"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. " -Helen Keller

Monday, February 13, 2012

Let's Talk ABout Sex, Baby...PSA style

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. It's known as a day of love and romance and sex. Yeah, sex. Sex is fabulous, wonderful, and can make you smile when nothing else can. But, did you know that your sex life can be an important indicator of your health too. More specifically, major changes in the ability or desire to have sex can be an indicator of your health. If you and your partner ave previously had a healthy sex life and there is a sudden change in frequency or desire (without an underlying emotional reason), it just might be time to get yourself to a doctor.

Did you know them erectile dysfunction can be a sign of hypertension or even diabetes? Yes, it can. Diabetes can affect circulation in your extremities and, like it or not, the penis is an extremity. If your extremity circulation is down, it's gonna be hard to get it up. Same thing with hypertension...it affects circulation and that affects the ability to perform.

Also, a sudden decrease in desire without an emotional cause can be a sign of thyroid problems. Men with hypothyroidism often experience a decrease in testosterone. A drop in testosterone, especially a large drop, will cause a drop in desire. It doesn't matter how much your man loves you or how hot you are, if the testosterone is low, desire and the ability to perform will be too.

Diabetes can also affect a woman's sexual desire because it can affect the woman's ability to enjoy sex. Whereas the circulation problems that can go hand in hand with diabetes causes erectile dysfunction in men, it can cause vaginal dryness, pain with intercourse, and even the inability to achieve orgasm in women. And, for those of you fighting infertility, specifically repeat pregnancy loss, did you know diabetes increases your risk of miscarriage?

So y'all, as important as they are, don't just pay attention to your relationships. Pay attention to your bodies and your sex life. Not only does it make you feel good but it can also warn you if somethings going wrong.

PSA time is over. I promise my actual Valentine's Day post will be more fun.