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New directions in sex therapy and research, and how to stay sexually sane in the 21st Century

Sex
Why Do Women Waste Emotional Energy on Men?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on July 8, 2019

Men tend to not enjoy stories of erotic love and heartache, but for many women, these are the most potent aphrodisiacs of all.

Men tend to not enjoy stories of erotic love and heartache, but for many women, these are the most potent aphrodisiacs of all.

Sex
Are Women Hungrier for Sex Than We Thought?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on August 29, 2018

What's female sexuality really all about? Researchers are working on it, but the answers remain elusive. Maybe we're posing the question wrong.

What's female sexuality really all about? Researchers are working on it, but the answers remain elusive. Maybe we're posing the question wrong.

Sex
Why Lovers Call Each Other "Baby"

Stephen Snyder M.D. on June 4, 2018

When you were very young, physical sensation and emotion were all wrapped together in one package. During really good lovemaking, they still are.

When you were very young, physical sensation and emotion were all wrapped together in one package. During really good lovemaking, they still are.

Sex
Why Does Pornography Exist?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on May 29, 2018

If a person is hungry, they don’t get any pleasure from watching someone else eat dinner. So why should it be a turn-on to watch other people have sex?

If a person is hungry, they don’t get any pleasure from watching someone else eat dinner. So why should it be a turn-on to watch other people have sex?

Sex
What Turns a Man On? For Some, It's Feeling Desired

Stephen Snyder M.D. on September 18, 2017

A man whose deepest need is to feel desired may be analogous to one who gets excited by wearing women’s clothing. Best to just chalk it up to sexual diversity and accept it.

A man whose deepest need is to feel desired may be analogous to one who gets excited by wearing women’s clothing. Best to just chalk it up to sexual diversity and accept it.

Politics
Have Politics Ruined 'Fifty Shades'?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on February 20, 2017

Christian Grey’s dominant tendencies worked as erotica during the Obama years. But many women may soon find egalitarianism and restraint looking better and better.

Christian Grey’s dominant tendencies worked as erotica during the Obama years. But many women may soon find egalitarianism and restraint looking better and better.

Sex
How to Use a Condom

Stephen Snyder M.D. on July 6, 2016

Using a condom isn't as simple as you'd think. In particular, a surprising number of men can't seem to keep an erection with a condom on.

Using a condom isn't as simple as you'd think. In particular, a surprising number of men can't seem to keep an erection with a condom on.

Orgasm
Saying Yes to Female Orgasm

Stephen Snyder M.D. on January 12, 2016

The techniques each woman prefers are so specific that guessing will get you nowhere. A good reminder that sometimes the best way to find out what turns a woman on is just to ask.

The techniques each woman prefers are so specific that guessing will get you nowhere. A good reminder that sometimes the best way to find out what turns a woman on is just to ask.

Relationships
The Trouble with Modern Love

Stephen Snyder M.D. on November 2, 2015

We have many more choices than our parents and grandparents had, but this hasn’t made it any more likely that couples will find fulfillment. In many ways, it’s made it less likely.

We have many more choices than our parents and grandparents had, but this hasn’t made it any more likely that couples will find fulfillment. In many ways, it’s made it less likely.

Sex
Waiting For Pink Viagra

Stephen Snyder M.D. on June 3, 2015

Can flibanserin (so-called Pink Viagra) really help restore women's sexual desire? There's only one way to find out. That's for the FDA to approve it, and for individual women to make informed decisions about whether to try it.

Can flibanserin (so-called Pink Viagra) really help restore women's sexual desire? There's only one way to find out. That's for the FDA to approve it, and for individual women to make informed decisions about whether to try it.

Domestic Violence
Why Does the Fifty Shades Movie Look Like Domestic Abuse?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on February 16, 2015

In the theater, I realized that the idea of Fifty Shades just being fantasy and therefore innocuous doesn't completely work. Some of the fantasy on-screen struck me as too close to the things people put up with in real life.

