Low-Cal Cocktails: Make Your Own Simple Syrup

Use this homemade simple syrup to whip up some seasonal, low-cal cocktails at your next party:

Combine 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar in a saucepan; stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Keep refrigerated for up to two weeks, until ready to use.

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Cooking

This pink delight has about 50 calories less and 1/3 the amount of sugar of a strawberry daiquiri.

Ingredients:
2 ounces rum
2 quartered strawberries
1/4 ounce orange liqueur, like Cointreau
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1 tablespoons simple syrup
1 tablespoon water
Strawberry slice for garnish (optional)

Directions:
1. Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

2. Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds.

3. Strain into a martini glass, and garnish with a slice of a strawberry.

Nutrition:
Calories 197 (1% from fat); Fat 0g (sat 0g, mono 0g, poly 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Protein 0g; Carbohydrate 14g; Sugars 11g; Fiber 1g; Iron 0mg; Sodium 2mg; Calcium 8mg

By Susan Hall
[PHOTO BY SEAN KELLEY]

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Cooking

Low-Cal Cocktail: Simple Blueberry Summer Cooler

This refresher has 40 fewer calories than a screwdriver thanks to the calorie-free soda water.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces blueberry-flavored vodka, like Stoli Bluberi
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1 ounce simple syrup
About 2 ounces soda water
Fresh mint sprig for garnish (optional)

Directions:
1. Place all ingredients except soda water into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

2. Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds.

3. Pour with the ice into a tall glass leaving about an inch from the top of the glass.

4. Top off with soda water, and garnish with a sprig of mint if desired.

Nutrition:
Calories 156 (0% from fat); Fat 0g (sat 0g, mono 0g, poly 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Protein 0g; Carbohydrate 15g; Sugars 14g; Fiber 0g; Iron 0mg; Sodium 1mg; Calcium 3mg

By Susan Hall
[PHOTO BY SEAN KELLEY]

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Cooking

Low-Cal Cocktails: Pome-Rita

This sipper is about 100 calories less than a regular margarita, and has nearly half the amount of sugar.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces tequila
1/4 ounce orange liqueur, like Cointreau
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1 ounce simple syrup
1 ounce pomegranate juice
Kosher salt for rim
Lime wedge for garnish (optional)

Directions:
1. Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

2. Shake vigorously.

3. Pour with ice into a salted wine glass.

4. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Nutrition:
Calories 196 (0% from fat); Fat 0g (sat 0g, mono 0g, poly 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Protein 0g; Carbohydrate 22g; Sugars 20g; Fiber 0g; Iron 0mg; Sodium 5mg; Calcium 8mg

By Susan Hall
[PHOTO BY SEAN KELLEY]

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Cooking

Low-Cal Cocktails

These drinks are fresh and simple—with zero fake stuff like sugary mixers or artificial sweeteners. For parties, multiply ingredient amounts by the number of guests, and keep the batch refrigerated until it’s time to serve.

These cool cordials were developed by Lucy Brennan, author of Hip Sips: Modern Cocktails to Raise Your Spirits and owner of Mint and 820 Lounge in Portland, Ore. (Search if you are interested in ... ^^)

1/ Pome-Rita
2/ Simple Blueberry Summer Cooler
3/ Strawberry Kiss
4/ Homemade Simple Syrup

By Susan Hall
[PHOTOS BY SEAN KELLEY]

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Cooking

Why Cheese is Healthier Than You Think, and the Easiest Way to Entertain

You may think of cheese as a party food, but not exactly as a health food. Well, we say it can be both. The 57 calories per half-ounce (about the size of your thumb) is about the same as 2 tablespoons of hummus—and it goes much better with a glass of pinot noir, if you ask us. Plus, the handcrafted artisan cheeses we’re seeing more of on the market are so packed with flavor, you only need a sliver for satisfaction.

You can grate aged cheeses like Parmesan and Asiago to add flavor to dishes for much less fat. And most aged cheeses are lactose-free (the milk sugar drops as cheese ages). Serve up an easy cheese plate at your next party with these tips.

How to serve
“Focus on diversity—in texture, in types of milk, even in appearance,” says Janet Fletcher, author of The Cheese Course. You could try serving a soft goat cheese with a smoky blue cheese made from cow’s milk, for example. Or compare similar cheeses from different locations—say cheddars from England and California—so that you can taste the effect of a particular place on the cheese.

When to serve
Serve a cheese course as a leisurely end to dinner, or in place of dessert. “If you have a cheese platter at the start when people are hungry, they tend to overindulge,” Fletcher says.

What to add
“Even one beautiful piece of cheese makes a great presentation,” Fletcher says. But if you want to include an accompaniment, nuts or fresh or dried fruit go nicely. “My favorite is a drizzle of honey on a pungent blue, like Valdeón from Spain.” Fletcher prefers serving cheese with bread instead of crackers, but stick to a basic baguette instead of an herby loaf so it doesn’t compete with the cheese.

What not to do
Fletcher’s one rule for cheese: “Don’t serve it cold.” Remove it from the fridge early—the bigger the block, the longer it’ll need—and keep it under wraps (cover with a dome or overturned bowl) until it’s at room temperature, when flavor and texture are at their prime. To keep things safe, of course, don’t leave any food out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.

By Lia Huber

Last Updated: February 23, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Cooking

Throw a Great (Easy) Party!

From Health magazine

You love having people over but loathe the inevitable party-planning anxiety: How will I get everything done in time? Do I have enough food? Thankfully, there are simple ways to minimize the stress and maximize the fun.

Perfect planning
It’s summer, and the entertaining is easy. Forgo mailed invitations in favor of fuss-free, money-saving Evites, says entertaining expert Michele Adams, who, with Gia Russo, is a co-founder of the style company MiGi and co-author of At Home With Friends: Spontaneous Celebrations for Any Occasion. Post your online invitation two weeks in advance (three, if your party falls on a major holiday like the Fourth of July).

As for the menu, streamline it, Adams suggests. To avoid standing over a hot barbecue grill through the entire party, serve sausages, which can be boiled ahead of time and finished on the grill. Better yet? Jazz up prepared foods with fresh ingredients: Buy steamed shrimp, and cook penne according to package directions; toss with jarred pesto. Another idea: Sauté shrimp with garlic, salt, and pepper to taste; serve on top of pasta.

An alternative to a full bar: Create a “signature” drink, like Cranberry Champagne Punch, and serve it in colorful pitchers (like the one shown below). To cut down on dirty platters, says Julie Edelman, author of The Ultimate Accidental Housewife: Your Guide to a Clean Enough House, use scooped-out watermelon and cantaloupe halves as summery servers.

Simple setup
Good party feng shui is easy. Stack plates and arrange cutlery on a large buffet table. Place one big platter of food in the center, Russo says, and fan side dishes around it. Use tiered trays (our pick, below), which are great for creating vertical space. And keep the food station from getting jammed by putting the drinks on a different table.

Encourage conversation by grouping lawn chairs around small tables. If you need additional seating, spread a few blankets on the grass, Edelman says. And set up an activity table with art projects to keep kids entertained. Finally, use candles, torches, and lanterns once night falls—good lighting keeps things lively until guests are truly ready to call it a night.

Party favorites
These are our picks for making your summer soirées superL

1/ Venti Oval Party Tub ($75, shown in Regency Lime; http://www.themacbethcollection.com/)

2/ Medium Bowls by Bambu ($17 each; http://www.branchhome.com/)

3/ Three-Tier Buffet Stand ($30, plates sold separately; http://www.surlatable.com/)

4/ Basis Pitcher ($45, shown in Turquoise; http://www.lekkerhome.com/)

Last Updated: February 18, 2009
Filed Under: Home and Family

Your Guide to a Safer Summer Weekend

By Allison Avery
From Health magazine

It’s here—the season of cookouts, road trips, and lazy poolside afternoons with family and friends. However you celebrate summer, our smart tips will keep the action safe and healthy.

Start by grilling smart. Grilling mistakes cause thousands of fires every year. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that you position any grill at least three feet away from house siding or railings and never place it in an enclosed area or under eaves or tree branches. If you smell gas, turn the tank off quickly and call the fire department. When grilling with charcoal, never add lighter fluid after lighting coals—the flames can leap high.

---

Dodge the burn and the bugs
Turned off by greasy sunscreen and smelly sprays? Cabana Life has a line of clothing with UPF 50+ (like SPF for fabrics), including the stylish Gingham Reversible Bucket Hat ($42; www.cabanalife.com). And the Patch Madras Shirt from Orvis ($59; www.orvis.com) is outfitted with Insect Shield, a repellent that wards off bugs for up to 70 washings. (P.S.: We still recommend sunscreen for your face).


Take CPR . . . to the pool
It’s scary to think about, but serious pool accidents happen all the time. You can save a life by immediately performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); that doubles a drowning person’s chances of survival, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). How do you learn? A 30-minute do-it-yourself course is all it takes. Try the AHA’s CPR Anytime ($29.95 for adult kit; www.americanheart.org), featuring a dummy and DVD.


