Valentine’s Day is here again!
Traditionally, this is a day dedicated to celebrating healthy romantic relationships and the joy of love. In honor of this, I am sending out an extra long Valentine’s Day edition of my newsletter discussing the bedroom-libido connection. I hope these ideas help to bring heightened intimacy and romance into your lives.
- Dr. Hoppe
What message is your bedroom sending?
Is it a place that invites open and intimate communication?
Is it conducive to rest and relaxation? Interestingly, how you and your partner decorate your bedroom does in fact influence the quality of your sex life. The ancient Chinese principle of Feng Shui, placing certain objects and structures in a harmonious fashion as well as implementing colors, compass directions, and natural elements like wood, minerals, fire, water and earth is thought to attract good energy and fortune. You can use the same principals to transform your bedroom into a romantic retreat – a “love shack”!
In order to preserve the bedroom as a sacred place for you and your partner, use it only for sleep and intimacy. Avoid distractions such as computers, work materials, exercise equipment, or television. According to a recent study, “If there’s no television in the bedroom, the frequency of sexual (more…)
I am asking for a little help in boosting my libido, and helping my wife get in the mood through fragrances in the bedroom. Any advice or ideas would be appreciated. Thank you.
W
Hello W -
Thank you for your email. I’m glad you wrote as I do have some suggestions that I think will help you and your wife…
Researchers at the Smell and Taste Treatment Research Foundation in Chicago have conducted trials to gauge women’s sexual response to certain scents. By measuring the blood flow to the vagina, various odors were tested to evaluate arousal. You might be surprised at what they found! Among those scents found to increase (more…)
Good advice never goes out of style. Back by popular demand, here is a repost of last year’s “5 New Year’s Resolutions That Will Up Your Libido!” Wishing you all a healthy sex drive and a healthy you in 2011!
New Year’s Eve typically is a time to reflect on our past and to take steps to improve our lives in the following year. Heading into this next year, why not put yourself back on a road leading to a more satisfying sex life? 2011 can be the year that you put the fun back into living – and into your relationship.
Here are my top 5 recommendations for you to achieve a healthy libido in the coming year: (more…)
Watch this clip from Fox 10′s “Arizona Morning” TV show – my suggestions for New Year’s Resolutions that you can put into place to increase your libido!
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…)
If your hormones are all over the map but you’re hesitant to try hormone therapy, certain lifestyle changes can definitely help keep your hormones under control. Dietary changes, such as switching from a high-fat, refined carbohydrate diet to one containing more organic, raw, unprocessed and low-fat foods has been shown to bring estrogen levels within a more normal range.
Through an enzymatic reaction in our fatty tissue, adrenal steroids are converted into fat. The more fat you take in and the higher amount of fatty tissue that you have in your body, the higher the rate of conversion of androgen to estrogen, resulting in higher estrogen levels. Decreasing the amount of fat in your diet can therefore help in balancing your hormone levels, as well as decreasing your risk for heart disease.
Switching from a high-fat, refined-carbohydrate diet to one containing more organic, raw and unprocessed foods has proved to be beneficial in regulating women’s hormones. Fatty tissue contains an enzyme that converts adrenal steroids into estrogen. The more fat you take in and the higher amount of body fat you have, the higher the rate of conversion of estrogen in your body, resulting in overall higher estrogen levels. Decreasing the amount of fat in your diet can therefore help to better balance your hormone levels, as well as to dramatically decrease your risk for heart disease. (more…)
Ancient drawings have shown hunters eating the testicles of animals that they killed. It is believed that the men hoped to take on the characteristics of that animal, including its virility. Read more about aphrodisiacs in history in my book, Healthy Sex Life, Healthy You; What Your Libido Reveals About Your Life.
*Dr. Hoppe’s special gift baskets are now available for purchase – just in time for a romantic and unforgettable Valentine’s Day! Each basket contains an autographed copy of Dr. Hoppe’s acclaimed book Healthy Sex Drive, Healthy You as well as specialty items like sensual lavender bath gel, spicy pumpkin-scented candles, and savory wine…enhance the romance between you and your partner with one of Dr. Hoppe’s Healthy Sex Drive, Healthy You gift baskets!
The ancient Roman physician Galen said that foods worked as aphrodisiacs if they were “windy”, meaning they produced flatulence! Galen theorized that a “wind” inflated the penis, causing an erection, so any food that made one gassy could give a man an erection. Read more about aphrodisiacs in history in my book, Healthy Sex Life, Healthy You; What Your Libido Reveals About Your Life.
*Dr. Hoppe’s special gift baskets are now available for purchase – just in time for a romantic and unforgettable Valentine’s Day! Each basket contains an autographed copy of Dr. Hoppe’s acclaimed book Healthy Sex Drive, Healthy You as well as specialty items like sensual lavender bath gel, spicy pumpkin-scented candles, and savory wine…enhance the romance between you and your partner with one of Dr. Hoppe’s Healthy Sex Drive, Healthy You gift baskets!
Brrrr…it’s cold outside! But things can still stay steaming hot between you and your partner! Here are some ideas that the two of you can try when you want to spend some fun bonding time together while keeping to your budget…
Game night! A game of Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Guitar Hero, charades, or Twister with some snacks and music can make for a night of laughs and great memories.
Take a walk with each other in the park or, if there’s snow, put your mittens on and get the sled out! Being outdoors together is invigorating and fun.
Turn your bathroom into a romantic, calming spa. Sensual lavender (more…)
