SEX ON THE BRAIN

7% of those surveyed say they think about having sex all the time. 30% think about it several times a day. 15% say it crosses their mind at least once a day. (Albertans think about having sex the most.)

If they’re NOT thinking about it... 31% say it’s because they don’t like the way they look naked. 27% would rather watch their favourite television show. 20% say they’re bored with their partner but not interested in having an affair. and...

33% say they’re on medication that has dampened their libido.

THIS STATISTIC SURPRISES ME because of the patients who walk into my office; a much higher percentage than 33% are on medications that affect their sexual functioning, but most of them wouldn’t know it,” says Kleinplatz. “So it’s good that some of the respondents know of the connection, but I also suspect there are more than 33% who are on medications that interfere with their libido and don’t know it.” Kleinplatz says that antidepressants, some hormonal contraceptives, like Depo-Provera or Yasmin, as well as many other medications have this side effect, adding that alcohol, especially binge drinking, also inhibits desire.

TOO POLITE FOR YOUR OWN GOOD? 78% SAY THEY ARE COMFORTABLE ASKING FOR WHAT THEY WANT IN BED. The reality is that there are many women who aren’t shy to request ‘Would you go down on me?’ but these same women are too shy to say ‘Can you please go down on me longer because I haven’t climaxed yet,’” says Kleinplatz. “The kinds of things that people can’t talk about in bed are much subtler. Stuff like ‘Please stop biting my nipples; I’d rather you licked them more gently’ or ‘Please stop being so gentle with my nipples and bite them.’ For many reasons, those are the kinds of things that people are too shy to ask for. If they’re in a long-term relationship, they might be more willing, but if that’s not the case, they can be nervous about asking for what they want because they don’t want to be seen as demanding or they don’t want

the other person to think they’re not enjoying themselves.

86% OF READERS SURVEYED SAY THEY HAVE NEVER CONTRACTED AN STD/STI, AND 61% SAY THEY HAVE BEEN SCREENED FOR STDs/STIs.

THESE STATISTICS STRUCK ME AS QUITE UNLIKELY. There’s a good chance they believe this, but they’re likely mistaken,” says Kleinplatz. “And while 61% may believe they have been tested ‘for everything,’ they’re likely mistaken about that too. Many women think that they’re being tested for STIs when they see their phys

icians once a year for a Pap test, but they’re not. That test only looks for cervical-cell changes; it doesn’t check for chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis. Your physician would have to order those tests

so the lab knows to look for them. It’s not something that ‘just pops up.’ And if you have blood work done, you’re not being tested for HIV unless you have given your doctor consent to screen for

this. If no one asks for your consent, this isn’t being checked.

48% ask new partners if they are currently infected with an STD/STI.

67% would always tell their partner

if they had an STD/STI.

77%

take precautions to protect themselves

from STDs/STIs 80% of the time. h