Women Who Suffer from Infertility More Likely to Become Alcoholics

Women Who Suffer from Infertility More Likely to Become Alcoholics, Study Says - A new study hints at the devastating psychological effects of infertility: Women who want to become mothers but are unable to bear children are more than twice as likely to end up hospitalized for alcoholism, and 47 percent more likely to require medical treatment for schizophrenia.

The effects of infertility on a woman's mental well-being may be even more far-reaching, the study's author, Dr. Birgitte Baldur-Felskov, an epidemiologist at the Danish Cancer Society Research Centre, noted.

"This is only the tip of the iceberg," she told The Telegraph. "We were only able to analyze the risk of severe psychiatric disorders resulting in hospitalization." Other women may have been treated for psychiatric issues on an out-patient basis, or even not treated at all, she pointed out.

The study has led British fertility specialists to call infertility a disease and urge the government to consider increasing public funding for in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

"I was aware that women who were unable to have children were not happy and had difficulty with their ongoing lives, but these results are really shocking," Dr. Allan Pacey, chairman of the British Fertility Society, told The Telegraph. "I think it illustrates my personal frustration with all those people who say infertility isn't a disease and it shouldn't be funded because having a baby is a lifestyle choice."

Baldur-Felskov and her colleagues analyzed data from 98,737 Danish women who had been diagnosed with fertility problems between 1973 and 2008, cross-referencing the patients with Denmark's population-based Danish Psychiatric Central Registry. The results, presented today at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Istanbul, Turkey, included information on hospitalizations for psychiatric issues including alcohol abuse, schizophrenia, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and other forms of what the registry calls "mental disorders."

After an average of 12.6 years, 54 percent of the patients studied did end up having at least one baby. Nearly 5,000 of the women in the study were hospitalized for a psychiatric disorder of some kind after finding out that they were infertile -- the most common diagnoses were "anxiety, adjustment, and obsessive compulsive disorders" and "affective disorders including depression" -- and the hospitalization rates were significantly higher among women who wanted to have a child but were never able to carry one to term.

"Our study showed that women who remained childless after fertility evaluation had an 18 percent higher risk of all mental disorders than the women who did have at least one baby," Baldur-Felskov said. "These higher risks were evident in alcohol and substance abuse, schizophrenia and eating disorders, although appeared lower in affective disorders including depression."

Oddly, the most common diagnosis overall -- "anxiety, adjustment, and obsessive compulsive disorders" -- was not affected by fertility status, and the risk of depression actually dropped by 10 percent among those who failed to conceive. But the risk for alcohol or substance abuse skyrocketed by 103 percent, schizophrenia by 47 percent, eating disorders by 47 percent, and the risk of "other mental disorders" by 43 percent.

"The results suggest that failure to succeed after presenting for fertility investigation may be an important risk modifier for psychiatric disorders," she said. "This adds an important component to the counseling of women being investigated and treated for infertility. Specialists and other healthcare personnel working with infertile patients should also be sensitive to the potential for psychiatric disorders among this patient group."

In Denmark, all citizens have a personal identification number which can be used to track them through every medical database in the country. ( Healthy Living )

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Male speech patterns change with female fertility, claims study

Male speech patterns change with female fertility, claims study - The amount of effort men put into being witty when talking to women depends on how fertile the member of the opposite sex is, according to a study.

Researchers from Florida State University studied how men spoke to women when they were at different points in their menstrual cycle and found the more fertile the women were, the more the men varied their sentence structure.

The observations were surprising as the researchers expected the results to be the opposite, as previous studies have shown that when men are attracted to women they tend to mirror their behaviour.

Talking point: The more fertile the woman, the more effort a man makes with his wit, according to researchers

For the study 123 male college students from Florida State University were asked to strike up conversations with five young women at various points in their menstrual cycle.

Study authors Jacqueline M Coyle and Michael P Kaschak, writing in PLoSONE recently, reported that men copied sentence structure 62 per cent of the time when the women were at the low point of their menstrual cycle, compared to just 49.7 per cent at the peak.

They wrote: ‘Our data show that the likelihood of men choosing the same syntactic structure as the women was inversely related to the women's level of fertility - higher levels of fertility were associated with lower levels of linguistic matching.’

Interestingly, women don’t follow suit.

They said: ‘A follow-up study revealed that female participants do not show this same change in linguistic behaviour as a function of changes in their conversation partner's fertility.’

The conclusion they draw is that men are showing off their conversational abilities to boost their credentials as boyfriends.

The authors added: ‘We interpret these findings in the context of recent data suggesting that non-conforming behaviour may be a means of men displaying their fitness as a mate to women.’

Bed alert: The study authors believe that men only have one thing in mind when they make an effort with their banter ( dailymail.co.uk )

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Erectile Dysfunction May Be Linked With Cardiovascular Trouble

Erectile Dysfunction May Be Linked With Cardiovascular Trouble -- Men who suffer from erectile dysfunction are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke and death, Chinese researchers suggest.

Although it is well accepted that cardiovascular disease is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction, it has not been clear whether erectile dysfunction is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the researchers noted.

"Erectile dysfunction significantly increased the risk of cardiovascular disease, and the increase was probably independent of conventional risk factors," said lead researcher Dr. Li-Qiang Qin, from the department of nutrition and food hygiene in the School of Public Health at Soochow University in Suzhou.