In the theater, I realized that the idea of Fifty Shades just being fantasy and therefore innocuous doesn't completely work. Some of the fantasy on-screen struck me as too close to the things people put up with in real life.

Bias
What Matters Most in a Man?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on February 10, 2015

I wonder what Jane Austen would think about Fifty Shades. Sure, she'd probably hate the prose. But if she got past that, she'd definitely be interested in what has and hasn't changed for women in the two centuries that divide Pride and Prejudice from Fifty Shades of Grey.

I wonder what Jane Austen would think about Fifty Shades. Sure, she'd probably hate the prose. But if she got past that, she'd definitely be interested in what has and hasn't changed for women in the two centuries that divide Pride and Prejudice from Fifty Shades of Grey.

Sex
What's the Sexiest Thing About Fifty Shades of Grey?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on February 5, 2015

For most men, a beautiful woman's body is an immediate turn-on. For most women, the response to a man's body isn't quite so automatic. But if in addition to having nice arms, he also has that aforementioned high-end stainless steel kitchen with a view of downtown Seattle, then things might get interesting.

For most men, a beautiful woman's body is an immediate turn-on. For most women, the response to a man's body isn't quite so automatic. But if in addition to having nice arms, he also has that aforementioned high-end stainless steel kitchen with a view of downtown Seattle, then things might get interesting.

Relationships
Fifty Shades of Grey and the Tests of Love

Stephen Snyder M.D. on January 16, 2015

Whether it's Edward in Twilight or Christian Grey in Fifty Shades, one of the hero's most compelling traits is his willingness to suffer for his beloved.

Whether it's Edward in Twilight or Christian Grey in Fifty Shades, one of the hero's most compelling traits is his willingness to suffer for his beloved.

Sex
Why Do Married Men Pretend to Be Single Online?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on January 14, 2015

It's puzzling that a married man would lie online and romance a young woman, knowing he's eventually going to break her heart. But there are lots of men doing just that. Why?

It's puzzling that a married man would lie online and romance a young woman, knowing he's eventually going to break her heart. But there are lots of men doing just that. Why?

Sexual Abuse
On the Confusion Between Sexual Fantasy and Reality

Stephen Snyder M.D. on December 4, 2014

The ad showed a beautiful young woman dressed only in a sweater, her hair tossed over one eye. I couldn't decipher the expression on her face, because there was no expression at all. She did not look happy. I couldn't help thinking she looked as if she had been drugged. The hair covering half her face - What was it hiding? Where were the rest of her clothes? Who had them?

The ad showed a beautiful young woman dressed only in a sweater, her hair tossed over one eye. I couldn't decipher the expression on her face, because there was no expression at all. She did not look happy. I couldn't help thinking she looked as if she had been drugged. The hair covering half her face - What was it hiding? Where were the rest of her clothes? Who had them?

Sex
Pink Viagra: Sex for Pleasure, for Profit, or Both?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on November 24, 2014

Most sexual problems have more to do with a woman’s environment than her biology. But there are also many women with loving, sexy, considerate partners who lose all erotic interest and we have no idea why.

Most sexual problems have more to do with a woman’s environment than her biology. But there are also many women with loving, sexy, considerate partners who lose all erotic interest and we have no idea why.

Sex
The FDA Wants to Hear More About Women and Sex

Stephen Snyder M.D. on October 29, 2014

I've heard all the arguments pro and con about whether as a society we should be dabbling in biological treatments for women's sexual problems.There are strong arguments to be made on both sides. But I'm biased in favor of innovation. I know lots of women with good relationships who've done all the right things to bring back their libido, and nothing has worked.

I've heard all the arguments pro and con about whether as a society we should be dabbling in biological treatments for women's sexual problems.There are strong arguments to be made on both sides. But I'm biased in favor of innovation. I know lots of women with good relationships who've done all the right things to bring back their libido, and nothing has worked.