--- title: "Why Your Mind Matters for Sexual Desire: Insights from Dr. Lori Brotto" description: Discover how mindfulness can reignite sexual desire during menopause. Featuring expert insights from Dr. Lori Brotto and PAUZ Health’s YouTube interview image: https://pauz.health/hubfs/Untitled%20(560%20x%20420%20px)%20(960%20x%20540%20px)%20(1200%20x%20630%20px)%20(1600%20x%20900%20px)%20(1600%20x%20900%20px)%20(92)-1.png --- - [Home](https://pauz.health) - [Services & Pricing](https://pauz.health/pauz-health-services) - [Empower Hub](https://pauz.health/empower-hub) [![Pauz Logo - Main - Black@3x](https://pauz.health/hs-fs/hubfs/Pauz%20Logo%20-%20Main%20-%20Black@3x.png?width=100&height=45&name=Pauz%20Logo%20-%20Main%20-%20Black@3x.png "Pauz Logo - Main - Black@3x")](https://www.pauz.health) - [About Us](https://pauz.health/about-pauz-health) - [Shop](https://pauz.health/pauz-shop) - [Blog](https://pauz.health/blog) - [Login](https://pauzhealth.janeapp.com/login) - [Join PAUZ](https://pauzhealth.janeapp.com/validated_users/new) Nov 7, 2025 10:20:26 AM # Why Your Mind Matters for Sexual Desire: Insights from Dr. Lori Brotto ![Picture of PAUZ Health](https://pauz.health/hs-fs/hubfs/Take%20control%20over%20(13).png?width=50&name=Take%20control%20over%20(13).png) [PAUZ Health](https://pauz.health/blog/author/pauz-health) ![Untitled (560 x 420 px) (960 x 540 px) (1200 x 630 px) (1600 x 900 px) (1600 x 900 px) (92)](https://pauz.health/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20(560%20x%20420%20px)%20(960%20x%20540%20px)%20(1200%20x%20630%20px)%20(1600%20x%20900%20px)%20(1600%20x%20900%20px)%20(92).png?width=1130&height=636&name=Untitled%20(560%20x%20420%20px)%20(960%20x%20540%20px)%20(1200%20x%20630%20px)%20(1600%20x%20900%20px)%20(1600%20x%20900%20px)%20(92).png) ### *PAUZ Health Dishes with Dr. Lori Brotto — Mindfulness, Menopause, and Desire* If you’ve ever collapsed onto the couch at the end of a long day and thought, *“I’d love to want sex, but I just don’t,”* you’re not alone. Research shows that **39% of women report low sexual desire**, and for many, the issue isn’t just physical—it’s mental. To explore why, **PAUZ Health** sat down with **Dr. Lori Brotto**, one of the world’s leading experts in women’s sexual health and mindfulness. Dr. Brotto is a **Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of British Columbia**, **Executive Director of the Women’s Health Research Institute**, and author of [*Better Sex Through Mindfulness*](https://www.amazon.com/Better-Sex-Through-Mindfulness-Cultivate/dp/1771642351) (2018) and *The Better Sex Through Mindfulness Workbook* (2022). You may also recognize her from Netflix’s [*The Principles of Pleasure*.](https://www.netflix.com/title/81137265) ![Untitled (560 x 420 px) (960 x 540 px) (1200 x 630 px) (1600 x 900 px) (1600 x 900 px) (93)](https://pauz.health/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20(560%20x%20420%20px)%20(960%20x%20540%20px)%20(1200%20x%20630%20px)%20(1600%20x%20900%20px)%20(1600%20x%20900%20px)%20(93).png?width=1170&height=658&name=Untitled%20(560%20x%20420%20px)%20(960%20x%20540%20px)%20(1200%20x%20630%20px)%20(1600%20x%20900%20px)%20(1600%20x%20900%20px)%20(93).png) ### 🧠 Why the Mind Is the Missing Link in Sexual Desire As Dr. Brotto explains, menopause and aging bring real physiological changes—declining estrogen, vaginal dryness, and shifts in libido—but for women, **sexual desire also depends on mental presence**. > “For women, the mind has to be in synchrony with the body,” says Dr. Brotto. “We need to feel connected, safe, and engaged in the moment for arousal to follow.” Sound familiar? “I can’t remember the last time I felt like having sex.” “I should win an Academy Award for best orgasm performance.” If these resonate, you’re not broken—your brain and body may just be out of sync. --- ### ✨ The Science Behind Mindfulness