Approximately 43% of American women have some form of "sexual dysfunction," the majority suffering from decreased sexual desire.
photo credit: Paul-in-London
If your partner’s doctor diagnoses him with erectile dysfunction, he may be prescribed a medication such as Viagra. While this little blue pill has done wonders for men, it has not panned out to be a panacea for women. For men, Viagra causes smooth muscle relaxation, which increases blood flow to the penis, allowing it to engorge and become erect. In women, the issue with (more…)
photo credit: Herval
Has your sex life taken a dive even though you are still interested in your partner? You are not alone. According to the recent 2009 Sex, Romance, and Relationships Survey released by the AARP in May 2010, people’s sex drives have been dropping at an alarming rate(1). The study, which included a random sample of 1,670 American men and women aged 45 and older, reveals some intriguing findings. Between 2004 and 2009, the percentage of people in the 50s who say they have sex once a week dove nearly 10 points for both sexes (women dropped from 43 to 32% and men from 49 to 41%). Other age groups also show similar decreases.
One alarming statistic of this survey shows how sex has definitely “cooled down” for many menopausal women. Approximately 1 in 5 women in their 50s say they’d be quite happy to never have sex again. About 1 in 50 men in their 50s agree.
Every day in my gynecological practice, I see perimenopausal and menopausal women concerned about their lost desire, or the “urge to merge” as I like to call it.
Let me share 5 ways that you can re-ignite those flames of desire: (more…)
“Use it or lose it” is literally true in the case of vaginal health!
Many studies in postmenopausal women have shown that they suffer less vaginal pain and atrophy, and less thinning of the vaginal lining, when they are having consistent sexual activity. Vaginal atrophy can lead to vaginal dryness and itching, as well as urinary tract infections. In women, sex increases blood flow to the vagina, keeping vaginal tissues more supple and lubricated – all of which can lead to less pain with intercourse as we age.
photo credit: Mo Kaiwen
Men tend to think about sex much more than women do. On average, a healthy, vigorous man will have thoughts about sex approximately every one to two minutes, while a woman will have thoughts about sex once every couple of days (and more during certain days of her menstrual cycle). These differences have a definite biological basis, with the dominant sexual hormones, estrogen and testosterone, dictating play. Men have 10 to 100 times more (more…)
photo credit: D Sharon Pruitt
If you’re experiencing diminished libido, it could be the result of a medical condition. Have you had a physical recently? What habits (poor diet, smoking, etc.) might be negatively impacting your health and/or sexual desire? Are you currently taking any medications (prescription and/or nonprescription)? Are you surprised to learn that both prescription and nonprescription medications can alter sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm? They can.
Some medications interfere with libido by affecting the (more…)
In general, sex is the physical act of making love, having intercourse. Sex is what got each of us here. Libido is the drive that fuels the desire to have sex. Having thoughts, fantasies, and dreams about sex are also part of libido. Sexual intimacy includes many things in addition to intercourse, including (more…)
photo credit: digitalbob8
Can’t remember the last time you had sex?
Having more sex can improve certain brain functions, including memory, and can also improve your sense of smell. With any form of exercise – and let’s face it, sex is a form of exercise – blood flow increases. The increased (more…)