Practice safe picnicking
No one wants to be stuck in the bathroom when everyone’s outdoors. Avoid food poisoning by putting meat, potato salad, beans, cut and cooked vegetables, and cheese in a cooler, which is 41°F or colder, after two hours on the table, experts say. Try the Big Dipper Collapsible Tub Cooler ($32; www.picnicfun.com), which folds flat for storage.


Get your game on
Why let a silly, preventable injury kick you out of that impromptu tennis tourney? “If you’re not accustomed to playing sports, muscle strains are common,” says Margot Putukian, MD, director of athletic medicine at Princeton University. Solution: Warm up with a few minutes of walking and stretching. Got a bum knee? Wrap it in a brace before you play.

Last Updated: February 18, 2009
Filed Under: Mind and Body

Summer BBQ Menu Makeover

I had some friends over for a little Memorial Day BBQ and plan to do it again for the July 4 holiday and many other weekends before summer ends. While grilling is a healthy cooking technique—it requires no added fat and lets excess fat in meat and poultry drip away—there are many foods that we should keep off our grill sdue to their high calories, saturated fat, and/or sodium content.Here’s my summer grilling menu, which is a lot healthier than the traditional BBQ. I hope it inspires some of you to share your favorite outdoor summer dishes.

Grilled Poultry Sausage vs. Bratwurst
I was at the supermarket and, out of curiosity, picked up a package of bun-sized Hillshire Farm Cheddar Wurst smoked sausage. The pork-and-beef sausages weighed in at 240 calories and 21 grams fat, 8 grams of which were heart-stopping saturated fat. Not to mention the 660 mg sodium. Then I bought my Aidells Portobello Mushroom Smoked Chicken and Turkey Sausage. Each of these stocky sausages weighs in at only 140 calories and 8 grams of fat (with only 2.5 saturated), and 540 mg sodium.

If your dog starts at 250 calories and you add another 120 calories for the bun and at least 75 for condiments, one dog will add up to 450 calories or more. No chances of seconds with that chubby dog.

Poultry sausages deliver all the taste and texture of beef or pork sausages without the calories or fat. Serve them in buns for a healthier alternative. To go even leaner, I cut the sausages into chunks, top with fresh basil and a slice of heirloom tomato, and serve with toothpicks and condiments.

Save: At least 300 calories, 10 grams of fat, and 5.5 grams saturated fat

Grilled Veggie Skewers vs. Coleslaw
I nix coleslaw—more than 250 calories and 15 grams of fat a cup—and grill up summer squash, bell pepper, and mushrooms, and skewer them with small pieces of feta cheese and grape tomatoes for a healthy appetizer that doesn’t add extra fat or calories.

Save: At least 150 calories and 10 grams fat

Portobello Burgers vs. Beef Burgers
I am in my flexitarian (semi-vegetarian) phase, so I’m off beef for now. Instead I like to grill portobello mushroom burgers and serve them with a heirloom tomato slices and goat cheese on a multigrain bun. A traditional, small (3 ounces cooked) beef burger made with 80% lean ground beef served on a plain bun with ketchup and mustard packs in just over 400 calories and 16 grams of fat. The portobello burger—prepared with a little olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper—comes in under 300 calories, even with the bun and condiments.

Skinny Cow Bars vs. Ice Cream
Who doesn’t want ice cream or some frozen dessert in the summer? I do. To satisfy my craving, I opt for Skinny Cow Skinny Dippers chocolate-coated ice cream bars. Premium chocolate ice cream has about 200 to 250 calories per half cup, with 15 grams total fat (11 grams saturated). These Skinny Cow treats weigh in at 80 calories, 3 grams of fat (2 saturated). They satisfy my desire for a creamy, sweet, frozen dessert without blowing the calories in my diet.

Save: At least 120 calories, 10 grams fat, 10 grams saturated fat.

These simple dietitian-approved substitutions can cut hundreds of calories and a day’s worth of saturated fat from your summer menu. And guests won’t feel the least bit deprived—at least, no one complains when they come to our house.

By: Julie Upton, MS, RD
(ALEXANDER SHALAMOV/ISTOCK)

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Experts and Bloggers

Build a Leaner Burger With Buffalo

From Health magazine

Supertasty (and lean) buffalo meat elevates this recipe for Buffalo Burgers With Red Cabbage Slaw, adapted from Bobby Flay’s Grill It!.

Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 7 minutes
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
Pickled Okra Russian Dressing
½ cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
1½ tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
¼ cup finely diced pickled okra
2½ tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper

Red-Cabbage Slaw
¼ cup rice wine vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
1 tablespoon canola oil
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ small head of red cabbage, shredded (4 cups)
1 large carrot, shredded (1⁄2 cup)

Burger
1 pound ground buffalo (bison)
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 (¼-inch-thick) slices Gruyère (4 ounces)
4 hamburger buns

Instructions:
1. To make Pickled Okra Russian Dressing: Combine dressing ingredients; cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

2. To make Red Cabbage Slaw: Whisk together vinegar, honey, oil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add cabbage and carrot; toss to combine. Let sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes.

3. Prepare grill.

4. Form the ground buffalo into 4 (½-inch-thick) patties. Season with salt and pepper. Grill 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown. Flip the burgers and continue cooking them 3 more minutes or until a meat thermometer reaches 160 degrees (medium).

5. Place a slice of Gruyère on each burger, then close the grill lid. Cook about 1 minute or until cheese begins to melt.

6. Spread 1 tablespoon of the Pickled Okra Russian Dressing on the tops and bottoms of each bun. Place a burger on the bottom half of each bun, top with Red Cabbage Slaw, and cover with top of bun. Serve immediately. (Serving size: 1 burger with about ¼ cup slaw and 1 tablespoon Russian dressing)

Nutrition:
Calories 503; Fat 21g (sat 8g, mono 5g, poly 3g); Cholesterol 86mg; Protein 38g; Carbohydrate 41g; Sugars 12g; Fiber 4g; Iron 5mg; Sodium 943mg; Calcium 400mg

Adapted from Bobby Flay’s Grill It!. Copyright © 2008 by Boy Meets Grill. Photographs Copyright © 2008 by Ben Fink. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, a division of Random House Inc.

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Cooking

Only 10 Grams of Fat? Hail Caesar!

Get all the flavor and none of the guilt with this simple recipe for the perennial favorite: Chicken Caesar Salad.

Makes 4 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes

Ingredients:
Olive oil cooking spray
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 plus 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/4 plus 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1/2 cup silken soft tofu
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste
1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons grated and 1/4 cup shaved fresh Parmesan cheese
8 cups romaine lettuce cut crosswise into 2-inch strips
1 1/4 cups fat-free croutons

Instructions:
1. Heat grill pan to medium-high. Mist chicken breasts with olive oil spray, and season with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Grill chicken until just cooked through, about 5–6 minutes per side. Place chicken on a cutting board and let rest about 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute; cut into bite-size pieces.

2. Mix next 8 ingredients and remaining salt and pepper in a blender until well-combined and creamy, scraping down blender sides, as necessary. Add 1 tablespoon water to thin. Stir in grated Parmesan.

3. Toss lettuce, croutons, and dressing in a large bowl; divide among 4 plates. Arrange chicken over salads, sprinkling each evenly with shaved Parmesan. (Serving size: 2 cups lettuce and 1/4 pound chicken)

Nutrition:
Calories 269 (33% from fat); Fat 10g (sat 3g, mono 4g, poly 2g); Cholesterol 69mg; Protein 31g; Carbohydrate 13g; Sugars 3g; Fiber 3g; Iron 2.5mg; Sodium 510mg; Calcium 178mg

By Laraine Perri

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Cooking

Quick, Low-Calorie Summer Supper: BLT on a Bun

By Frances A. Largeman-Roth, RD
From Health magazine

If you’ve got hamburger buns + turkey bacon + tomato + avocado, you’ve got one of our favorite simple summer recipes: BLT on a Bun.

Everyone has leftover hamburger buns this time of year. Don’t let those buns go to waste—use them for this tasty take on a BLT!

• Cook 2 pieces of turkey bacon per person, according to package directions, and drain on a paper towel.
  
• Slice the tomato and the avocado; set aside.
• Toast the buns in the oven or toaster oven at 350° until golden.
• Spread a thin layer of reduced-fat mayonnaise on the top and bottom of the buns.
  
• Layer 2 slices of bacon on each bottom bun, and top with tomato and avocado slices. If you have lettuce on hand, add a layer of that, too.

Last Updated: March 19, 2009

Filed Under: Healthy Cooking

Low-Calorie Grilled Shrimp Salad

By Laraine Perri
From Health magazine

Juicy watermelon, tangy feta, and firm grilled shrimp make this recipe a summery star.

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 4 minutes
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (21–25 count)
1 tablespoon, plus 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
3⁄4 teaspoon
kosher salt, divided
1⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
Olive oil cooking spray
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon honey
1⁄2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1⁄4 cup sliced fresh mint, divided
4 cups arugula
8 (4-inch) seedless watermelon wedges
4 ounces crumbled feta cheese

Instructions:
1. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high.

