Welcome to claremontsexualhealth.com.au

Welcome to the first e-newsletter for our website. By now I hope you have found your way around the website. It has been designed to give information about sexual health matters and the clinic. It is very much in its infancy so all suggestions are welcome to help us develop a website useful to all. Whether you are a potential patient, a health professional, or someone simply seeking information I am sure you will find something of interest.
Grail Poducts have provided a limited product list which offers a variety of sexual health resources which can been obtained conveniently and discretely.
The idea of the newsletter is to provide a means or giving up to date information on sexual health matters such as research findings, new books or products, research programs and general health information. We will include information about upcoming events and meetings, book reviews and useful links. If you have anything you would like considered for inclusion, do email me at info@claremontsexualhealth.com.au

The Aquarium!

Many patients have been fascinated by the marine tank in the office. It contains live coral and a variety of fish including clownfish, banana and lime wrasses, Bangai and Pyjama cardinals, false gramma, damsel and “Benny the blenny.” There are also 2or3 crabs, some snails and tubeworms. Altogether a colourful and soothing display much appreciated by patients and staff alike.

Real Time Ultrasound (RTUS)

Jane Rhodes at APS Physiotherapy offers RTUS at Claremont Medical Centre. This technique allows patients to see how their pel

vic floor muscles are functioning. This makes it much easier to learn effective pelvic floor, PC, and  core stability exercises. This is invaluable for conditions where poor muscle control contributes to sexual dysfunction. Female patients with involuntary vaginal muscle spasm or “vaginismus” can learn voluntary control over their vaginal muscles facilitating painless intercourse. Men and women with orgasmic dysfunction can achieve improved orgasmic sensation and control through PC exercise with RTUS. Anxiety about incontinence or vaginal laxity can be alleviated and patients experiencing back pain can gain the ability to enjoy more satisfactory sexual activity.

Sex and Stress

Many patients coming to the clinic are suffering from anxiety, depression, or simply under stress. It’s a bit of a chicken and egg situation as once sexual problems start they become a further cause of anxiety and so the cycle spins.
The relationship between sexuality and the mind has long been realized and is illustrated by the myth of “Cupid & Psyche” the subject of many important works of art.
Anxiety is “the fear of a real or imagined threat;” The body immediately prepares itself for “fight or flight” by activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This nervous system is our survival mechanism and will always take precedent. Sexual arousal is almost instantly abolished by sympathetic activity, possibly after premature orgasm if sufficiently aroused. Being sexually aroused would be a distinct disadvantage in a fight or flight situation!
People suffering from an anxiety disorder or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder,) will have constant background anxiety or “hypervigilance,” this is associated with sympathetic nervous system activity; the resulting stress chemicals coursing through the brain and body will make it very difficult to relax sufficiently to allow sexual arousal.
Concentrate on “turning off” before trying to “turn on” using relaxation techniques such as meditation, massage, or breathing techniques. Some people require more intensive medical or psychiatric treatment.

Herbs and sexual health

Many herbs have been used over the years to enhance sexual performance or to help with problems. Most have stood the test of time but few have well-designed, placebo-controlled research behind them. People like the idea of a natural product but this does not always mean it will be safe or free from interactions with other medication.
Grail Products has chosen a limited number of products which we are able to recommend:
Saw Palmetto has been shown to help relieve symptoms of prostate enlargement and may help prevent male pattern baldness.
Gingko Biloba seems to improve circulation and may improve vasculogenic ED and improve brain circulation.
Vitamin E helps with healing and scar softening. It is a powerful antioxidant and may improve Peyronie’s Disease.
Male Enhance is a collection of herbal products to improve male sexual function. It contains zinc, tribulus, saw palmetto, gingko and ginseng.
Vitus agnus castus (Chaste Tree)  is said to improve cyclical hormonal problems in women and has used for centuries to reduce excessive libido.

The Clitoris: Bigger than you thought!

Vivienne Cass is a local sex therapist with many years experience counseling individuals and couples as a clinical psychologist.
She has recently published a ground breaking book on female orgasmic difficulties, the first new book on the subject for 30 years.
Many women have difficulty reaching orgasm alone or with their partner, most do not seek help through embarrassment or lack of knowledge about treatments available. Viv’s book is designed for these women and the therapists trying to help them. It contains information, exercises and suggestions. It is one of the first texts to show the  true anatomy of the clitoris, only discovered in the last 10 years. Did you know that the average size of the clitoris is 7-13cm? The bit you see is very much only the tip of the iceberg.
Want to know more? See the book and study its excellent illustrations.

The CSH Logo

Many of you will have read Dale Brown bestseller “The Da Vinci Code.” As well as being an exciting read it has provoked a great deal of controversy and discussion. Much of the story revolves around the use of ancient symbols and I was taken with the most primitive signs for male and female: the “crucible” for the woman v and the “sword” for the man: ^
By combining the 2 symbols into a brushstroke design we arrived at the CSH logo.We can then split the design back to the original symbols
for male and female.

Massage and Aromatherapy

Good sex is about intimacy and touch and a surprising number of people find this quite difficult. If you have a low self esteem, poor body image, are tense or have been abused in the past you may find it hard to relax and enjoy sensual or sexual touch.
Massage has many benefits– at an individual level it is an excellent means of relaxation as well as helping with aches and pains. These effects can be enhanced by the use of essential oils as in aromatherapy.
Giving your partner a massage is the perfect way to improve intimacy and relax them. It is used in the early stages of sex therapy in couples who have developed sexual difficulties or stopped having sex altogether. As discussed in the article on “sex and stress” many people with psychological sexual dysfunction are unable to become properly aroused while there body is in “fight and flight” mode, massage is the perfect way to switch it off! There are several books and videos teaching sensual or erotic massage available from Grail Products

Claremont Medical Centre

Claremont Medical Centre opened at the end of November 2001. It contains a busy general practice, physiotherapy, pharmacy, pathology, and specialist rooms. There is a large function room for meetings.
The building is heritage listed and won the Art Deco Society’s award for the best heritage conversion in 2002.
The building was originally the famous “Highway Hotel” where
many of our older patients remember courting their partner, having family tea with strawberries, or attending weddings. It had a rather more infamous reputation in the 1970’s and 80’s as “ the Coronado Hotel.” There were regular live bands and even mud wrestling upstairs!