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AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET TO USA TODAY No.1/December 2010 SEXUAL AND

SPECIAL ISSUE THREEALL STEPSTIPS TO A HEALTHY NEW YEAR

WHAT NO ONE’S TALKING ABOUT Sexual Health Expert Dr. Laura Berman gets the dialogue started PHOTO: PROPERTY OF OWN; RENE CERVANTES Homework time Be your own A beginning, What are my best health not an ending options? advocate 2 · DECEMBER 2010 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET TO USA TODAY CHALLENGES TIP Over the past decade, the fi eld of women’s sexual health has grown exponentially. 1 WE RECOMMEND Roger Lobo, MD LEARN FROM discusses the THE EXPERTS improvements in working with patients with low sexual desire.

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It takes two to tango Menopause and sexuality p.6 A beginning, not an ending i t h women will never benefi t from ‘’.” Taken aback I asked, Viagra’s a sexual panacea as men have “Can I say ‘penis’?,” to which she i n t r o - with Viagra. The most e‰ ective responded, “Of course!” Fast for- duction approach addresses all the causal ward 12 years and I fi nd myself in 1998, factors: the emotional, relation- starring in a new show on OWN a new ship, and medical. called “In the Bedroom with Dr national Laura Berman.” The premiere SEXUAL HEALTH dialogueW about sex began. Men The underside of WHAT? episode on January 3rd addresses 1ST EDITION, DECEMBER 2010 everywhere paid visits to their Beyond the scientifi c advances, the clitoris in all its glory as I work Managing Director: Jon Silverman doctors and returned to the bed- the most exciting shift has been with a wife who can only reach [email protected] Editorial Manager: Jackie McDermott room with renewed fervor after in our societal attitudes. Finally using the underside of a [email protected] years (even decades) of a non-exis- we’re willing to believe that laundry basket! We’ve come a long Dr. Laura Berman tent . “nice girls” aren’t just receptive way, baby! Responsible for this issue: Publisher: Sara Quigley But it takes two to tango, and to sex, but entitled to a fulfi lling There’s still much work to do. [email protected] suddenly my clinical practice was sex life. We now embrace sexual- Women must be their own best Business Developer: Luciana Colapinto [email protected] fi lled with women asking, “What ity as a fundamental ingredient advocates, in the bedroom and in Designer: Mariel Fitzgerald about me?” Called upon by newly in our emotional and physical the doctor’s o› ce. The following mariel.fi [email protected] functional mates after so many health and well-being, and are pages will provide inspiration and Contributors: Dr. Laura Berman; Linda Dyett; Dr. Roger Lobo; Jill Smits; years, they were finding that no longer ashamed to seek help resources to celebrate and reach Donna Wittrig interest and response were no when needed. “Women must your optimal sexual potential. The longer there. Thus began my jour- The media has certainly helped rest is up to you! Distributed within: be their own USA TODAY, December 2010 ney into the multifaceted world of inspire this attitudinal evolution, Dr. Laura Berman is the star of “In This section was created by women’s sexual health. from “Sex and the City” to “Des- best advocates, The Bedroom with Dr Laura Berman” Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Over the past decade, the fi eld perate Housewives.” As a clinician in the bedroom on OWN, Mondays, 10 PM (EST). She TODAY or its Editorial Departments. of women’s sexual health has who also works in the media, the hosts “The Dr. Laura Berman Show” grown exponentially. Medical release of these taboos has been and in the weekdays on Oprah Radio (on XM 156/ journals, academic organizations palpable. In 1998, I appeared on a Sirius 195) and is a best-selling author. and multidisciplinary clinical national nightly news show about doctor’s offi ce.” Her newest book, “It’s Not Him It’s You” Mediaplanet’s business is to create new practices have been built around FSD and right before we went is released this weekend. Dr Berman is customers for our advertisers by providing readers with high-quality editorial content defi ning, diagnosing and treating live the producer whispered, “By also a regular guest on “The Oprah Win- that motivates them to act. female . Yet the way, you can’t say the word frey Show” and “The Dr. Oz Show.” AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET TO USA TODAY DECEMBER 2010 · 3 INSIGHT Communicate your way to good sexual health 5 TIPS Relationship resolutions Most women want a healthy patient dialogue is critical to based, they may also be emo- for the new year sex life, but many fail to overall sexual health. tional or relationship issues, or ■ Put back in your consider the importance of “There is a shared respon- an interaction of the three. bedroom: Out goes the televi- good sexual health. sibility between patient and Because of that blurry line, sion, computer and kids. And provider, and no one should feel sex therapist and researcher Dr. don’t forget to install a lock on You can’t have the former with- embarrassed about past activi- Laura Berman says it is impor- the door! out the latter, which is just one ties or asking questions related “The number tant for women to educate them- ■ Your spouse comes above the reason it’s critical for women to birth control or risk of sexu- selves and fi nd a well-trained kids. What’s most important for to know their bodies, be proac- ally transmitted diseases,” Kan- one predictor provider who has a level of com- them is to exist in, and witness, tive about sexual and reproduc- tor says. “Good communication of a woman’s fort with sexual issues. a happy and healthy . tive health, and have an open is essential to making sure the “The number one predictor ■ Schedule sex once a week no dialogue with their patients’ needs are met and they ability to of a woman’s ability to address matter what. You lose sponta- provider. leave understanding how to take sexual function issues with her neity but gain a regular sexual care of their sexual health mov- address sexual doctor is whether she believes it connection. A shared responsibility ing forward.” function issues will embarrass him. In order to ■ Focus on appreciation. The Americans do not tend to talk isolate and deal with the cause more “Thank you’s” you give, openly about sexuality, and Education is key with her doctor of her problem, she must be her the more you’ll get back. many women are reluctant Research suggests that 40 per- own best health advocate, do the ■ Have a “ten second kiss” to discuss sexual issues with cent of American women have is whether she legwork to fi nd the right pro- every day! It’s a great way to their providers. But according some kind of sexual problem believes it will vider and ask lots of questions.” stay connected. to Leslie Kantor, national direc- such as low desire, sexual pain, tor of education initiatives for arousal problems or di› culty embarrass him.” DR. LAURA BERMAN Planned Parenthood Federation reaching orgasm. And while JILL SMITS [email protected] of America, an open doctor- these problems can be medically [email protected]

