When Sex Isn't Good

Frances is an articulate woman who has chosen to share her story in many settings including public seminars and medical school classes. She is committed to helping people understand that sexual health problems can be medically treated.

Samantha is a thirty-six year old woman who has been married twice. She believes her first marriage failed because of her lack of sexual desire and her escalating sexual pain that she had hoped would be resolved through hysterectomy.

Diane was diagnosed with diabetes in her late forties. As a later-in-life newlywed she became distressed over her diminished sexual response, but her endocrinologist implied that it was all in her head.

Lisa experienced sexual abuse as a child resulting in her fear of close physical and emotional relationships. The anti-depressants prescribed throughout most of her adult life to help her cope with these issues exacerbated them as well until she found help in her forties.

Olivia had a plan. She had an out. She was not going to spend the rest of her life this way. At fifty she had been diagnosed with persistent sexual arousal syndrome, but there was no cure.

Marie, like Olivia, suffers from persistent sexual arousal syndrome. Communicating with other PSAS sufferers on the Internet became Marie’s lifeline and a way to find resources to deal with her personal distress.

Leanne was happily married to a younger man and ready for sex as often as he was until she reached forty-six. Her choices for treatment were based on her desire to maintain a healthy sex life.

Debra is a woman in her thirties with young children and pain so severe she is unable to look after them. Married to a man of few words, their communication dwindles because their relationship is more physical than verbal.

Sexual dysfunction is a couple’s issue. This is the story of a long-term relationship in which each of the partners has had to do deal with sexual problems.

Elaine is a thirty-nine year old woman whose sexual function was impacted by prolonged and debilitating pain. Her interview was so compelling that we chose to share some quotations taken directly from her interview.

Thea’s relationship with her husband was deteriorating due to her lack of libido. She assumed her loss of interest in sex was the result of early menopause, but sought help because of the detrimental impact it was having on her marriage.

Trisha is a peri-menopausal woman concerned about the future of her relationship because of her sexual health issues. Confused and vulnerable, she wants to get better her lover as well as for herself.

After being diagnosed as BRCA positive while still in her thirties, Tracey must examine what lies ahead for her if she goes through with the surgery proposed to protect her from cancer. She and her husband were able to make the difficult decisions together.

Lil, who is co-author of this book, lost her sexual desire at the age of twenty-nine after giving birth to her first child. For over a quarter of a century, she went from doctor to doctor seeking a solution. In her fifties, Lil finally found a sexual medicine physician and confirmed what she knew all along, it wasn’t "in her head," it was a biologic problem.

Sue is a fifty-five year old post-menopausal woman who is co-author of this book. Her story is about her transition through menopause. Each of her sexual health issues were resolved almost immediately because her husband is a sexual medicine physician.

In this story, the authors provide commentary on Courtney’s situation. Her lack of knowledge of her sexual function is more common than most people would believe despite the plethora of information about sex available.

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