Release Date: Friday, May 5, 2007

Optimal health delivers optimal sex

It's less satisfying to travel, work, play, spend money — or have sex — when we are in ill health.

It's no surprise, then, that a lack of interest or performance is often linked to a physical problem. If we were less embarrassed by sexual dysfunction, we'd be more apt to discuss it – and find both the cause and the cure!

In his new book, "Sensational Sex in 7 Easy Steps," Ridwan Shabsigh, M.D., discusses it for us, and unequivocally connects sexual health and overall health. His focus is on men, but he leaves both men and women grateful.

Men tend to link sexual drive and performance to "manliness." Women tend to link drive and performance to emotions; and they don't just want sex, they want love. But according to Shabsigh, nearly 90 percent of erectile dysfunction (ED) can be linked to a physical or medical condition, rather than merely psychological as once thought.

As tempting as it is to brush off that first episode of failure to achieve or maintain an erection, it's better to pay attention. ED can be an early warning sign for cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and obesity.

If ED is an early warning, we have two things to be grateful for: It's not just psychological (read: he still loves you). And you have a chance to take corrective measures, before your health suffers any further.

"The penis is the thermometer for men's health," says Shabsigh. He explains that when your sexual health suffers, your general health will eventually suffer, and conversely, when your general health breaks down, your sexual performance is sure to decline.

You can simultaneously take steps to have sensational sex and sensational health! And you can do it with your partner for mutual benefits. The steps don't come in a bottle or a pill, though … or I wouldn't be writing this. They represent real and lasting changes — no faking, no masking.

If you are young enough to think you can't have performance problems OR old enough to think they are inevitable, wrong answer.

Here are Shabsigh's seven steps, to be taken after a comprehensive self-test from his book or a speedy online version (www.shabsigh7steps.info):

1. Overcoming Barriers: Denial, embarrassment, trivialization, fatalism, fear and partner issues.
   
2. Life Styling: If you want better sex, live better. More exercise, better nutrition, less stress, better sleep and elimination of harmful habits.
   
3. Every Body Participates: How chemistry and physiology (blood pressure, testosterone, diabetes, hypertension, obesity), along with holistic support, relate to sexual performance.
   
4. Mind Matters: The brain's chemistry and psychology make it a sexual organ. Don't go into the bedroom without it.
   
5. Two to Tango: Overcome boredom, get in sync, communicate needs and understand the issues surrounding dysfunction.
   
6. Sexual Medicine: Medications, hormone therapies, injections and surgeries now available.
   
7. Plan to Play: Specific action items, as indicated by your self-test score, for each of the above steps.

Shabsigh told me of one lesson a patient taught him that is instructive for everybody:

"I can read your mind, doctor," the elderly man said, after telling me about his inability to achieve an erection.

"You can read my mind?" I asked.

"You're thinking, 'What is a 95-year-old man doing in my office?'''

"With all due respect, sir, I am curious," I said.

"If I work, pay taxes, swim and play tennis, I deserve to have sex!"

Don't underestimate how satisfying your sex can be. Your sexual health is part of your overall health — physical, mental and spiritual. When you optimize one, you optimize the other. This is true whether you are 25 or 95.