The other woman. “Home wrecker” if she succeeds, “what did you expect?” if she doesn't. Everyday we are bombarded with stories of these women: former governor Mark Sanford's soulmate, John Edwards' baby momma, and Tiger Woods' menagerie of lovers. While the media will tell us all about these women, it's only ever the scintillating details – the love letters, the text messages, the alleged existence of a sex tape. The fact they are – or once were – party girls, porn stars, strippers.

I always thought that I was pretty old when I had sex for the first time (19), but Alan Guttmacher Institute reports that I was completely average. It turns out that 70% of unmarried teens in American have sex by the time they are 19. (OK, fine I was on the older end of the spectrum, but whatever.) I waited, despite intense pressure from a boyfriend in high school, because I wasn't ready and I knew it. It was a good decision for me. Other girls may be ready earlier, and those are their decisions, too.

Physical changes. Exhaustion. Fights. Late nights. Early mornings. Weight gain. Money worries. Busy schedules. Sounds sexy, doesn't it? You'd think once you get partnered up with someone, the sex would be easy, accessible and free-flowing. Or at least not a chore. So why are so many mommies lacking in libido? The explanation may have nothing to do with you or your physical make-up and everything to do with your schedule. Put down the K-Y and let's discuss.

“What is a good relationship? That’s what I want to know.”  This question encapsulated the point of the spirited discussion in the third session of parenting classes I was leading at a correctional facility in Boston.  Everyone got thoughtful and quiet after that question. Finally, one of the less talkative women broke the silence.  “Yeah, what is a good relationship? I’ve never seen one.”

A few weeks ago, my husband Michael forwarded me the NY Times article, "Therapists Report Increase in Green Disputes" As awareness of environmental concerns has grown, therapists say they are seeing a rise in bickering between couples and family members over the extent to which they should change their lives to save the planet.

I've been blogging about sex & relationships for as long as I've been blogging, since 2005. Of all the things I'm passionate about, it's my passion for love and my fascination with human relationships that most drives everything I do. In my sex & relationships blogging, I am inspired most by my belief that we benefit in an amazing way from sharing our experiences and thoughts as everyday people - outside of psychologists, and self-help books, and the latest trend article.

The dream, like that of our mothers and their mothers from time immemorial, was to fall in love, get married, and live happily ever after. Of course, we'd be loath to admit it in this day and age, but ask any soul-baring 40-year-old single heterosexual woman what she most longs for in life, and she probably won’t tell you it's a better career or a smaller waistline or a bigger apartment. Most likely, she’ll say that what she really wants is a husband (and, by extension, a child).

Teen pregnancy rates are up after a 10 year decline. What can we do about it? It seems obvious that abstinence-only programs aren't working to reduce teen pregnancy.  If you ask me, it's not the "abstinence" part that is the problem, it's the "only" part.  I'm not against teaching abstinence as part of a sex education program, but to only teach abstinence seem irresponsible.

Valentine's Day is pretty much a non-starter for me this year. Not because I'm a V-day hater, because I am most assuredly not. And not because I'm single; I've had some very nice single Valentine's Days in the past, both on dates and hanging with friends. Oddly, the reason I'm feeling rather nonplussed about it is because I had an absolutely wonderful Valentine's Day last year with my then boyfriend. Literally, a Valentine's Day my dreams are made of.

Dinner for two at that little Italian place you've been meaning to try. A suggestive email sent around mid-day. A bottle of massage oil which mysteriously is left on your side table. Long-stemmed strawberries. A box with a note to open it when you're alone. Oh--and presentation notes due on your bosses desk before you leave work and three kids who all want to tell you about what happened at recess at the exact. same. time. It's Valentine's Day in the real world.

On a recent Saturday night, I agreed to accompany a male friend (I'll refer to him as B-) to a work function. B-'s company was throwing a dinner party at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and since I'd never been to a fancy party at a museum before, I figured it would be an interesting experience.

Last Tuesday was the premiere of the third season of Bravo reality show Millionaire Matchmaker. I must admit, I was eagerly anticipating this program for many reasons. Where else can I have my stereotypes of the vapidness of Los Angeles singles confirmed?