As such, "erectile dysfunction may not only contribute to cardiovascular risk prediction, but also serve as a potential target for cardiovascular disease prevention," Qin said.

The report was published in the Sept. 13 online edition of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

For the study, Qin's team culled data on the relationship between erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease from 12 studies published between 2005 and 2011 that included a total of 36,744 people and an average follow-up of 4 to 16.2 years. This process, called a meta-analysis, tries to pool data from several sources to tease out a pattern that might not be obvious in a single study.

The researchers found a significant association between erectile dysfunction and the increased risk of cardiovascular disease, heart disease, stroke and death.

In fact, men with erectile dysfunction had a 48 percent increased risk for cardiovascular disease, a 46 percent increased risk for heart disease, a 35 percent increased risk for stroke and a 19 percent increased risk of dying of any cause, compared to men without the condition.

Even after taking risk factors such as age, weight , blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and smoking into account, there was still a 54 percent increased risk for cardiovascular disease associated with erectile dysfunction alone. The reasons for this association are unclear, the researchers noted.

However, based on these findings, Qin's group now thinks erectile dysfunction is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and not just an early marker of the condition.

Dr. Gregg Fonarow, a professor of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, noted that "erectile dysfunction impacts some million 18 million men in the United States."

Cardiovascular disease and erectile dysfunction share many common risk factors, including diabetes, obesity, smoking, hypertension and high cholesterol, he said.

"A number of prior individual studies have shown that men with erectile dysfunction are at increased risk for fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events," Fonarow said. "Men with erectile dysfunction should be aware of this significant increase in cardiovascular risk and take proactive steps to adopt a healthy lifestyle and better control their cardiovascular risk factors." ( HealthDay News )

More information

For more information on erectile dysfunction, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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Why your partner is more likely to cheat if they worry about their sexual performance

Why your partner is more likely to cheat if they worry about their sexual performance - It sounds unlikely, but men and women are more likely to cheat on their partners if they worry about their performance in bed, according to a study.

Sexual anxiety and a lack of concern about consequences - such as pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases - are the main ingredients of infidelity, researchers found.

Women who worry about their ability to stay aroused and orgasm are 8 per cent more likely to stray for each sexual concern.

Sexual anxiety: Men and women are more likely to cheat on their partners if they worry about their performance in bed, according to researchers

Men, on the other hand, are 6 per cent more likely to cheat for each worry, such as impotence and premature ejaculation, that they have.

Lead researcher Kristen Mark, of the University of Indiana, said: 'People who score high on sexual anxiety may feel less pressure when they're engaging with a person who doesn't know their sexual history.'

The researchers surveyed 506 monogamous men and 416 monogamous women with an average age of 31, half of whom were married.

They were each questioned about their sexual behaviour, the quality of their relationship and whether they had cheated on their current partner.

Mark and her team found that 23 per cent of men and 19 per cent of women had partaken in a sexual act with another person that could jeopardise their relationship should their partner find out.

Men who admitted to becoming easily sexually excited were at least 4 per cent more likely to cheat, the researchers found. Sexual excitement has no bearing on women's likelihood to stray.

'People who score high on sexual anxiety may feel less pressure when they're engaging with a person who doesn't know their sexual history'

Perhaps unsurprisingly, being unhappy in a relationship was found to increase the chances of a woman straying by between 2.6 and 2.9 per cent.

People worried whether their partner might cheat on them should stop focusing on what job they do and how often they are outside the home.

and instead consider how he or she behaves in the bedroom, according to Mark who argues that a person's sexual personality is more important than demographic or relationship factors.

'We found that some of those (social) demographics were important,' she told Live Science.

'But once you included all these other variables, we realised quickly that they weren't nearly as important, and their relative importance disappeared.'

The study, which was published in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior, also found that cheaters were half as likely to be religious, and more likely to be employed. ( dailymail.co.uk )

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When It Comes to Sex, Women Put Quality before Quantity

When It Comes to Sex, Women Put Quality before Quantity - MOST men in heterosexual relationships feel they are not having enough sex, but seem more satisfied than women with the sex they are having, an Australian study has found.

Whether we have our desired amount of sex influences not only how happy we are with our sex life, but also our overall relationship, the researchers found.

Their study of more than 6500 men and women in regular relationships showed 54 per cent of men and 42 per cent of women were not satisfied with the amount of sex they were having. But while the dissatisfied men overwhelmingly wanted more sex, one-third of the dissatisfied women wanted less.

The study's co-author, Juliet Richters, of the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of NSW, said often women preferred sex involving more than traditional intercourse. When this was not forthcoming, they could lose interest.

"They are just not getting the sex they want," she said.

"We have this idea that sex should revolve around intercourse and that favours the man of course,' she said.

This mismatch in expectations could partly explain why the women were less likely to be satisfied with their relationship despite being more satisfied with the amount of sex they were having, the research team wrote in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy.

Associate Professor Richters said the groups of men most likely to want less sex were aged 16 to 24, or those who had been in their relationship less than one year.

"If you look at some of the research it seems it often takes men of that age about a year to commit to a relationship, or longer," she said. "There are quite a lot of men who seem to get into relationships and start having sex and they are not at all sure that is what they want.'

