Friday, March 22, 2013

Want to boost your sex drive? Just laugh!


Turning madhatter's a must With the kind of daily strain we all suffer from, what could be better than a live session of laughter challenge between the sheets? Going giggly by living out fun fetishes and fuelling wild fantasies releases a happy hormone in the body called oxytocin that further makes you all cuddly and lovey-dovey, setting the ideal mood for effective foreplay. The quirkier and wackier, the better.
Carefree capers Amusement filled ardour also helps you and your partner loosen up, let go of bodily and mental inhibitions and act in a freer, friendlier manner. Witty wisecracks and dumb deeds of perversion often prove to be a much sexier turn-on than the done to death candle-lighting and seductive song-play rituals. Most importantly, moments of mindless merriment help dissolve performance pressure, which otherwise poses the biggest threat to great passion play.
The close up effect No, funning things up doesn't have to mean flashing your pearlies all the time; what we want to drill in is the fact that laughter is indeed the shortest distance between two people, especially when they're in love.
"It is important to lighten up things and indulge in funny nothings like tickling, teasing and playing hard to get in order to open up and feel greater intimacy," asserts sex and marriage therapist Dr Vinod Chebbi, because "both laughter and sex complement each other in giving the highest pleasures one can ever feel!" 

Wife exhibiting unusual sexual behaviour? She's cheating!


Firstly, phone calls – any change in phone calls including frequency of calls, time of day, tone of voice or a change in text messaging habits could all signify that she is cheating. When she answers the phone, does she drop her volume or suddenly sound as flirtatious as she did when you were first dating?
If it seems like her phone habits are changing and you cannot understand the changes, you may be witnessing an affair, the Huffington Post reported.
Secondly, dates with girlfriends – is she spending more time with her girlfriends than in the past? Are there many evenings out with the girls, when there were almost none just a short while ago? When you ask her who she will be with, does her answer sound sincere?
If any of these scenarios ring a bell, your wife may be going out, but not with the girls. If she was not socializing with her friends with the same frequency that she is now, that is a sign. If she is doing different things than she did with the girls in the past, that is a good indication that all is not what it seems.
Thirdly, showering and the gym - does she come home freshly showered, when in the past she did not shower during the day? Does she seem to be going to the gym more often than she used to?
There are two parts to this one. The gym excuse could be legitimate; it just might be that she is going there more frequently. The problem is that she might be working out more to impress her new love interest. And if she is not in need of her usual shower at night, chances are she is showering after an afternoon of steamy sex, followed by a steamy shower.
Fourthly, cologne - does she ever smell of different cologne, one that is more masculine than hers? Do you ever comment on the new scent she is wearing, only to find that she does not apply the same scent at home?
It could be that the new scent is not hers, but his. Do you by any chance recognize the scent as one you might have tried in the past? Do you recognize it as a scent one of your friends wears?
Fifthly, eye contact – has she stopped making eye contact when answering questions about where she has been and what she has been doing? Does she avoid looking you straight in the eye, when that was not an issue before?
For most people, it is very challenging to look someone who knows you very well in the eye and tell an out-and-out lie. If your wife is lying to you, there is a very good likelihood that she will be looking anywhere but into your eyes when she does.
Next, alcohol and other substances – is she drinking outside the home at odd times or more than before? Have you suspected drug use, where there was none before? Does she ever smell of cigarettes, even though she doesn’t smoke?
If you are seeing any of these scenarios, there is probably a partner in crime. Sex, drugs and rock and roll all go together, as does alcohol, and could all be indulged in during a tryst. If she smells of cigarettes and she does not smoke, you can bet that he does. You know, almost certainly, that someone else is influencing her choices if these behaviours are taking place when they were not happening before.
Lastly, sexual deviations - does she want sex less often than usual? Does she seem to just be going through the motions? Is she asking for things you never did before or teaching you new tricks?
Any extreme variances in sexual behaviour are possible indications that there is a new influence in her life. While there are other possible circumstances, the most likely scenario is that she is getting fulfilled outside of the relationship or realizing that there are new and different things that she enjoys and is bringing them into your bed.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Low testosterone can affect men as well as women

You can't stop time, but you can condense aging into as few years as possible, said Dr. Scott Brandt, the medical director of ThriveMD in Edwards.

