Sex Matters for Women: A Complete Guide to Taking Care of Your Sexual Self [Paperback]

Sallie Foley (Author), Sally A. Kope (Author), Dennis P. Sugrue (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2002

Popular TV shows like "Sex in the City" portray women as no-holds-barred sexual adventurers: confident, free, and fulfilled. But the reality is that many women still lack the knowledge they need to make informed sexual decisions, enjoy sexual pleasure, and take charge of their sexuality both in and outside of the bedroom. This incisive, authoritative guide provides up-to-date advice on the sexual questions, dilemmas, and conflicts that women face throughout life. It helps women make peace with their bodies and personal histories, break free of persistent myths and cultural clichés, and demystify the physiological side of sex (anatomy, hormones, reproduction, orgasm, sexual health, and more). Helpful information is also presented for women coping with such challenges as injury and disability, sexual pain, and trauma. Regardless of sexual orientation or personal values, all women will find practical guidance and problem-solving ideas in this frank yet sensitive book.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

After 1960, the birth control pill and changing cultural mores promised women the freedom to explore and celebrate their sexuality. Yet decades later, women are still disappointed and dissatisfied sexually. Sex Matters for Women promises to "help you succeed where the sexual revolution failed" in finding sexual fulfillment. The authors, all sex therapists, have packed this self-help guide with information, anecdotes, and exercises for women of all ages and orientations. They explain anatomy and sexual functioning in detail, but they also acknowledge that your sexual response is affected by more than your body parts. Your sexual history, body image, and the quality of your relationship play a huge role. You'll explore where your attitudes and difficulties come from and examine both the physiological and emotional components of your sexuality. Dozens of exercises show you how to start to make changes today that will enhance your quality of life as well as your sexuality. "You can spend your entire life capable of sexual response, pleasure, and enjoyment," promise the authors. "To what extent, and in what ways, you fulfill the promise of your adult sexuality is up to you." This warm and practical guide shows you how to get started. --Joan Price

From Library Journal

Sex therapists and educators at the University of Michigan Medical School, Foley and her coauthors present an overview of women's sexual development and dilemmas throughout the life course, followed by chapters about self-care. They discuss sexual response, body image, sexual relationships, and overcoming difficulties ranging from sexual dysfunctions to disabilities, STDs, and trauma, including sexual abuse. Coverage is comprehensive and accurate, with information about issues that are rarely addressed, e.g., the effects of incontinence on women's sexuality. More illustrations and sidebars would have helped lighten the text and dissipate the occasional sense that sex is so complex and ridden with minefields that why should one bother? Leiblum, a counselor/therapist/educator based at the Center for Sexual and Marital Health at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and Sachs (The Healing Power of Sex) also begin with a description of women's sexual experiences and issues. But somehow their book is more focused, interesting, and detailed than Sex Matters for Women. For example, readers will find more material about lesbians and even mentions of Muslim and Indian customs. After the overview, the book turns into a sex enhancement manual, discussing the net, biological/pharmaceutical remedies, restorative and cosmetic surgery, sex toys and equipment, masturbation, meditative practices, and sex therapy all approaches often given lesser coverage in other manuals. Unfortunately, there is no general background about sexual response, no illustrations, and nothing on handling STDs or abuse; and the resource section is less substantial. Both books are accurate and useful the first more comprehensive, the second a better "read" paying more attention to diverse backgrounds. Recommended as needed for public libraries, but don't forget some of the classics in this field: Our Bodies, Ourselves, The New Good Vibrations Guide to Sex (Cleis, 1997. 2d ed.), The Whole Lesbian Sex Book (LJ 1/00), and The Mother's Guide to Sex (LJ 3/15/01). Martha Cornog, Philadelphia
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Guilford Press; 1 edition (January 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572306416
• ISBN-13: 978-1572306417
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 7.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #279,277 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reads Like a Novel!, March 13, 2002

By 

M. Martin (El Cerrito, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sex Matters for Women: A Complete Guide to Taking Care of Your Sexual Self (Hardcover)

Its hard to imagine a book about female (and male) sexuality reading like a novel, but this one does! Its A - Z about our sexual selves, sexual programming, changing old patterns, knowing what patterns need to be addressed, how to address those patterns with partners, sexual trauma, diseases, etc.

As soon as I started reading the Forward, I couldn't put the book down. While I was completely absorbed in this book, I discovered my partner was reading over my shoulder the whole time. We expecially found the section on body changes with aging and ways to maintain a strong sexual relationship into middle age and beyond valuable.

This is my birthday gift for all of my friends this year. A must for every woman (and man) to read and reference again and again.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best book yet of its kind, February 13, 2002

By 

Dr. Patti Britton (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sex Matters for Women: A Complete Guide to Taking Care of Your Sexual Self (Paperback)

As a nationally board-certified Sexologist and Sex Coach I know when I see quality in a self-help book about sexuality. With all the proported "sexperts" out there in the world, it's sometimes difficult to find a true expert on sex. These three authors are just that and more. If there were one book in the marketplace alone that I would recommend to the millions of women who seek my advice at iVillage.com, this would be that one book. Yes, this is a warm and friendly guide for women's sexuality and more...it is filled with up-to-the-minute information, written in an empowering and accessible style, replete with the type of self-help exercises that mark excellence is sex education and therapy, and it is organized brilliantly. I strongly hope that any woman with any form of sexual concern (or her partner, for that matter) or any person who just wants to learn all the facts about women's sexuality and pleasure, will grab this book. It's a must-read and well worth the time. I salute my fellow sex therapists and hope that they may make many more significant contributions to the betterment of sexual health, wellness and happiness. This book goes a long way to helping couples' fulfill their dreams for lasting love and pleasure. Great book!!!

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent suggestions!!!!, March 15, 2002

By 

Stephanie (Ypsilanti, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sex Matters for Women: A Complete Guide to Taking Care of Your Sexual Self (Paperback)

My therapist works with one of the authors and suggested this book to help me in my recovery from childhood sexual abuse and becoming more knowlegeable about my own sexuality. I found this VERY informative and helpful. The exercises and suggestions that were given were really helpful and I have bought another copy to give to my sister! Thanks for this book! It is a definite recommendation for any woman (or man who wants to understand his woman) who is looking for an updated guide on sexuality and health.