The researchers said middle age seemed to be particularly unsatisfying for men.

'It may be no coincidence that this is when many couples face competing demands on their time, such as as juggling careers and raising a young family,' they said.

'It may also be possible that some women desire sex more often earlier in a relationship, or feel safer refusing sex in longer, more established relationships.' ( Sydney Morning Herald )

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Aromatherapy massage is a scent of success

Aromatherapy massage is a scent of success - I like smellies as much as the next girl, but I don’t believe that bath oils and overpriced candles with hippy names such as Inspiration and Bliss can possibly have any real effect on my health or mood.

But as with many things in life, it appears I have been wrong.

On a recent weekend away, at the divine Vidago hotel, near Porto in Portugal, I booked an eighty-minute aromatherapy massage — Aromatherapy Associates Real Aromatherapy Experience — a treatment that has been loved by everyone from Princess Diana to Ava Gardner.

Reviving: An aromatherapy massage can give you a physical and emotional boost

It was a revelation. My therapist explained that when essential oils (the distilled essence of plants) are absorbed into the skin, they have real physical effects — helping clear sinuses, easing aches and pains — while the smell has an effect on our emotions.

I told her I wanted to be relaxed yet revived and, whatever combination of oils she used, worked.

Using a special massage technique that works on certain pressure points along the spine, the usual ache across my shoulders vanished. By the end of the treatment I felt uplifted, rather than exhausted, which is how I usually leave a massage.

Since then, I have been using two of these Aromatherapy Associates oils every day: the Revive oil which I rub into my skin in the morning and which is said to have brilliant effects on circulation and can even help with hangovers; and the Deep Relax oil at night, which does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s safe to say I’m an aromatherapy convert. ( dailymail.co.uk )

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How far would YOU go to choose the sex of your child?

How far would YOU go to choose the sex of your child? - Gender selection is banned in Britain. But as this disturbing investigation reveals, thousands of couples get around the law by going abroad to get the baby they want.

Most parents are so grateful to have a healthy baby that the sex of the child is a secondary consideration. But what of those who are so desperate for a boy or a girl that they will go to any lengths to achieve it?

This investigation reveals that in the UK today there are thousands of British couples so desperate to choose the sex of their baby that they are prepared to undergo a controversial fertility treatment that is banned in this country and most of Europe on ethical grounds.

Balancing act: Critics claim the latest developments force doctors into 'playing God'

‘Family Balancing’, as it is known, enables would-be parents to select the sex of a child with almost 100 per cent certainty through a technique called Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), which is carried out during IVF.

The practice is legal in most U.S. states, Russia and the Middle East, but in Britain it is regarded by regulators at the Human Fertilisation Embryo Authority as a step too far and, as such, is allowed only in rare medical situations.

Opponents say it involves doctors ‘playing God’ and is another step towards a future of ‘designer babies’, in which parents are able to select the physical traits of their offspring, such as height, hair and eye colour.

Opponents say it involves doctors ‘playing God’ and is another step towards a future of ‘designer babies’, in which parents are able to select the physical traits of their offspring, such as height, hair and eye colour.

Josephine Quintavalle, of the UK pro life campaign group Comment on Reproductive Ethics (CORE), said: ‘This so-called family balancing is a dangerous path to go down. IVF was developed to address genuine infertility problems, not to facilitate discriminatory social engineering of this kind.’

However, with a healthy bank balance and no ethical doubts, you can hop on a plane and ignore UK laws.

One of the most popular destinations for the burgeoning gender selection tourism industry is the United States, where PGD is legal almost everywhere. And as I found out, PGD is only too easy to arrange, without even the need for a medical referral.

After five minutes on Google, I had identified several clinics close to Los Angeles. One quick phone call later and I was booked in for a $150 consultation at the prestigious Tyler Medical Clinic, just a stone’s throw from the exclusive shopping area of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

Founded in the 1940s, it is one of the most trusted and respected fertility clinics in California: indeed, its website claims it is one of the most successful in the world.

Four days later, my ‘partner’ Michael and I found ourselves taking the lift up to the second floor of a plush office block. In a room furnished with comfortable sofas and stylish coffee tables, a receptionist handed me a clipboard with dozens of forms to fill in and sign, everything from agreements to go to arbitration in the result of any complaint to detailed medical questionnaires.

After a few short minutes, I was greeted by a smiling Dr Peyman Saadat, a warm Middle Eastern man with an impressive resume who ushered us into his corner office.

We posed as a married couple with a two-year-old son and explained we were interested in learning more about family balancing.

Dr Saadat gave us a brief biology lesson, complete with diagrams, then asked us both a few questions about the previous pregnancy and any history of sexually transmitted diseases.

Priceless: Most parents are grateful to have a healthy baby, regardless of its gender

He then explained the two family balancing options we had, should we wish to proceed.

The first, and less reliable, is known as ‘sperm spinning’. It works on the principle that sperm which would create a female child is heavier than that which would create a male. Using a technique called Flow Cytometry, the sperm can be sorted by size, leaving two distinct groups.

After sorting, the sperm thought most capable of creating the sought after gender is introduced into the uterus in a procedure called Interuterine Insemination, in which sperm is deposited directly into the uterus at the time of ovulation.

