Low desire in women is often treated as a hormonal problem or a relationship one.
But what if the problem isn’t low libido persay, but rather a lost connection to your body?
In this episode, I talk to psychologist and leading sex researcher Dr. Lori Brotto about the science of mindfulness and why it’s become one of the most effective psychological treatments for low desire and arousal in women.
We discuss how mindfulness improves sexual wellbeing, why physical arousal and mental desire don’t always match, and why pills designed to “fix” low desire often fall short.
We explore:
- What mindfulness actually is — and why it’s often misunderstood
- Why improving body awareness (interoception) can influence desire
- The research behind mindfulness-based sex therapy
- Why physical arousal and mental desire don’t always align
- The limits of medications designed to treat low desire
- The role of shame and self-criticism in sexual difficulties
- Why relationship therapy alone often doesn’t resolve sexual problems
- Where to start if you’re curious about using mindfulness to reconnect with desire
02:31 - How Dr. Lori Brotto Got Into Sex Research
05:29 - What Is Mindfulness, Really?
14:34 - How Mindfulness Works for Low Desire
18:11 - Arousal Non-Concordance (& Why It Matters?)
21:49 - The Problem with Pharmaceutical Solutions
24:59 - Spontaneous vs. Responsive Desire
29:22 - Why Relationship Therapy Alone Often Isn't Enough
30:46 - The Mirror Exercise & Confronting Shame
33:18 - How Often Should You Practice Mindfulness?
37:06 - Mindfulness for Neurodivergent People
40:49 - What If You Hate Mindfulness?
42:28 - The Hope Effect & Reducing Distress
43:34 - Mindfulness Research On Men
46:26 - The Importance of Women's Sexual Health Research
48:57 - Closing Thoughts: Interoception, Self-Compassion & Why Sexual Health Matters
Papers mentioned in this episode:
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