Since landing in Colorado in Colorado in 1977, Brandt has dedicated his practice to pain management, stem cell therapies and bioidentical hormone replacement. One of those hormones is testosterone.

Testosterone is often thought of as a male-specific hormone, but it isn't, Brandt said. Men and women have levels of both testosterone and estrogen.
Women's testosterone levels are lower than men's, but lower than normal levels of testosterone can still negatively affect women.

Brandt explained that low testosterone levels most often occur in post-menopausal women as their hormone levels naturally drop with age. It can occur in pre-menopausal women, creating symptoms similar to menopause, Brandt said.

For men, when it comes to hormones, testosterone is really the essence of what makes men who they are, Brandt said.

Low levels of testosterone can lead to changes like loss of lean muscle mass, headaches, sexual dysfunction and even hair loss, Brandt said.

Mentally and emotionally, Brandt said low testosterone can lead to mood changes and depression, reduced motivation, hair loss and many other symptoms (see sidebar).
‘That middle-age funk'
Your body is already manufacturing the testosterone that's needed, but it probably needs more than it's making, Brandt said.
“It's not just sex. That's important, but it provides such a global health benefit,” Brandt said. “It's health care instead of sick care.”

Lean body mass increases between 12 to 18 percent a year without doing anything else, Brandt said. Cancer rates decrease, all the good stuff increases.
There's no real downside, but if you want to you can always go back to the way you were feeling before, Brandt said.

“It's like the fog is lifted,” Brandt said. “It's great to see people bounce back from that middle-age funk.”

Low testosterone is now commonly discussed, and with women as much as men. About half of his clients are women, he said.

“If men are going to see anyone, they're more likely to see a guy. Once they get here, they're just fine,” Brandt said, “If they can get over the hurdle of understanding it can be treated.”
He does a blood workup on you and together you figure out the treatment. Some clients see improvement in a few days, some a couple weeks, but the reaction is consistent.

You can do creams, pellets, pills. He'll give you a shot if you really want one.
Some of it's covered by insurance, some of it's not. It depends on your company. Even if it's not under your insurance, the treatments are relatively inexpensive, Brandt said.

“Everything good comes from testosterone, and it's enhanced by oxytocin,” he said.

It's called bioidentical because that's what it is, he said.

“The body makes this stuff,” Brandt said.
Over two-and-a-half decades the dropoff is so gradual you might not notice.

“The decline is so slow, people don't recognize what they've been missing,” Brandt said.

For example, a guy in his 40s had lost interest in his very beautiful wife, so he went to see Brandt.

“A couple weeks later his wife called to thank me,” Brandt said.

Learn more

For information about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, go to thrivemdvail.com, or call 970-766-VAIL.
Staff Writer Randy Wyrick can be reached at 970-748-2935 or rwyrick@vaildaily.com.





Saturday, March 16, 2013

Diagnosing Erectile Dysfunction


Diagnosing Erectile Dysfunction

Credits: http://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/guide/diagnosing-erectile-dysfunction?ecd=wnl_sxr_031613&ctr=wnl-sxr-031613_promo_2&mb=37dz9PaVSpmjqdfYp%40TOnuHnVev1imbCkGiMegP%2f4k0%3d