The odds of a pregnancy actually occurring are about the same as in any given month of attempting to conceive naturally. The treatment improves the chances of producing a baby of the desired gender from 50 per cent to only 65 per cent.

As Dr Saadat pointed out, this is a simple method with few or no drugs required and a relatively modest price tag. The Tyler Medical Clinic charges around $1,600 for the process.

Only embryos of the desired gender are returned to the womb. The unwanted embryos are either discarded, frozen for use in the future, or can even be donated to childless couples.

But with a fairly low rate of pregnancy success and a 35 per cent chance of a baby who is the ‘wrong’ sex, parents can still end up disappointed.

‘This is for people who can accept the fact they may not end up with the baby of the sex they had hoped for,’ the doctor said. ‘If you are absolutely adamant you want one or the other, this is not a good choice.’

The more successful — and expensive — option is PGD, which Dr Saadat carries out two to three times a month.

PGD involves a cycle of standard IVF in which the body is stimulated with powerful drugs so that several eggs are produced. These are retrieved from the body when mature, and then mixed with the partner’s sperm in the lab.

After three days, the embryos are tested and scientists analyse chromosomes to identify sex. This is said to be 99 per cent accurate.

Then, only embryos of the desired gender are returned to the womb. The unwanted embryos are either discarded, frozen for use in the future, or can even be donated to childless couples.

I was told that for a woman of my age, 37, the chances of IVF working are around 40 per cent per cycle. If she does become pregnant, then she will almost certainly have a baby of the desired sex.

Controversial: As well as providing plenty of answers, modern science is also raising some ethical questions

Dr Saadat seemed relaxed about the issue of the procedure being banned in the UK.

‘There are some ethical issues raised in Europe, but I am happy to offer the procedure,’ he said. ‘People abort babies because they consider them to be the wrong gender: for me, that is much more unacceptable.’

He said he had many foreign patients coming to him from countries which prohibit gender selection, including several from the UK.

We were told we could begin at the start of my next menstrual cycle, should we wish. And with that, we were on our way to choosing the sex of a child.

There are no official statistics about how many couples use family balancing techniques each year in the U.S. But according to Dr Guy Ringler, who is on the board of the American Fertility Association, the numbers run into thousands.

Dr Ringler, who offers the service at California Fertility Partners — a clinic he co-owns in Los Angeles — told the Daily Mail that there have been, and will continue to be, moral debates surrounding gender selection, but it should be a patient’s right to decide.

‘Ultimately, it comes down to the fact that the embryos are the possession of the patient, and they have the right to make their own decisions,’ he said.

‘Generally, patients fall into two categories. The first is those who already have several children of the same sex and they want to experience a child of the opposite sex. The second group of patients are those who need advanced fertility treatment to conceive, and think that if they have to go through all of this, then they may as well take the additional step.

‘It adds several thousand dollars to the cost of IVF, but as you are probably talking $12,000 to $14,000 anyway, it is not a hugely significant amount.’

Recently it was revealed that leading NHS fertility expert Charles Kingsland, who is clinical director of Liverpool Women’s Hospital, has advised some women to travel to Northern Cyprus for gender selection. Dr Kingsland, who has refused to comment, is said to refer one couple a week to the Mediterranean clinic of which he is a shareholder.

Advice: Dr. Charles Kingsland of Liverpool Women's Hospital is said to encourage women to travel abroad for treatment

Choosing the sex of a child is permitted only for medical reasons in the UK, such as avoiding a sex-linked genetic disorder like Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Sex selection for so-called ‘social reasons’ is unlawful, but a spokesman for the Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority (HFEA) said it has ‘no powers to prevent a clinic sending a patient overseas for a treatment that would otherwise be disallowed here’.

But, with or without Dr Kingsland’s assistance, many couples in the UK are already finding their own ways to circumvent the law at home.

Internet chatrooms are full of British women discussing their options and one website, ingender.com, has a popular forum entitled ‘UK ladies planning IVF/PGD’.

It has almost 300 posts on it, in which woman discuss their plans and share their experiences of choosing the sex of their child in other countries.

One anonymous poster writes: ‘I am hoping all this info will finally convince my husband that I am very serious about baby number five and using a high-tech procedure to ensure a daughter.

‘It is wonderful to know I am not alone in feeling like this. It is not the kind of thing I can easily discuss. It is also heart-warming to know that I am not a bad mum because I would like to pick the gender … I have often thought am I being selfish?’

Another woman with the username ‘Babyhugs’ asked in May last year if any other women had tried a clinic in Kiev. She said: ‘I am looking to travel abroad for PGD for a girl next year, have two boys and it’s my last try this time so not risking nature.’

Of course, parents have been trying natural ways to conceive a girl or a boy for many hundreds of years, testing out everything from diets to sexual positions. One theory, known as the Shettles Method, suggests timing intercourse carefully. For a girl, it should take place a few days before ovulation; for a boy, on the day or one day after. Supporters claim it is between 75 per cent and 90 per cent effective.

And one study suggested that women who eat a high-calorie diet — including lots of bananas — tend to conceive boys.

Old wives’ tales are even more bizarre, suggesting that to conceive a girl you should have sex under a full moon, on even days of the month, always sleeping to the left of your husband after. For a boy, point your head to the north while having intercourse, under a quarter moon, after your man has eaten a meal of red meat.

