Let's talk about sex, gynecologist says

SCOTTSDALE - Dr. Andrew Carter once gave a talk to a group of young mothers.

After the Scottsdale gynecologist had used up his hour on "new mommy" topics, such as birth control and planning your next pregnancy, he asked the moms what they wanted him to talk about.

They were unanimous: their sex drives.

Carter is finally giving that talk Dec. 11 at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea.

"Is Libido Getting You Down" will address causes of low sex drive in women and allow them to talk about sex as something other than the "elephant in the room," Carter said.

"This is the time to be open. I hope they will bring their own questions," he said.

Carter treats straight and gay women and finds that their sexual issues are not very different.

He prods patients to talk about their sexual problems, something he learned in medical school at the University of Minnesota, which has a program in sexuality.

"As a doctor, if I don't ask them about sex, maybe nobody will," Carter said.

Despite the sexualized content of modern life, Carter thinks most women don't have a peer group with whom they can talk about sex.

"For some, this may be the first time they'll talk about sexual problems," said Carter.

The program will cover treatments for low libido available through specialists, such as testosterone replacement and estrogen therapy.

Carter plans to share what he has learned from patients. Talking to a 40-year-old who likes her sex life can be instructive.

"What does she have that we can bottle up?" he asked.

He has noticed one thing. Women who make time for sex and stick to the schedule seem happiest with their sex lives.

Of course, if questions arise concerning his libido, the women may hear a familiar story.

"Do I have hot-monkey sex? No, I have two small children," said Carter, whose wife is a pediatrician at Phoenix Children's Hospital. "I use the Ray Romano line: Whenever I have sex, I know its quarterly income tax time again," he said.