2. Toss shrimp with 2 teaspoons olive oil. Stir in 1⁄4 teaspoon salt and 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper. Lightly spray grill or grill pan with olive oil spray, and cook shrimp about 2 minutes per side or until just cooked through. Transfer shrimp to a plate to cool.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, honey, remaining 1⁄2 teaspoon salt, and more pepper to taste. Whisk in remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.

4. In a medium bowl, combine red onion and 2 tablespoons mint. Add dressing, and toss gently. To serve, place 1 cup arugula on each of 4 plates and top with 2 melon wedges and 1⁄4 of the onion-mint mixture; sprinkle with equal amounts of feta, top with about 6 shrimp, and garnish with some of the remaining fresh mint. Serve immediately. (Serving size: about 6 shrimp, 1⁄4 of the watermelon mixture, and 1 cup arugula)

Nutrition:
Calories 273; Fat 13g (sat 5g, mono 6g, poly 1g); Cholesterol 193mg; Protein 23g; Carbohydrate 17g; Sugars 13g; Fiber 1g; Iron 4mg; Sodium 728mg; Calcium 223mg
(PHOTO: YUNHEE KIM)

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Cooking

Beyond Guacamole: Vitamin-Rich Grapefruit-Avocado Salad

By Steve Petusevsky
From Health magazine

To remove the citrus fruits’ bitter white pith for this fresh recipe, cut the peel away with a sharp knife. This recipe makes more dressing than you’ll need; you can refrigerate the extra for up to 5 days.

Prep: 18 minutes
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
1/3 cup orange juice
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons honey
1 medium halved peeled avocado, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
1 peeled pink grapefruit, cut into sections
1 peeled navel orange, cut into sections
1/2 red pepper, chopped
4 minced green onions
4 cups field greens

Instructions:
1. Combine first 4 ingredients (through honey) in a food processor or blender, or use a handheld immersion blender, and process for 1 minute until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

2. Combine the remaining ingredients (except the greens) in a large, nonreactive bowl (glass, stainless steel, or glazed ceramic). Toss with half of the dressing to moisten. Serve over field greens. (Serving size: 1 cup greens, about 1/2 cup grapefruit mixture, and 2 tablespoons dressing.)

Nutrition:
Calories 234; Fat 17g (sat 2g,mono 12g,poly 2g); Protein 3g; Cholesterol 0mg; Calcium 75mg; Sodium 21mg; Fiber 7g; Iron 2mg; Carbohydrate 23g

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Cooking

Healthy Salads: This Indulgent Salad Is Loaded With Lobster, Not Calories

At just 290 calories, this simple but decadent recipe for lobster and corn salad with tarragon vinaigrette is as light as it is tasty.

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 3 minutes
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon Champagne or white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons minced shallots
1 teaspoon minced fresh tarragon
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup fresh corn kernels (2 ears)
1 pound cooked lobster meat, chopped
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives

Instructions:
1. Whisk together first 4 ingredients (through tarragon) in a small bowl. Whisk in olive oil in a slow, thin stream, and add salt and pepper; set aside.

2. Gently combine corn and lobster in a serving bowl. Add vinaigrette and chives, and toss gently before serving. (Serving size: about 1 cup)

Nutrition:
Calories 290; Fat 17g (sat 4g, mono 11g, poly 2g); Cholesterol 87mg; Protein 24g; Carbohydrate 11g; Sugars 2g; Fiber 1g; Iron 1mg; Sodium 588mg; Calcium 74mg

By Laraine Perri

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Cooking

Healthy Salads: Try This Protein-Packed Greek Salad

Just worked out? Replenish electrolytes and pump up muscle with this Greek salad with grilled chicken recipe. Bonus: The salty olives and feta help you rehydrate faster.

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 4 minutes
Stand: 5 minutes
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
Olive oil cooking spray
12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breast
1 1/2 pounds plum tomatoes, halved, seeded, and quartered (about 6–8 tomatoes)
1/2 large seedless cucumber, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, divided
4 cups torn romaine lettuce

Instructions:
1. Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, and honey. Add 1⁄2 teaspoon salt and 1⁄8 teaspoon pepper; set aside.

2. Heat a grill pan to high. Lightly coat chicken with olive oil spray, and season with remaining salt and pepper; cook over high heat 2 minutes per side or until just cooked through. Transfer to a cutting board; let stand 5 minutes.

3. In a serving bowl, toss tomatoes, cucumber, onion, feta, olives, and half the mint with vinaigrette. Slice chicken into 1⁄2-inch strips, add to salad, and toss gently. Place 1 cup romaine on each of 4 plates, top with chicken mixture and remaining mint. (Serving size: 1 1/4 cup salad and 3 ounces chicken)

Nutrition:
Calories 312; Fat 20g (sat 6g, mono 12g, poly 2g); Cholesterol 66mg; Protein 22g; Carbohydrate 11g; Sugars 7g; Fiber 2g; Iron 1mg; Sodium 568mg; Calcium 141mg

By Laraine Perri

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Cooking

Healthy Salads: Light Tapas Make It Easy to Keep It Low-Cal

This recipe for tapas with garlic shrimp and baby greens is a real crowd-pleaser.

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Stand: 10 minutes
Makes 12 servings

Ingredients:
Tapas spread
4 ounces thinly sliced serrano ham
4 ounces Manchego cheese, sliced into thin triangles
1 (12-ounce) bottle roasted red peppers, sliced
1 cup assorted marinated olives
1 cup Marcona almonds
1 baguette or other good crusty bread

Salad
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 rounded teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 cups baby salad greens

Shrimp
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
6 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3/4 teaspoon Spanish smoked paprika
1/3 cup fino sherry (or dry white wine)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Instructions:
1. For tapas spread: Arrange all tapas ingredients on a large platter.

2. For salad: Whisk together vinegar, honey, and mustard in a small bowl. Whisk in olive oil, and add salt and pepper; set aside. (Dress greens before serving.)

3. For shrimp: Toss the shrimp with 3⁄4 teaspoon salt; set aside for 10 minutes. Warm the olive oil in a large pan, and gently sauté garlic over medium-low heat for 3 minutes or until fragrant and beginning to color.

Add shrimp, remaining 3⁄4 teaspoon salt, crushed red pepper, and smoked paprika; cook over medium heat, turning the shrimp occasionally, for about 3 minutes or until just cooked through.

Remove shrimp from pan with a slotted spoon.

Add sherry to pan, raise heat to high, and reduce liquid (about 2–3 minutes).

Add lemon juice, return shrimp to pan, and toss gently; sprinkle with parsley. Serve immediately. (Serving size: 3⁄4 cup salad, 2–3 shrimp, and assorted tapas)

Nutrition:
Calories 484; Fat 27g (sat 5g, mono 16g, poly 3g); Cholesterol 71mg; Protein 20g; Carbohydrate 40g; Sugars 2g; Fiber 3g; Iron 5mg; Sodium 1317mg; Calcium 186mg

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Cooking

Healthy Salads: Detoxifying Cabbage, Ginger Lend Crunch to This Low-Cal Salad

By Laraine Perri
From Health magazine

Detox never tasted so good. This recipe for red cabbage and apple salad with ginger vinaigrette delights for just 215 calories.

Prep: 20 minutes
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons grated peeled fresh ginger
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups packed shredded red cabbage
2 cups packed shredded Napa cabbage
2 cups thinly sliced Granny Smith apple
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup golden raisins, plumped in hot water
1/4 cup toasted, unsalted sunflower seeds

Instructions:
1. Whisk together first 5 ingredients (through garlic) in a small bowl. Whisk in olive oil, salt, and pepper; set aside.

2. Toss cabbages together in a large serving bowl. Toss apple slices with lemon juice to keep from browning.

3. Add apple, raisins, and half the sunflower seeds to cabbage. Toss with the dressing. Garnish servings with remaining seeds. (Serving size: 1 1/4 cups salad)

Nutrition:
Calories 215; Fat 15g (sat 2g, mono 8g, poly 4g); Cholesterol 0mg; Protein 3g; Carbohydrate 20g; Sugars 13g; Fiber 3g; Iron 1mg; Sodium 119mg; Calcium 50mg
Next: Light Tapas Make It Easy to Keep It Low-Cal
Back to “Healthy Salads” Intro

By Laraine Perri

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Cooking

Healthy Salads for Every Occasion

Need replenishment after a workout? Crave a decadent dinner for one? These fresh new salads really deliver. (Please search each topics below)

• Red Cabbage and Apple Salad With Ginger Vinaigrette


• Tapas With Garlic Shrimp and Baby Greens


• Greek Salad With Grilled Chicken


• Lobster and Corn Salad With Tarragon Vinaigrette


• Caprese Tower

By Laraine Perri

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Cooking

Smart Ways to Beat the Munchies

Janice Taylor’s new book, All Is Forgiven, Move On: Our Lady of Weight Loss’s 101 Fat-Burning Steps on Your Journey to Sveltesville ($20, Viking Studio), is chock-full of unusual stay-slim tricks. Try these three strategies to beat the “call of the Cheeto,” that late-afternoon siren song from the vending machine.

