Winter is great for a lot of things, like sipping hot cocoa by the fire with loved ones and hitting the slopes. What it might not be so great for, however, is your sex life.
Judging by conception trends, it appears that people are having less sex in the late winter months. In fact, contrary to rom-com narratives, Valentine’s Day is actually not a popular conception date. So, exactly how does the winter season affect your sex drive, and what can you do about it? Read below to learn more.
Exploring the Winter Blues
Those lucky enough to live in a place with four true seasons may be familiar with Seasonal Affective Disorder, aptly referred to as SAD. SAD is a type of mood disorder that affects people around the same time every year, usually at the end of Fall or early Winter when temps are cold and sunlight is limited.
Symptoms of SAD include:
- Chronic depression
- Loss of interest in activities
- Low energy
- Trouble sleeping
In the winter months, people with SAD may oversleep, experience appetite changes, gain weight, and report being tired or having low energy – none of which sounds like aphrodisiacs.
Mood disorders aren’t the only cause of libido issues and potentially erectile dysfunction (ED). That’s because neurotransmitters aren’t the only chemicals that are affected by seasonal changes. Testosterone levels may also start to decline in the winter months, which can affect sex drive. Further, less sunlight means less natural Vitamin D, which a new study suggests may contribute to erectile dysfunction (ED).
Distinguishing between SAD and Sexual Dysfunction
Close to one in three men experience sexual dysfunction, so how do you know if it is due to erectile dysfunction or just that time of the year? Start with a process of elimination.
- When does your sexual dysfunction, including low sex drive or inability to get or keep an erection, occur? If it typically is restricted to the winter months, it may be linked to changes in the seasons.
- Do things like hitting the beach in the winter improve your sex life? This may be due to an increase in Vitamin D, again suggesting a seasonal cause of ED.
- Have you maintained a healthy, active lifestyle year-round? Erectile dysfunction is associated with circulatory conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease, as well as obesity and partaking in alcohol and tobacco. If you find you’ve maintained a physically active daily life and haven’t made any drastic changes to your diet or lifestyle behaviors, SAD may be the culprit.
Before taking any steps to improve your sexual health and functioning, it’s always best to consult with a doctor. If SAD is suspected to be the cause, your doctor may suggest making changes during the winter months, like taking a Vitamin D supplement or an anti-depressant. For those experiencing ED throughout the year, regardless of season, then a more appropriate option may be a PDE5 inhibitor like Viagra. Whatever the cause, consider this our way of recommending a beach vacation with your partner. You’re welcome.
Meantime, if you’re interested in the convenience of securely ordering prescription ED medications online, visit the eDrugstore Erectile Dysfunction page.
Kwynn holds a Master of Public Health and is currently pursuing a PhD in Social Work. Her research examines the intersections of health, technology, and gender-based violence.