Synopsis
In a study of the mysteries of physical attraction, a leading research biologist discusses the cycles of human sexuality, explaining how to exploit these cycles to enhance sensuality, inhibit aging, and promote health and personal fulfillment
Reviews
Cutler ( Menopause: A Guide for Women and the Men Who Love Them ) takes an original and unconventional look at a variety of sexual problems, including infertility, lack of desire, irregular menstrual cycles and impotence. She asserts that most of these problems can be traced to hormone excesses or deficiencies, which can often be altered by such behavior changes as reducing stress and giving up smoking. Other creative, perhaps controversial, recommendations include the suggestion that women can "cure" infertility by having sex once a week--no more or less. In addition to problems, Cutler discusses normal sexuality, men's and women's hormonal/sexual patterns as influenced by lunar cycles and other cosmic events and the influence of pheromones on sexuality and menstruation. Extensive annotations, charts, graphs and diagrams provide a solid scientific grounding rare in popular science books. A ground-breaking work of value to general readers as well as to medical and psychology professionals. Literary Guild alternate selection; author tour.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
A biologist explains her own and others' research into the ebb and flow of human sexuality and offers some thoughts about the implications of their findings. Cutler (Hysterectomy Before and After, 1988, etc.) asserts that the moon's influence is dominant in human sexual cycles and that recognizing the power of the cosmic forces on our bodies' biorhythms is essential to our well-being. A favorite image of hers is a swimmer in a panicky struggle against rough ocean waters versus a floater who lets the rhythm of the waves carry him safely to shore. According to Cutler, Ecclesiastes had it right: There is a time to love and a time to refrain from loving. More specifically, research indicates that regular weekly sex is beneficial to women's health; when that's not possible, celibacy is the best alternative, for sporadic sex can have serious health consequences; further, abstinence during the menstrual period can aid women in avoiding health problems. Her work on pheromones makes fascinating reading and could have been a book in itself. Cutler tries hard to hold the interest of the general reader with catchy section heads and chapter titles (witness the book's title), but at heart she is a research scientist who laces the text with tables and charts that require close attention. For the nonscientist, who may need a little help, she sums up her conclusions rather neatly at the end of each chapter. For her fellow scientists, she provides copious notes keyed to individual sections and references for each chapter. Cutler, who never lets the reader forget that she herself is a woman, seems interested primarily in female sexuality, and her appeal is likely to be to women. A strange mixture of science and speculation that reveals an inquiring mind at work. -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Beginning with the startling premise that the human reproductive cycle is " inevitably connected to cosmic forces," Cutler offers a curious pseudo-scientific work. As a research biologist, she has long been fascinated by the interrelationship of the menstrual cycle and natural phenomena. She postulates that only by acknowledging the effect of outside forces can one achieve true sexual well-being. Her research concerning human pheromones and the influence of lunar and solar cycles on reproduction makes interesting reading, but lacks authentication within the mainstream scientific community. Her extensive research has convinced her that weekly, monogamous sex is the key to fertility and the prescription to happiness--a theme which she repeats frequently. This entertaining, offbeat book, peppered with poetic allusions, is recommended for alternative health collections.
- Carol R. Glatt, VA Medical Ctr. Lib., Philadelphia
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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