Desire, female libido, acupuncture & Chinese medicine.

Desire, Libido, and the Changing Seasons of a Woman’s Life

Through the Lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine

If you live in Adelaide, you are a woman experiencing a less than desirable sex life, and would like to know more about WHY your desire and libido sometimes take a hike, then read on…

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), libido is not seen as a mechanical function, but as a reflection of a woman’s overall vitality, emotional well-being, and connection to herself. Chinese medicine brings together specific organs and their inter-relationships and assesses how they reflect on the way we love and lust.

Desire arises when the Kidney essence (Jing) is strong, the Liver Qi flows freely, and the Heart is open and calm. Different phases of life demonstrate peaks and troughs of the strength of the qi of each organ. For instance, during perimenopause (the years leading up to menopause) these systems begin to shift. It is a natural phase and not a decline as such, but a transition—one that requires nourishment, understanding, and care.

In TCM, the Kidneys are the root of sexual energy. They hold the Jing, or essence, which governs fertility, aging, and the deep reserves that fuel libido. As women enter perimenopause, Jing gradually lessens, and with it may come a natural softening of sexual drive. This is often not welcomed, and commonly not seen as a problem. However, it is a calling to tend the fire more gently. Women may notice their desire becomes more sensitive to emotional connection, rest, and inner harmony, and this is where the heart comes in.

The Heart, which houses the spirit (Shen), must also feel safe and open for desire to flourish. If the Heart is burdened by worry, sadness, or lack of intimacy, then a womans libido dims. When the Heart and Kidneys are in harmony, a woman’s emotional and physical selves can communicate, making room for sensuality, trust, and pleasure.

Another organ in this libido equation is the liver, which is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi and Blood, including sexual desire. If Liver Qi is stagnant, which can often be due to stress, resentment, or unmet needs, then libido may feel blocked or absent. Tension in the body, mood swings, or frustration may be signs that the Liver needs to be soothed. In TCM, supporting the Liver can help unlock the gentle rhythm of desire and reconnect a woman to her sense of aliveness.

Rather than treating low libido as a symptom to fix, acupuncture treatments and Chinese herbal medicine invite us to ask deeper questions: Am I nourished? Do I feel safe? Is my energy moving freely?

Desire throughout the lifespan of a woman changes. Whether that be through trying to find a mate, pregnancy, the postpartum period, long term relationships, break ups, or midlife during perimenopause and menopause.

Libido and desire are not gone altoghether, but simply different. They may become slower, deeper, more intuitive. With the aim of treatment being to invigorate and nourish the organs listed above, we see libido and desire reignite.

With warmth, rest, herbs, and emotional support, many women find that their libido becomes a quieter but more meaningful companion through life changes.

Book in a consult with Dr. Rebecca Brook (BHSc Acu, PGCert Sexology) for specific support and guidance into this sensitive topic.

Click the link below to book, and see you soon in clinic.