Low Sex Drive in Women & Mindfulness, with Dr. Lori Brotto

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 misunderstoodWhy improving body awareness (interoception) can influence desireThe research behind mindfulness-based sex therapyWhy physical arousal and mental desire don’t always alignThe limits of medications designed to treat low desireThe role of shame and self-criticism in sexual difficultiesWhy relationship therapy alone often doesn’t resolve sexual problemsWhere to start if you’re curious about using mindfulness to reconnect with desire02:31 - How Dr. Lori Brotto Got Into Sex Research05:29 - What Is Mindfulness, Really?14:34 - How Mindfulness Works for Low Desire18:11 - Arousal Non-Concordance (& Why It Matters?)21:49 - The Problem with Pharmaceutical Solutions24:59 - Spontaneous vs. Responsive Desire29:22 - Why Relationship Therapy Alone Often Isn't Enough30:46 - The Mirror Exercise & Confronting Shame33:18 - How Often Should You Practice Mindfulness?37:06 - Mindfulness for Neurodivergent People40:49 - What If You Hate Mindfulness?42:28 - The Hope Effect & Reducing Distress43:34 - Mindfulness Research On Men46:26 - The Importance of Women's Sexual Health Research48:57 - Closing Thoughts: Interoception, Self-Compassion & Why Sexual Health MattersPapers mentioned in this episode: Effects of Group Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy versus Supportive Sex Education on Sexual Concordance and Sexual Response Among Women with Sexual Interest/Arousal DisorderMindfulness-Based Sex Therapy Improves Genital-Subjective Arousal Concordance in Women With Sexual Desire/Arousal DifficultiesGroup mindfulness-based therapy significantly improves sexual desire in womenHomework adherence in mindfulness-based cognitive interventions for female sexual dysfunction: a scoping reviewInterested in my services? Check them out hereJoin my 1:1 online program Re:Desire here.Do you want to submit a listener question for the podcast? Here's the link