Thanks Steph.

To Steph(anie?): thanks for your comment and I will definetely try to find more information about Bremelanotide and will write about it if I do, I am one who also finds it very interesting. ;)

This is the most recent article that I found regarding Bremelanotide :

CRANBURY, N.J. and BRISTOL, Tenn., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Palatin Technologies, Inc. and King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that data from Part 2 of a Phase IIa pilot study evaluating the effects of bremelanotide in post-menopausal women diagnosed with female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) was presented yesterday, February 25, 2007, at the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH) 2007 Annual Meeting. The presentation titled "Randomized, Placebo- Controlled, Crossover Study to Evaluate the Effects of Intranasal Bremelanotide on Perceptions of Desire and Arousal in Postmenopausal Women With Sexual Arousal Disorder" was presented by Dr. Michael Perelman of the NY- Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York. Dr. Stephen B. Levine of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, was a co-author of the presentation. The slides for this presentation are available on the Palatin website; http//www.palatin.com. The Companies previously reported preliminary data from this study in a press release on August 3, 2006. The results of this Phase IIa study showed that on a 14-item questionnaire, 73 percent of the women reported an increased level of genital arousal while on bremelanotide compared with 23 percent of women on placebo. Also, 46 percent of women on bremelanotide reported an increased level of sexual desire while only 19 percent of women responded similarly after placebo treatment. Additionally, subjects receiving bremelanotide reported a higher incidence of engaging in sexual activity compared to placebo. The current study follows a similarly designed clinical study conducted with pre-menopausal patients with FSAD, the results of which were recently published in the July 2006 issue of The Journal of Sexual Medicine. Twenty-seven women with a diagnosis of FSAD were enrolled at two investigational sites in this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, single dose, cross-over clinical study. All subjects enrolled in this clinical study were evaluated by an experienced clinical psychologist and were confirmed to have a diagnosis of FSAD. Subjects were administered a 20 mg dose (2 x 10 mg) of intranasal bremelanotide or placebo spray in a randomized manner and were monitored and evaluated for three hours post-dose before being discharged from the clinic. All subjects completed a Treatment Satisfaction Index questionnaire at 24-hours post-dose as a means of measuring their levels of sexual desire, genital arousal and, if applicable, satisfaction with sexual activity. Adverse events reported include nausea, headache and nasal congestion and were comparable to adverse events reported for other clinical studies evaluating this dose. "The data strongly favor and support the companies' development program for bremelanotide," states Dr. Michael A. Perelman, Co-Director of the Human Sexuality Program at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York. "I enthusiastically await data from larger clinical trials which are underway." Palatin Technologies and King Pharmaceuticals are currently enrolling 150 post-menopausal FSAD patients in a Phase IIb at-home clinical trial at approximately 20 clinical sites throughout the United States. The enrollment of pre-menopausal FSAD patients for this study has completed. About Bremelanotide Bremelanotide is the first compound in a new drug class called melanocortin receptor agonists under development to treat sexual dysfunction. This new chemical entity is being evaluated in Phase IIb clinical trials studying the efficacy and safety profile of varying doses of this novel compound in men experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED) and women experiencing female sexual dysfunction (FSD). The mechanism of action of bremelanotide may offer important benefits over currently available products for the treatment of ED because it acts on the pathway that controls sexual function without acting directly on the vascular system. Clinical data indicates that bremelanotide may be effective in treating a broad range of patients suffering from ED. The nasal formulation of bremelanotide currently under development is as convenient as oral treatments, is more patient-friendly than invasive treatments for ED, such as injections and trans-urethral pellets, and appears to result in a rapid onset of action. Although the current ED market is primarily served by PDE-5 inhibitors which target the vascular system, a substantial unmet medical need for