There are no statistics available on the success rates of these unorthodox methods, but they are certainly a much cheaper and less controversial option than modern science. ( dailymail.co.uk )

READ MORE - How far would YOU go to choose the sex of your child?

Erectile Difficulties ( 2 ) - Erectile Dysfunction, Impotence, Low Sex Drive - Male, Decreased Libido in Men

Diagnosing Erectile Difficulties - To find out what's causing erection problems, a doctor will begin by asking about other medical conditions the man might have, what medications he's taking, when his erection problems occur, and what form they take.

Standardized questionnaires or surveys about erectile function and the satisfaction of sexual intercourse may be used to identify the nature of erectile difficulties. Blood pressure tests and tests of hormone levels are standard.

There are tests that aim to distinguish between psychological, nervous, and circulatory causes. One is the nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test. A measuring device is attached to the penis to monitor erections during sleep. Men without physical disorders usually have erections during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.

Several devices, including a Doppler radar, can track blood flow in and out of the penis and identify circulatory problems.

Treating and Preventing Erectile Difficulties

There's a wide range of treatments for erectile difficulties. Some are pills, and others are injections or devices that should be used just before sex. There are also treatments involving surgery.

Medications for erectile dysfunction include phosphodiesterase inhibitors, prostaglandins, yohimbine, and testosterone.

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors: This class of medications includes sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil.* They work by inhibiting an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5. This enzyme normally breaks down a molecule called cGMP. Inhibiting the enzyme makes more cGMP available, which leads to relaxation of smooth muscles in the penis, allowing more blood to enter and helping to produce an erection. These medications are taken before sex and will cause an erection only when the man is sexually stimulated.

The time the dose should be taken and how long the effects last depend on the medication used. The most common side effect of these medications is a headache. However, there is a potential for certain dangerous drug interactions. Anyone taking this medication must let his doctor know about any medications he's on, and especially if he's taking nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin spray or nitroglycerin patch) for heart problems.

Prostaglandins (alprostadil): Alprostadil can be injected into the penis or inserted as a pellet through the urethra. It causes an erection that usually lasts about 60 minutes. The danger with this method is that too high a dose can cause priapism, an erection that won't go away. This condition can cause serious bruising, bleeding, and pain. Once the doctor is sure of the right dose, the man can self-inject at home.

Some doctors may prescribe a combination of alprostadil with additional ingredients such as phentolamine to help the medication work more effectively. This mixture is prepared by the pharmacy according to the directions of the prescribing doctor. It is injected into the penis before sex.

Yohimbine: Yohimbine is derived from a natural source. While it's somewhat controversial, it's been shown to be useful in psychogenic erectile difficulties, such as performance anxiety problems. It may raise blood pressure or interfere with liver function.

Testosterone: This is only useful for people with specific disorders like hypogonadism (small testicles at birth) that result in lower than normal amounts of testosterone in the blood stream. Testosterone increases interest in sex, as well as erections.

Common non-medication ways of treating erectile difficulties include vacuum devices and penile implants.

Vacuum devices: This involves placing a tube over the penis, forming an airtight seal around the base. By pumping air out of the tube, blood can be drawn into the penis. Placing a ring around the base of the penis will maintain the erection.

Penile implants: This treatment involves permanent implantation of flexible rods or similar devices into the penis. Simple versions have the disadvantage of giving the user a permanent erection. The latest (and most expensive) device consists of inflatable rods activated by a tiny pump and switch in the scrotum. Squeezing the scrotum stiffens the penis, whether the person is aroused or not. The penis itself remains flaccid, however, so the diameter and length are usually less than a natural erection, and hardness is lacking, although it's sufficient for intercourse. ( canada.com )

READ MORE - Erectile Difficulties ( 2 ) - Erectile Dysfunction, Impotence, Low Sex Drive - Male, Decreased Libido in Men

Erectile Difficulties ( 1 ) - Erectile Dysfunction, Impotence, Low Sex Drive - Male, Decreased Libido in Men

The Facts on Erectile Difficulties - Erectile difficulty is the frequent or consistent inability to get or sustain an erection of the penis sufficient to engage in sexual intercourse. While most men occasionally fail to get an erection, or lose one prematurely during sexual activity, some men suffer from these problems regularly.

Accurate statistics are lacking on how many men are affected by the condition, but some doctors estimate that about half of men aged 40 to 70 have frequent problems achieving or maintaining an erection. The number of men with erectile difficulties is low for those under the age of 40, but it increases with age.

Causes of Erectile Difficulties

A wide range of diseases, medications, injuries, and psychological problems can cause erectile difficulties. Here are some of the most common causes:

Circulatory problems: An erection occurs when the penis fills with blood and a valve at the base of the penis traps it. Diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, clots, and "hardening of the arteries" can all interfere with this process. Such circulatory problems are the number one cause of erectile difficulties.

Peyronie's disease: This disease causes fibres and plaques to appear in the genitals, interrupting blood flow.

Cancer: Cancer can interfere with nerves or arteries that are vital to erection.

Surgery: Surgery to the pelvis, and especially prostate surgery for prostate cancer, can damage the nerves and arteries that are required to gain and maintain an erection.

