Global 2013: Sex-Drive Killers

Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women's Sexual Fantasies (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sex-Drive Killer: Unresolved Issues
Unresolved relationship problems are one of the most common killers of sex drive. For women in particular, emotional closeness is a major ingredient in sexual desire. Simmering arguments, poor communication, betrayal of trust, and other barriers to intimacy can steer your sex drive off the road.

Sex-Drive Killer: Alcohol
A drink or two doesn't always put you in the mood. Alcohol famously makes you feel less inhibited about sex.

Sex-Drive Killer: Too Little Sleep
If your sexual get-up-and-go is gone, maybe you're getting up too early or getting to bed too late. Or maybe you have insomnia or sleep apnea.

Sex-Drive Killer: Parenting
Parenting itself doesn't kill sex drive. But it can be hard to find time to be intimate when the kids are under foot. Hire a baby sitter for some time to nurture your relationship.

Sex-Drive Killer: Medication
Drugs commonly linked to libido loss include:
Antidepressants
Blood pressure medications
Antihistamines
Oral contraceptives (some studies show a link; others don't)
Chemotherapy
Anti-HIV drugs
Finasteride
Synthetic progesterone-medroxyprogesterone

Sex Drive Killer: Poor Body Image
It's hard to feel sexy if your self-esteem suffers from poor body image. For example, feeling ashamed of being too heavy (even if you're not) will douse your love light. If your partner has these feelings, it can really help to reassure him or her that you still find him/her sexy. And there's a flip side to the equation: Working out not only enhances your self-esteem, but also ups your sex ...

Sex-Drive Killer: Obesity
Being overweight or obese is linked to a lack of sexual enjoyment, desire, and difficulties with sexual performance.

Sex-Drive Killer: Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a different kind of sexual disorder than loss of libido (a medical term for loss of sex drive).

http://ph.she.yahoo.com/photos/sex-drive-killers-causes-low-slideshow/

Related articles

• 12 Common Causes of Low Libido (everydayhealth.com)
• Sexual Dysfunction and Medications: Exploring the Link (everydayhealth.com)
• Understanding Low Libido (everydayhealth.com)
• 'If it's not about sex, it's not about marriage' (gulfnews.com)
• Serious Sexual Health Symptoms You Can’t Ignore (belmarrahealth.com)
• Why Dating a Woman With Slim Waist Lowers Man's Risk for Erectile Dysfunction (medicaldaily.com)
• Cracking The Code on Female Sexual Desire (psychologytoday.com)
• Reliable Strategies In Improving Your Romantic Endeavors (broadcastarchives.net)

Global 2012: Gwyneth Paltrow Recalls Trainer’s Reaction to Seeing Her Naked: ‘I Wasn’t Expecting This’

English: Gwyneth Paltrow at the 2011 Venice Film Festival (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

She may be tall, thin, beautiful, and, of course, a famous movie star, but Gwyneth Paltrow dealt with post-baby body issues just like many other women, she tells Redbook, after she gave birth to her second child, son Moses, back in 2006.

See More From the Gwyneth Paltrow Cover Story

"With my daughter [Apple, born two years prior to Moses] it had been easier, but this time, no matter what I did, I felt stuck. I couldn't shift the weight," Paltrow says in the magazine's January issue in a joint interview with her trainer, Tracy Anderson. Anderson was the one whom Paltrow eventually turned to for help to get in shape for her first role in 2008's "Iron Man" … and for some brutal honesty. "I met Tracy and she was this force from the second I met her. She pulled my pants off. I'll never forget it. She was like, 'Oh, my God, wow, I just am so surprised, because you look so good in clothes. I wasn't expecting this.'"

Getting into tip-top condition has other perks as well, explains Anderson. "When you feel your best, you're more confident in bed. It's not lights-out, under-the-covers sex. It's more like, 'Take a look at this!'"

And Paltrow admits she's experienced those benefits first hand thanks to her training regimen with Anderson. "It did such wonders for my life, my confidence, my sex life, everything."

The "Country Strong" actress also confesses to the magazine that while she was anxious about approaching 40, she's now at ease with the big milestone. "I feel really happy being 40, now that I'm on the other side of it. There was definitely some uncomfortable anticipation. But I'm amazed at what I've been able to accomplish, that I've maintained my important relationships and have such incredible women friends, that I have two funny, beautiful children who can give me a real life," explains Paltrow. "In a way, I feel like no one should make big life decisions until 40. It's when it all starts to settle and become clear."