alternative sexual dysfunction therapies exists. Many patients are contraindicated for, or non-responsive to, PDE-5 inhibitors. In addition, current literature indicates that about one half of all patients who receive an initial prescription for a PDE-5 inhibitor do not renew the prescription due chiefly to adverse side effects, drug interaction issues, and/or the lack of an acceptable level of responsiveness. About FSD Female sexual disorder is defined by the American Foundation for Urologic Disease as: "The persistent or recurrent inability to attain or maintain sufficient sexual excitement, causing personal distress. It may be expressed as a lack of subjective excitement or a lack of genital or other somatic responses." FSD consists of four components, hypoactive sexual desire disorder, female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), dyspareunia or painful intercourse and anorgasmia. To establish a diagnosis of FSD, these components must be associated with personal distress, as determined by the affected woman. A February 10, 1999 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA, titled, "Sexual Dysfunction in the United States: Prevalence and Predictors," states that some form of FSD appears to be prevalent in approximately 43 percent of the female population. About Palatin Technologies, Inc. Palatin Technologies, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company developing melanocortin-based therapeutics. The Company has a pipeline of product candidates in development. The Company's internal research and development capabilities, anchored by its proprietary MIDAS(TM) technology, are fueling product development. Palatin's strategy is to develop products and then form marketing collaborations with industry leaders in order to maximize their commercial potential. To date, the Company has formed partnerships with AstraZeneca, King Pharmaceuticals and Tyco Healthcare Mallinckrodt. For additional information regarding Palatin, please visit Palatin Technologies' website at http://www.palatin.com/. About King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. King, headquartered in Bristol, Tennessee, is a vertically integrated branded pharmaceutical company. King, an S&P 500 Index company, seeks to capitalize on opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry through the development, including through in-licensing arrangements and acquisitions, of novel branded prescription pharmaceutical products in attractive markets and the strategic acquisition of branded products that can benefit from focused promotion and marketing and product life-cycle management. Forward-looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect managements' current views of future events and operations, including, but not limited to, statements pertaining to the proposed indications for bremelanotide; the significance of the results from the clinical trials of bremelanotide; and the conduct of future clinical trials. Some important factors which may cause results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include dependence on the actual results of the companies' bremelanotide development activities; dependence on the companies' abilities to fund development of bremelanotide; dependence on the companies' abilities to complete clinical trials as anticipated; dependence on the availability and cost of raw materials; dependence on the unpredictability of the duration and results of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's ("FDA") review of Investigational New Drug Applications ("IND"), New Drug Applications ("NDA"), and supplemental New Drug Applications, ("sNDAs") and/or the review of other regulatory agencies worldwide; dependence on compliance with FDA and other government regulations that relate to King's and Palatin's respective businesses; dependence on King's and Palatin's abilities to successfully manufacture bremelanotide; and dependence on changes in general economic and business conditions; changes in current pricing levels; changes in federal and state laws and regulations; changes in competition; unexpected changes in technologies and technological advances; and manufacturing capacity constraints. Other important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements are discussed in the "Risk Factors" section and other sections of King's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, and Palatin's Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2006 and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2006, which are on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The companies do not undertake to publicly update or revise any of their forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes show that the indicated results or events will not be realized. Source: Palatin Technologies, Inc.

