.
If you're ready to feel more connected to your body and hormones, book a 1:1 session with me today. Let’s get your hormones working for you, not against you💛
Amy is a degree-qualified naturopath dedicated to helping busy, tired clients regain their energy and vitality.
She combines evidence-based naturopathic medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle interventions to empower clients on their journey to optimal health. Whether it’s reclaiming energy, balancing hormones, resolving digestive issues, or enhancing overall well-being and longevity, her personalised approach focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of health concerns. With a Bachelor of Health Science, ongoing studies in a Master of Advanced Practice, and full membership in the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia, Amy offers a unique blend of traditional wisdom and science to support individuals and families at every stage of life.
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