Grab your iPod
Music activates the same pleasure center of your brain that food does. Click on something with a catchy rhythm, and you’ll forget your hunger quick.

Get some rays
Twenty minutes of sunlight (wear sunscreen, of course) can kill a powerful food craving—and lift your mood. In contrast, staying cooped up all day in a windowless office may actually boost the urge to snack on high-sugar, high-refined-carb foods, according to University of Texas mood expert Michael Smolensky, PhD.

Breathe deeply
Stressed? That’s when you’re most likely to give in to a junk-food craving. Deep breathing can kill the urge to snack by calming you down.
(PHOTO: 123RF)

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Nutrition and Eating Well

Medical Tests You Must Have

Most women wouldn’t dream of skipping their annual pelvic, Pap, and breast exams. But when was the last time you had a head-to-toe checkup—or took stock of other tests you probably need but can’t find time for? “For most women, a checkup just isn’t on any to-do list,” says cardiologist Nieca Goldberg, MD, chief of women’s cardiac care at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. “We have to take the kids to the pediatrician, our moms are sick, our husbands need to go to the cardiologist.” The irony, of course, is that you can’t do all that unless you’re taking care of yourself, too.

Here’s a quick rundown of 20-plus tests that experts recommend for women—don’t worry, you don’t need them all at once. But get to know them, and your body will thank you.

Eyes
Musts: Annual screenings, preferably by an ophthalmologist, although you should feel free to see an optometrist. Also, a glaucoma and cataract screening at age 50 and beyond, or earlier if you’re diabetic or if you’re experiencing double vision, blurriness, or headaches. (African-American women should begin glaucoma screening at age 40 because their risk is higher.)
Maybe: Glaucoma screening in your 30s if you have a family history of early glaucoma.

Ears
Musts: At age 40, a baseline audiogram (which measures your ability to hear sounds at different pitches) done by a licensed audiologist.
Maybe: An audiogram at any age if you’re experiencing hearing loss—if you ask people to repeat themselves, for instance, or if you feel as if your ears are always plugged.

Brain
Musts: Annual screening for depression by your primary care physician. It could be a simple two-question test: 1) In the past two weeks, have you been feeling down, depressed, or hopeless? 2) Have you lost interest in things you used to enjoy? Answer yes to either or both, and depression is a possibility.

Neck
Musts: At age 50, a thyroid test every five years. The screening checks for an underactive or overactive thyroid.
Maybe: The same test when you’re younger if you have inconsistent periods, unexplained weight gain or loss, heart palpitations, difficulty getting pregnant, or a sluggish postpartum feeling.

Teeth
Musts: Twice-a-year checkups by a dentist to screen for cavities and gum disease, and a visual check for oral cancer. If you have red or white lesions that aren’t canker sores, then there’s a chance you’ll be referred to an oral surgeon for an inner-cheek-swab cancer test.

Skin
Musts: Annual full-body visual scan by your primary care physician to check for skin cancer—or by a dermatologist if you have fair skin or a family history of skin cancer.

Bones
Musts: Baseline bone density scan, or DEXA, at age 65 to see if you’re at risk for bone loss (it’s OK to be tested in your 40s or 50s if you or your doctor is concerned). Do it at age 35 if you weigh less than 127 pounds, have a family history of osteoporosis, take corticosteroids for a condition like asthma, or have a history of unexplained fractures.

Breasts
Musts: Annual breast exam by a doctor beginning at age 18 and annual mammograms beginning at age 40. Formal self-exams? Experts don’t agree about their value. Many recommend just touching your breasts regularly so you’re familiar with any changes.
Maybe: If you have first-degree relatives who had or have breast cancer, talk to your doctor about starting screening earlier than normal, and about MRI and gene tests, too.

Heart
Musts: Yearly blood pressure check and physical exam, including checks for murmurs (sounds that may indicate a narrow or leaky valve) or for an irregular heartbeat. Cholesterol tests (including HDL, LDL, total triglycerides, and total cholesterol) beginning at age 20 (if normal, repeat every five years). And a blood-glucose test to screen for diabetes at age 45, repeated every three years.

Abdomen
Musts: At age 50, a colonoscopy (a full examination of the colon) to screen for colorectal cancer; if normal, repeat exam in 10 years.
Maybe: An upper endoscopy (in which a video camera looks inside your esophagus) if you suffer from chronic heartburn (or if food routinely feels stuck after you’ve swallowed it) to screen for Barrett’s esophagus, a precursor to cancer.

Pelvis
Musts: An annual pelvic exam, including manual tests of the uterus and ovaries. If you’re 30 or older, a Pap smear with a human papillomavirus (HPV) test to screen for cervical cancer; if normal, repeat in three years if you don’t change sexual partners or haven’t had any abnormal Paps in previous years. Also, a digital rectal exam every five to 10 years beginning at age 50.

---

3 Tests You Don’t Need
Biophysical 250
A blood test ($3,400; www.biophysical250.com) that scans for more than 200 potential signs of disease, including heart disease and cancer. “This test isn’t ready for prime time,” explains Nieca Goldberg, MD, a heart specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York and author of The Women’s Healthy Heart Program.

OMX-3
A blood test ($159 to $200; www.omegametrix.com) that the manufacturer claims will measure heart-protective omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) in red blood cells. The results are touted as better predictors of risk for sudden cardiac death than LDL and HDL cholesterol levels. “In theory, an omega-3 index is useful, but there are no large-scale trials that have looked at this. So, in truth, no claims can be made. On the other hand, omega-3s are critically important to health, and supplementing with fish oils makes a lot of sense,” says internist Marie Savard, MD, author of The Body Shape Solution to Weight Loss and Wellness.

AntiOxidant Check
A urine test ($65.95; www.balanceyournutrition.com) promising to measure your levels of antioxidants—which protect cells from unstable, unhealthy molecules (a.k.a free radicals). Savard: “This test is completely unfounded. There’s just no data at all to support it.”

By Lambeth Hochwald

Last Updated: August 14, 2008
Filed Under: Mind and Body

Vitamin D May Promote Colon Cancer Survival

THURSDAY, June 19 (HealthDay News) — Colon cancer patients with high blood levels of vitamin D boost their survival odds by 48 percent, a new study suggests.

Previous studies have indicated that high levels of vitamin D may reduce the risk of getting colon cancer by 51 percent, although other studies dispute that claim. But until now, no studies have looked at whether vitamin D could improve survival among people who already had the disease.

“Vitamin D has been studied for many years, and there is a lot of data that it could be implicated in cancer pathogenesis,” explained lead researcher Dr. Kimmie Ng, from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. “Vitamin D is involved a lot of things that can go wrong in cancer,” she noted.

According to Ng, the vitamin may improve survival in colon cancer patients by slowing the growth of tumor cells. It may also be involved in killing cancer cells and inhibiting the growth of blood vessels in tumors.

The report is published in the June 20 edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

In the study, Ng’s team collected data on 304 patients diagnosed with colon cancer between 1991 and 2002. These patients participated in either the Nurses Health Study or the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study.

All those in the study had their vitamin D levels measured at least two years before being diagnosed with colon cancer.

The patients’ health was tracked until they died, or until 2005, whichever came first. During the follow-up period, 123 patients died, 96 of them from colon or rectal cancer, the researchers report.

The team found that patients with the highest levels of vitamin D were 48 percent less likely to die from colon cancer or any other cause, compared with those with the lowest levels.

For colon cancer alone, those with the highest vitamin D levels were 39 percent less likely to die, compared with those with the lowest levels of vitamin D, Ng’s group found.

Ng doesn’t yet advocate vitamin D supplements as a means of preventing or treating cancer, however. “Definitive evidence that our results are due to vitamin D would require a randomized clinical trial,” Ng said.

Clinical trials are planned to determine if adding vitamin D to chemotherapy after surgery improves colon cancer survival, the researcher said.

However, Ng believes that most people are probably not getting enough vitamin D anyway. “Patients should talk with their physician about whether vitamin D supplementation would be good for their health overall,” Ng said.

Despite these and other findings, experts continue to debate the role of vitamin D in cancer treatment and prevention.

Dr. Michael F. Holick, a professor in the department of medicine’s Endocrine Laboratory at Boston University, is convinced that high doses of vitamin D can reduce the risk of malignancy and aid in cancer treatment.

“This finding is outstanding,” Holick said. “It is consistent with dozens and dozens of observations that have been made in the past decade,” he said.

Holick believes that most people do not get enough vitamin D. “Vitamin D deficiency is the most common medical condition worldwide,” he said. “Everyone, children and adults, should be on at least 1,000 International Units (IU) of vitamin D a day.”

That level is far above current recommendations, Holick said. “Everybody now agrees that those recommendations need to be markedly increased,” he said.

The recommended daily doses of vitamin D supplements range from 200 IU a day for those under 50 to 400 IU for those 50 to 70 and 600 IU for people over 70.

For clinical trials to really determine whether vitamin D is effective as a cancer preventative or treatment, the dose of vitamin D needs to be very high, Holick said.