Great answers to great questions!

An Interview With Dr. Laura Berman
by Tracee Cornforth
Have you ever experienced sexual dysfunction? If you have, you are not alone! According to an article published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association", 43 percent of women suffer from sexual dysfunction. Female sexual dysfunction has been ignored by the majority of the medical community, while male sexual dysfunction has been the topic of a wealth of research and treatment.
Dr. Jennifer Berman and Dr. Laura Berman are experts about the issues surrounding female sexual dysfunction. They examine female sexuality and dysfunction in their book "For Women Only", on their website the Network For Excellence In Women's Sexual Health (NEWSHE), and as founders and co-directors of the Center for Women's Urology and Sexual Medicine at the UCLA Medical Center. The Berman sisters are also the former co-directors of the Women's Sexual Health Clinic at Boston University Medical Center. You have probably seen them on television shows including Good Morning America, Oprah, and NBC Later Today.
Dr. Jennifer Berman is a urologist with specialized training in female sexual dysfunction. Her sister, Laura Berman Ph.D has worked as a sex educator and therapist for over 10 years, and completed her Master's in Clinical Social Work and Doctorate in Health Education and Therapy (specializing in human sexuality) at New York University. She completed a training fellowship in Sexual Therapy with the Department of Psychiatry, New York University Medical Center.
This week I interviewed Dr. Laura Berman about "For Women Only," and the issue of female sexual dysfunction:
Q. Why did you write "For Women Only"? What do you hope women will learn from reading your book?
A. For most of this century, doctors have dismissed women's sexual complaints as either psychological or emotionally based. We hope the book will serve as an antidote to what women have heard for decades. The problem is not "just in your head". You are not crazy, or alone, of fated never to have an orgasm or feel sexual again. Our goal in the book is to arm women with the information they need about their bodies and sexual response and to provide then with a full spectrum of options for treatment. We believe that what women and their partners learn from the book will eliminate much frustration and despair and help them lead fuller, more sexually satisfied lives.
Q. What signs may indicate that a woman has a sexual problem?
A. In order for a woman to be considered as having a sexual disorder, the symptoms must be persistent and pervasive and her problem must cause her personal distress. Sexual dysfunction can be psychological, physiological or a combination. Symptoms can include: vaginal dryness, decreased genital sensation, difficulty achieving orgasm, genital pain with or without sexual contact, lack of sexual interest. Other underlying problems can include history of abuse, pelvic surgery (hysterectomy, pregnancy, straddle injuries), medicines, hormonal problems and blood flow problems.
Q. What are the most common sexual dysfunctions experienced by women?
A. We have identified four classifications of female sexual dysfunction:
Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A lack of sexual desire that causes a woman personal distress. Includes a persistent or recurring deficiency or absence of sexual fantasies or thoughts.
Sexual Arousal Disorder: An inability to attain or maintain adequate genital lubrication, swelling or other somatic responses, such as nipple sensitivity.
Orgasmic Disorder: A difficulty or inability to reach orgasm after sufficient sexual stimulation and arousal.
Sexual Pain Disorders: These include dyspareunia, which is recurrent or persistent genital pain associated with sexual intercourse.
Q. How should a woman talk to her partner about a sexual problem?
A. Realize that communication is the most important part of identifying and dealing with a sexual problem. The first rule is honesty - let your partner know what you like and want, but never fake an orgasm. The best time to talk is not during sex. Set aside time to talk about what's bothering you.
If your partner is dismissive at first, keep trying. For instance, some partners who act impatient with a partner's problems are really feeling insecure and taking it personally that their partner is not responding sexually. They don't want to consider that they may have a causative role in the problem. You can try educational videos, books and experimenting with what is learned. Therapy is always a good choice, but it may not be available, the partner may refuse to go or the couple may feel uncomfortable.
Q. What is the best way for women to reach orgasm? Is sexual intercourse necessary for orgasm? Is one position better than another?
A. First, let go of the goal-oriented approach. Orgasms are not the center point of sex. Focus on sensuality. Once we let go of becoming orgasm-focused, sex becomes much more of an act of intimacy, connection, eroticism and arousal.
There is no one orgasm that is better than another. There are several techniques to enhance orgasm with intercourse including trying different positions, and practicing kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Intercourse is not necessary for orgasm as demonstrated by our VENIS techniques (see below).
Q. What role do birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, antidepressants, and other drugs play in female sexual dysfunction?
A. Many commonly prescribed medicines can cause a variety of sexual complaints ranging from vaginal dryness and low arousal to vaginal itching and orgasmic disorder.
Q. How do normal life events such as pregnancy and menopause affect female sexual function and/or desire?
A. Problems related to the production of the hormones estrogen and testosterone can lead to sexual dysfunction. Menopause, endocrine disorders, pregnancy and postpartum deficiencies, endometriosis, diabetes and fibroids can all affect sexual function because of the way in which hormones are released or suppressed.
Q. What is VENIS?
A. This stands for Very Erotic Non Insertive Sex, an alternative to intercourse; a program developed by Dr. Laura Berman that teaches ways to give sexual pleasure and orgasm through activities that do not require erections.
Q. Many women feel uncomfortable talking to their doctors about sexual problems. How can women talk to their doctor about sexual problems without feeling embarrassed?
A. Talking with your doctor about your sexual problems can cause you anxiety, but in order to get the best care you must be able to communicate your needs. Some doctors may minimize your problem or dismiss it, but that's usually because they don't know how to help, they think it may be psychological, or they are not aware of potential treatment. Arm yourself with information found on newshe.com as well as "For Women Only". Information you take to your doctor will be extremely helpful to him or her as well as to you. Most doctors will be open and receptive to your comments and will be happy to learn of any new information, particularly if it is based on science and research.
Q. What else do you believe women should understand about female sexuality?
A. That sex, like life, is fluid. It changes and grows just as women do. Sex at 20 is not like sex at 30 nor sex when you're a mother, nor sex when you are menopausal, nor sex when you are crazy about your partner or when you are furious with him or her. The context in which women experience their sexuality is probably the most important part of understanding it. The brain is the main sexual organ and sex is about intimacy, sharing, trust, and making yourself vulnerable to another person. It is a basic part of our general health and wellness and something every woman is entitled to.
A special thank you to Dr. Laura Berman for taking time from her busy schedule to answer my questions. "For Women Only" is a must have book for women experiencing any degree of sexual dysfunction. Its friendly style makes it an easy-read, filled with solutions, for women of all ages confronted with sexual issues.

