S4 Ep199: Closing the Mind-Body Libido Gap with Dr. Lori Brotto

As a gynecologist, I help women with the physical, hormonal, and medical aspects of sexual response: eliminate sexual pain, and help women who can’t orgasm due to an SSRI, diabetes or vascular disease. I am not a therapist. I do not treat the psychosocial aspects of sexual difficulties or address the mind-body connection. And that is why the work I do depends on experts like  my guest today, Dr. Lori Brotto

Dr. Lori Brotto is a registered psychologist, researcher, and global leader in women’s sexual health. A Professor at the University of British Columbia and Distinguished University Scholar, she has spent more than two decades developing and validating evidence-based treatments for women’s sexual concerns and is widely recognized for pioneering the use of mindfulness in sexual health. She co-developed eSense to translate this body of research into accessible, evidence-based care beyond traditional clinical settings.  Dr. Brotto has authored more than 280 scientific publications and is also the author of Better Sex Through Mindfulness and its companion workbook.

In this episode:

Why a sex therapist and medical clinician need to collaborate

How mindfulness helps arousal and libido once there is no pain with sexual activity

How well mindfulness works to increase libido

The difference between mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy

Why women avoid sex (besides pain)

The circular sexual response cycle

If most sex therapists are aware of the impact of menopause symptoms

The role of systemic testosterone and libido

The eSense Health tool for individualized digital access to CBT and mindfulness