Doctors’ book is Rx for Boomer sex blahs
Drs. Daniel A. Monti and Anthony J. Bazzan, authors of The Great Life Makeover: A Couples’ Guide to Weight, Mood and Sex for the Best Years of Your Life (Collins Living, 2008, $25), take an in-depth look at how changing hormones impact the body and one’s mood.
The book addresses midlife relationship issues by focusing on mood, weight and sex - aspects that the Philadelphia medical doctors say can prevent couples from living satisfying lives.
They recommend judicious use of hormones with specific exercises and healthful eating habits to restore a good sex life.
Bazzan said an older couple’s sex life may suffer as partners address other personal ills - taking prescribed sleeping pills for insomnia, for example, or antidepressants for mood disorders. These and other medications can be a factor in a waning sex drive.
“We’re a medicalized society,” Bazzan said. “When you come up with a symptom, you get a drug.”
The book aims to improve lifestyle and possibly reduce prescribed drug use. It offers exercises, questions and menus.
Bazzan answers questions about the book and midlife sex:
Question: What was your impetus for writing this book?
Answer: There’s an enormous need. Weight, sex and mood are the three bugaboos of middle age. How many millions of people are on antidepressants, Viagra and going on Jenny Craig or taking pills to lose weight?
Q: Do you think men and women still struggle with bringing sexual issues to their doctors?
A: Maybe the people are a little bit more open, but the doctors are lagging behind in being able to fix these issues.
Q: How so?
A: First of all, doctors don’t bring it up. If it’s brought up, they don’t delve into it. The general practitioner is notorious for not wanting to talk about it much except to say, “Here’s your Viagra.”
Q: What is more common, couples reaching middle age and being accepting of infrequent sex or humdrum sex, or couples being disturbed by this and wanting to fix it?
A: Well, if you look at my practice, people want to get it fixed. The Baby Boomer generation has changed the history of the nation. They did it when they were teenagers, and they are doing it now. I get these people in their 50s, and even understanding that they are never going to be 22, they want a body that is there for them.
