Let's Talk Health (Page 6)

Are those pesky five to 10 pounds getting in the way of your sexual enjoyment? New research suggests the best cure for overweight diabetic men dealing with sexual issues is to shed those extra pounds. Published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, the study of 31 men found those who lost between 5 to 10 percent of their body weight over a two-month period reported significant improvement with erectile dysfunction....

Most friends and family members warn against it, but a new study has found sex with an ex may have it's advantages. Researchers at the University of Arizona discovered sex with an ex may lower psychological distress for divorcees. Published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 137 recently divorced individuals were analyzed for the report. According to the results, 82.5 percent remained in contact...

Probably the most sensitive conversation one can have with a new romantic partner is the one that shares information about a sexually transmitted disease. It is a brave and responsible person who cares enough about the health of his or her lover to have this important conversation. To help you out, here are a few do’s and don’ts so this tender talk is accepted with compassion: 1. Give as much information about the...

An older woman’s sexual appetite may be more ravenous than researchers had previously thought, a new French study suggests. Published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, the study shows women in early menopause have the same sexual interests and practices as those who are a bit younger. Researchers analyzed the data gathered from 408 premenopausal women and 277 postmenopausal women for their conclusions. Menopause...

Practicing safer sex in an open relationship is much like practicing safer sex in a monogamous one, except you have more people and factors at play. Healthy behaviors to practice, regardless of your relationship status, include: 1. Communicate verbally. Talk about your past sexual partners and your past safer sex practices. 2. Get tested for STIs. Do this before having sex (oral, vaginal, anal) with a new...

Could teen dating violence be on the rise? New research suggests it could be. One in three teenagers report having experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse at the hands of their romantic partner, according to data compiled from a nationwide survey. Almost of quarter of guys and a third of girls indicated they themselves have been both an abuser and a victim at some point in their past with a partner. The...

Have you ever suffered a heart attack? Did it affect your sex life? New research shows you're not alone. A study conducted by the University of Chicago found women who have suffered a heart attack worry about returning to a normal sex life, with many feeling their doctors should discuss the issue more openly. Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers interviewed 17 female survivors of...

New research finds there may be a mental cost associated with casual sex, at least among U.S. college students, and how it manifests itself appears to be somewhat gender-specific. The study, which was published in The Journal of Sex Research, was conducted across 30 college campuses nationwide, with more than 3,900 students surveyed. Each of the subjects was heterosexual and the survey questions covered their...

Looks like science has found another way to help stunt the aging process. New research shows seniors who continue to be sexually active will appear younger than their actual age. In research lasting more than a decade, Dr. David Weeks, a psychologist at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Scotland, surveyed several hundred adults and seniors for the study. He found sexually-active seniors who had 50 percent more sex...

New research has found it's not just older men who may have trouble in the bedroom. According to a study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, about one in four men seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction are under the age of 40. This represents a significant change since ED has historically been an older man’s ailment, typically only occurring in younger men experiencing a psychological problem. In...

Fellas, have you been getting enough sleep lately? It could be important to your love life. Academic research finds a single night of missed sleep can impair a man’s ability to discern how interested a woman is in having sex. The study, which was led by Dr. Jennifer Peszka, involved 60 college-aged students who completed a survey about their sexual interest, sexual intent, commitment interest and commitment...

As American women continue to gain on men as the primary breadwinner in households, the issue may become a larger one. Research finds men are more likely to have issues in the bedroom, including anxiety and erectile dysfunction, when their wife earns more money. Those men are also more inclined to cheat as a means of recapturing their lost masculinity. Conducted at Washington University in St. Louis, the study...

Reader Question: I am a 63-year-old man and have known a woman for 34 years who is now 86. I am attracted to her and I know she is even more so to me. I would really love to get involved with her, as crazy as that may seem. I want to know if it is safe for her to engage in intercourse at her advanced age. I dearly want sex with her, even regularly if possible, but NOT at the risk of her health. She is in good...

If you tend to be more reserved in the bedroom, you may want to reconsider pulling out the whips and handcuffs. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine finds people who engage in kinkier sex are psychologically healthier than those who practice a more traditional love life. Led by psychologist Dr. Andreas Wismeijer at Tilburg University, the study involved 1,336 participants taking a variety of...

Despite our knowledge about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections these days, recent studies point to a decrease in condom usage among gay and bisexual men. Why is this happening in spite of our knowledge of safer sex education and of the lethality that can be involved with contracting HIV? There are a variety of reasons. A complacency may be developing in the gay community about the belief that HIV is...