Very interesting Issue

Question
This problem is seriously affecting my relationship.Before I had my two children, my husband and I always enjoyed a satisfying sex life. Although my body was by no means perfect, it was OK – and I was confident. However, after my first child (who was born by Caesarean section) my breasts were just like saggy sacks – and so small I was embarrassed by them and would not let my husband touch them at all. However, we did still enjoy sex.But after my second child, who was normal delivery, everything is just a mess physically. I lack total confidence in my body and will not allow my husband anywhere near me.It is not that I am overweight or anything in that respect; I am lucky and back to my pre-pregnancy weight. However, I have no boobs at all – just saggy sacks of skin which do not even measure 32A.And as for ‘down below’, I feel so loose that I will not have physical contact with my husband.I have tried endless pelvic floor muscle exercises and I have even had a course of electrotherapy. I have also tried Aqua cones but I cannot even keep them in my vagina, and nothing else has helped. When I lie down on my back I expel air from my vagina and when I bend down even now it still feels strange. Is there anything I can do? I know my husband will not put up with this for much longer even though he reassures me that he thinks it is ok, I do not feel ok at all and feel totally under confident when it comes to anything sexual. This is a total contrast to everyday life as I am quite confident (it’s amazing what a padded bra can do) but in the bedroom department I am a wreck. I do not want my marriage to be a sham but I do not know what to do. Please can you help or suggest anything?

Answer
David writes: I am so sorry to hear about all this unhappiness. Before going on to the question of physical treatments can I say that it is quite clear that you need counselling to help you to overcome these dreadful feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem? From my own experience, I'd suggest you begin by talking with one of the female doctors at a local Family Planning Clinic. They are very used to helping women who have bad feelings about the sexual parts of their bodies - with resultant sexual difficulties. Turning to physical matters, I don't think you should rush into any treatment for your breasts or your vagina. However, when you’ve thought things over and found out about the costs (and risks) of surgery, it would be perfectly reasonable for you to consider:
plastic surgery to increase your 32A bust line.
gynaecological surgery to tighten up your vagina. But first please get some counselling. Christine adds: I really think a Family Planning doctor would be your best bet. For a start she will be able to counsel you, but she will also be able to examine you - and will know what should be done about your physical problems.It's just possible that since you are so seriously distressed by the changes in your body you may be able to get surgery for your breasts and your genitals on the NHS. The Family Planning doctor should be able to advise you about that. Unfortunately, the Health Service is increasingly reluctant to pay for plastic surgery. Meanwhile, keep as close to your husband as you can. He sounds a good and lovely man and he needs to feel loved - even if you don't feel you can bear to have sex very often right now. Good luck.Yours sincerelyDr David Delvin, GP and Christine Webber, Sex and Relationships Expert
source- nedoctor.co.uk

A patch to boost female sex drive!

A patch which it is claimed can help women regain their sex drive is set to become available on the NHS.
It is the first treatment for women with low sex drive, but maker Procter and Gamble said it was not promoted as the female equivalent of Viagra.
Intrinsa will only be available on prescription for women who have had an early menopause because of surgery.
Doctors said there was no quick fix for low sex drive, and medical treatment was just one part of the therapy.
About a million women in the UK have had an early menopause because of surgery to remove their ovaries during hysterectomy for conditions such as heavy bleeding and pelvic pain, Procter and Gamble said.
This procedure leads to a decrease in testosterone, a naturally occurring hormone in women which is a key mediator of sexual desire.
A third of these women end up suffering from low sexual desire and will be entitled to the treatment on prescription.
Intrinsa is a clear patch worn on the abdomen, which delivers a low dose of testosterone.
Trials involving over 500 women who had had hysterectomies found the patch led to a 74% increase in satisfying sex.
It will be available on the NHS from the beginning of April.
Relationship
Dr Nick Panay, of the Daisy Network, a support group for women with premature menopause, said low sex drive in such women could cause a great deal of distress and concern about their relationship.
"Intrinsa offers real medical hope to these women as studies showed that the patch increases sexual desire and satisfying sexual activity while reducing associated distress."
But GPs said one drug is incapable of addressing the "complex reasons" for low sex drive.
Dr Jim Kennedy, prescribing spokesman for the Royal College of GPs, said: "There are a variety reasons for low sex drive, such as psychological reasons and the environment the person is in, for example if there are children around.
"Doctors will be looking to address all these reasons, they will not just resort to a single medical treatment."

Vaginismus

Definition: Vaginismus is a persistent or recurrent spasm of the outer third of the vagina that interferes with sexual intercourse. It can usually be treated by the use of vaginal dilators of increasing diameter plus relaxation training. The success rate increases in couples where the partner is involved in the therapy process. While treatment can help, it is important to note that some women have very intimate, loving relationships without intercourse.

