Dr. Jenn Gunsaullus, sociologist and sexologist, writes her sex advice and gender commentary blog. The sex blog includes relationship advice, free sex education videos, sex tips, sex-positive mindfulness, and podcast interviews.
In this episode of "In the Den With Dr. Jenn," Jennifer Gunsaullus, PhD, puts on her sociology hat with her relationship counselor hat, and asks you to consider the motivations behind hook-ups.
SEXUAL FUN FACT
How are Germans, vodka, and tampons all connected?
Special Den SEX-TION
What's in a sex therapist's email box?
In this episode of "In the Den With Dr. Jenn," the Fertility Goddess Donna McIntosh, MHN, CHFS, stops by to talk about fertility, infertility, nutrition, and sexuality. How does diet impact fertility for women?
GUEST
Donna McIntosh, MHN, CHFS
SEXUAL FUN FACT
True or False: Caffeine negatively impacts a man's fertility?
DEN RECOMMEND
Infertility Journeys by Lesley Vance
Ellen Sarver Dolgen stops by to talk about a shmirshky, perimenopause, and menopause, in this episode of "In the Den With Dr. Jenn." She discusses ways to feel like yourself during this natural process.
SPECIAL GUEST
Ellen Sarver Dolgen
SEXUAL FUN FACT
How is botox being used in the sexual realm?
DEN RECOMMEND
Design your own dildo!
Dr. Jenn chats with Gayle Sulik, Ph.D., and author of Pink Ribbon Blues, about the social, political and corporate impact on breast cancer awareness. How can you be savvy about this topic?
SPECIAL GUEST:
Gayle Sulik, Ph.D., Medical Sociologist
WHAT'S THAT WORD
Feederism
Discussions about bio-identical hormones and compounding pharmacies have been in the mainstream media a lot recently, particularly since Oprah has been covering the topic. Specifically in terms of "hormone replacement" for women going through menopause, women with PMS concerns, and men and women with "low libidos," what makes bio-identical hormones different than those from the big pharmaceutical companies is that these hormones are created to be the same in structure as our own natural hormones, which ideally improves the benefits and decreases the negative side effects.
Last night I attended a lecture on Women & Hormones (and Wine, because it was in a wine bar :). For the record, I do perceive some aspects of taking hormones as just another part of the western biomedical mentality of popping pills for a quick fix instead of looking at the big picture of what may be causing the imbalance in the first place (e.g., diet, exercise, environmental toxins, stress, sleep). However, I think this is valuable knowledge to have and a tool in one's tool chest of health. I found it personally valuable (as someone who deals with PMS) and professionally valuable because I see many female clients in their menopausal phase, as well and women and men with sex drive concerns.
One piece of valuable information for me was around how to best absorb and use various hormones. For example, progesterone is best taken orally. On the other hand, testosterone and estrogen are best administered transdermally (e.g., patch or cream). Estrogen can be dangerous for women to take because it can accelerate the growth of some breast tumors. However, taking it through the skin means that it's being absorbed directly into the blood stream and in the area where it is applied. Therefore it doesn't go through the processing of the liver until a second pass when the dose is way lower. This means that the positive benefits are present, while the potential negative side effects are reduced.
There is loads of much more detailed information around these topics, and if you've been taking or considering taking hormones, I think it's very valuable to know about and look into compounding pharmacies (who offer bio-identical hormones) as an alternative to mainstream drug options.
Sex Therapy & Relationship Counseling in San Diego
As a Sociologist, I was trained to put a lot of emphasis on the social construction of beliefs, gender differences, and sexual behavior. For this reason, I have been slow to embrace and explore the role of hormones and brain physiology in women and men. I recognize that it is difficult to separate nature from nurture, biological differences from socialized behavior.
Nonetheless, I have been THRILLED to read Louann Brizendine's book The Female Brain. I feel like so much of what I have learned about my personal emotional, hormonal, and intellectual patterns are validated through reading this book. I make so much more sense to myself now! As an emotionally intuitive person, I've learned how my hormones and brain structure are relevant to this. I am always speaking to my clients about the differences between women and men and how this is important to recognize and respect -- this book gave me the depth of terminology and understanding I was craving to offer a more well-rounded analysis of gender differences. As well, I have greater compassion now for the men in my life, and the inherent differences in our empathy, emotional expression, and sexual focus.
While I still continue to believe that to understand and honor human sexuality we need to take a multidisciplinary approach that includes biology, psychology, sociology, and mind/body/spirit perspectives, I think The Female Brain and this research is invaluable to understanding, through wit and compassion, the female brain.
Sex Therapy & Relationship Counseling in San Diego
Dr. Jenn is a sociologist and relationship & sexuality speaker who challenges our cultural beliefs around sex, sexual consent, gender roles, and health intimacy, with a mindfulness and compassionate approach. Her site includes a sex blog, free sex education videos, sexuality speaking information, and mindfulness resources.
