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Stress and Sex

Providing scientifically-accurate and sex-positive information to enhance sexual pleasure.

Sex
A Drug for Desire

Laurie Mintz Ph.D. on May 30, 2013

This week, The New York Times Magazine ran an article about the testing of a drug to increase female sexual desire....I just wish the author had mentioned a simpler strategy or two. I wish he had mentioned methods that don’t alter brain chemicals.

This week, The New York Times Magazine ran an article about the testing of a drug to increase female sexual desire....I just wish the author had mentioned a simpler strategy or two. I wish he had mentioned methods that don’t alter brain chemicals.

Sex
Don’t Wait for Desire: Reverse the Equation

Laurie Mintz Ph.D. on April 29, 2013

If you always wait until you're "in the mood" to have sex, you may never have sex again. Instead, put sex on your schedule and let the encounter create the desire.

If you always wait until you're "in the mood" to have sex, you may never have sex again. Instead, put sex on your schedule and let the encounter create the desire.

Orgasm
Female Orgasm: Time To Stop Shoulding on Ourselves

Laurie Mintz Ph.D. on September 29, 2012

Psychologists—starting with Freud and continuing to this day—have categorized women’s orgasms and labeled one type superior. It’s time to stop such nonsense.

Psychologists—starting with Freud and continuing to this day—have categorized women’s orgasms and labeled one type superior. It’s time to stop such nonsense.

Sex
How Many Times a Week Is It Healthy to Have Sex?

Laurie Mintz Ph.D. on August 31, 2012

“How many times a week is it healthy to have sex?” is a common question. My answer is that it depends how you define sex and healthy.

“How many times a week is it healthy to have sex?” is a common question. My answer is that it depends how you define sex and healthy.

Self-Help
Turn the Pages to Turn up Desire

Laurie Mintz Ph.D. on July 28, 2012

What does the research tell us about the ability of both erotic books and self-help books to increase sexual desire in the women who read them?

What does the research tell us about the ability of both erotic books and self-help books to increase sexual desire in the women who read them?

Diet
Graham Crackers and the Mediterranean Diet: Sexual Functioning and Food

Laurie Mintz Ph.D. on May 31, 2012

Graham and Kellogg preached sexual activity was bad for one’s health and that a good diet could help control this unhealthy evil. Recent science tells us that these men had the first part of their teachings completely backwards, yet were on the right track in terms of the second aspect.

Graham and Kellogg preached sexual activity was bad for one’s health and that a good diet could help control this unhealthy evil. Recent science tells us that these men had the first part of their teachings completely backwards, yet were on the right track in terms of the second aspect.

Orgasm
Analyzing The Latest Study in the G-spot Debate

Laurie Mintz Ph.D. on April 30, 2012

The search for the G-spot continues. Let's stop and ask some questions about who benefits from the debate, who is harmed, and what positive message women can take from the search.

The search for the G-spot continues. Let's stop and ask some questions about who benefits from the debate, who is harmed, and what positive message women can take from the search.

Sex
It’s Funny But It Isn’t True: Debunking Myths About Aging and Sexuality

Laurie Mintz Ph.D. on February 29, 2012

Folk wisdom and scientific research tells us that we often laugh at jokes because of the truth that they convey (i.e., "It's Funny Because It's True"). Still, the joke about aging and sex at the start of this blog may be funny, but it's not true.

Folk wisdom and scientific research tells us that we often laugh at jokes because of the truth that they convey (i.e., "It's Funny Because It's True"). Still, the joke about aging and sex at the start of this blog may be funny, but it's not true.

Sex
Is Sex Always Pleasurable?

Laurie Mintz Ph.D. on January 31, 2012

I hope the women in this class don't have to wait another 20 years until when someone asks, "Is sex pleasurable?" they scream YES! Let's work to stop sexual violence on college campuses and to educate women about their bodies so that these young women can be a chorus of affirmative voices.

I hope the women in this class don't have to wait another 20 years until when someone asks, "Is sex pleasurable?" they scream YES! Let's work to stop sexual violence on college campuses and to educate women about their bodies so that these young women can be a chorus of affirmative voices.

Motivation
Dont Just Make Resolutions: Make Time for Them

Laurie Mintz Ph.D. on December 31, 2011

Reaching one's goals involves more than just making resolutions. It takes the action steps of prioritizing what is important, closely examining how you are currently spending time, and then finding ways to re-arrange your time to make room for priorities

Reaching one's goals involves more than just making resolutions. It takes the action steps of prioritizing what is important, closely examining how you are currently spending time, and then finding ways to re-arrange your time to make room for priorities

Sex
Sexual Satisfaction: A Teachable Skill

Laurie Mintz Ph.D. on September 24, 2011

Teaching your partner to satisfy you is similar to teaching a teenager to drive. Teaching both skills requires giving clear and direct verbal instructions, as well as providing demonstrations.

Teaching your partner to satisfy you is similar to teaching a teenager to drive. Teaching both skills requires giving clear and direct verbal instructions, as well as providing demonstrations.

Menopause
The Menopausal Symptom Women Don’t Tell Friends About

Laurie Mintz Ph.D. on July 31, 2011

Vaginal dryness and painful intercourse are as much a part of menopause as hot flashes and night sweats. Break the silence, and tell your friends about it. Also let them know that information and help is just a mouse click and phone call away.

Vaginal dryness and painful intercourse are as much a part of menopause as hot flashes and night sweats. Break the silence, and tell your friends about it. Also let them know that information and help is just a mouse click and phone call away.

Sex
The Unselfish Act of Self-Care

Laurie Mintz Ph.D. on June 29, 2011

Although people, especially women, often think of self-care as selfish, just the opposite is true.

Although people, especially women, often think of self-care as selfish, just the opposite is true.