Spinal cord or pelvic injury: The nerves that stimulate erection can be cut by injury to them.

Hormonal disorders: A lack of testosterone (male hormone or androgen) can result from thyroid and nervous disorders.

Depression: This condition is a common cause of erectile difficulties. Depression is a physical disorder as well as a psychiatric one, and it can have physical effects. This may be true even if you feel comfortable in a sexual situation.

Alcoholism: Chronic alcoholism can produce erectile difficulties, even if there is no alcohol in the blood at the time of sex.

Smoking: Smoking cigarettes causes constriction of blood vessels. This may decrease blood flow to the penis, causing erectile difficulties.

Performance anxiety: Most men have had erection problems at some point due to worrying about performing well during sexual intercourse. If this happens often, the anticipation of sex can trigger nervous reactions that prevent erection, setting up a vicious cycle.

Situational psychological problems: Some men have problems only in certain situations or with certain people. In troubled relationships, men may be unable to achieve erection with their partner but have no problem away from home.

Sexual aversion: Being repelled by sex is rare. It is most common in people who suffered child abuse and those who have been brought up in strict religious surroundings. Aversion can also exist in homosexuals or bisexuals who attempt to lead a heterosexual life against their basic inclinations.

Drugs: The following can cause erectile difficulties:

• alcohol
• antianxiety medications
• anticancer medications
• cocaine
• estrogens
• ganglionic and adrenergic (beta) blockers
• MAOI and tricyclic antidepressants
• narcotic pain relievers
• narcotics
• thiazide diuretics that are prescribed to control high blood pressure
• sedatives

Symptoms and Complications of Erectile Difficulties

When a man is unable to get or maintain an erection, it is termed erectile difficulties. It may also be called erectile dysfunction.

A man may have erections sometimes, for example when he wakes up in the morning, but be unable to get an erection during sex with his partner. This is often a sign of a psychological problem that may or may not have to do with that particular relationship.

If a man had regular erections in the past, but suddenly begins to have problems getting an erection, there's a chance that it's a nerve or hormonal problem, a circulatory problem, or the effect of alcohol, drugs, or medicine.

If a man still gets erections but they're not as hard or long lasting as in the past, it's quite likely that a circulatory problem is causing the dysfunction.

If surgery or injury is involved, the sufferer may already know what's causing the erectile difficulties. A doctor should be consulted about possible solutions.

While erectile difficulties are inevitably going to cause some anxiety, it's vital for sufferers to keep their relationship with their partner or spouse as regular as possible until a solution can be found. Modern medicine and therapeutic techniques can help over 90% of erection problems. ( canada.com )

READ MORE - Erectile Difficulties ( 1 ) - Erectile Dysfunction, Impotence, Low Sex Drive - Male, Decreased Libido in Men

Here are 11 things we can learn about sex from sports

Here are 11 things we can learn about sex from sports - For most people, sex is not the first thing that comes to mind when sports is the topic at hand. But just as there are many life lessons that can be learned from sports, so too are there lessons to be learned about sex.

Whether you’re talking about team sports or individual sports, there’s a great deal that translates directly from the field or court or stadium into the bedroom. Everything from basketball to football to tennis can offer words of wisdom about how to play between the sheets.

Here are 11 things we can learn about sex from sports:

1. Always remember to breathe. There’s not one sport for which this does not apply. And sex is no exception. You’d think it would be easy enough to remember. But holding one’s breath is not uncommon in the throes of passion. But better breathing leads to better sex. So breathe deeply.

2. Work together as a team, but take responsibility as an individual. If you’re having sex with someone other than yourself, take advantage of being a part of a team. That means figuring out how you can both benefit by working in tandem instead of at odds. Things can get very interesting if you both are at the helm.

3. Take turns. There is nothing more boring than never getting a chance to be up at bat. So, be generous, and make sure you partner is getting his or her fair share. It’s OK to keep score as long as you use the stats as a means of assuring fair play and not for assessing penalties. Unless you’re into that, which can be fun too…

4. Accept what cannot be changed instead of bemoaning it. Every game has its own rules. Sometimes sex is a complete free-for-all. But, more often than not, it’s a game that comes with at least some sort of playbook. So, take it in and make it your own instead of wishing it was something it isn’t.

5. Set goals and commit to them. If you feel like something’s lacking but you and your partner aren’t quite ready to make it happen, make a plan. There’s nothing wrong with working up to have the kind of sex life you really want in terms of frequency, positions, or whatever.

6. Practice makes perfect. It does.

7. You have to play to win. If you want to have great sex, you have to have sex. So, work through whatever’s stopping you. If you never engage, you will never score.

8. Increase your skill set. No one ever made it to the Hall of Fame by remaining stagnant. Learning something new will keep you and your partner on your toes. Nothing’s worse than running the same play over and over, especially when it doesn’t always work. So, learn some new moves and play ball.

9. Be flexible. Things change. And sometimes they change right in the middle of an important play. But who cares? Luckily there aren’t any Super Bowl rings or corporate sponsorships riding on your performance, so go with it. You never know, you might end up somewhere even better than what you had in mind.

10. Accept success and “failure” with grace. Sometimes an interlude will turn out exactly as you hope it will. Other times, though, you might not be so lucky. So, leave the gloating for the professionals and let it go if things, well, fail. There’s always tomorrow and you want to both be in high spirits for the rematch.

