Embarrassing Sex Questions? Ask the Sexperts

What’s that burning I feel after I have sex? What happened to my libido? How can I get my partner to talk about sex? You’re a grown woman. You’ve read Cosmo, right? You should know the answers to these kinds of questions...shouldn’t you? Not necessarily. Sometimes, your sex concerns require the expertise of a pro. Read on for where to get answers to some of your most intimate queries.

1. The problem: “I’ve lost interest in sex.”

Turn to: A certified sex therapist

She is qualified to handle the widest range of sexual problems, including loss of sex drive, compulsive behavior, sexual anxiety, or sexual trauma. In my private practice, I’ve dealt with everything from loss of sex drive to unconsummated marriages. Therapists certified by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) have advanced degrees (MA, MSW, or PhD), and must hold a state license as a psychologist, clinical social worker, or marriage-and-family counselor. Sex therapy includes both talk therapy and homework that can help with issues like communication, body image, and sexual openness. You can seek therapy individually or as a couple.

What you might find out:

The cause could be depression, side effects from prescriptions, relationship conflicts, body-image concerns, stress, unresolved childhood issues, or any of the above.

Take note: Florida is the only state that licenses sex therapists, so anybody in the other 49 states can hang out a “sex therapist” shingle.