Gut Health

The Microbiome and Men’s Sexual Health



If you’ve spent any amount of time in the world of wellness, you’ve no doubt heard plenty of talk about microbiomes—the part of your gut that serves as home to the majority of your body’s bacterial colonies. 

Research has already shown that the balance of bacteria in your microbiome affects all areas of your health: physical, emotional, and mental. 

But there’s a part of your health that’s also affected by your microbiome that you might not have considered. 

Your sexual health. 

If you’re less than happy with your sex life, the bacteria in your gut might be to blame. 

How Your Microbiome Affects Men’s Sexual Health

The first step to understanding this surprising connection is to know that there are two types of bacteria that live in your gut. 

  • Beneficial or good bacteria
  • Pathogenic or bad bacteria

With a limited amount of room in your gut, when one colony flourishes, it crowds out the other. 

Ideally, your beneficial bacteria is thriving, to the detriment of the colonies of pathogenic bacteria. 

Unfortunately, it’s usually the opposite. 

The bad bacterial colonies flourish, leaving little to no room for the good bacteria to survive. 

This condition, known as dysbiosis, is incredibly common. 

And it could be disrupting your sex life. Here’s how…

two men talking

Your Gut Health And Your Performance

Poor gut health is associated with a ton of digestive issues. 

None of those quite scream “romance,” do they?

The physical side effects are challenging enough on their own when you’re trying to be intimate. But the emotional side effects can take their toll on your sexual performance, too. 

When you’re experiencing digestive issues, it’s hard to concentrate on sex. Instead, these are some of the scenarios that might be racing through your mind. 

  • Fearing an IBS episode during a sexual encounter
  • Embarrassment at having to use the bathroom after a sleepover with your partner
  • Trying to connect emotionally while ignoring or hiding often painful stomach issues

Even more than having digestive issues, the anxiety you feel around your GI issues can make it difficult for you to forget your worries and relax long enough to get aroused. 

In fact, the anxiety associated with GI issues can be so bad that studies have shown that men with IBS are more than twice as likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction. [1]

And, anxiety—in this case about having sex—can trigger an IBS episode, making this a particularly awful self-fulfilling prophecy. 

anxiety

Your Gut Health And Your Confidence

We’re all looking for that zing! of sexual attraction and a partner who finds us sexually irresistible, right?

While looks aren’t everything in the sexual arena, there are plenty of reasons why we all want to be seen as attractive to current or potential partners. And, when you are confident, it makes you appear even more attractive.

  • You’ll feel desirable, which is an aphrodisiac by itself 
  • Your confidence will enhance your performance 
  • You’ll be more comfortable during intimate moments: Walking around nude, showering together, etc 

But did you know that having a healthy microbiome can actually make you more attractive to your partner? 

Skin conditions, such as acne and eczema, are among the most frequent symptoms of dysbiosis. And it’s not easy to feel attractive when you’re having a huge breakout right before a big date. 

If you have a healthy gut, on the other hand, you’re more likely to have the clear, smooth, glowing skin that partners are drawn to. 

A healthy, balanced gut can also enhance the appearance of your hair and teeth. 

And when you don’t have to worry about the chance of an embarrassing digestive episode, you’ll be more at ease, more confident, and better able to focus on your partner’s needs and desires without being stuck in your own head.

Your Gut Health And Your Libido

Is your gut health affecting how long you last during sexual encounters? There’s a good chance it could be! 

Your gut is responsible for producing over 90% of your body’s natural serotonin, more casually known as “the happy hormone.” [2] This is the hormone that keeps you feeling light, positive, and, as the nickname implies, happy. 

But if your gut microbiome is unbalanced, it won’t be able to produce the right levels of serotonin.

The lower serotonin levels could lead to a host of side effects like:

  • Excessive need for sleep
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Lack of interest in once-pleasurable activities
  • Low self-esteem
  • Depression
  • Sore muscles

Even experiencing just one or two of these symptoms is enough to derail your sexual desires and make you lose interest in sexual activities.

But before you think antidepressants are the cure, there’s something more to consider…

man with low serotonin

Your Gut Health And Testosterone

Did you know that your gut health could be affecting your testosterone levels? The balance of bacteria in your gut can play a significant role in the production of testosterone, the hormone that is responsible for regulating your libido.

An unbalanced gut microbiome can lead to increased levels of inflammation, which can disrupt the production of testosterone. 

Inflammation can also increase levels of a protein called sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which binds to testosterone and makes it less available for use in the body. This can lead to lower levels of free testosterone, which can negatively affect sexual desire, muscle mass, and bone density.

Your Gut Health And Erectile Function

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition that affects many men, and while there are numerous factors that can contribute to its development, poor gut health is one that has recently come to light.