11. Learn to communicate. There is nothing better than a partner who knows how to take feedback or direction. Both parties benefit when you can both share your wants and needs without fear of a negative reaction. So, talk to your partner and listen to your partner. Even the best lovers can’t read our minds and everyone can benefit from a little feedback.

The list goes on and on, of course. Don’t crumble under pressure; self-evaluate; be responsible; respect your partner; accept your differences; exhibit self-control; push your limits and accept your limitations.

The point is – great sex requires many of the same things that winning a game or succeeding at a career or building a relationship requires. Be fair and honest. Always. And, perhaps most importantly, have a good time. That is why they call it the game of life, after all.

And sex is the bonus round, to be sure. So, why not go ahead and score? ( foxnews.com )

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Does female sexuality need to be fixed?

Does female sexuality need to be fixed? - At Good in Bed, many of our experts are buzzing about a new documentary called "Orgasm, Inc." Directed by Liz Canner, the film chronicles the race by pharmaceutical companies to get FDA approval on “pink Viagra”—a pill to help treat female sexual dysfunction, or FSD.

The problem with this approach? As the film demonstrates, there’s no clear definition of FSD, which makes it difficult to determine whether it’s a problem that needs “treatment” or simply an example of the differences between male and female sexuality. The truth is that no one really knows what FSD is: Some people liken it to male sexual dysfunction, but there are major flaws with this comparison. It’s easy to tell when a man has premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction. Female sexuality is less obvious. Women just don’t show clear-cut physical signals when they’re aroused.

Does female sexuality need to be fixed?

Another reason that FSD is tough to define is because we tend to label men who don’t climax during sex as “dysfunctional.” Yet an estimated 75 percent of women never orgasm from penetrative sex alone—suggesting that this is normal, not problematic. So maybe we shouldn’t be focusing on “fixing” female sexuality, but changing the ways we have sex so that women more consistently orgasm. Even researchers can’t agree: In 2000, the Journal of Urology offered a few definitions on FSD, including:

• Lack of interest in sexual activity
• “Phobic avoidance” of sexual contact with a partner
• Inability to attain or maintain sexual excitement
• Difficulty attaining orgasm
• Genital pain or pain during intercourse

More than a decade later, there’s still no consensus on which, if any, of these definitions is accurate. And experts aren’t the only ones who are confused: Although studies suggest that the drug flibanserin could be the new “female Viagra,” the FDA recently declined to approve its use for FSD. In one 2010 study from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, researchers found that women with low sexual desire who took the medication for 6 months had an 18 percent improvement in their libido. But the FDA rejected flibanserin just a month later, saying it failed to completely prove efficacy in treating FSD.

Some critics say we shouldn’t be “medicalizing” sex at all and don’t need a pill to treat a condition that may be “all in her head.” After all, lots of women often simply aren’t in the mood for sex, or are distracted by life’s stresses, or just need to start using lubricant. That doesn’t mean they’re dysfunctional. In fact, it may just mean they’re normal: To that end, sex researcher Rosemarie Basson has proposed a new framework for thinking about female sexual response, one that places the importance of emotional intimacy and relationship satisfaction at its center. Basson’s framework contends that female sexual arousal is more complex than a male’s and depends more intensely on factors such as relationship satisfaction, self-esteem, and previous sexual experiences.

To me, the issue of FSD isn’t black and white. Sure, FSD isn’t as physically obvious as male sexual problems: Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the penis, giving a man an erection, while flibanserin appears to affect the neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in a woman’s brain that influence desire. But that doesn’t mean that FSD doesn’t have a physiological component. Side effects of medications (including some antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, and birth-control pills), shifting levels of hormones, stress and anxiety, obesity, and conditions including diabetes and multiple sclerosis can all lower a woman’s desire. So FSD—if it indeed exists—isn’t simply perception, just as it’s not solely physical. My guess is that’s a combination of brain and body—although whether a drug can effectively treat FSD remains unseen. Emily Nagoski, the author of The Good in Bed Guide to Female Orgasms, says, “There’s no such thing as a sexual dysfunction that’s 'all in your head.' Neither is there a sexual dysfunction that’s 'all in your vagina.' There is only the embodied mind. Thus education and behavioral training change physiology.”

In the meantime, there’s no reason why women who want to want sex should suffer with low desire. Prescription testosterone cream may help boost desire women who have low levels of this important sex hormone, as can devices such as the Eros device, which uses a gentle vaccuum pump to stimulate blood flow to the genitals. And don’t discount all the “natural” ways that both women and men can increase sexual desire, from trying new things between the sheets to increasing intimacy outside the bedroom. ( cnn.com )

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Top sign of sexiness

Top sign of sexiness - Keeping your hands well-tended is not about metrosexuality, but something that goes beyond the modern day conventions of beauty and wellness. When women can go that extra mile to keep their bodies beautiful, clean, and soft to the touch, is it too much for men to offer them at least well-groomed hands.