Also Known As: tight vagina, vaginal spasm

Common Misspellings: vaginimus, vaginamus

Libido-lifting nasal spray could help women with sexual desire disorder

by: SHERYL UBELACKER
While men have such drugs as Viagra to give them a boost in the bedroom, there's really nothing on pharmacists' shelves for sexual disorders that commonly affect women. So a drug that makes female rats rev up their "Do it to me now" signals is offering hope for their human counterparts.
The drug, a synthetic hormone called PT-141, appears to work within the brain to fan the flames of sexual desire, says James Pfaus of Concordia University in Montreal, who began testing PT-141 on laboratory rats in 2001.
An estimated 30 per cent of North American and European women suffer sexual desire disorders, which include poor libido, low ability to become aroused, inability to have an orgasm and painful intercourse.
"Right now, there's nothing in the arsenal for women to treat a desire disorder," Pfaus, an associate professor of psychology and neuroscience, said in an interview from Montreal on Monday. "There's no drug out there other than estrogen, which carries with it - especially for postmenopausal women - its own problems. (Those include increased risks of certain cancers.)
"I think this is the first salvo in our efforts to be able to treat female desire disorder."
Pfaus's research team began testing PT-141 on female rats at the behest of Palatin Technologies, a New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company which hopes to get FDA approval for PT-141 in a nasal spray to help men with erectile dysfunction and women with sexual desire disorders.
Female rats injected with PT-141, which mimics a naturally occurring hormone in the body, increased solicitation behaviour around males, which includes hopping and darting, as well as running away, then coming back - a female rat's way of sending flirtatious "come-hither" messages, he said.
"Think of solicitation as an indication that the animal wants sex - now," said Pfaus, whose study appears this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"Obviously humans are going to do it a little bit differently. We may express it in our own very typically human way, but the neurochemical underpinning of that is probably very similar between the species."
Annette Shadiack, a director of research for Palatin, said from Cranberry, N.J., that unlike "vasodilators" such as Viagra - which increase blood flow to the genital area - PT-141 acts on centres in the brain to jump-start desire, which in turn can cause increased genital blood flow in men and women alike.
PT-141 could work for men with erectile dysfunction who can't take the Viagra-like drugs, either because they don't work for them or because of other health conditions such as hypertension, Shadiack said. The vasodilators can cause a drop in blood pressure, which could be dangerous in a man taking blood pressure-lowering medications, she added.
Palatin Technologies has done preliminary studies of PT-141 in women and more advanced studies in men. They hope to have approval for a nasal spray - so far unnamed - for men by 2007, she said. One for women could follow within the next few years.
The desire-enhancing spray did pose one potential problem for the Concordia researchers, which Pfaus said they included in their investigations: "What's to stop people from doing the old Spanish fly thing and putting PT-141 inside somebody's Dristan? Would the drug make animals like something that they don't like, or make them like more something that they would typically like?
"As it turned out, it didn't have any effect," Pfaus said. "So nobody's going to put this in the air supply at a club and hope they're going to have their proverbial orgy, because it's not going to happen.
"The end result here is the drug doesn't make you do something you don't want to do. When the circumstances are appropriate, it makes you want it more."
Still, Shadiack warned that PT-141 is not intended "as a magic bullet" to fix female sexual dysfunction, which she called an often complex disorder.
"We're hoping that PT-141 will be part of an overall therapy for these women to help break the vicious cycle . . . that would help put a woman on a more normal track."

Depression Drug Helps Women With Low Sex Drive

Low sex drive affects at least one out of five women in the United States. A study presented at this year's American Psychiatric Association meeting found that bupropion hydrochloride sustained-release tablets may be an effective treatment for some women who suffer from hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). There is currently no approved drug treatment for low sex drive in women.
Researchers found that almost one-third of the women in the study responded with increases in the number of episodes of sexual arousal, sexual fantasy, and interest in engaging in sexual activity. Women included in the study were aged 23 to 65 and had experienced HSDD for an average of six years. Participants saw improvement as early as two weeks after beginning treatment.

A burning question- Ansswered!

What causes decreased sexual desire in women?

Low sex drive can be caused by a range of factors, which vary from one individual to the next. Fatigue, the daily responsibilities and multiple roles women often assume, and many possible psychological causes can impact a woman's sexual appetite. It is also known that certain health conditions and medications can affect a woman's sexual desire. Depression and anxiety disorders can interfere with sexual desire, but so can some of the drugs used to treat these conditions. Many antidepressants, in particular Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, also called SSRIs (e.g.., Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft), have side effects that have a negative impact on women's libidos. Wellbutrin SR is a possible alternative, as it does not seem to cause sexual problems. Serzone, Remeron and Luvox may not cause problems with sexual desire either.
In addition, birth control pills, mood stabilizers, tranquilizers and other medications have been shown to decrease libido. If you notice a drop in your sexual desire around the time you start a new medication, talk to you doctor to see if there is a connection. Do not stop taking any medication without talking to your doctor first.