Sunlight is a major source of vitamin D, since the skin naturally produces the nutrient after sun exposure. However, many people are now avoiding sun exposure (due to skin cancer risk), so their levels of vitamin D have dropped significantly. “It has placed the entire world population at risk for vitamin D deficiency,” Holick said.

“We really need more research on health behaviors of cancer survivors,” added Neli Ulrich, a molecular and nutritional epidemiology, folate, and pharmacogenetics researcher at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, and the author of an accompanying journal editorial.

Whether vitamin D actually prolongs patient survival isn’t clear, Ulrich said. “It’s an association at this point. We cannot tell for sure until it has been replicated and eventually a randomized trial has been done,” she said.

Ulrich noted that the while many cancer patients take vitamin supplements, whether they are of benefit or are harmful isn’t yet known. “We know that vitamin D has some toxicity,” she noted.

More information

For more on vitamin D and cancer, visit the American Cancer Society.

SOURCES: Kimmie Ng, M.D., M.P.H., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston; Michael F. Holick, M.D., professor, department of medicine, Endocrine Laboratory, Boston University; Neli Ulrich, Ph.D., molecular and nutritional epidemiology, folate, pharmacogenetics research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle; June 20, 2008, Journal of Clinical Oncology

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

Last Updated: June 19, 2008
Copyright © 2008 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

A Cancer Survivor Raises Awareness With Laughs

By Nancy Larson
From Health magazine

How far can a good laugh take you? Colon-cancer survivor Tammy Figg of St. Louis leans on humor to raise money for cancer research through her Figg Tree Foundation. Its annual event is called the “What’s Up Your Butt Comedy Show,” and its slogan is “How to Keep Your Rear in the Clear.” So far the foundation has raised $88,000. Figg, 33 and in remission, wants people to open up about colon cancer. She talked with Health about facing the disease with candor and irreverence.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish with humor?
A: What the Susan G. Komen Foundation has done with getting people to talk about breasts is what we want to do with colorectal cancer. When we’re successful, you won’t be afraid to tell your doctor if you’re bleeding just because it’s embarrassing to talk about what comes out of your rear.

Q: Did you have a lot of bleeding?
A: Yes. Then I went to the ER, where they did a colonoscopy and found the cancer.

Q: How difficult was the recovery?
A: I wasn’t prepared to have an ostomy bag. When I woke up from surgery, there was a little bit of, “Oh my gosh, what is that?” Next thought: “I’ve got to wear a wedding dress with that?” I was thankful to have the bag reversed after three months. My plumbing now is like it was before, just with a reconstructed rectum. What that means: When I have to go, I absolutely have to go. I started feeling better in a couple of weeks. Later, I had radiation five days a week and chemotherapy, 24 hours a day, on a drip. That was draining.

Q: Are you afraid that the cancer will come back?
A: Once you have had cancer, I don’t think you ever let it go. But I do things that are supposed to lower the risks. I still eat healthy like I did before—fruits and vegetables—and I don’t eat a lot of red meat. Plus, I do kickboxing, work out on an elliptical machine, and lift weights.

Q: You posed in a midriff-baring outfit in the national Colon Club’s “Colander.” What were you thinking?
A: I figured someone would see me and get screened for colon cancer
. I don’t look at my scars and cringe. It’s more like, “Look at this—I’m pretty proud of it.”

Q: How did this crisis affect your marriage?
A: I was diagnosed just six weeks before our wedding, so I was scared. I remember looking at Bryan when I was just out of surgery and saying, “If you want to pick somebody else because I’m kind of broken, I’m OK with that.” He said, “It doesn’t matter if I have you for one day or 100 years. I want to be with you.”

Q: You were able to have a child by doing in vitro. You want more kids?
A: We’d love to, but we also realize that we weren’t even supposed to have one. Each day I look at my son, Ayden, I’m reminded that he’s such a gift. It’s so hard to discipline him!

Q: About 26,000 women will get colon cancer this year. What do all women really need to know?
A: That you should stop worrying so much about the size of your butt and start talking about the health of it. Know your family history, talk about it with your doctor, and get screened when the time is right. And donate to the foundation (www.figgtree.com), too, so we can fund much-needed research.

Last Updated: February 18, 2009
Filed Under: Mind and Body

Keep Your Colon Healthy

From Health magazine

Do you realize that exercising regularly can cut your risk of colon cancer by as much as 40%? More than four in five Americans have no idea, according to a study from the Fox Chase Cancer Center.

Here, a few more tips to help you fight the third-leading cause of cancer deaths among women.

Quit. Women who smoke a lot hike their risk of developing colon cancer by 82%.

Up your D. People with high levels of vitamin D in their blood enjoy a 30 percent decrease in the risk of colon polyps—the precursors to cancer. Grab an extra serving of D-fortified milk (or yogurt).

Get checked sooner. A new study from Columbia University suggests that having a colonoscopy a decade earlier than usual (the average age is 50) may be worthwhile. Check with your doctor, and be sure to ask about the less-invasive virtual colonoscopy, now considered the equal of the traditional exam.

Last Updated: February 23, 2009
Filed Under: News You Need

ED Usually Has a Physical Explanation

Erectile dysfunction (ED), defined as the persistent inability to achieve and maintain an erection to the point of orgasm, affects an estimated 15 to 30 million men in the U.S. alone. But finding out what's causing your own particular erection problem is a tricky process that needs to involve your doctor.

In the past, doctors believed ED was caused by psychological problems such as depression and performance anxiety, but now as much as 90% of erectile dysfunction is believed to include some physical cause.

When you visit a doctor about ED, he or she should take a detailed medical and sexual history, give you a full physical examination, request a number of blood tests to determine cholesterol, blood sugar, and testosterone levels, and order an EKG if you're over 50.

Here's a list of ED risk factors and causes that should be considered.
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Vascular disease
• Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
• Neurological disease (i.e. nerve damage and neuropathy)
• Hormonal changes
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Drug use
• Alcoholism
• Prescription medications
• Surgical procedures
• Cancer treatments
• Physical injury (especially pelvic trauma)
• Depression
• Stress or anxiety
• Age
• Conflict with your partner
• Prolonged bicycling

Lead writer: Nick Burns
Last Updated: April 26, 2008

7 Ways to Treat Erectile Dysfunction

Treatment for men unable to have an erection took a great leap forward when the first oral erectile dysfunction (ED) medication, Viagra (sildenafil), was introduced in 1998. But there have been strides recently in a range of other ED treatments too, ranging from over-the-counter pumps to surgical implants and suppositories.

Diagnosing your own ED is not a good idea, however. If you have trouble getting an erection, it's important to see a doctor before pursuing any sort of treatment. There could be a medical explanation for your condition, and your health and sexual history may come into play. Here are seven possible ways to treat ED. View the slideshow: http://slideshows.health.com/slide_shows/10342/slides/10956

Lead writer: Nick Burns
Last Updated: November 10, 2008

After Decades of ED, He Learned to Inject His Penis and Got Back to Dating

Steve Thompson (not his real name), 57, of St. Louis, Mo., has dealt with erectile dysfunction for most of his adult life—he was 24 when he first had trouble achieving and maintaining an erection. "People in those days thought it was psychological," he recalls. "They never considered it was a physical or circulatory problem. They'd say it's your fault, you're too uptight, or you don't know how to have sex properly. I knew something was wrong physically."

ED was an unending frustration that made Thompson gun-shy with women and dating increasingly difficult. After his urologist of 15 years tried him on oral ED medications like Viagra and Cialis and none of them worked, Thompson struck out on his own three years ago to seek advice from a sexual medicine specialist.

The specialist ran blood flow tests and found that the arteries in Thompson's penis had become blocked with scar tissue. In 2007, he recommended that Thompson try injecting a cocktail of three medications, and Thompson was thrilled with the result. For the first time since his 20s, Thompson was able to experience an erection for a full hour. His doctor taught him how to safely self-inject the drugs (which Thompson believes "could turn a eunuch into a porn star") so that he wouldn't have to stop by a doctor's office every time he wanted to have sex.

When we talked to him, Thompson hadn't yet had the chance to self-inject and actually have sex, but he was as eager as an adolescent to give it a shot. "Some people go on a date and bring a toothbrush," he jokes. "I go on a date and bring a bag of swabs, syringes, and a vial."

Lead writer: Nick Burns
Last Updated: April 04, 2008

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Could Be a Sign of Heart Disease or Diabetes, at Any Age

Erectile dysfunction (ED or impotence) is most common among men over the age of 55, but it can also happen to younger men. For men of any age, it can be an early warning sign for serious diseases, so it's essential for your overall health, not just your sex life, to see a doctor if you experience ED.

If you're 55 or older
"With aging, a number of changes occur within the body and you're more likely to have conditions that can contribute to erectile dysfunction, like high cholesterol and blood pressure, hormonal changes, and hardening of the arteries," says Ridwan Shabsigh, MD, director the division of urology at Maimonides Medical Center and professor of clinical urology at Columbia University in New York City. "Also, people usually take more medications later in life and some have sexual side effects that result in ED."