A man with neat, moisturised hands is a huge turn-on for a woman, making her want to hold it or even kiss it. It not only boosts the pleasure of lovemaking, but is also the most hygienic way out, for there are parts of a woman's body that are sensitive to grubby fingers or uncut nails. Even if you are prone to dirtying your hands, ensure they are properly washed, and the nails filed before you meet your lady. Remember, hands are as important a part of your body as any. And by keeping them clean, soft and well-tended, you are only gaining her appreciation. So, take care of your hands, and follow a few quick steps to keep them in top-of-the-world condition.

Wash and cleanse them

To forget washing your hands after a meal is common. Even though you have used a tissue paper, food particles remain stuck around the corner of your nails. So, always remember to use soap and rinse your hands thoroughly. Use a gel or cream cleanser on them everyday before retiring to bed or after a bath. Here you can even adapt a homegrown technique. Use the juice of citrus fruits such as orange or lemon onto your hands, and massage well before rinsing it off with soap. Always towel-dry your hands – they stay soft that way!


Chip off calloused skin and moisturise

Exfoliation is most important for your skin, particularly in maintaining soft, kissable hands. This can be done by soaking your hands for a few minutes in lukewarm water. You can even add drops of hand-wash gel to the water and stir it, before dipping your hands in it. After five minutes, you will be able to peel off the dead skin with a damp sponge. Another way of doing it is to squish orange or cucumber pulp and dab it on your palms, and do a thorough massage. Rinse your hands, and follow it up by rubbing a small quantity of moisturiser into them. Gradually, you can cultivate a habit of using moisturiser every time you wash your hands.


Trim your nails regularly

Men, as a rule of thumb, should always keep their nails clipped. Claw-like nails are capable of bruising your girl in sensitive places, which in no way will be overlooked by her! It is not only an embarrassing situation, but also a matter of how hygiene conscious you are. After trimming, round off the edges with a filer. Don't forget, women observe!


Use nail hardener – there is nothing dandy about it!

You can even use a nail hardener; it is a kind of varnish for your nails. Hardener helps keep your nails clean and healthy. It is in fact an apt finish to a well-groomed hand. And be sure she will notice your hands with a sense of admiration.


Go for calcium tablets

Brittle nails are indicative of calcium deficiency. There is a range of calcium tablets and supplements on the market that makes nails strong and healthy. Nails too need nutrition, and this can be provided by taking multivitamins with a big dose of calcium. You can even consider a breakfast of green salad with a glass of toned milk. Not to mention, an adequate intake of water during the day.

Care for your hands, and this time, let them do the talking! ( indiatimes.com )

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Time to see a sex therapist!

Time to see a sex therapist! - Knowing when to consult a sex therapist can make or break your sex life, and probably your relationship. We list the signs you must look out for

Given the hush-hush attitude that many people harbour towards sex, its not surprising that approaching a therapist for sexual issues is seen the last resort. In fact, it's even considered unimportant. The result —frustration and strain on marital life. Here are the warning signs.

Why procrastinate

Guilt: Most people are taught to look down upon sexual desire as something shameful, vulgar and condemnable. Those who consciously suppress their sexual desire and refrain from sex are respected and often glorified. A young man feels guilty if he feels sexually aroused looking at a beautiful woman. A woman too, condemns herself for experiencing a normal sexual urge. In some cases, husbands even look down upon their wives for their expression of sexual urge! This attitude prevents people from seeing a therapist.

Quacks: Sadly, the city is full of quacks who pose as sex specialists. In most cases, these people are unqualified. With no proper medical degree, they propagate myths such as masturbation is harmful or nightfall is a disease. Understand that qualified medical practitioners are not legally allowed to publish or display any advertisement. Before visiting those so-called specialists, who put up big claims, remember to do a cross check. Compared to other specialists, qualified sex therapists are less in number. This lack of availability worsens the problem.

Not knowing when to consult: The third reason why people either hesitate or completely avoid consulting a sex therapist is due to a lack of clarity about when to consult. Women prefer visiting a gynecologist whenever they have complaints related to their genitals. However, sexual problems are often emotional, psychological or even relational in origin, and don't always fall under the ambit of a gynecologist's expertise. Clinical psychologists and counsellors on the other hand, have a psychology background and may not be able to provide sex therapy like a qualified doctor.


Consult a sex therapist when


Dealing with attitudinal issues:

Often, the man or woman needs to deal with attitudinal issues regarding his or her own, or the partner's role in the act. For instance, who should make the first move, what is the correct technique and duration of foreplay, the correct frequency of intercourse, when and where intercourse should be performed, who is supposed to be the active partner, etc.


Having perverted urges:

Be it boredom or the need to experiment, men or women often engage in perverted sexual behaviour. If not dealt with properly, the urge can cause harm.


Unable to penetrate, perform:

When a man is unable to penetrate during sex with a willing partner, it calls for a detailed investigation of the problem.


Unable to reach orgasm:

A woman's orgasm is probably the most befuddling of all topics. Consulting a sex therapist is advised if the woman is unable to experience orgasm during willing sexual encounters with a loving partner, in spite of active participation.


Getting married:

It is amazing how much individuals often learn out of premarital counselling, as they deal with relationships at various levels.


About sexual orientation:

Rather than grappling with guilt and confusion, and letting the perplexity affect you, it is better to visit a sex therapist. Not to forget, there are many grey areas of sexuality such as bi-curious and homocurious. ( indiatimes.com )

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