HSDD

A recent survey of American women ages 18-59 found that the most common sexual problem in women is hypoactive sexual desire disorder - HSDD, more commonly referred to as low sex drive or libido, followed by difficulty with orgasm. Pain during intercourse--which occurs in 14.4 percent of women--was the only condition to show a relationship to age -- it decreases as women get older.
HSDD is a deficiency or absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity, as defined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The definition is vague because the APA acknowledges that there can be significant differences in sexual interest levels among women. According to the survey mentioned above, 37% of women think about sex a few times a month and only 33% think about sex 2-3 times a week or more. Happier women seem to think about sex more often than unhappy women.
Difficulty with orgasm, or female orgasmic disorder, is a persistent delay or absence of orgasm. This definition is also from the APA and it again attempts to allow for individual variation by not giving a specific number or percentage to define a "normal" amount of orgasms. The survey states that 29% of women say they always have orgasms during sex and 40% say they are physically satisfied with their partners.
There are wide variations in sexual functioning, and there is no gold-standard that women should feel they must meet for their sexual functioning to be considered 'normal.' If a woman experiences a sexual problem that troubles her, then it is a problem that needs to be addressed and she should be encouraged to talk to her doctor about it to see how it can be improved.

better sex secrets for men

These better sex secrets don't require special techniques or mail-order potions - most of them are simple things you can try at home.
1. Take care of yourself
Keeping your body in top-notch condition can help you enjoy a better sex life. Here are some easy steps to help you get there:
Exercise. It improves stamina and helps with blood circulation (needed for a healthy erection). And you'll look fitter and more toned too!
Eat a healthy diet. Healthy foods will help you maintain your weight, and also give you the fuel you need for all of your daily activities, including sex.
Quit smoking. This will improve your health (and give you fresher breath).
Get help with health problems. If you have sexual health problems such as low desire, erectile dysfunction, or premature ejaculation, see your doctor. These conditions can be treated. Finding and treating other health problems, such as sexually transmitted infections (also known as sexually transmitted diseases), and problems with the nervous system or blood vessels, can also help improve your sex life.
Take your medications as directed.
2. Communicate with your partner
Communication is the key to great sex:
Talk. Even though talking about sex may feel awkward at first, it's worth it.
Be honest. If you don't like something your partner is doing, or if you're uncomfortable with what's going on, let your partner know.
Focus on the positive. If your partner does something you like, tell them.
If you're feeling shy, use non-verbal clues. By moving and making noises, you can let your partner know how you feel without having to say a word.
Let your partner know what you enjoy in bed, and find out what they like.
Don't hide STDs. If you have a sexually transmitted infection (also known as a sexually transmitted disease [STD]), tell your partners so they can protect themselves.
Don't hide sexual problems. If you're struggling with a sexual problem such as low desire, erectile dysfunction, or premature ejaculation, talk to your partner about it. This will help them understand it's not their fault, and help them help you.
Good communication can help take your sex life, and your relationship, to new heights. Try it tonight!
3. Shake it up, baby
Sex is supposed to be fun! Strangely enough, it's easy to forget that. Put the fun back into your sex life with a little experimentation:
Trade fantasies. Find out what your partner would like to try in bed, and share your own desires.
Add to the wardrobe. Buy your partner some new lingerie or other sexy bedroom clothes.
Vary the scenery. Try having sex in a new, unusual place.
Pencil it in. Too busy for sex? Put it in your schedule. Make a date for sex, or plan a sexy getaway. Sex doesn't have to be spontaneous to be good.
Daydream. Take a few moments throughout the day to think about sex - it keeps the engines stoked.

A question answered

Question
A couple of months ago, I had a total hysterectomy. Everything went well although I developed an infection in the scar at the top of the cervix. This has all cleared up now. When can I have sex with my husband again? Will I need to be careful about infections?Also, my cervix is now absent – will that affect our sexual relationship?

Answer
In most cases, people can have sex about eight weeks after a hysterectomy. However, you must be guided by your gynaecologist on this point, especially as you've had an infection. Please take things gently at first, and use plenty of lubricant (eg K-Y Jelly). Women whose cervix has been removed usually report that they feel 'a different sort of orgasm'. Some report that sex is nicer because there is now 'more room' at the top of the vagina. Others don't. It’s very unlikely that you will get any infection now – but if you develop any discharge (specially an offensive one), tell your GP or gynaecologist.My advice is to begin with foreplay only, with lots of clitoral stimulation to bring you to a climax. This will give you confidence before you resume full sex. It would be worth trying out various positions, to see which are the most comfortable for you. Best wishes. Dr David Delvin, GP

sex after an episiotomy

Q. I’ve had pain during sex ever since the birth of my baby, which was 18 months ago. The birth was very difficult, and I had an episiotomy.When my partner and I try to have sex, it hurts when he enters me, almost like I've been stitched up too tight. Has this problem occurred in other women and does it mean I have not healed properly? I am becoming increasingly upset and depressed about this problem.

