Reclaiming Desire [Paperback]

Marianne Brandon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 17, 2004

It is a fact that most women report experiencing low libido at some point in their lives. In spite of the prevalence of this problem, and the publicity given to such issues as whether female "impotence" exists or whether Viagra works for women, this is the first practical guide to show women how to revive sensuality, reinvigorate relationships and truly enjoy sex again. Pregnancy, childbirth, marriage, divorce, infidelity, menopause, to say nothing of anxiety and depression, can cause a loss of desire that can be devastating both physically and mentally as well as a threat to previously solid relationships. Andrew Goldstiein and Marianne Brandon have developed a holistic approach to the all-important physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual components that must be in place for a woman to reconnect with the passion that once made her life vital.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Low libido is the most common sexual disorder in American women, affecting an estimated 22 to 43 percent of the female population. And, according to authors Goldstein (a gynecologist) and Brandon (a clinical psychologist), the problem is more complex than most therapists realize. "A decline in sexual desire seldom has a single cause," they argue. "The collection of factors that influences a woman’s sex drive is as unique as the woman herself." Drawing upon their experience at the Sexual Wellness Center in Annapolis, Maryland, an institution that they founded, the authors advocate a holistic treatment that addresses four spheres of a woman’s life: physical health, emotional resilience, intellectual fulfillment and spiritual contentment. Their book covers all the possible factors: weight, diet, exercise, medical conditions, sleep patterns, testosterone, estrogen, dopamine, emotional arousal, stress, sexual trauma and life passages such as motherhood, menopause and divorce. Understanding the mind-body connection can increase sexual pleasure, they emphasize, and the acceptance of some basics?sexual pleasure fluctuates throughout life; a woman’s experience often doesn’t match society’s "ideal"—can smooth the road to change. Personal stories from the authors’ patients demonstrate the problem’s complexity and help make the book more a practical, open-ended discussion about women’s sexual desire than a definitive medical manual.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Andrew Goldstein, M.D., and Marianne Brandon, Ph.D., are cofounders of the Sexual Wellness Center in Annapolis, Maryland, where they specialize in treating women's sexual health problems. Dr. Goldstein divides his time between Annapolis and New York City; Dr. Brandon resides in Annapolis.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Rodale UK (September 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1405067195
• ISBN-13: 978-1405067195
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,737,499 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

94 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best self-help book ever, June 24, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Reclaiming Desire: 4 Keys to Finding Your Lost Libido (Hardcover)

I bought this book based on the Amazon reviews and I'm glad I did. This book is for everyone; I am most certainly not the average victim of low libido - I'm 24 years old, no children, and in a committed loving relationship. It cleared up so many things for me; so much so that my therapist is buying it to recommend to his other patients. I have since recommended it to all of my girlfriends, even the ones who feel they have no libido problems. Besides getting me to feel more open discussing some of the problems that were weighing heavily on me, I learned some simple relaxation tips to keep me 'in the moment' and focused on the experience, not the grocery list that I used to make in my mind. I could go on and on, but just trust me. It's worth buying.

54 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book Written on Women's Desire Problems, July 12, 2004

By 

A. Zoldbrod (Boston, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reclaiming Desire: 4 Keys to Finding Your Lost Libido (Hardcover)

Reclaiming Desire is a gift to women who have lost their libido. Doctors Goldstein and Brandon have created a beautifully-written, comprehensive, empowering and compassionate book, and one I recommend wholeheartedly to my patients. It deals with women's low sexual desire in unusual depth, and in a remarkably balanced way---encompassing the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual aspects of womens' sexuality.If you still love your partner and your relationship and you still want to bond, but your sex drive has vanished, this is the best book you could ever read.

Reclaiming Desire is the thinking woman's antidote to helplessness. It gives you the guidemap to pinpoint what is wrong, the courage to take responsibility for your part, the voice of a wise, ingenious, loving guide to cheer you on, and all the strategies you will need to change your libido. The chapter on the "Miracle of Motherhood" is a masterpiece. It should be required reading for all parents-to-be, and the professionals who take care of them.

This is a fabulous book and a first-rate contribution to the literature on women and sexuality.

Aline Zoldbrod Ph.D.
AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Diplomate in Sex Therapy,
Psychologist and Couples Therapist
Author, Sex Smart: How Your Childhood Shaped Your Sexual Life and What To Do About It, and co-author, Sex Talk: Uncensored Exercises for Exploring What Really Turns You On.

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!, May 16, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Reclaiming Desire: 4 Keys to Finding Your Lost Libido (Hardcover)

Reclaiming Desire is a must read for any woman who finds that her sex drive is not what it should be or what she wants it to be, and is willing to take steps to fix it. According to the authors there is no "quick fix" for low libido. Instead, the authors lay out a comprehensive plan for improving sex drive that makes sense and actially works! Their plan starts out with a self test that helps you identify why your sex drive is decreased. Then they explain how to fix it. For example, some women may find that they need to take hormones like testosterone or dopamine, while other women may need help with emotional or relationship problems. They also give a lot of useful information about some popular aphrodisiacs like ginko and ginseng, and talk about sexual desire at different stages of life (after giving birth, menopause, etc). There are lots of useful bullet points that summarize each chapter. One of the best parts of this book are the stories from actual patients that were treated by the authors. All in all this is good reading and lots of help for those of us whose sex drive is not what it once was.