Beware the 7-year itch, says Dr. Kelly Casperson. Around that mark (or so the thought goes), many of us start getting a little bored in our careers and in our relationships.
But sometimes it works out perfectly: Just as she was getting a little itchy, Dr. Casperson met a patient who was finding her sex life as uninspiring as, well, moldy lettuce. (You’ll get that reference in a minute.) That led to a whole new direction, and one you'll appreciate!
Many of us now approaching potentially “itchy” times are finding out where the gaps were in our sexual education. We were taught the sex = unintended pregnancy and STDs version of human sexuality, and now, with the stress and physical changes of fertility treatment, having sex can start to feel like a job — one we don’t remember signing up for and desperately need a vacation from.
Women’s sexuality in particular is hugely overlooked and under-discussed. Did you know the clitoris looks like a wishbone (oh, the irony…)? Why does the clitoris keep getting lost and rediscovered? Have we ever “lost” the penis and had to rediscover it? (spoiler: no.) Here’s another jaw-dropper: only 30% of those with vaginas orgasm from having a penis put in them.
As Dr. Casperson says, it’s not necessarily true that those with vaginas don’t like sex — it’s far more likely they just don’t like the sex they’re having. And that can usually be fixed.
In this episode, Dr. Casperson talks with Ruby and Anne about how couples can work together toward good, satisfying, enjoyable sex. As the doc says, you don’t say, “I don’t like movies” when you only watch horror films, right? So maybe it’s time to try some different varieties.
Dr. Kelly Casperson is a board certified urologist and a founding member of Pacific Northwest Urology Specialists in Bellingham, Washington. She is an expert in comprehensive urology care, treating all genders for a wide range of conditions. She also specializes in urogynecology including things like stress urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, vaginal atrophy related to menopause, and sexual health.
Be sure to check out Dr. Casperson’s podcast, You Are Not Broken. Find her on her website: kellycaspersonmd.com and order her book! You Are Not Broken: Stop “Should-ing All Over Your Sex Life
As always, please rate, review, and share The Whole Pineapple (AND You Are Not Broken) and find out more about our hosts at thewholepineapple.com.
