The 'Hypothalamus' is a small portion of our brain where sexual desires arise in men as well as in women. Sex is primarily a 'cerebral' phenomenon and not genital.

The genitals simply execute the commands of our brain. This makes it clear that sexual arousal, the ability to enjoy sex and even the climax are primarily governed by our brain.

Fantasies, preferences, turn-ons, likes and dislikes in sex are predominantly functions of our brain. If this is so, then physiologically, men as well as women have an equal ability to generate varied sexual desires and fantasies.

Unfortunately, women have been culturally far more inhibited in their sexual expression in the past. Today's woman, however is becoming more and more aware about her own sexuality, her fantasies and her equal participation in sex.

BEING LEFT WANTING

"She nags me during the day and complains of a migraine at night. We haven't had intimate contact with each other since months now. I am frustrated and there seems no end in sight. I love her but she says that I don't care for her. What should I do?" said a young married man.

During counselling, the wife burst into tears and said, "He just uses me when he wants sex; he doesn't love me." Further probing revealed that she had normal sexual urges and had several encounters with her husband after their marriage. But as time passed, her angry outbursts increased and so also her nagging her husband and calling him selfish.

With her nocturnal migraines becoming a daily affair, there would be no possibility of intimacy. She admitted that though he was caring and concerned about her, she was unexplainably angry with him most of the time; in fact, she felt more so, and sad and confused after every sexual act.

Apparently, her husband would invariably take the lead, act impatiently during foreplay, penetrate much before she was fully aroused and ready, always perform intercourse in a missionary position (man on top) and finish the act in seconds. It never occurred to him that she may have different ideas of love-making, may prefer taking the lead sometimes, would like to be an 'active' partner during the act and would prefer some other positions too.

Once the couple discussed their mutual likes and dislikes, fantasies and preferences, the importance of mutually pleasurable foreplay, various possible settings during love-making, discovering each other's erogenous zones, things changed for the better.