The Surprising Reason You May Be Having Less Sex in the Winter

From extra-cozy date nights to the holidays and Valentine's Day, there's plenty to love about winter. However, the season has its cons: Dry skin (no, thanks), slushy sidewalks (unsubscribe) and, possibly, a lower sex drive. Um, say what now? The tldr; of it is that vitamin D levels and sex drive are very much interconnected—and it's all tangentially related to how seasonal shifts and seasonal affective disorder can mess with your overall well-being.

To better understand why some struggle with a low sex drive in the winter and the link between vitamin D and sex drive, we turned to an expert. With the info and advice below, you can turn this into your hottest winter on record—but not in a climate change kind of way, if you catch our drift.

Meet the Expert:

• Dr. Alyssa Marley, ND practices at Quinn Family Health in Portsmouth, NH. There, she treats hormonal imbalances, women's health concerns, digestive disorders and more through a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to wellness.

In this article:

• How Vitamin D Impacts Sex Drive
• Why Some People Have a Low Sex Drive in the Winter
• How to Reap the Sexual Benefits of Vitamin D
• Heat Things Up This Winter

How Vitamin D Impacts Sex Drive

You probably already know that vitamin D is an essential nutrient that plays a starring role in a multitude of the body's functions, from your mood to your immune system.

"It reduces inflammation in the body, which in turn makes it protective against cardiovascular diseases," explains Dr. Alyssa Marley, ND. "It supports the immune system and safeguards against the development of certain autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and multiple sclerosis. It's also involved in neuromuscular function and blood sugar metabolism."

As if that wasn't enough to convey the importance of this multitasking nutrient, vitamin D and sex drives are also linked. "Studies consistently demonstrate links between low levels of vitamin D and low levels of testosterone," says Dr. Marley. "Testosterone is one of the main hormones that influence libido in both males and females. Adequate vitamin D is essential for proper testosterone regulation."

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Why Some People Have a Low Sex Drive in the Winter

Matching the lower temperatures outside, things can cool off in the bedroom, too, during the winter months. As Dr. Marley explains, studies suggest that testosterone has a seasonal rhythm—with peak secretion in the late summer and autumn, and falling in the late winter through early spring. "Vitamin D synthesis starts in the skin and requires ultraviolet exposure for activation," she says. "In the winter months when ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure is minimal, vitamin D synthesis is minimal."

To further break down the *~science~* of it all, think of a straight line connecting the skin to the brain to the hormonal glands, the reverberation of which affects libido and sexual behavior. "In response to UVB exposure, a protein called p53 gets activated in skin cells and induces a wide range of biological functions related to sexual behavior," says Dr. Marley. "For example, it increases circulating levels of sex hormones, like testosterone, in the bloodstream and enhances romantic passion."

"In the winter months when UVB exposure is minimal—or even non-existent for some of us that spend all winter indoors—the skin-brain-gonad axis does not get stimulated sufficiently and, consequently, we do not get p53's benefits related to libido and sexual behavior."

There's also potentially a chicken-or-the-egg thing happening when it comes to those dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of recurrent seasonal depression that can be exacerbated by a Vitamin D deficiency, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. "Symptoms of SAD include fatigue, sleep disturbances, low mood and depression, all of which negatively impact sexual desire," says Dr. Marley.

How to Reap the Sexual Benefits of Vitamin D

Dr. Marley encourages those who suspect they may have a vitamin D deficiency—which symptoms include fatigue and mood changes—to ask their healthcare provider to order a blood test to test their levels.

In addition to sunlight, more minor sources of vitamin D include foods like eggs, fatty fish and their oils (including herring, salmon, sardines and tuna), certain dairy products and fungal foods like mushrooms, according to Dr. Marley. "Many individuals cannot optimize their vitamin D levels with sun exposure and diet alone, especially in winter months when ultraviolent exposure is minimal," she says.

In this case, a high-quality vitamin D3 supplement may be recommended by your doctor. "It's a good idea to test your levels before supplementing to determine the ideal dose for you," reminds Dr. Marley.

Heat Things Up This Winter

Looking for ways to raise temps indoors this winter—sans a soaring electric bill? Fan the flames in the bedroom by exploring fresh, sensual ideas like smutty porn alternatives, new sex toys, cuddling positions or sex games. (You're welcome.)