X's & O's Blog

High Blood Pressure and Sexuality

High blood pressure (HBP), also called hypertension, is a common chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated. Blood pressure is determined by… Read Article

Heart Disease and Sexuality

Heart disease is the leading of cause of death for both men and women in the U.S., responsible for about one of every three or four deaths annually. That comes to 610,000 deaths p… Read Article

Diabetes and Sexuality

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic illnesses.  29 million Americans suffer from diabetes; 8 million of those are undiagnosed.  26% of Americans over 50 have diab… Read Article

Arthritis and Sexuality

Arthritis is one of the most common chronic illnesses. As many as 35 million Americans suffer from the condition. First, what are the different types of arthritis? There are man… Read Article

Chronic Illness and Sexuality

People who live with chronic illnesses often have difficulties with sexual functioning. Sexuality can be altered by these illnesses and their treatments. Some people may become se… Read Article

Is Oral Sex Only for Young Couples?

  Part of what I did as a gynecologist was to give patients of all ages permission to be sexual. I counseled patients in sexless marriages that self-stimulation was not only… Read Article

Rekindle the Flame

Do the normal effects of aging extinguish sexual intimacy in some couples? For most couples, the frequency and intensity of lovemaking declines over time. In fact, about 10% of c… Read Article

Vaginal Dilators: How They’re Used, and How They Can Help

I receive two questions often about sex and menopause. One is about painful intercourse (dyspareunia) developing gradually after the onset of menopause. The other is about how to … Read Article

How to Have Better Sex When Overweight

Obesity is rarely if ever an obstacle to sex; very few obese persons are unable to achieve intercourse. Sex for overweight people is more likely impeded by lack of opportunity, ne… Read Article

How Does Being Overweight Affect Your Sex Life?

Does being overweight and being sexy mix? Absolutely...but for many people who struggle with their weight, body image issues and associated factors can turn off the brain's libido… Read Article

Sexual Arousal and Desire in the Aging Couple

Before we can talk about the aging couple we have to understand normal arousal and desire in men and women. Leon F Seltzer, Ph.D. does a nice job of describing normal human sexual… Read Article

About PSAs: What You Need to Know About Prostate Cancer Screening

The PSA blood test is currently the best available screening test for prostate cancer. But PSA testing is very controversial. Should you get tested? That depends on your risk fact… Read Article

Things You Should Avoid Before Sex And Why

Spontaneity and sex often go hand in hand. But, there are certain activities and even foods that can put a serious damper on an intimate moment. Gas-inducing foods such as beans, … Read Article

Doctor, should I have my DNA tested?

Today I would like to take you on a journey through human genetic testing and give you a glimpse of the very near future. Fasten your seat belts, this is as significant as the evo… Read Article

Overweight and No Action in the Bedroom?

First of all, how much of a problem is being overweight in America? Recent studies show that 2/3 of Americans are overweight, and 1/2 of those who are overweight are actually obes… Read Article

Bridging Body, Mind, & Spirit: How to Get What You Want Out of Sex

Let’s talk about sex: It’s a hot topic on television, in movies, and online. In addition to all the other steamy details, we want to know who’s having it and how… Read Article

Mindfulness and Intimacy

I have been seeing references in the media to mindfulness, allegedly something that can make us happier, healthier, and sexier. What is this all about? Mindfulness is a form of m… Read Article

Not Just a Man’s World Sexual Dysfunction Among Women

Typically, sexual dysfunction—defined as a problem occurring during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents an individual or couple from experiencing satisfacti… Read Article

Kegel Exercices for Men?

Those men who have heard of Kegel exercises probably heard about them from their wives as they rehabilitated their bladders and vaginas after childbirth. But both men and women ha… Read Article

More about Outercourse, Explore Each Other’s Erogenouse Zones

In our article on outercourse, we discussed different ways to enjoy outercourse. Kissing Erotic talk Masturbation Mutual masturbation Body-to-body rubbing Role playing Se… Read Article