and Desire Mindfulness—the practice of **paying attention to the present moment without judgment**—has been shown to **improve sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, satisfaction, and orgasm** in women. Dr. Brotto’s clinical studies demonstrate that women who practiced mindfulness experienced meaningful increases in sexual wellbeing, even when physical symptoms persisted. Why? Because mindfulness helps you reconnect with your senses—**touch, smell, taste, and sound**—allowing desire to emerge naturally rather than be forced. --- ### 🌸 Where to Start You don’t need an hour-long meditation routine to benefit. Start small: 1. **Daily mindfulness:** Sit comfortably and focus on your breath. When your mind drifts, gently bring it back. A simple mantra like “Release my inner goddess” can help anchor you. 2. **Walking meditation:** Sync your breath with each step. Feel the movement and the air on your skin. 3. **Mindful intimacy:** Begin with self-touch, then explore with your partner. Focus on sensations, rhythm, and breath. Notice how being fully present changes the experience. #### Pro Tips - Make eye contact — it deepens connection. - Expect distractions — simply notice them and refocus. - Practice gratitude — appreciate your body for what it does. - Be kind — let go of body criticism and self-judgment. --- ### 💕 What About Physical Changes? Let’s be clear—**pain during sex, dryness, or burning are not normal** and should never be ignored. These may be symptoms of **Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)**, affecting up to **84% of women**. Common symptoms include: - Vaginal dryness and irritation - Pain during intercourse - Decreased lubrication - Increased urinary frequency or urgency The gold-standard treatment is **local vaginal estrogen**, which directly restores tissue health. Lubricants and moisturizers can also help. For persistent issues, **book a visit with a menopause-certified NP at PAUZ Health** for a full assessment and personalized care plan. --- ### 🧘‍♀️ The Bottom Line Sexual desire isn’t just hormonal—it’s deeply connected to your mind. Mindfulness offers a powerful, evidence-based way to reconnect with your body and revitalize intimacy during midlife and menopause. > “When women learn to tune in—without judgment, without shame—they often rediscover pleasure they thought was gone,” says Dr. Brotto. --- ### 📲 **Listen Now: PAUZ Health Podcast with Dr. Lori Brotto** In our latest episode, Dr. Lori Brotto joins us to talk about the neuroscience of desire, mindfulness, and how to rebuild connection during menopause. [Watch here](https://youtu.be/Lh_g8e0ZYxk) #### **Resources Mentioned** - Brotto, L. (2018). *Better Sex Through Mindfulness: How Women Can Cultivate Desire.* - Brotto, L. (2022). *The Better Sex Through Mindfulness Workbook.* - *The Principles of Pleasure* (Netflix) - World Health Organization. (2006). *Defining sexual health: Report of a technical consultation.* ---       #### [Empower Your Menopause Journey Today!](https://pauz.health/) [Join PAUZ!](https://pauz.health/) [Pink Parts: Sexual Health](https://pauz.health/blog/tag/pink-parts-sexual-health) ## Read On [![](https://pauz.health/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20(560%20x%20420%20px)%20(960%20x%20540%20px)%20(1200%20x%20630%20px)%20(1600%20x%20900%20px)%20(1600%20x%20900%20px).png?width=352&name=Untitled%20(560%20x%20420%20px)%20(960%20x%20540%20px)%20(1200%20x%20630%20px)%20(1600%20x%20900%20px)%20(1600%20x%20900%20px).png)](https://pauz.health/blog/testosterone-should-this-be-part-of-your-mht-regime) #### [Testosterone-Should this be part of your MHT regime?](https://pauz.health/blog/testosterone-should-this-be-part-of-your-mht-regime)   Testosterone Therapy in Menopause: What We Know, What We Don’t Know, and Why Evidence Still... 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