"I have a headache" might not be a good excuse to get out of sex anymore, according to a new study. Conducted at the University of Munster in Germany, the results show endorphins released during sexual activity may help numb the pain. Researchers surveyed 800 migraine patients along with 200 who suffer from cluster headaches. Questions were focused on their experiences with sexual activity during headaches and how...

While it may seem teens in violent relationships are either the victim or the perpetrator, a new study found those teens are actually likely to play both roles at some point in their lives. Conducted by Cornell University, researchers collected data from 80 schools and 2,203 students, beginning in 10th grade and continuing through college and the work field. Each participant gave insight into whether their partner...

Highlighting the importance of having a positive relationship, an extensive study finds having an unsupportive or critical spouse brings an increased likelihood of depression. Led by Dr. Alan Teo, a psychiatrist with the University of Michigan, the study determined people with unsupportive or critical spouses were "significantly more likely” to be depressed, even compared with people not in an ongoing...

It happens to every guy at least once: The mind is willing but the body is not. Some guys encounter it rarely. Some guys have trouble with it all the time. While it might be a punch line on a sitcom, it’s probably not very funny to you. Why are you having trouble keeping it up? More to the point, what can you do about it? Let’s talk about a taboo subject and hopefully provide you with a little guidance. Why do guys...

Depression can have a variety of negative effects on a relationship, but this study suggests it may make people give their partner less credit than they deserve. Conducted by researchers from the University of Auckland, the study found individuals experiencing depression have a more distorted view of their partner’s level of commitment to the relationship. The New Zealand-based study consisted of 78 heterosexual...

Reader Question: I was diagnosed with aggressive rheumatoid arthritis two years ago. I am very honest in telling my date about my disorder. I am a very attractive professional and you could not tell just by looking at me. But my honesty has constantly cost me to lose all my prospective dates or relationships. How honest should you be when you have an autoimmune disorder and you’re dating? Is there a dating...

Are seniors on the brink of a loneliness epidemic? A U.K. study suggests just that. The study comes out of the U.K.’s Office for National Statistics as part of the English Longitudinal Study on Ageing, which found 51% of baby boomers in the U.K. feel lonely due to divorce. Researchers connect growing loneliness levels with growing divorce rates for those over 50 years old, events also known as “silver splitter”...

"Everyone you meet comes with baggage. Find someone who loves you enough to help you unpack." This was posted on Facebook. I’d love to give credit to the author because they nailed it. We all come in complex packages. These include our fears, negative and limiting beliefs, buttons that get pushed, unrealistic expectations. Our unique packages also come with challenges like chronic physical and emotional...

Can marriage make a couple gain weight? That depends on how satisfied the couple is. A Southern Methodist University study found when couples are more satisfied in their marriage, they are more likely to gain weight. However, couples considering divorce (or even taking steps to separate) are more likely to lose weight. Dr. Andrea Meltzer, assistant professor of psychology, and her co-authors followed 169 newlyweds...

According to a University of Michigan study, when gay couples make, and stand by, sexual agreements, they are helping prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. However, the study found only 57% of gay couples acknowledge that they have a sexual agreement and nearly half of the couples break their agreement. Researchers said many men are afraid to admit they broke their agreement, which may...

A teen’s relationship with their parents has great impact on that teen's perspective of dating violence, according to a study. Researchers at Iowa State University found parental psychological violence makes a child “more likely to be in relationships where they’re being victimized or perpetrating violence against their partner.” Researchers also found family stress in adolescence may manifest itself later on in...

Research reveals ovulation may cause women to think attractive but unreliable men will make good fathers and life partners. Published in the the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 33 female participants, at both the high and low points of their fertility cycle, were randomly assigned to view pictures or biological profiles of either a "sexy man" or a "reliable man." Researchers asked these women to...

A series of studies conducted by the University of Glasgow found women with concerns about health and disease prefer men with macho facial features, deeper voices and muscular bodies. Benedict Jones and his researchers wanted to study the ways in which pathogen disgust might influence a woman's preferences in men. Pathogen disgust refers to sensitivities about health and disease. Previous research has found that in...

Reader Question: I don't know how to say this online, but I found out around 2001 I had hepatitis C. The biopsy showed it to be a one on a one to four scale. I never drink and don't need medication for it. I haven't had sex in decades, so I'm guessing I may have gotten it as a teen who, very briefly, tried some drugs by injection. I would like to enjoy sex in this life. How do I bring this up...

Reader Question: I'm a 62-year-old widower. I was married for 31 years. It's now four years after my wife's passing. I am anxious to begin dating again, but my concern is I was born with a micro penis. I am reluctant to go through the embarrassment and rejection all over again. Any advice for me? -Steve (Florida) Dr. Wendy Walsh's Answer: Dear Steve, I know men really, really get concerned about their...