The Return of Desire

A nationally known sex therapist offers an in-depth look at low sex drive among women—with information and exercises for reviving female desire and sexual pleasure
 
According to an often-quoted study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 43% of American women suffer from “low libido.” In The Return of Desire, respected sex therapist and researcher Gina Ogden offers a new understanding of this surprising and troubling statistic, moving beyond hormones, drugs, and other medical perspectives to address the mental, emotional, and relational dynamics that can dampen desire.

Based on her recent national sex survey and on decades of clinical practice, Dr. Ogden offers readers scores of insights, approaches, and exercises to help them understand how sexual desire can decrease or even disappear in relationships and what they can do about it. She shows you how to:

• Open up to the four energies that spark desire
• Create heart-to-heart communication with your partner
• Transcend guilt, shame, and “good-girls-don't” messages
• Help heal the sexual wounds of abuse, addiction, affairs, and low self-esteem
• Enjoy sexual pleasure throughout your life span—from new love, to parenthood, and into your golden years“This book is the prescription women need to finally come home to themselves and to the vital life force that is their sexual desire.”—Christiane Northrup, MD

“To read this book is to bask in the radiance of the wisest of sexual guides. Ogden gently and lovingly takes readers on a magnificent journey."—Ian Kerner, author of She Comes First and Passionista

“Gina Ogden probes the intricacies of female sexuality with subtle depth and understanding. I plan to recommend this book to any woman on her path to finding greater sexual self discovery and self acceptance, and ultimately ecstasy.”—Esther Perel, author of Mating in Captivity

“Engaging, accessible, well-researched, and full of wonderful anecdotes from women across the life span. A delightful invitation for all readers to explore the full range of our own desires.”—Judy Norsigian and Lynn Rosenbaum, for Our Bodies Ourselves

“Gina Ogden listens to women.  Her book lifts the language of desire from competition and dysfunction to caring, empathy, and a powerful new consciousness that expands our lives and our partnerships.”—Riane Eisler, author of The Chalice and the Blade and The Real Wealth of Nations

“Ogden, a seasoned therapist, shares her considerable wisdom about rekindling sexual passion. No quick fixes promised but a thoughtful recognition and celebration of the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual dimensions of our sexuality.”—Sandra R. Leiblum, PhD, author of Getting the Sex You WantGina Ogden, PhD, has had a distinguished career as a marriage and family therapist, sex therapist, teacher, researcher, and author. She is the author of several books, including Women Who Love Sex and The Heart and Soul of Sex, and has been a featured guest on numerous radio and television programs including Oprah. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.