Why Libido Increases in Winter: Science Behind It

If you desire a heightened sense of emotional and physical intimacy during winter days, you are not the only one. Winter not only brings seasonal changes but also causes shifts in your hormones and sex drive.

Winter remains the favourite season of most people for many reasons. With the cosy days, long night hours, and the light yet most sparkling sunlight of winter comes the increased desire for libido. To address the role of winters in the rise of libido, we spoke to Dr Shashank MS, Consultant - Urology and Renal Transplant, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore. Read ahead to know what the expert says:

What Exactly Is Libido?

Libido is essentially your inherent sexual desire, which is a combination of your body, mind, and emotions. Dr Shashank MS explained, “Hormones, neurotransmitters, stress levels, general health, and even the bond with your partner, all these factors impinge on your libido. It is a fact that everyone has a different libido, and it is also possible that it varies at different phases of one's life.”

Most of the time, sound sleep, low-stress levels, a good lifestyle, and hormone balance are what keep your sex drive at a normal level. However, there are times when diseases, anxiety, exhaustion, or problems in the relationship can cause it to drop. Simply put, your libido is your sexual drive; a change in it, whether an increase or decrease, is largely dependent on your physical health and mental well-being.

Factors That Influence Libido in Winters

One's winter libido varies as the body and the mind may react differently to cold weather, shorter days, and even small factors, such as staying indoors more, that affect the libido.

Hormonal Factor

Dr Shashank explained that one of the consequences of hormonal changes is a small increase in certain mood-boosting chemicals that, among other things, give the feeling of warmth, comfort, and sexual arousal. When more time is spent indoors with partners, there are more opportunities for closeness, and hence interest in intimacy can increase naturally.

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Psychological Factor

Chilly weather and low temperatures bring the comfort of staying in a warm environment, a sense of security, and relaxation due to closeness. These impact your brain and mood psychologically, significantly improving the emotional bond and, consequently, libido.

Environmental Factor

As shared by Dr Shashank, a sunny dawn and cosy environment also play their role brilliantly in enhancing your sex desire. However, lack of sunlight and cold can make some individuals less energetic and in a bad mood, thus their desire will be decreased. Winter libido is a reflection of a person's physical condition, lifestyle, and mood.

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Cold Temperature and Increased Sexual Desire

Natural cold temperature can be a reason for an increase in sexual desire as the body goes through the process of warming itself, and, therefore, physical closeness becomes a more comforting thing.

Dr Shashank stated that cold weather restricts people from going out, and so they decide to stay indoors, take more rest, and spend more time and moments with their partner, which supports the bonding process. “At the same time, the body might be producing more hormones during the colder months that improve one's mood, increase energy, and make one feel attracted,” he further added.

Reports suggest that cold temperatures also assist in overcoming tiredness, and thus people will be more energised, which may lead to an increase in the overall desire. To put it simply, the need for warmth, comfort, and connection in cold weather mostly results in a natural rise in sexual interest.

How Does Winter Sunlight Affect Sexual Desire?

Dr Shashank shared that more winter sunlight might be one of the reasons that lead to a higher sexual desire, as it contributes to the improvement of one's mood and energises a person. Here are a few ways in which winter sunlight exposure affects sexual desires:

• Sun exposure urges the body to produce Vitamin D and serotonin, substances that bring about happiness, relaxation, and emotional stability.
• Good sun exposure also regulates one's sleep cycle, and hence, the feeling of tiredness is less, and the general state of well-being is promoted. Improved mood, together with improved sleep, is considered one of the major reasons behind a rise in libido.
• Sunlight is great at relieving stress and making people feel less weighed down and more in tune with their partner, performing as one of the indirect sexual desire boosters during the cold season.

Impact Of Increased Libido in Winter On Your Relationship

Dr Shashank highlighted that increased libido majorly affects a relationship positively, but depending on one’s personal life and mood variations, it can be the other way around.

“Winter can heighten sex drive, which in turn can either emotionally connect the lovers or cause a little bit of trouble. A higher libido, for instance, can be a tool for the partners to bond more deeply, become more emotionally connected, and even have better communication,” he mentioned.

However, if the desire of one partner is more than that of the other, it can be quite puzzling. “The partner with the lower sex drive may feel that he is being forced, and the difference in the couple can lead to a kind of frustration or emotional separation if it is not communicated properly.”

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Tips to Improve Sex Life

Nothing makes sex better than feeling close and understood. Talking about how one can improve and enjoy sex life, Dr Shashank stated, “When partners communicate openly about what they like, what they need, and what feels comfortable, it takes away awkwardness and strengthens trust. Small things such as making time for each other, giving nice compliments, laughing, and lowering stress all contribute to feeling more connected.”

He also underlines how important it is to take care of your health for a good sex life. “When you are sleeping well, eating right, and exercising, you will naturally feel better, more confident.”

Sometimes, just deciding to put the phones away and making a nice, distraction-free space can be the thing that changes everything.

Bottomline

Winter comes with more holidays, good sunlight, and a natural tendency to spend time together. All of this eventually increases the libido in most people. If you communicate feelings properly, the weather can end up strengthening your relationship with your partner physically and emotionally as well.