Light Therapy Increases Men's Sex Drive, Light Box Can Help Men With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: Study

A new study suggests that light therapy increases men's sex drive. The therapy has been known as a good way to treat various illnesses like seasonal affective disorder; hence experts said they are not surprised about what they have found. Specifically, sitting in front of a light box can help men with hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

According to IFL Science, it was discovered that a light box similar to the ones used for seasonal affective disorder treatments could also increase testosterone levels. The light box emits UV light.

38 men with hypoactive sexual desire were the subjects of the study. 19 of them were exposed to a specialized light box while the other 19 were exposed to another box that did not emit the same quality of light. It was a 30-minute exposure done every morning for two weeks. As a result, those exposed to bright light tripled their scores for sexual satisfaction while the other group's scores remained the same.

In connection to this, Professor Andrea Fagiolini from the University of Siena in Italy said that spring and summer are the times when sexual function increases, and he believes it is due to exposure to light. These are also the times when testosterone levels and sexual interest increase. Fagiolini works at the Department of Mental Health in the above-mentioned university.

Moreover, Chicago Tribune reported that the experiment using a lightbox has taken its cue from nature. The box merely mimics what nature does, and this might explain the significant improvement in the scores of the 19 men exposed to bright light.

Specialized light boxes are also used to treat depression and anxiety. Interestingly, antidepressants are sometimes prescribed for men who have low sex drives. Upon finding out that light therapy increases men's sex drive, experts aim to develop more effective ways to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder that have minimal side effects.