Because there are a variety of causes of erectile dysfunction, there are several different tests your doctor may use to diagnose the condition and determine its cause. Only after the cause of ED is determined can it be effectively treated.
Before ordering any tests, your doctor will review your medical history and perform a thorough physical exam. The doctor will also "interview" you about your personal and sexual history. Some of these questions will be very personal and may feel intrusive. However, it is important that you answer these questions honestly. The questions asked may include:
  • What medications or drugs are you currently using? This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, dietary supplements, and illegal drugs or alcohol.
  • Have you had any psychological problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression?
  • When did you first notice symptoms of ED?
  • What are the frequency, quality, and duration of any erections you have had?
  • What are the specifics of the circumstances under which ED first occurred?
  • Do/did you experience erections at night or during the morning?
  • What sexual techniques do you use?
  • Are there problems in your current relationship?
  • Do you have more than one sexual partner?
  • If you have more than one partner, do you experience ED with one or both?
The doctor may also wish to interview your sexual partner since your partner may be able to offer in sight about the underlying causes.
After your exam and interview, your doctor may then order any one of the following tests:
  • Complete blood count (CBC): This is a set of blood tests that, among other things, can detect the presence of anemia. Anemia is caused by a low red blood cell count and can cause fatigue, which in turn can cause ED.
  • Liver and kidney function tests: These blood tests may indicate whether ED may be due to your kidneys or liver functioning improperly.
  • Lipid profile: This blood test measures the level of lipids (fats), like cholesterol. High levels may indicate atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which can affect blood circulation in the penis.
  • Thyroid function test: One of the thyroid hormones' functions is to regulate the production of sex hormones, and a deficiency in these hormones may contribute to or cause ED.
  • Blood hormone studies: Testosterone and/or prolactin levels in the blood may be measured to see if abnormalities in either of these sex hormones are present.
  • Urinalysis: Analysis of urine can provide a wealth of information, including information on protein, sugar, and testosterone levels. Abnormal measurements of these substances can indicate diabetes, kidney disease, or a testosterone deficiency, all of which can cause ED.
  • Duplex ultrasound:  An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to take "pictures" of the body's tissues. For people with ED, an ultrasound may be used to evaluate blood flow and check for signs of a venous leak, artherosclerosis, or tissue scarring. This test is performed both while the penis is erect (usually induced by an injection of a drug that stimulates erection) and also while it is soft.
  • Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT): This test measures a man's erectile function while he is sleeping. Normally, a man will have five or six erections while asleep. A lack of these erections may indicate there is a problem with nerve function or circulation to the penis. The test can be performed using several different methods, including the snap gauge method and the strain gauge method. The snap gauge method is performed by wrapping three plastic bands of varying strength around the penis. Erectile function is then measured based on which of the three bands breaks. The strain gauge method works by placing elastic bands around the tip and base of the penis. If the penis becomes erect during the night, the bands stretch, measuring the changes in penile circumference. Another method uses a RigiScan electronic device, where loops are placed around the tip and base of the penis, providing continuous monitoring of erectile events.  
  • Penile biothesiometry: This test involves the use of electromagnetic vibration to determine sensitivity and nerve function. A decreased sensitivity to these vibrations may indicate nerve damage.
  • Vasoactive injection: During this test, an erection is produced by injecting special solutions that cause the blood vessels to dilate (enlarge), allowing blood to enter the penis.
  • Dynamic infusion cavernosometry: This test is used for men with ED who have a venous leak. During this test, fluid is pumped into the penis at a predetermined rate. By measuring the rate at which fluid must be pumped to attain a rigid erection, doctors can determine the severity of the venous leak.
  • Cavernosography: Used in conjunction with the dynamic infusion cavernosometry, this test involves injecting a dye into the penis. The penis is then X-rayed so that the venous leak can be seen.
  • Arteriography: This test is given to people who are candidates for vascular reconstructive surgery. A dye is injected into the artery believed to be damaged and X-rays are taken.
  • Bulbocavernosus reflex: This test evaluates nerve sensation in the penis. During the test, your doctor will squeeze the head of your penis, which should immediately cause your rectum to contract. If nerve function is abnormal, there will be a delay in response time or absence of rectal contraction.
  • PSA: This test may be abnormal due to prostate enlargement or infection, which may complicate ED.
Before you are given any of these tests, your doctor will explain what is involved. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask your doctor.