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NEWS TIP

QUESTION & ANSWER AND Research presented at the 66th Annual 2 Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive REPRODUCTIVE ADOPT SIMPLE reveals that CHANGES TO have room for INCREASE improvement in working FERTILITY with patients with low HEALTH sexual desire. According to the Centers issues, including polycystic ovar- ing and losing weight, Ellington for Disease Control and ian syndrome and primary ovar- says women should engage in According to Dr. Roger Lobo, Prevention, approximately ian insufficiency, are treatable good reproductive health habits there is a very high prevalence of 6.1 million women in the with medication. that may increase their chances of sexual disorders within women, United States between Many male issues conceiving a healthy baby. yet, women are much more com- the ages of 15 and 44 have such as impotence and insuf- “As soon as a woman knows she plicated than men, and while difficulty becoming or fi cient or abnormal can wants to become pregnant, she treatments such as Viagra are Roger Lobo, MD staying pregnant. also be treated medically, but should start the prenatal vita- available for men, there are President, American Society for Ellington says making healthy mins and start monitoring her ; currently no specific or FDA Professor of and Gynecology, But infertility is not just a wom- lifestyle choices can reduce a own cycle so she knows when she approved hormonal Columbia University en’s condition, and hundreds of man’s risk. should be fertile.” available for women. thousands of men are also diag- “Toxins in our everyday envi- Ellington also says that sperm cious little time to explore such a nosed with infertility problems. ronment can impact male fer- count and quality as well as actual Why is it important sensitive area. Research like this tility. Many common things, rates can be impacted that this issue is being will help physicians develop the Causes of infertility including lawn care chemicals, by stress in the couple. And while addressed? tools they need to assess their According to Joanna Ellington, in meat or supple- that does not mean that stress This is a topic that peo- patients’ sexual health.” PhD, co-founder of INGfertility, ments and even some personal is causing the couple not to con- ple tend to talk about, there are four primary reasons lubricants can damage the ceive, maintaining a low stress and actually neglect. What does this research couples don’t conceive: abnor- genetic material the sperm bring level can optimize the process and Addressing the topic and con- mean for patients who mal sperm quality, abnormal to the .” make it more enjoyable. ducting this research will help to have distress? , a blocked Fallopian Heavy alcohol use, drugs and “There is only a 20 percent raise awareness for both physi- Women should be tube and poor timing of inter- smoking cigarettes may also chance of conceiving each month. cians and patients. encouraged, and should course that does not allow the adversely impact male fertility. It can take a while, but you can “Sexuality is an important not be scared to speak sperm and egg to meet at the optimize your chances with sim- component of a healthy life,” with their physicians. With this right moment. Good reproductive ple changes in life.” says Dr. Lobo. “Unfortunately, our research, these patients do have In fact, ovulation disorders health habits health care system allows pre- reason to be optimistic. account for most female fertil- In addition to making healthy life- JILL SMITS ity problems, and many of those style choices like quitting smok- [email protected] A new understanding of a common problem The inability to obtain or at Memorial Sloan Kettering at the Baylor College of Medicine age,” says Dr. Mulhall. Reversing and preventing ED maintain an used Center in New York. in Houston. The same measures taken to to be considered primarily Both ED and coronary disease The mechanics of ED maintain a healthy heart and a psychological problem. have a major vascular compo- Risk factors involve a complex reverse coronary disease apply nent. Narrower to begin with, Men over 50, those who are interaction between the brain to ED: A healthy diet, exercise, That is no longer the case. Erec- the penile arteries are the fi rst overweight, inactive, have high (which conveys that psychic taking statins, and stopping tile dysfunction is now under- to go with plaque build-up. If cholesterol, high blood pres- energy known as ) and the smoking. Diet and exercise stood to be a medical condi- nothing is done to reverse that sure, or diabetes, and those who penis, causing the penis muscles alone have been shown to sig- tion—one that, left untreated, is narrowing, the coronary arter- have had physical trauma, a his- to relax, thereby permitting blood nifi cantly improve ED after two a harbinger of coronary disease. ies eventually follow suit. “Fif- tory of depression, or are taking fl ow and producing an erection. years, says Dr. Khera. The male “It’s not just about quality of teen percent of men will have antihypertensives or certain “Anything that decreases blood testosterone has also life; it’s a barometer of mascu- a cardiovascular event seven antidepressants are the likeliest fl ow into the penis makes it dif- emerged as a treatment option line health,” says John P. Mul- years after the day they develop to experience ED. Stress-related fi cult to obtain an erection. Or if for . hall, M.D., a urologist who is ED,” says Mohit Khera, M.D., a life problems fi gure in too, as the blood leaves the penis too fast, director of the Male Sexual and urologist who is director of the does ED dread, which “generates the erection can’t be maintained,” LINDA DYETT Reproductive Medicine Program Laboratory for anti-erection adrenaline at any says Dr. Khera. [email protected]

