Does evening primrose oil help with low libido during perimenopause?

Evening primrose oil is sometimes used to support libido during perimenopause, but the direct evidence for this specific use is limited. It may play an indirect supportive role through its effects on inflammation, hormone receptor sensitivity, and tissue health, rather than acting as a direct libido booster.

Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA. Your body converts GLA into DGLA and then into prostaglandin E1, a compound with anti-inflammatory effects. Prostaglandins also play a role in regulating blood flow and tissue sensitivity. Some researchers believe that improved prostaglandin balance may support sexual tissue health and comfort. GLA is also thought to modulate estrogen receptor sensitivity, which could matter in perimenopause when estrogen levels are erratic and receptor signaling becomes less predictable.

Low libido during perimenopause is driven by several interconnected factors. Declining estrogen reduces vaginal lubrication and tissue elasticity, which can make sex uncomfortable. Falling testosterone levels reduce sexual desire directly. Poor sleep, anxiety, mood changes, and the general physical exhaustion of hormonal fluctuation all suppress desire too. Evening primrose oil does not directly address testosterone or estrogen levels. What it may do is reduce some of the inflammatory and comfort-related barriers that get in the way.

There are no large, well-designed clinical trials showing that evening primrose oil reliably improves libido in perimenopausal women. The evidence in this area is largely indirect, coming from studies on GLA's broader effects on hormonal balance and tissue health. If you are considering it for this reason, it helps to go in with honest expectations: it may be one piece of a larger puzzle, not a standalone fix. Some women report that evening primrose oil improves vaginal moisture and tissue comfort, which could reduce pain during sex and thereby remove a barrier to desire. This tissue-hydrating effect of GLA is better supported than its direct effect on sexual drive, so if physical discomfort is part of the picture, that may be where any benefit shows up first.

Studies on evening primrose oil for perimenopausal symptoms have generally used 3,000 to 4,000 mg per day, with GLA content typically ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 mg. Always take it with food. Talk to your healthcare provider about the right dose for your situation, particularly because other approaches, such as topical estrogen or testosterone therapy, have stronger evidence for low libido specifically.

Before starting evening primrose oil, there are important safety points to consider. If you have or have had a hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids, discuss evening primrose oil with your healthcare provider before using it. Evening primrose oil may interact with blood thinners and anticoagulants. It may also lower the seizure threshold, so discuss with your provider if you take any seizure medications. If you take any prescription medications, check with your provider before adding this supplement.

If you try evening primrose oil for libido, give it at least 6 to 8 weeks before drawing conclusions. This supplement works through gradual metabolic pathways, not immediate effects. Most women who see any benefit report noticing changes after 4 to 8 weeks of consistent use. Because libido is influenced by so many variables at once, it helps to track other factors alongside the supplement, including sleep quality, stress, relationship satisfaction, and where you are in your cycle. This makes it easier to see whether any improvement is actually connected to the supplement or reflects other changes in your life.

See your healthcare provider if low libido is significantly affecting your relationship or quality of life, if it is accompanied by pain during sex, if you have significant vaginal dryness or tissue changes, or if nothing you try seems to help. These are medical issues with proven treatments, including hormone therapy and prescription options, that deserve a proper clinical conversation. Evening primrose oil is not a substitute for that care.

Tracking how your libido varies day to day, alongside your cycle phase and sleep, can reveal patterns that are hard to see otherwise. The PeriPlan app (https://apps.apple.com/app/periplan/id6740066498) lets you log libido daily so you can spot whether patterns shift over time. This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider about your specific situation.