The Passion Prescription

January 16, 2006
Berman (Secrets of the Sexually Satisfied Woman
) presents a solid, sometimes elementary, introduction to women's sexuality and provides women with recommendations for mental, physical and relationship exercises to increase their sexual pleasure. She conceptualizes a woman's sexuality as one part of her overall health, incorporating fitness and nutrition advice with discussions of the psychological and social factors that can affect women's sexual satisfaction. She begins by instructing women to self-pleasure, advocating the use of vibrators (including those she sells). The book is light on partnered sexual techniques; its strength lies in its focus on things women can do for themselves. The best sections describe the physical factors implicated in sexual dysfunction and options available for treatment; women experiencing these problems may benefit most from the book. However, the book's comprehensive mind-body approach has something to offer most partnered women (the constant references to male life partners make it most appropriate for heterosexual women in committed relationships). Though the book is generally sex-positive and health-promoting, some odd contradictions do appear, such as the surprising "prescription" for waxing, shaving or dyeing one's hair "down under," despite the focus on positive body image and the health risks of these practices pointed out in the book.