DECEMBER 2010 · 6 INSIGHT TIP Translated from Greek, menopause means the “end of monthly cycles.” A natural condition that every woman will experience as she grows older, menopause occurs when 3 the ovaries stop producing and stops.

BE PROACTIVE Menopause and sexuality s a result of this normal menopause, and decreased sexual condition, the body pro- desire can often be explained by rea- duces lower hormone sons like depression or poor body image. levels, which may cause However, if a confi rms meno- symptoms including pause is the cause, a woman may want hot flashes, insomnia to discuss the pros and cons of hormone and mood swings. How- “The myth that replacement . ever,A while menopause does mark the end women stop being of fertility, it is not the end of sexuality. A beginning, not an ending sexual at menopause Sexuality expert Carolyn Braddock, Physical changes MA, says the most important thing for The myth that women stop being sex- may be rooted in the women to remember is that menopause ual at menopause may be rooted in the physical changes her is a time of beginnings. physical changes her body goes through “Menopause is a magical time because when hormone levels drop. Lower estro- body goes through we have wisdom and can let our hair gen levels cause the to narrow when hormone down. We naturally want to express our- and produce less lubrication, which selves sexually, but we may need a little can make sex painful. At the same time, levels drop.” help staying lubricated and keeping our reduced testosterone can a‰ ect sex drive. organs healthy.” But studies show that some women JILL SMITS report that sex is more enjoyable after [email protected] Choosing the right birth control There are many different kinds of , implantable devices…the Kantor says it is important for women birth control available to women, list of birth control options goes on to know how to use their contracep- and choosing the right method is and on, and choosing the right one can tion properly, and to understand the a very personal decision. be overwhelming. But Leslie Kantor, potential consequences when used national director of education initia- incorrectly. The best option depends on a variety of tives for Planned Parenthood Federation “We love to see someone who may lifestyle factors and individual prefer- of America, says there are two big cat- just be thinking about having sex and ences, and women are encouraged to egories of birth control that can work for they want to explore what birth control consider several things before settling most women—hormonal and barrier. might be best for them.” on one, including: “Hormonal methods like the pill and For those who are considering sexual ■ How healthy are you? the patch work by preventing ovulation activity, or simply want to explore birth ■ Do you have sex often? and, thus, pregnancy. Barrier methods control options, Plannedparenthood.org ■ Will it protect you from sexually like and the sponge work by has a resource called My Method that transmitted diseases? preventing sperm from meeting the can help a woman identify and under- ■ Do you want children in the near future? egg—they are easy to get and can also stand the most suitable birth control ■ What side e‰ ects might you experience? serve as STD prevention.” method for her life. ■ Is it practical and a‰ ordable for you? Be proactive Types of birth control The best time to choose a birth con- JILL SMITS Pills, rings, patches, sponges, condoms, trol method is before you need it, and [email protected] AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET TO USA TODAY DECEMBER 2010 · 7 INSIGHT

QUESTION & ANSWER

Why is communication not occur unless both partners Where is the fun in that? opportunity to look forward to vital in a relationship? are sexually satisfi ed. Sex should be fun! So, have every intimate moment with If a woman isn’t honest about fun in the bedroom! Speak your partner, knowing you are Achieving sexual fre- her desires—how to be touched, honestly about your desire to both going to have fun, and fun quency, and blissful what feels good, what doesn’t… explore edible fl avored creams, is something you both want... sexual pleasure, is a she will not achieve orgas- lingerie, massage oils, vibrators, frequently. matter of simple communica- mic success with her partner. role playing, talking naughty tion. It’s true. Women control Because she controls frequency, or whatever you personally frequency in the bedroom. Men their sex life becomes an infre- fi nd pleasurable. Honest com- want frequency. Frequency does Donna Wittrig quent obligatory sexual chore. munication gives you both the Vice President, Surprise Parties Blissful sexual pleasure Sexual frequency SurpriseParties.com

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