ASK DR. BETTY

Dear Dr. Betty,
My name is Katie and I'm 23 years old. I used to be highly orgasmic as a teenager and always wanted sex. For the last several years, however, I've experienced so many problems that I just don't know what to do: chronic vaginitis for two years and extreme dryness, and most recently I haven't been able to orgasm at all with my boyfriend or by myself with a vibrator (on high settings it can take over 45 minutes) and I never want sex. I've been treated for low estrogen, I got off the Pill four months ago (which I was on for 8-and-a-half years), I've been screened for STD's, Diabetes, thyroid disorders, and hormonal issues, and we've come up with nothing. This is really taxing my relationship with the man I want to marry. I don't feel like myself at all! It has been suggested to me that this is depression/anxiety related, but I've been with a therapist for five years. I am currently not on any medications. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you so much,
Kathy

Dear Kathy
After eight years on the pill, it might take longer than several months for your body to adjust. And after five years with the same therapist, it might be time to take a vacation from that too. You're at a point now where you need to exert caution because once the doctors start saying things like "depression/anxiety related," they will recommend some kind of anti-depressant. It's been demonstrated that these drugs all lower sexual desire and interfere with orgasms. Try to stay off meds and heal yourself. If I were you, I'd look to natural healing by changing your diet, eliminating fast foods and reading labels on everything. Start doing yoga, exercising, meditating and getting bodywork like massage or acupuncture. Also start exercising your PC muscle. Check out my info under Betty's Barbell. Do genital massage with a clean massage oil and never have penetration sex without additional lubrication. In other words, heal yourself. Very often, the body can heal the body when given a chance.
Betty