Better sex through mindfulness: Cultivating embodied & satisfying sexuality

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Lori Brotto (@ubcshr), Registered Psychologist, Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of British Columbia, Executive Director of the Women’s Health Research Institute, leading international expert on the topic of sexuality, & author of the powerful book “Better Sex Through Mindfulness” (https://greystonebooks.com/products/better-sex-through-mindfulness).   Dr. Brotto conducts research on women’s sexual health & difficulties, develops & tests mindfulness-based & psychoeducational interventions for women with sexual desire & arousal complaints, & studies many aspects of sexual health including: culture & sexuality, hormones & sexual desire, cancer & sexuality, concerns about HPV & sexuality, asexuality, & more.

In this episode, Dr. Brotto highlights how essential satisfying & embodied sexual lives are to our overall health & general quality of life, not just our sexual health & well-being. She explains what mindfulness means as it applies to sexual well-being & why it is such an optimal tool for promoting “magnificent sex” that involves full aliveness, presence, empowerment, attunement & connection. She highlights important research regarding the multitude of influences that contribute to sexual desire, arousal & response, debunking common myths & emphasizing the importance of understanding what turns us on sexually. She also shares tips about how to compassionately embark upon this exploration when we find it challenging, especially when it comes to the messaging we’ve internalized related to sex, memories of unpleasant sexual experiences, & high emotional charge around sex due to trauma or other life experiences. We also discuss the benefits of mindfulness-based tools compared to other interventions for low sexual desire (e.g., medicines & cognitive behavioral strategies). We conclude with Dr. Brotto describing two powerful evidence-based mindfulness practices from her new workbook: 1) a “sexual sensations awareness” practice that promotes alignment of physical & mental arousal, and 2) “mindfulness of difficulty” which helps us bring a spirit of compassion & openness to the range of experiences both sexually & beyond.

More about Dr. Lori Brotto: Dr. Brotto received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of British Columbia. She also trained at the University of Washington where she completed a one-year internship in the Department of Psychiatry followed by a two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship in Reproductive and Sexual Medicine.

Dr. Brotto is a member of the International Academy of Sex Research, the Society for Sex Therapy and Research, the Canadian Sex Research Forum, and the Canadian Psychological Association. She has published over 200 articles & book chapters, has given >300 invited presentations, & is frequently contacted by the media as a guest expert on the topic of sexuality.  She was a member of the DSM-5 workgroup on Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders published in May 2013. She was a health expert writer for the Globe and Mail, where she wrote a monthly column focused on sexuality.

Her book, Better Sex Through Mindfulness is a scientifically-informed translation of her research on mindfulness to improve women’s sexuality. She is working on her second book with self-guided mindfulness practices, with an anticipated release date in 2022.

To follow Dr. Brotto please find her at www.brottolab.com, on Twitter (@DrLoriBrotto @UBCSHL @womensresearch), Instagram (@ubcshr @womensresearch) & Facebook (ubcshl).

Dr. Foynes’ FREE 4-part video series called “The Science & Soul of Building Resilience” can be found here(https://unique-trader-1040.ck.page/0a3a623dbd). This series is meant to help you enhance key pillars of resilience that can help us all navigate inevitable life stress with more ease and skill. She chose to focus on these specific pillars of resilience because they can help address some of the most common struggles she sees in her clients – anxiety, self-doubt, lack of direction or sense of self, disconnection from larger meaning & purpose, & self-criticism. Similar to the spirit of this podcast, this series integrates science-backed strategies from psychology with tools from ancient wisdom like yoga and meditation, to present skills over the course of this series that can be used and integrated into daily life.

Please note that the information provided in this episode does not constitute professional advice or therapy, mental health services, or health care services, and is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional advice or services. If you are struggling with a mental health crisis or need immediate assistance, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.