I’ve touched on the importance of the mind in enabling female arousal before and during sex. Now recent research confirms that most men and women neglect to pay attention to a woman’s most powerful sex organ: her brain.
According to the study, done by the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), sexual dysfunction in women is more common that you might think. Approximately 75 percent of women suffer from occasional low libido, and while 60 percent claim they would approach a doctor about their concerns, only 14 percent actually do so.
Following the release of this news, actress Lisa Rinna has come forward as the spokesperson for a new public health campaign for women. Organized by SWHR, the aptly named “Sex Brain Body: Make the Connection” campaign will be an educational approach to the issue of low female libido, linking the brain with other sexual functions.
“The root of a woman's desire is complex, but it is thought to start with her brain,” says Laura Berman, LCSW, Ph.D., and sex and relationship expert. “The brain is the center for thoughts and emotions, but it is also home to a complex system of nerves, hormones and other chemicals that can affect sexual desire.”
Of course, I wouldn’t recommend a program to you without doing some personal research on it first. So I bounced over to the campaign’s website at http://www.sexbrainbody.com and did some digging. What I found was surprising – in a good way! The materials are refreshingly comprehensive and free of the usual condescending tone of media geared towards women. No pink fluffy stuff here, folks. It’s all factual, interesting, and informative.
There are a wide range of relevant tools on the site for any woman looking to learn more about her body. You can fill out a sexual satisfaction check-up sheet, download a free toolkit or have it mailed to you, and read expert answers to some of the most common questions women have. While the program is still in its early stages, I can see it growing rapidly within the next few months to address more problems and concerns.
The key to a satisfying sex life is agency; a woman must feel empowered and in control of her life and body in order to enjoy herself in the bedroom. Learning more about the role of the brain in arousal is just one more weapon to add to your arsenal.