If you're under 55
"We are starting to understand that these men might have psychological issues and early cardiovascular disease," says Dr. Shabsigh. Diabetes is another possibility. The condition can cause nerve damage and a narrowing of the arteries in the penis. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimates that 35-50% of men with diabetes experience ED.

Lead writer: Nick Burns
Last Updated: April 29, 2008

2 Tips for Discussing ED With Your Sex Partner

Living with erectile dysfunction (ED) can certainly complicate romance and dating. For many men, it is a humiliating hurdle, and some would rather avoid sex altogether than discuss it with a new partner. But as ED meds become more and more widespread, the stigma of ED has begun to decline and partner discussions have gotten easier.

Steve Thompson (not his real name), 57, from St. Louis, struggled for a long time with the difficulty of discussing his erectile dysfunction with partners. "It's embarrassing and in the single world, you get one shot and that's it," he says. "If you blow it, women will move on."

Here's what he learned.

1. Don't wait till you're naked
Thompson talks about his erectile dysfunction when it's clear that a relationship is about to become sexual; he warns against waiting until you're both naked or letting your partner discover on his or her own. "There's no feeling worse than being thrown out of a woman's house or hotel room because it doesn't work," he says.

2. Tell her you're working on it
What can also help lessen the blow is to explain what you're doing to help correct ED. "Women like the idea that you're doing something to fix the problem," says Thompson.

Lead writer: Louise Sloan
Last Updated: May 13, 2008

It Was Tough Admitting Erectile Dysfunction at 19 Years Old

Jonathan, 25, lives in Winter Park, Fla.

I first realized something was wrong when I was 19 and my girlfriend at the time told me that it wasn't normal to lose your erection in the middle of sex. So I started thinking more about it.

If I can get decently hard, it's gone in about 10 or 15 minutes. I'm 25 now, and I shouldn't have this problem. If I were 55, it would be a different story.

But I didn't get help right away. It took a while to admit that I had any problems at all. I looked up information online and didn't find a lot of answers. By the time I finally worked up the nerve to talk to my doctor, I was married to a very understanding woman. And my problem frustrated us both.

My doctor wasn't much help. I tried Viagra and Levitra, and both of them have helped me to get a fuller erection, but, from what I understand, it's not as full as it should be. And both have the strangest side effects, at least for me. In addition to giving me sinus congestion and headaches, the pills make me feel depressed very quickly. It really kills the mood, and I beat myself up over not being able to satisfy my wife.

I know a lot of doctors say it's often a psychological issue—especially when ED happens in younger guys—but I don't know. I want to say it is, because that means it's something I can eventually fix with therapy. But the fact is that I've had this all my life, and that makes me think there's a physical cause.

Next: After my experiences with the pills

After my experiences with the pills, my doctor recommended that I see a urologist. Unfortunately, the first few urologists I called refused to see me because I'm not a 55-year-old with a heart condition. It was just the doctors' policy. It was so hard to be turned away. I wondered if would be able to find any help at all.

When I finally found a urologist who would see me, sitting in the waiting room was a little uncomfortable. I was the only guy under 40. The doctor gave me a quick five-minute examination and said I might have leaky veins. Basically, the blood flows into my penis at a normal rate but leaves much quicker than it enters. He described a test where they give you an injection to achieve an erection and inject a dye so they can see the blood flow. Ironically, you have to take another medication to get rid of the erection.

But the doctor didn't recommend the test and wouldn't give me a clear reason. The whole experience left me wanting more answers, and I was turned off by how little time he spent talking to and examining me.

I'm planning to get a second opinion. Basically, his idea of a treatment plan was just to deal with it. And at my age, I know that I don't have to accept that.

Jonathan is not his real name.

As told to: Nick Burns
Last Updated: April 13, 2008

Use of ED Drugs With Recreational Drugs Can Be Dangerous

Some men who drink excessively or take recreational drugs such as methamphetamines, cocaine, or ecstasy find it difficult to get and maintain an erection and turn to erectile dysfunction (ED) medications for a temporary solution.

While ED meds (Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis) are considered very safe on their own and there's no solid research on the effects of recreational use, doctors say mixing them with intoxicants could be unsafe—especially in large amounts.

"There could be risks associated, especially since many drugs lower blood pressure and impair judgment," says Ridwan Shabsigh, MD, director of the division of urology at Maimonides Medical Center and professor of clinical urology at Columbia University in New York City.

The ED drugs' side effects—headache, sinus congestion, indigestion, and so-called blue vision—are certainly more common when you take more than the amount prescribed for ED.

(What is known is that nitrates such as amyl nitrite, or "poppers," and prescription nitroglycerin should never be combined with ED drugs, as this can be deadly.)

Also: Don't buy it online
Your email inbox is likely filled with spam advertising cheap ED meds. But purchasing erectile dysfunction medications without a prescription or outside a reputable U.S. pharmacy can be dangerous, not to mention illegal.

You just don't have any guarantee about the quality and authenticity of these products; buyers often receive fake or expired medications, hazardous substitutes, or weak formulations of the pills.
Lead writer: Louise Sloan
Last Updated: May 09, 2008

Premature Ejaculation Is Very Common, But What's Premature?

Premature ejaculation (PE) is probably men's most common sexual dysfunction. It's practically the norm for young men to experience it during their first explorations of sex. But for some, the problem never goes away, while others find it returning later in life. Doctors are not quite sure how to explain either phenomenon.

"Just like urinating or lacking bowel control when we are babies, I think ejaculation is a behavior that we learn to gain control of," says Irwin Goldstein, MD, director of San Diego Sexual Medicine and the editor in chief of The Journal of Sexual Medicine. "Some people cannot learn to gain control (of PE), and the research into the causes is not definitive."

How long should sex last?
But what's a "normal" amount of time to wait for ejaculation? The Journal of Sexual Medicine published a study in 2005 that had 1,587 women time sex with a man from initial penetration to climax and found that the men diagnosed with premature ejaculation climaxed in an average of 1.8 minutes, while the others performed for an average of 7.3 minutes—a difference of just five and a half minutes.

Causes of PE
Some link PE to hyperthyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much of the thyroid hormone thyroxine, which regulates the body's metabolism. A small study in the December 2005 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that 50% of men with hyperthyroidism complained of PE.

Ira Sharlip, MD, spokesman for the American Urological Association and clinical professor of urology at University of California at San Francisco, is not so sure. He blames PE on "subtle abnormalities in serotonin metabolism" and, in some cases, psychological factors. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates many functions, including mood, appetite, and sensory perception.

Lead writer: Nick Burns
Last Updated: April 30, 2008

4 Ways to Treat Premature Ejaculation

There is no "magic bullet" to instantly remedy premature ejaculation (PE) because its causes are not entirely understood. The problem doesn't have to get in the way of a healthy sex life, however, because there is a range of treatment options to discuss with your doctor or sex therapist.

1. The squeeze
One physical strategy for delaying climax involves squeezing the shaft of the penis right before ejaculation. "It creates a mild discomfort and keeps the event from happening," says Irwin Goldstein, MD, director of San Diego Sexual Medicine and the editor in chief of The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Not all doctors agree. The squeeze technique is not recommended by Ira Sharlip, MD, spokesman for the American Urological Association and clinical professor of urology at University of California at San Francisco, because he feels it may be difficult to perform properly during sex.

2. Mental distraction
Some people find mental distraction helpful for delaying things. The idea is to think of something completely unrelated to your partner—and distinctly nonsexual. Some guys imagine they are at a football game or do math problems in their heads.

Next: Numbing creams

3. Numbing creams
Topical creams containing lidocaine or a similar numbing agent will reduce sensitivity, although they are not FDA-approved for this function. Or try a lubricant that's formulated with desensitizing ingredients designed to help prolong the sexual experience. Dr. Goldstein has a warning about these, though: "If you are going to use a numbing agent, you should wear a condom or its numbing effects will transfer to your partner." It is recommended, as well, that one wipe off the numbing agent before beginning intercourse.

4. Pills
Some oral medications designed to treat other conditions have also been effective in treating PE because of their (unintentional and otherwise unwanted) sexual side effects. For example, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), widely used as antidepressants, can also be used to delay climax. "SSRIs raise serotonin levels, which is an inhibitor to sexual activity," explains Dr. Goldstein. "One of the side effects is difficulty ejaculating." SSRIs work best for men who take them every day, however; they don't work if you take them immediately before sex. Also, SSRIs typically have another unintended side effect—the loss of libido—so it's important to weigh the pros and cons of this option with your doctor.

The painkiller tramadol can also delay climax. "You can take it right before sex and its effect on the brain ultimately results in prolonged ejaculation," says Dr. Goldstein. Other, less desirable, side effects of tramadol include nausea, vomiting, indigestion, drowsiness, dry mouth, chills, sweating, headaches, and more. Dr. Sharlip also warns it can be addictive.

Lead writer: Nick Burns
Last Updated: May 05, 2008

When Sex Hurts: A Bent or Fractured Penis May Mean Peyronie's Disease

Peyronie's disease is one of the most common causes of sexual pain in men, affecting an estimated 1%. The characteristic sign is a visible curvature or hourglass shape of the penis when erect. Physical damage to the penis causes plaque and scar tissue to build up—usually on the top of the penis, resulting in an upward curve.