A.You need to be examined by a gynaecologist, who will check to see if the episiotomy has failed to heal properly. Unfortunately, that can happen – especially if the stitching wasn't too expert. Depending on what he or she finds, the gynaecologist may suggest that you are admitted to hospital for corrective surgery on the area of the episiotomy. That should put everything right. Dr David Delvin, GP

For women going through a similar situation...

Question
Nine months ago, I had a total hysterectomy performed at my request, because of constant ‘flooding’ – and painful sex.During the operation the surgeon found endometriosis, fibroids and cysts to be the cause of the bleeding and pain during intercourse.Since the operation I have been taking HRT – first Livial, then Premarin 0.625 and now Premarin 1.25, plus 2.5mg of Andropatch. However my libido has not returned and I can now no longer orgasm. This is putting a strain on my relationship, and also making me feel depressed. Is this normal?Will I ever be able to enjoy a healthy sex life again? I am not depressed about the operation – merely that I can no longer enjoy sex. Can anything be done to remedy this?

Answer
Very sorry to hear about this.Just to clarify: it sounds as if you have had not only your uterus (womb) but also your ovaries removed. So it's perfectly reasonable that you are using HRT. Most women who've had this operation can continue to enjoy a good sex life. Generally, they can climax – though the orgasm often feels rather different. So, what is going wrong? I doubt if it's hormonal because you seem to be on a reasonable choice of HRT with Premarin 1.25mg. However, Andropatch skin patches are not normally given to women. They are really for men who aren’t producing enough male hormones from their testicles. But this doesn’t appear to have worked. All in all, I suspect that the problem is NOT hormonal. So I think what you need is to see (and be examined by) a doctor who is really experienced in women's sexual difficulties - preferably a member of the Institute of Psychosexual Medicine.

Loss of libido after childbirth

Question
Since having a baby last year, I haven’t been able to reach orgasm.This is upsetting my partner. He thinks I don’t find him sexually attractive anymore. I do - but I don’t know what the problem is.

Answer
This situation with sex after childbirth is very common. Your problem is very likely due to your hormones being 'shaken up' during pregnancy and childbirth. However, there may well be emotional factors too. The most experienced people at dealing with sex problems after childbirth are female doctors in family planning clinics. You should go and see one now - just look up 'Family Planning' in your local phone directory. However, their waiting lists have got pretty long in the last couple of years, so if you want to see someone quickly you might do better to contact Relate – or to seek a private consultation with a woman doctor who belongs to the Institute of Psychosexual Medicine (telephone: 020 7580 0631). Very good luck to you.
Yours sincerely
Dr David Delvin, GP

What to do, what to do...

Loss of desire is common in women (but rare in men).It can be put right, but you need to look carefully at the causes of the problem – preferably with the loving cooperation of your partner. There aren’t usually any ‘quick fixes'.Specialised help is available from organisations like Relate, Couple Counselling Scotland, British Association for Sexual and Relationship Therapy (BASRT), theSexual Dysfunction Association, and family planning clinics. A high proportion of women do achieve a return to normal libido.

magic pill?

Are there any magic remedies for loss of desire?

Not at the moment – though at the present time, it’s clear that the big pharmaceutical companies are desperately searching for a drug that will turn women on! So you need to sort out - with the aid of an expert if necessary - what's causing your loss of libido, and then take the appropriate action. Far more important than any 'magic' remedy is to have the support and understanding of a partner who wants to help you defeat the problem.Hormones are often suggested as a miracle remedy for 'FSAD' - particularly the male sex hormone testosterone. Alas, doctors have been trying out this hormone on women for over 30 years - rarely with much benefit. Side effects include hairiness, spots, a deep voice, and enlargement of the clitoris.However, it seems likely that very soon now – perhaps later in 2005 – a large drug company will start marketing a testosterone skin patch which is supposed to boost women’s libido. The launch is bound to be accompanied by massive publicity. But please take your GP’s advice before deciding that this is the method for you.Inventions that are supposed to increase female desire do come and go ... In 2001, a device called the EROS was approved by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating FSAD. . It is a gadget that applies suction to the clitoris and is thus supposed to augment desire. Cost is around £200.In fact, the EROS has made relatively little impact in Britain during the period 2001-2005, and our opinion is that you could achieve much the same effect with any relatively inexpensive ‘suction-vibrator'.A much hyped new 'desire cream' was also introduced in 2001. It contains an ingredient similar to wintergreen, and its effect is to produce a tingly sensation in the clitoris. It too has made surprisingly little impact on British medical practice.Drugs like sildenafil (Viagra) have still (2005) not been shown to help women with lack of desire, though there is some evidence that they may have a beneficial 'local' effect in increasing blood flow to the vagina and clitoris for a few hours. They may also increase lubrication in some women. But in Britain, these drugs are not licensed for use in females.

