At the SMSNA Annual Fall Scientific Meeting today, Lori Brotto, PhD, R Psych, expounded on the benefits of mindfulness for improving sexual function, particularly in women with sexual interest/arousal disorder.
Chronic daily stress, excessive multitasking, and other psychosocial factors may contribute to a loss of interest in sex for some women. This situation may be distressing, but mindfulness could help. Although it is difficult to disentangle the effects of mindfulness from other variables, women who participated in a mindfulness training regimen for a recent study showed overall decreases in sex-related distress, increases in relationship satisfaction, and decreased rumination. One exercise from Dr. Brotto’s usual mindfulness program is the mindful eating of a raisin. Instead of eating the raisin without conscious thought, participants are encouraged to carefully review the look, feel, smell, and taste of the raisin before chewing and swallowing. The idea behind the activity is that eating mindfully can be the first step towards living mindfully.
You may also be interested in...
SMSNA Patients
Can Pelvic Floor Therapy Improve Sexual Health in Postmenopausal Women? Results from a New Clinical Study
September 7, 2021SMSNA Patients
Should a Paraphilia Prevent a Doctor from Practicing Medicine?
July 27, 2021SMSNA Patients
Testosterone May Play a Role in COVID-19, Says New Research
July 13, 2021Blog
The Role of the Mind in Erections and Erectile Dysfunction
May 27, 2021Did You Know?
What Is Sensate Focus and How Does It Work?
April 13, 2021SMSNA Patients
A Possible Future Treatment Option for Male Hypogonadism
April 6, 2021SMSNA Patients
Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy May Be Beneficial for Women With Provoked Vestibulodynia
February 23, 2021Did You Know?
The Facts on Pelvic Organ Prolapse
March 9, 2021SMSNA
Diagnosing Testosterone Deficiency in Men
June 10, 2021Other Popular Articles
What Is Jelqing, and Does It Actually Work?
The term “jelqing” refers to a set of penis stretching exercises that some believe can make the penis bigger. Although the practice has gained attention and popularity in blogs and internet forums in recent years, there is no scientific evidence that it is an effective way to permanently increase the size of one’s penis. In fact, in some cases, jelqing may actually cause damage to the penis, so it is a good idea to get all the facts before setting off to try it.
What Is Sensate Focus and How Does It Work?
Sensate focus is a technique used to improve intimacy and communication between partners around sex, reduce sexual performance anxiety, and shift away from ingrained, goal-oriented sexual patterns that may not be serving a couple.
What Is the Average Penis Size?
If you have ever wondered how your penis compares to others in terms of size, you are not alone. Many men are curious to know how their penises stack up compared to the average. Unfortunately, general curiosity can sometimes give way to full-on obsession and anxiety about penis size. This can be an unhealthy and often unnecessary fixation, especially because most men who think their penises are too small have perfectly normal-sized penises.
What Is Edging and Why Do People Do It?
Edging is the practice of stopping sexual stimulation before reaching orgasm to prolong a sexual experience. The term stems from the concept of approaching the metaphorical “edge” of orgasm but stopping before going over the edge.
Can Sex Reduce Menstrual Cramps?
The SMSNA periodically receives and publishes ‘guest editorials.’ The current article was submitted by Mia Barnes, a freelance writer and researcher who specializes in women's health, wellness, and healthy living. She is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine.
Having sex while you experience menstrual cramps is healthy and can provide significant benefits. While it might not be the first activity that comes to mind when your PMS or period cramping begins, many people enjoy sex to reduce menstrual cramps, experience increased pleasure and benefit from other advantages. Learn more about having sex while menstrual cramps are happening and how it can help your body.
The Sex-Positivity Movement: What it Means to Be Sex-Positive
You may have heard references to “being sex-positive” or “the sex-positivity movement” in popular culture. Various celebrities have brought attention to this movement by speaking out about their beliefs and personal experiences regarding sexuality, sexual health, body positivity, “slut-shaming,” and sexual assault.