"If the penis is bent or twisted, it can tear the fibrous tissue casing that surrounds the erection chambers and cause a laceration in the tissue," says Ira Sharlip, MD, spokesman for the American Urological Association and clinical professor of urology at University of California at San Francisco. "When it heals, scar tissue forms, and eventually it forms plaque."

Another possibility is that your penis was fractured. "If your sex partner is on top and comes down on the penis but misses, the penis will bend," says Irwin Goldstein, MD, director of San Diego Sexual Medicine and editor in chief of The Journal of Sexual Medicine."If there is enough force, it will fracture the envelope. Then inflammatory cells will try to repair the fracture, bringing pain and scar tissue."

he pain from Peyronie's disease can be quite debilitating each time a man experiences an erection. It can even affect his ability to sleep.

Lead writer: Nick Burns
Last Updated: April 21, 2008

4 Ways to Treat Peyronie's Disease

Some cases of Peyronie's disease will improve without treatment, while others require medication or surgery to correct the curvature resulting from damage to the penis. The idea is to reduce the pain associated with the condition while preserving a man's ability to enjoy sex.

1. Arthritis meds
"Peyronie's disease ends up being arthritis of the penis," says Irwin Goldstein, MD, director of San Diego Sexual Medicine and the editor in chief of the Journal of Sexual Medicine. "So there are a number of therapies for arthritis that can be used for Peyronie's, like anti-inflammatories." Anti-inflammatory treatments include Potaba, which the Food and Drug Administration has labeled "possibly effective" for treating Peyronie's disease, as well as colchicine. However, large doses of Potaba are needed for this treatment, and it may cause stomach upset.

2. Injections
Your doctor may choose to try an injection to help reduce the swelling and pain associated with Peyronie's disease. "Injecting drugs such as collagenase, verapamil—a calcium channel blocker—and interferon-alpha-2b is an option," says Dr. Goldstein, "though only interferon has been shown to be effective."

3. Steroids
One of the best ways to stop pain that is resistant to more conservative treatments (such as ibuprofen), says Dr. Goldstein, is through steroids and steroid nerve blocks. He sometimes recommends injecting a steroid such as Kenalog, along with an anesthetic such as lidocaine, into the penis for quick relief of debilitating pain.

4. Surgery
Not all doctors agree on treatment with medications. Ira Sharlip, MD, spokesman for the American Urological Association and clinical professor of urology at University of California at San Francisco, believes there aren't any effective treatments other than corrective surgery.

Surgery may help, but it is generally reserved for more serious, long-term cases. There are three kinds of surgical treatments for Peyronie's disease.
• Nesbit procedure (or Nesbit plication): Tissues in the area of the penis opposite the affected ones are removed or pinched to correct the bend. The procedure can shorten the length of the erect penis, however, so doctors generally reserve this surgery for men with adequate penis length and cases that don't involve an extreme curvature.

• Plaque incision with saphenous vein graft: For someone with a shorter penis, a more severe curve or an hourglass-shaped penis, a doctor might choose to make incisions in the plaque and graft a vein in the area.

• Prosthetic implant: An implant, such as those used for erectile dysfunction, may also help to straighten out the curve from Peyronie's disease and increase the penis's overall hardness.

Lead writer: Nick Burns
Last Updated: May 17, 2008

Treating Peyronie’s Disease: I’ll Try Anything Because the Curve in My Penis Makes Sex Hurt

Johnny Leon (not his real name), 37, sought help when he noticed his penis was curving slightly and sex had become painful. His doctor diagnosed him with Peyronie’s disease—a rarity for such a young man—and set him on a course of treatments that has included electrical stimulation and medicines to dissolve scar tissue

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When I first developed signs of Peyronie’s disease, I didn’t know what it was. It started with a strange indentation on the side of my penis that you could see only when it was erect. After 34 years, you kind of know what your body parts look like. I ignored it, but I knew I wasn’t crazy or imagining things.

About six months later, I finally went to see a doctor because the shaft began to curve to the left where it used to be straight. The doctor could feel the scar tissue and so could I. It felt harder in certain places. Basically, the scar tissue builds up somehow and won’t stretch with the rest of your penis. The doctor said the curving can stop or reverse itself in some cases, but in others, it worsens.

I went back again four months later because my situation took a turn for the worse, so to speak. My penis started bending downward and sex was becoming more uncomfortable. There was a pulling sensation, and the curve made sex a little more difficult. They say there’s a point where sex becomes less painful, but I haven’t reached that point yet. Try bending your penis when it’s hard, or take your thumb and forefinger and stretch the skin until it hurts. That’s what it feels like when I get an erection or wake up in the middle of the night to urinate.

So, it was official. My doctor diagnosed me with Peyronie’s disease.

Next Page: What’s Peyronie’s disease?

What’s Peyronie’s disease?
The doctor gave me the lowdown and said that Peyronie’s affects only about 3% of guys in their 40s and 50s, and it’s rare at my age. It might affect a larger population of guys, but not everyone comes forward for help. It’s unclear whether it’s genetic, and there’s no known cause unless you have some sort of injury—which I didn’t have. It’s frustrating to read how rare it is, and I can’t help but think I’m being punished or something.

The doctor started me on treatment with a third of a pill of Cialis at night and colchicine pills twice a day, which the doctor said was for gout; he told me that certain studies suggest it may help break up scar tissue. So basically, the idea was to break up the scar tissue and stretch the penis back to a straight shape. I did that for two or three months without any results.

"I don’t know if it has gotten worse lately. I hardly look at my own penis now." —Johnny Leon, Peyronie's Patient

A year ago, I started using verapamil and an anti-inflammatory with iontophoresis. Verapamil is supposed to help dissolve the scar tissue. Iontophoresis is a treatment in which you apply a medication to the skin where you think the scar tissue is and place electrically charged pads over it. The electric charge is supposed to force the medication through your skin. It burns at first and feels like getting a mild tattoo on your penis.

For six months, I did it for an hour about six days a week. Finally, I gave up. The treatment seriously interfered with my life! The machine and medication were also expensive, and my insurance didn’t cover it. I spent $10,000 of my own money for something that didn’t work.

Next: My doctor’s doing everything he can

My doctor’s doing everything he can
I took a break from treatment for six months and went back to the doctor again this year. He put me back on colchicine and Viagra, but they aren’t helping either. I don’t blame my doctor. He’s doing everything he can. Surgery is an option, but it shortens your penis, and I don’t know any guy in the world who would want that. How could this be so impossible to fix?

I don’t know if it has gotten worse lately. I hardly look at my own penis now. My boyfriend always tries to downplay it. He insists that it’s not bad and that he wouldn’t notice if we just met, but I think he said that just to be nice.

As far as hurting one's pride and masculinity, this is the worst thing a guy can experience without having something removed down there. I mean, it’s disfiguring and it’s psychologically and emotionally damaging.

Apparently, there is an injectable drug containing enzymes that do something to the scar tissue; it's being tested for FDA approval. My doctor’s not crazy about injecting the penis, but at this point, I’m willing to try almost anything.

I think if more guys come forward to see a doctor for treatment instead of suffering quietly with Peyronie’s, there would be more interest in researching remedies. I’m counting on the new enzyme treatments that might be approved. I’m 37 now. I’m not a 60-year-old man, and I like to have sex frequently. I just want to get back to a normal sex life.

As told to: Nick Burns
Last Updated: August 21, 2008

9 Problems That Can Make Sex Painful for Men

Peyronie's disease is the most common explanation when men have sexual pain, but it is not the only one. See your doctor for an official diagnosis, but here are some other culprits.

• Prostatitis
This is an inflammation or infection of the prostate gland that can cause swelling and pain in the area behind your penis (just below your bladder), pain or burning when urinating, and painful ejaculation.

• Urinary tract infections
You'll want to treat one of these anyway, because they can spread and become very serious.

• Yeast infections
These are sometimes characterized by itching or burning at the tip of the penis.

• Dermatitis
Allergies and sensitivity to chemicals or soaps can cause an inflammation of the skin on the penis, especially for men who are uncircumcised.

• Herpes
If you have genital herpes, a sore on your penis can make for very painful sex; it's better for the healing process to refrain from sex in any case. Also, such sores are extremely infectious.

• Psoriasis
These scaly, red patches may be treated with low-potency steroid creams and are not infectious.

• Phimosis
In this condition, the foreskin is too tight to be completely retracted over the head of the penis.

• Paraphimosis
The foreskin is stuck behind the head of the penis and can't be pulled forward.

Last Updated: May 17, 2008

Men's Orgasm Disorders: Pain, Sneezing, and Other Sexual Surprises

Some men experience pain, headaches, and even sneezing as a result of orgasm. Here are some of men's main complaints.

Migraine headaches
"There's such a tremendous excitation of the nervous system and heavy-duty brain activity during orgasm, so it's no surprise that it could trigger a migraine for some people," says Irwin Goldstein, MD, director of San Diego Sexual Medicine and the editor in chief of The Journal of Sexual Medicine. He suggests working with a neurologist or sexual medicine specialist, who may prescribe a vasodilator (including an erectile dysfunction drug such as Viagra), a migraine medication such as Imitrex, or a neurostabilizing drug such as Neurontin. Ask your doctor if a prescription is right for you.