Researchers have found that the balance of bacteria in your gut can play a significant role in the development of ED. When the bacteria in your gut are out of balance, it can lead to inflammation, which in turn can damage blood vessels and nerves in the body. This can make it harder for the body to respond to sexual stimuli and achieve an erection.

Furthermore, imbalanced gut bacteria can disrupt the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that is essential for achieving and maintaining an erection. Reduced nitric oxide levels can lead to decreased blood flow to the penis, making it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection.

While ED can be caused by a variety of factors, such as hormonal imbalances, medications, or psychological issues, poor gut health is a potential contributor that shouldn't be ignored. 

man talking with doctor

Your Action Plan For a Healthy Sex Life

If you’re reading this, perhaps your sex life isn’t quite where you’d like it to be… But don’t worry – We’re here to help. To get your gut back on track so you can feel your best in and out of the bedroom, here are some action steps that you can start taking TODAY for a more mojo-filled tomorrow: 

Plan Non-Foodie Dates

Are digestive issues interfering with your sex life? If so, they’re probably made worse after you eat certain foods or larger meals.

Until your gut health is back to its optimal balance, try to plan dates that don’t involve heavy meals… or even no meals at all. 

Get creative and plan dates that involve your or your date’s hobbies, cultural events, museums, farmer’s markets, or other fun activities. 

Be Honest with Your Partner

No matter how intense your sexual connection, your partner isn’t a mind reader. If you’re a good enough actor, they’ll have no idea of the sexual issues you’re dealing with right now. 

Trying to hide embarrassing digestive issues or cover up a mood disorder could actually worsen your physical, emotional, or mental health. Sharing these issues with your partner, on the other hand, can reduce anxiety (and the IBS symptoms that go with it). 

While this isn’t usually a topic to bring up on a first date, it’s also not a good idea to wait until you’re about to get intimate. 

Share as much as you’d like about your sexual health with your partner. You can even work together to come up with a plan that’ll help both of you feel relaxed and bonded during your most intimate moments.  

a couple talking

Find Alternative Pleasure

If your unhealthy microbiome is making it difficult for you to achieve or maintain an erection, there are plenty of other intimate acts that you and your partner can enjoy. 

Use your imagination in the bedroom and explore your sensuality in other ways. Oral sex, digital stimulation, and sex toys can pleasure your partner and keep you sexually connected while you work to rebalance your gut health. 

Rebalance Your Gut

The best thing you can do for your health in and out of the bedroom is take control of your microbiome. This means replacing those colonies of bad bacteria with strong, flourishing colonies of good bacteria. 

And – The easiest way to do this is by encouraging the growth of high-quality beneficial bacteria with a clinically proven probiotic supplement. 

Probiotics nourish colonies of beneficial bacteria and restore your gut health by correcting its bacterial balance. 

However, not all probiotics are equal. 

For your probiotic supplement to be effective, it needs to survive the treacherous environment of your digestive tract, navigating through stomach acid, bile, and more. 

Luckily, our flagship probiotic has been clinically proven to “arrive alive” with a 100% survivability rate. 

Here are just a few of the ways that the right probiotic can help you take your sex life to the next level. 

  • Probiotics address GI issues such as bloating, constipation, and diarrhea, so you can focus on fun in the bedroom without worrying about an embarrassing digestive issue
  • Probiotics help you sleep better and support great energy, contributing to a better you for more confident sexual performance
  • Probiotics promote clearer skin, which can give you a confidence boost in and out of the bedroom
  • Probiotics drive a strong libido by supporting testosterone production, a hormone that is crucial for sexual desire
  • Probiotics encourage circulation and promote a healthy inflammatory response, which can support increased sensitivity and pleasure
  • Probiotics can help to reduce stress, which can negatively impact sexual desire 

Bring Sexy Back With Just Thrive Probiotic

Your gut health might be the last thing on your mind when you’re on your way to the bedroom, but there’s little doubt that it’s impacting your sex life. 

Whether that impact is positive or negative depends on your microbiome. 

If you’re having sexual issues, making sure you have a balanced, healthy microbiome is a critical step for taking back control of your sex life. 

Just Thrive Probiotic keeps your gut in healthy balance to promote digestive wellness… so you can say goodbye to sex-disrupting issues like bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and more.

Plus, a balanced gut helps regulate your mood, sleep, energy, and so much more, so you can feel confident and ready to go when the right moment strikes.

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That means you can try Just Thrive Probiotic to see if it works for you (and we’re betting it will)... But if for any reason you don’t feel a difference, simply ask for a full refund. Whether it’s been 3 days, 3 weeks or 3 months—even if the bottle is empty! 

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