What is sexual health? What is a “normal” libido? And how do stress, mental health, desire, and relationships affect sexual function?
In this episode of Health Recoded, I speak with Teresa Callard-Moore, Ph.D., LISW, CST-S, about sexual health, libido, sexual function, communication, and the differences between men’s and women’s experiences of sexual health.
Dr. Callard-Moore is a Certified Sex Therapist/Supervisor and Sexual Addiction Therapist. Together, we break down common misconceptions about sexual health and discuss what healthy sexual function can actually look like.
Sexual health is still a topic that many people are uncomfortable talking about. We discuss how libido and desire can vary from person to person, how stress and mental health can affect sexual function, how men and women may experience sexual health differently, and how communication and connection can influence sexual wellbeing.
We also discuss responsive desire, the pleasure gap, female anatomy and orgasm, libido, and when it may be helpful to seek support from a qualified sex therapist.
In this episode, we cover:
- What sexual health actually means
- What healthy sexual function looks like
- What libido and sexual desire actually mean
- Why libido varies from person to person
- What responsive desire is
- How stress and mental health can affect sexual function
- When changes in sexual function may be worth discussing with a healthcare professional
- How to communicate sexual preferences with a partner
- Differences in men’s and women’s sexual health
- What the pleasure gap is
- How anatomy can affect sexual response and orgasm
- When to consider working with a sex therapist
If you've ever wondered:
- What is sexual health?
- What is a normal libido?
- Why does my libido change?
- How does stress affect sexual function?
- Why does sex hurt?
- Do men and women experience libido differently?
- How do I communicate my sexual preferences?
- When should I see a sex therapist?
- Who can I talk to about sexual health?
...this episode is for you.
Find a sexual health therapist at: https://www.aasect.org
Find a sex addiction therapist at: https://www.iitap.com
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:28 How Has the Conversation Around Sexual Health Changed?
04:18 What Is Sexual Health?
06:38 How Stress Affects Sexual Health
08:34 Is Libido a Myth?
13:38 What Is Responsive Desire?
23:25 Does Libido Decline With Age?
24:25 How Much Does Libido Vary From Person to Person?
26:02 When Should You Be Concerned About Sexual Health?
29:50 Why Are People So Uncomfortable Talking About Sex?
34:09 How to Communicate Sexual Preferences
37:27 What Is the Pleasure Gap?
40:05 Differences Between Men’s and Women’s Sexual Health
44:06 What Is Foreplay?
51:55 How Female Anatomy Affects Orgasm
56:26 How to Safely Explore Sexual Health and Anatomy
58:55 How Sexual Trauma Can Affect the Body
1:03:14 When to Ask for Help With Sexual Health
1:05:23 How to Find a Sex Therapist
1:06:42 What to Prepare for a Sex Therapy Session
1:08:12 When to Seek Help From a Sex Therapist
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for guidance provided by your own medical professional.