Abdominal pain
A likely explanation for this sort of pain is the "tremendous muscular contraction in the pelvic floor, or lower abdomen, especially around the prostate and urethra," says Dr. Goldstein, but your doctor should rule out the possibility of a prostate infection that could require antibiotics. If there's no infection, physical therapy of the pelvic floor muscles may help.

Yawning and sneezing
These aren't painful or debilitating reactions to an orgasm, but they can cause your sex partner to feel confused or insulted. One possible explanation is that in the brain, the center for orgasms is close to the centers for yawning and sneezing, says Dr. Goldstein, so one center could activate another. "If your partner yawns during sexual activity, it probably means that he or she is just sexually aroused," he says.
Lead writer: Nick Burns
Last Updated: May 14, 2008

ONLINE RESOURCES 7 Websites to Get You Through Erectile Dysfunction and Other Sexual Problems

Once you've learned the basics about men's sexual dysfunction from us, you may want to see what other reputable websites have to say. Follow the links below for our favorite online tools and resources, including videos, a directory of physicians, and news.



Compiled by: Lisa Freedman
Last Updated: August 28, 2008

Why Some Men Can't Have Orgasms

inability to orgasm, according to Irwin Goldstein, MD, director of San Diego Sexual Medicine and the editor in chief of the Journal of Sexual Medicine. There's a wide range of possible explanations, however, and doctors are generally able to pinpoint your problem through biological and psychological tests.

• Hypothyroidism: The thyroid gland does not produce enough hormone.

• Hypogonadism: Testicles do not produce enough testosterone.

• Psychological causes: These may include depression, anxiety, or a panic disorder of some kind. (Difficulty achieving orgasm can also be a side effect of some antidepressant drugs, such as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs.)

• Neurological problems: Strokes, multiple sclerosis, and diabetic neuropathy can limit your ability to orgasm.

• Physical injuries: Spinal cord injuries and other major wounds can have an effect.

• Prostate problems: These include infections or surgery affecting the prostate or other pelvic organs.
These are some of the conditions that tests may turn up.

See your doctor or a sexual medicine specialist to find out the cause.

Lead writer: Nick Burns
Last Updated: May 22, 2008

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Answers About Women's Sex Problems From Dr. Marjorie Green

Marjorie Green, MD, directs the Mount Auburn Menopause and Female Sexual Medicine Center and is a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School.

Q: Why does it hurt when I have intercourse?

A: Painful intercourse can have a wide range of physical or psychological causes, from bacterial infection to anxiety to hormonal changes due to menopause. If sex hurts, see your gynecologist and discuss the pain in as much detail as you can. Jot down basics such as:

• When the pain began
• Where you feel it (at the opening of your vagina? deep inside?)
• The nature of the pain (is it sharp? dull?)
• Whether the pain starts and stops with penetration
• If you've noticed any unusual vaginal discharge

Q: I told my physician that sex hurts and she told me that I should just try to relax. Should I get a second opinion?

A: Absolutely! Sex should not hurt. Discuss the pain with a gynecologist as soon as possible, and if he or she can't help you, ask for a referral to a doctor who specializes in sexual pain.

Q: I've been treated repeatedly for the same vaginal infection, but sex still hurts. Could there be another reason for my pain?

A: Ask your gynecologist to examine you more thoroughly to ensure that you're being treated for the right problem. For instance, what may resemble a garden-variety yeast infection could be trichomoniasis, noninfectious vaginitis, or even an allergic reaction to yeast medications, a skin condition, or a reaction to your birth control. If your gynecologist can't find the source of your pain—or insists on the original diagnosis—make an appointment with a sexual pain specialist.

Next: My vagina clenches up during intercourse and it's really painful. What should I do?

Q: My vagina clenches up during intercourse and it's really painful. What should I do?

A: You may have vaginismus, a reflexive tightening of vaginal and pelvic floor muscles. Vaginismus is thought to be the body's way of bracing itself against sexual pain. Women who suffer vaginismus shouldn't force themselves to endure intercourse; further anxiety, stress, and genital pain can cause the body to intensify its protective response. Your gynecologist can investigate the underlying cause of your muscle spasms and, if necessary, refer you to a sex therapist.


Q: My vagina itches, burns, and hurts constantly. What's going on?

A: You may have vulvodynia, a widely unrecognized chronic pain condition that affects an estimated six million American women. The cause of vulvodynia is still a mystery, but what sufferers have in common is periodic or constant burning, stinging, itching, and irritation of the vulva, clitoris, perineum, pubic area, inner thighs, and/or the outer rim of the vagina (the vestibule). Few gynecologists know about vulvodynia, so you may want to see a sex therapist, pelvic floor specialist, or neurologist. For more information, go to the National Vulvodynia Association's website, NVA.org.


Q: How do doctors diagnose and treat vulvodynia?

A: Before a doctor diagnoses you with this chronic pain condition, other causes need to be ruled out—such as vaginal infections, dermatologic diseases, vaginal atrophy, and fibromyalgia. Your gynecologist should ask a battery of questions about your sexual health and history, examine different areas of your vagina, and ask you to rate the pain with each touch. There's no FDA-approved treatment, but your doctor may recommend one among a range of vulvodynia solutions.

Next: It hurts deep in my abdomen when I have intercourse. What could be the problem?

Q: It hurts deep in my abdomen when I have intercourse. What could be the problem?

A: A wide range of health conditions can cause deep abdominal pain during sex. It could be a urinary tract infection, and other causes could destroy fertility if they go unchecked (such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis). Deep abdominal pain requires immediate medical attention, especially if accompanied by fever, nausea, and vomiting.


Q: How can birth control pills affect my sex life?

A: Birth control pills can reduce your capacity for lubrication and cause vaginal atrophy, a thinning of the vaginal walls that can make sex painful. The culprits are usually the newer formulations of oral contraceptives that contain low doses of estrogen and testosterone-reducing progestin, which can also decrease your libido.


Q: How can menopause affect my sex life?

A: Dramatic hormonal changes can lead to a decline in sexual desire, an inability to become aroused, and difficulty having orgasms. Menopause can also lead to vaginal atrophy and dryness, which can both lead to pain.


Q: How can chemotherapy affect my sex life?

A: Chemotherapy—a type of treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells—has been associated with changes in menstrual cycle and in ovarian reserve (the number of eggs in your ovaries), which can lead to temporary or permanent menopause symptoms and negative body image. But some women may experience none of those effects.

Next: Could my blood pressure medication affect my ability to have an orgasm?

Q: Could my blood pressure medication affect my ability to have an orgasm?

A: Yes. It can cut the blood flow to your vagina. Talk to your gynecologist about ways to maintain your ability to have an orgasm without sacrificing your cardiovascular health. This may include reducing alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, and getting regular exercise.


Q: I don't have orgasms anymore. What can I do?

A: Orgasms are a complicated mix of physical, emotional, and environmental factors. With the help of your gynecologist or sex therapist, you should examine what has changed about your emotional health, physical condition, and relationship. Keep in mind that many women don't have orgasms without clitoral stimulation. Don't be shy about experimenting with foreplay, oral sex, mutual masturbation, and sex toys.

Last Updated: April 27, 2008

If You Can't Have an Orgasm, Maybe You Just Don't Know What Turns You On

While there may be a medical explanation for your inability to have an orgasm, chances are the cause is in some way cultural or psychological. You may be unable to climax because somewhere along the way you concluded that sex is a shameful topic, or (because you've had a negative sexual experience in the past), you're uncomfortable with your body or you're just not familiar yet with what turns you on.

Who to talk to
Your first stop should probably be a sexual health doctor or sex therapist, who will likely encourage you to explore your own sexual response. "Have you tried a vibrator?" asks sexual medicine specialist Andrew Goldstein, MD, an associate professor at George Washington University. "I tell women they need to masturbate!" says Hilda Hutcherson, MD, an ob-gyn professor at Columbia University.

What to find out about your own sexual response
Do you prefer a light touch or a firmer one? Do you want your clitoris to be stimulated or your vagina to be penetrated, or do you need both at the same time? Despite the impression you may have gotten from romance novels, many women don't have orgasms from vaginal penetration alone. A 2003 German study found that 70% need direct clitoral stimulation in order to achieve orgasm.

Once you figure out what makes you climax, the next step is communicating that to your partner. Working with a certified sex therapist can be helpful, in order to talk through any fears or shame you might have regarding your sexuality.

Medical explanations
While most cases of anorgasmia (the medical term for not being able to have an orgasm) are psychologically or culturally based, there can be medical reasons for the problem, too, so it's important to consult a doctor, especially if you used to have orgasms. Anorgasmia can happen for all the same reasons as low libido: reduced blood flow to the genitals due to disease or medication, hormone imbalances, or the use of medications that dull sexual response.

Lead writer: Louise Sloan
Last Updated: April 09, 2008