What should you do?

What do I do if I'm a woman who is suffering from lack of desire?

It's sensible to begin by going to your GP who can discuss the problem with you and do any necessary tests. But a very good alternative is to go to a woman doctor at a family planning clinic, since these practitioners deal with this particular problem every day of the week and are used to sorting it out.

Psychological Causes for lack of libido in Women

Psychological causes
These causes are very common. It's entirely understandable that when a woman is having a bad time emotionally, she may lose interest in sex.

Psychological causes include:
depression
stress and overwork
anxiety
hang-ups from childhood
past sexual abuse or rape
latent lesbianism
serious relationship problems with the husband/partner
difficult living conditions - eg sharing a home with parents or parents-in-law.

Physical Causes

What are the causes of lack of libido in women?

Physical causes

Possible physical causes in females include:
anaemia - which is very common in women, because of iron loss during their periods (and in childbirth).
alcoholism.
drug abuse.
generalised disorders, such as diabetes.
post-baby coolness (PBC): this is the term for the extremely common loss of libido that occurs after childbirth. It is almost certainly linked to the violent changes in hormones that occur at this time, though oddly enough, no clear-cut changes in hormones have ever been identified. The general trauma of childbirth also plays a part - and after having a baby, many women are simply too exhausted to think about sex!
prescribed drugs, particularly tranquillisers.
hyperprolactinaemia - a rare disorder in which the pituitary gland is overactive.

How common is lack of sex drive in women?

How common is lack of sex drive in women?

Extremely common. The American Medical Association has estimated that several million US women suffer from what US doctors prefer to call 'female sexual arousal disorder' or 'FSAD'.However, recent (2005) US claims that ‘45 per cent of women have FSAD’ are clearly absurd. At the moment there is a sort of ‘FSAD bandwagon’ – driven by doctors who think that nearly half the female population is lacking in desire. This really doesn’t seem very likely!However, in the UK, family planning clinics and Relate clinics do see quite large numbers of women who complain of lack of desire. Our estimate is that at any one time, several hundred thousand women in Britain are troubled by lack of libido. It's important to stress that many of these women have no problems with having orgasms. However, they have no real desire to have sex, and their minds are not turned on by the prospect of lovemaking. Fortunately, for many women, lack of libido is only a temporary phenomenon. Some will get over it by themselves - and a lot more can be helped by expert medical or psychosexual advice.

A woman is not as polygamous as a man, except, a nymphomaniac, who constitutes only a small minority. The sexual drive in woman is low compared to a man. This is because the area devoted to sex in her brain is only 40% of that of a man. The brains of men and women are different. A man can have sex without love and can have a perfectly enjoyable sex with a woman who is a total stranger to him. Otherwise, red light streets would have been empty. The areas of his brain dealing with sex and love are different and unconnected unlike in women. The MRI/PET scans establish this. He behaves exactly like any dominant male mammal like lion, bull, ox, dog or rhino. All that his unconscious mind looks for is whether the woman is capable of conception. And a woman with 7 to 10 ratio of waist to hips is the woman with right curves, the healthiest and most ideal for conception. That is why belly dance where the curves are exposed is highly popular among men.

Sex in woman is more in her ears. For a man it is much in his eyes. That is why men are so fond of nudity and throughout the history they were after pretty woman and fought many battles to possess them. Not alone men even the Gods, for Gods after all is only an imagination of man. A woman cannot think of sex without love for the areas of her brain relating to love and sex are interconnected.

That is why she cannot condone her man who has an adulterous relationship with another woman even when he swears that he has only a mere physical sex and no emotional relationship. She can think of sex only if she loves a man. She therefore does not believe him and breaks the relationship. Scientists say all relationships are initiated by men and broken by women.

A woman looks for emotional relationship, for a man who will protect her and her offspring during her pregnancy and thereafter. It is believed that humans could evolve from monkeys to a more intelligent species, homo sapiens, as over millions of years woman opted for intelligent men to mate with, than those merely stout.

In those days women did consider the physical prowess of the men as well. Because the world then was full of dangers and her men ought to be fit enough to fight or chase away predators. The modern women too look for the physical strength in a man. Her unconscious mind can in 3 seconds decode the state of a man's immune system and find him attractive only if his immune system is complimentary to or stronger than of her own. She is attracted by men who are more resourceful, rich and powerful. That is why we often find Presidents and Prime Ministers and business tycoons and celebrities embroiled in sex scandal. High testosterone leads to success. Success leads to still higher testosterone levels. It is a pity to see them fall in disgrace as they cannot control their sex drive.