The mother of two may have a reputation for being out of touch with most of the world, thanks to her lifestyle website GOOP, where she encourages readers to buy $60 olive oil and hawks $90 plain white T-shirts and her 2011 cookbook, in which she writes about the life-changing benefits of having your own in-home pizza oven. But in the Redbook interview, Paltrow admits she's not perfect.

"I've made a lot of mistakes in my life, but I have the good fortune of knowing what they are," she shares. "I can recognize my limitations, forgive myself, and celebrate the fact that I have made it to this important birthday with the information I need to keep making corrections."

http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/balancedliving/gwyneth-paltrow-recalls-trainer-reaction-seeing-her-naked-205714311.html

Related articles

• Why Gwyneth Paltrow Looks So Great (and the Woman Who Make It Happen) (people.com)
• Tracy Anderson improved Gwyneth Paltrow's sex life (standard.co.uk)
• Tracy Anderson improved Gwyneth Paltrow's sex life (contactmusic.com)
• Gwyneth Paltrow & Tracy Anderson Cover 'Redbook' January 2013 (justjared.com)
• Gwyneth Paltrow's sex life improved (bigpondnews.com)
• Tracy Anderson Talks Gwyneth Paltrow's Wobbly Bits, Targets Duchess Kate's Post-Baby Body [PHOTOS] (socialitelife.com)
• Gwyneth Paltrow and Tracy Anderson Cover Redbook Together (shoppingblog.com)
• Grammy Awards: Gwyneth Paltrow (bellasugar.com)
• Gwyneth Paltrow Had To Strip Off For Personal Trainer (contactmusic.com)
• Paltrow's trainer made her strip (vancouverdesi.com)

Global 2011: Sex on the 1st date

Image via Wikipedia
Every few years it feels like someone tries to make the case that sleeping together on a first date is a great plan. It seems like it should be, right? You have physical chemistry, all the hot "newness" and everything that entails, so why not? We also all know the friend who DID sleep with her man on their first date, and now they're happily married with three kids and a blissful sex life that is both loving and hot.

Personally, sleeping together on a first date would make me wonder how many other girls he had done that with. While it does (and can) happen, those who practice it often don't end up with the person they boinked on the first date. Is that because of the sex? Hard to say. But the more times you sleep with someone the first time, the more people you have slept with overall in your life.

Besides, isn't sex just better when you know the person? Sure, we all get lustful and lord knows I made some mistakes back in college along those lines, but it's also important that we don't put ourselves into positions we didn't want to be in. This is equal opportunity! It's not just that he won't respect us, but also that we might not respect him.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/sex/sex-on-the-1st-date-still-isnt-respectable-in-2011-2499395/;_ylt=AjnOjhK7vq7CYSXbJB9KiRIIb6U5

Related articles

• Three ways to.. save your sex life (mirror.co.uk)

Global 2011: 6-Step Masturbation Guide

Image by Getty Images via @daylife
Can I ask you a personal question? Do you masturbate? If you don't, you should. Masturbation can relax and de-stress you. It can also improve sexual relations with your partner by showing them what turns you on. And masturbation can satisfy you when your partner is at another one of those late dinner meetings or out of town.

But perhaps you don't tickle your taco or beat your beaver because you think it's gross. Or maybe you don't think that you have the time for it. If so, you should reconsider it because I think masturbating is part of taking care of yourself, like wearing sunscreen or eating quinoa.

Here's a how-to guide to help you help pleasure yourself, whether you've never done it or have done it a thousand times before:

Step 1: Set yourself up in a relaxing environment.

Step 2: Take the time to get comfortable.

Step 3: Think about what kind of session you’re in the mood for and arrange whatever accessories you might need: a vibrator or clitoral massager? Some lube? How about a little erotica or some mood music?

Step 4: Take a few deep breaths and slowly reacquaint your mind with your body. Touch yourself.

Step 5: Hopefully you’re a little worked up by now. Pick up the pace, your lube (if you need it), and your toys. Spend some time trying out what feels best for you.

Step 6: You're coming? Let your body take over and have that orgasmic release you've been waiting for. Allow time for the aftershocks to play out and let all of your muscles enjoy being relaxed for a change.

http://thestir.cafemom.com/love_sex/115588/my_v_day_gift_to

Related articles

• Health Benefits of Female Masturbation (everydayhealth.com)
• Effects of Frequency Masturbation (socyberty.com)