It is once again the time of year students wait for their acceptance letters from colleges. The question some incoming college students ask themselves is if they should reveal anything from completing drug rehabilitation to being diagnosed with a mental disorder. Although this information is confidential more and more colleges are accepting applications based on more than just SAT scores and overall academic performance. According to US News, college admission departments select based on an individuals performance as a member of society since college life would not only represent a smaller version of the real-world, but because in the past few years there has been a boom in the scrutiny of overlooked student files of those that have caused massive use of on-campus security. Professionals say that the decision of if and when to reveal past psychological history is a collaborative effort that involves those in close relationship to the incoming student since that could make or brake a students acceptance.

I’m so excited! Next spring I will be speaking at “Reclaiming Healthy Intimacy, Passion, and Pleasure” in New York at a function sponsored by The Women’s Sexual Health Foundation and Columbia University. I edit the foundation’s newsletter, which is run by Lisa Martinez, a nurse and attorney. Lisa is one of the most energetic people I know when it comes to promoting sexual health. Visit the foundation’s website and read some of the past newsletters.

Want to learn more? Then check out this story in Best Life Magazine, where I am quoted along with my colleague, Dr. Michael Krychman, on low libido.

Last week I received a mailing from a company that manufactures a supplement that they claimed helped women with their sex drive and men with their erectile function. Their research? None! In fact, nearly every member of one organization to which I belonged received the same mailing. We all get upset when we find out that someone is selling a product that has no research to back it up. In fact, two people from the organization contacted the company to discover that not even the CEO could say why their product worked.

Buyer beware. Pills from China, herbs from India, etc. are probably not going to fix what ails you. See a physician, see a sex therapist, but please get real help.

Games have long been the means to teach people various topics ranging from reading for children to training pilots how to fly. In an article from the New York Times an online game will jump on the bandwagon as a new way of educating the public about H.I.V. This strategy has much to do with the popularity for the gaming industry and internet sources, such as YouTube. This educational game, from the website www.posornot.com, is intended to break social stigma by presenting pictures and bios of people of various ages and cultures then asking the player if he/she thinks that person is H.I.V. positive.

Although this tactic is directed at the younger generations, it could gain popularity with parents since it could be taken in one of two ways: as a benefit to sex education or as too upfront and controversial. Take a look and see what you think.

According to Fox News, within the next four to five years Dutch scientists are expected to reveal a blood test to predict when a woman will hit menopause. With menopause ranging somewhere along 20 years after a woman hits 40-years old, this could be beneficial to know when planning one’s life. Women are on a time clock when it comes to having children so this test, which scientists claim to be less expensive than fertility tests, would be helpful since many plan pregnancy around other factors like school and pursuing a career. Is this something you would take advantage of?

What does the adult industry and teacher unions have to do with each other? Well, according to one lobbyist, nothing. In a recent article from the Orange County Register strip clubs and novelty sex stores could face a 25% increase in tax to help school districts affected by strong budget cuts. This tax would fund education and its social services. The president of one teachers association feels that if a person could afford to buy luxuries due to their income, then they should pay tax on it. This bill, prompted by Assemblyman Charles Calderon, states the negatives of adult venues that some say are based on opinions rather than facts.

As a former teacher, I don’t really find this amusing. Most parents and children would not appreciate funding from a strip club tax. Most strip clubs would feel that they were being unfairly penalized. I don’t know that I would call novelty sex toys “luxury items”; the only thing that makes them so is that you can’t just find them in the drugstore—though you can find stuff for just about any other system of the body!

I don’t think picking on an industry is the way to go. Why not tax Mercedes or lobster or tickets to the OC Performing Arts Center? Why discriminate in this way?

People make up all kinds of excuses not to have sex. And, contrary to popular belief, men make excuses about as often as do women. Being tired, having a headache, feeling stressed, or bored are common excuses, aren’t they?

Why not try something different? Why not look for excuses to have sex—reasons that it’s a good idea to hop into bed with a partner you love?

