Month: March 2019

A French sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) was one of those exceptionally talented people who were able to capture a moment when human inner instincts and desires express themselves through the body in motion. The human body, especially the female body, eros, dance, freedom, and passion inspired Rodin to create some of his most important sculptures.

Two months ago, I visited the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia, PA. The museum holds the most extensive collection of Rodin’s works outside of Paris, France. Although I enjoyed the whole collection, I was particularly struck by six sculptures. All of them are great examples of the artist’s ability to capture the uninhibited bodily movements. They are all sexual, expressive, and so human.

Eternal Springtime (1884)
Rodin’s muse and lover Camille Claudel was his inspiration for this work.
It depicts excitement, embracing, and happiness of two lovers.

 

I Am Beautiful (1885)
“It seems as though the soul of the woman, in haste to meet her lover, had shot through the air like a thought, to find rest in his arms.” (Truman Bartlett, American sculptor). Joy and passion that Rodin felt about his intense affair partner Camille Claudel inspired him to create this sculpture.

 

Damned Women (1885)
This sculpture represents lesbian lovers who are engaging in passionate lovemaking. Physical pleasure is there. It was one of Rodin’s most shocking erotic work.

 

The Cathedral (1908)
This sculpture represents erotic moments of two lovers. There is something mysterious between these two hands while they are anticipating touch.

 

The Secret (1910)
These two right hands belong to two people, something unknown separates them, but there is still a secret, sensual connection: they are touching at the tips.

 

The Kiss ( 1929, copy)
This sculpture depicts the artist’s most famous embracing couple. It captures a passionate moment when their lips meet. Due to its nudity and eroticism, this sculpture was controversial at the time and considered inappropriate for the general public.

 

“Art is actually nothing more than a manifestation of lust, which only arises from the potency to love.”- Auguste Rodin

 

Absent sexual desire and low libido, both in men and women, is a common sexual issue that I encounter in my practice. There are many possible reasons that can diminish sexual desire. Very often, low libido is rather the result of multiple interconnected factors than a single cause.

What causes low libido?

If you have ever wondered why your sexual desire changes, here are some common reasons for that.

Frequent biological or physical causes of low libido include menopause, low testosterone, hypothyroidism, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure. Also, the side effects of medications (narcotics, SSRI antidepressants, chemotherapy drugs, oral contraceptives), poor sleep, alcohol and drug use have negative impacts on sexual desire. Women suffering from vaginismus (or any other sexual pain issue) and men with erectile dysfunction may lose interest in sex.

Some of the psychological factors that might be relevant to the loss of sexual desire are poor body image, fatigue, stress, depression, and attention-deficit disorder. People who experience guilt and shame or have a history of sexual trauma report absent or low libido.

Relational barriers to sexual desire can be power struggles, poor communication, alienation, criticism, secrets (e.g., sexual orientation, fetish), anger, resentments, boredom or lack of sexual diversity. Pregnancy, fear of intimacy, and becoming a parent frequently impact couples’ interest to be sexual. Also, couples who are trying to conceive report having a hard time with maintaining sexual desire.

Socio-cultural components that can directly affect sexual desire are related to lack of education and often negative attitude that some cultural or religious groups can hold towards sexual orientation, gender expression, sexual pleasure, premarital sex, etc.

How to treat low libido and lack of desire?

Libido issues tend to be complex and challenging to treat. Comprehensive and effective approach may include medical intervention (if there are biological factors) and combining couples counseling and sex therapy. Addressing low libido, mindfulness practice, learning to reduce/ eliminate sexual turnoffs, and to increase sexual turnons can restore sexual desire and lead towards achieving a more pleasurable and satisfying sex life.