Just in case you’ve forgotten, here are the top ten reasons to have sex tonight:

1. Sex feels good. Yes, you’ve had a rotten week. What better reason to do something that feels great? Touch is relaxing, and orgasm is a welcome relief from muscle tension and mental strain.

2. Sex makes your partner feel good. You know what they say, charity begins at home! But don’t just have pity sex. You’re partner’s probably had a rotten week, too. Why not give your partner a gift that you can both enjoy?

3. You’ll feel more desire. If your sexual desire has fizzled out, try having sex. Sex is a rewarding activity and your brain may wake up and start to want more. The more you avoid sex, the less you may want it. Go for it tonight and see what happens.

4. Sex takes the years off. It’s true. Research shows that couples that are sexually active look ten years younger on average than their nonsexual peers.

5. Sex is good for your health. Sex can help pump up the heart rate, so while it is not exactly a cardiovascular workout, it does oxygenate the body. Bringing oxygen to your body’s cells helps them to function properly.

6. Sex is a pain reliever. Many women report that sex helps to relieve menstrual tension. Also, sex has been shown to relieve migraine and arthritis pain in some women. Natural endorphins and opioids, both natural pain relievers in the brain, can help what ails you.

7. Sex helps you feel connected. Most couples report that one of the reasons they have sex is to feel closer. If you want to maintain real intimacy in your relationship, have sex.

8. Sex is fun. Hey, what better form of entertainment is there than lying in bed with someone and touching them all over? Life is tough. Sex is one of life’s pleasures. Enjoy some tonight.

9. Sex helps you sleep. After orgasm, prolactin helps to relax and calm most people. So if you haven’t been sleeping well, try sex. Think how much better you’ll feel in the morning.

10. Sex makes you feel loved. Everyone has the need to be touched, kissed, and nurtured. Sure, a box of cookies might make you feel better. But why not get the real thing from another human being who cares about you?

Now that you know all the good reasons to have sex tonight, show this article to your partner as an invitation to a “benefits event.” You’ll both feel better in the morning!

In an article from the New York Times a human papillomavirus vaccination for boys may come by 2009. Although recent media has advertised this vaccination for girls, human papillomavirus, or H.P.V. for short, is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts in both sexes. The ethical debate over this brings about the same questions parents had for the vaccination for girls, such as parents explaining to their child why they should get this shot whether or not they’re sexually active. Another factor contributing to this is the threat of oral and anal cancers from H.P.V. Keep in mind that this STD can affect gay, straight, young, and old people. So it’s not surprising that three other countries are a step ahead of us having this already approved for boys.

Is therapy worth the cost? Twenty sessions of therapy will cost $3 to $4K; divorce, $10K, $20K, or more. The difference is that divorce will solve your problem–if what you want is to end your marriage. If not, then therapy is worth trying. Make a commitment to be in weekly therapy for 3-6 months and monitor progress. If no progress is made or your relationship is deteriorating, then you may still choose to end your marriage.

While many people think that marital therapy has a poor outcome, the truth is that most couples wait too long to get help. When a problem, such as low desire, is not taken care of early on, hard feelings, guilt, and resentment build up. On average, couples wait seven years to get help–and seeking therapy may really be a case of “too little, too late.”

If you are trying to decide if therapy will help, there is only one way to find out. It isn’t necessarily by talking to the therapist–of course the therapist wants you to come in, that is how a therapist earns his or her living! No, the way to find out is to try it. Make a decision, set an appointment. Give the new therapy relationship a chance; come 3-4 weeks before you decide whether or not you like the therapist and can work with him or her.

It’s okay to let the therapist know that it is not a good fit, and it’s also okay to ask for referrals. Most likely, you will feel comfortable with most therapists, as we are trained to make people feel at home quickly. How do you know if you do have a good fit? When you leave the office, you may not always feel great, because therapy can be hard work. But therapy should give you hope and light the path of change. Overall, most people feel that the investment in therapy is worthwhile, and is worth trying in the face of the financial and emotional expense of marital separation.