Explore the Book

ABOUT THE BOOK

Shasbsigh’s 7 Steps aspires to provide easy and clear guidance to health information and a proven plan to enhance sexual function, achieve optimum men’s health, and empower couples to enjoy sensational sex and overall health. The plan is based on the three themes that Dr. Shabsigh crystallized after years of patient care, research and education. These themes include:

1. Sexual health is the portal to men’s health
2. Sexual function and satisfaction exist in a continuum
3. Every man can improve his sex life, and the majority can do so without medical intervention.

IS THIS BOOK FOR YOU?

For Men

Young men think an erection problem will just go away on its own. It won’t. Older men think erectile dysfunction (ED) is a normal part of aging. It isn’t. And any man who thinks he’ll never have to worry about performing sexually because of the “magic” pills that are available is sadly mistaken—those pills don’t work for about a third of the men who take them. And even if they do work, they do nothing to correct the serious underlying health issues.

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The Penis is the thermometer for overall health

Changes in erectile function related to rigidity, duration, or the ability to attain an erection on demand are warning signs of premature breakdowns in general health. Sexual function is intimately connected to brain, cardiovascular, and neurological health and to the status of the endocrine system—with testosterone level being the most critical. Deficiencies in any of these areas will eventually affect one’s ability to achieve and maintain satisfactory erections. Therefore, occurrences of erectile dysfunction (ED) represent an opportunity to catch the early stages of serious disease and address conditions at a time when medical interventions are easiest and least invasive, and the prognosis for total reversal is most likely. If ED is not currently an issue, the presence of a host of conditions—such as obesity, diabetes, elevated blood pressure (or other cardiovascular conditions), and depression—has been definitively shown to lead to sexual dysfunction. Similarly, a poor lifestyle—smoking, alcohol abuse, and lack of exercise—negatively impacts erectile capability. Ignoring or poorly managing of these overall health factors will result in diminished sexual performance in the near future. This comprehensive program not only makes the connection between sexual and overall health, it provides a step-by-step guide to improve both at the same time. A key element for sensational sex is a regular health checkup; 7 Steps contains a section on the “Annual Men’s Health” visit that outlines how it should be administered.

For Women

The latest research has demonstrated that a partner's involvement in a man's sexual and overall health dramatically improves both, and increases the effectiveness of any treatment. Female readers will find that the abundance of information about a man's sexual function will increase their understanding of what is taking place in their partners' bodies and what is available to help them. They will be empowered to help their men by pointing out critical information and motivating them to seek help, and will know how to support them every step of the way.

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The specific information and resources related to female sexual function presented in the steps pertaining to relationships and the medical treatments available for sexual dysfunction will lead to improved female sexual performance/enjoyment and overall health. The wealth of information on the Female Sexual Response Cycle and the physiology of female sexual function, and on the types of female sexual dysfunctions/treatments, is invaluable for a woman's well-being. After reading the seven-step program, women will not only be able to help their partners, they'll be able to help themselves as well.

For Couples

For the most part, sex is not a solitary activity. And sexual medicine has established that the health of a primary relationship plays a vital role in sexual performance and satisfaction-for both partners. Sex reaches its pinnacle when a relationship is plumbed to its greatest depth.

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The pursuit and attainment of intimacy with another person generates mystery, expectation, excitement, and maximum contentment. Improving your relationship will have as much or more of a dramatic impact on your sex life as anything else you do to achieve better sex. Every other hurdle will be easier to navigate with your significant other on board, and every joy you realize from sexual activity will be heightened.

In my book, step 5: "Two to Tango" shows you how to overcome boredom, how to get in sync with your partner on multiple levels, how to open up about your needs and hear his or hers. It covers every aspect of a relationship: another's body and mind, outside forces at work, sexual and nonsexual communication, courting rituals, the challenge of maintaining passion, and, if the relationship is encountering rough seas, getting professional help. If sexual dysfunction is an issue with either or both partners, you'll gain greater understanding about it and what you can do to help yourself and your significant other.

The key is engaging your partner. Sure, you could address your own physical and psychological issues related to sexual function and get better. But if you want to have sensational sex, you have to take your partner with you. To do that, you have to pursue him or her while pursuing other interests. You have to communicate, and understand. This step shows you how to dance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ridwan Shabsigh, MD, FACS

Dr. Ridwan Shabsigh is the director of the Division of Urology at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY, and an associate professor of urology at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University in New York.

Dr. Shabsigh received his medical degree from Damascus University Medical School in Syria. Subsequently, he received urology residency training in Germany. In addition, he completed a residency in urology and a fellowship in sexual medicine, urinary incontinence, and urologic prostheses at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. Prior to joining Maimonides Medical Center, he worked for 17 years as a urologist and faculty member at the Department of Urology of Columbia University.

Dr. Shabsigh has focused his research on the treatment of sexual dysfunctions as well as the role of sexual dysfunction in hypertension, depression, hypogonadism, diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. He has participated in numerous clinical trials on investigational drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation, hypogonadism, and female sexual dysfunction, and he has served as a principal investigator for efficacy and safety trials on a variety of new drugs and medical devices in patients with sexual dysfunctions.

A frequent contributor to the medical press, Dr. Shabsigh has authored many original papers and abstracts in addition to review articles, book chapters, and editorials, in such journals as the New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, British Medical Journal, Journal of Urology, Urology, World Journal of Urology, British Journal of Urology, Biology of Reproduction, American Journal of Cardiology, American Journal of Psychiatry, Journal of Sexual Medicine, and the International Journal of Clinical Practice. Most recently, he published a comprehensive patient education book on sexual health and overall health: Sensational Sex in 7 Easy Steps, published by Rodale.

Dr. Shabsigh is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Diplomate of the American Board of Urology, and is an active member of several organizations, including the American Urological Association, the International Society of Sexual Medicine, the Sexual Medicine Society of North America, and the International Society for the Study of Women Sexual Health. He is also a member of the Sexual Health Council of the American Urological Association Foundation. Among his editorial responsibilities, Dr. Shabsigh serves as a member of the editorial board of the World Journal of Urology and Urology, Journal of Sexual Medicine, The Aging Male, Andrologia, and The International Journal of Men's Health and Gender.

Awards he has received include The Harry Spence Resident Prize Essay Contest of the Texas Urological Society, The John K. Lattimer Award for Excellence in Clinical Instruction, American Foundation of Urologic Disease (AFUD) Young Investigator Award, and The International Society of Sexual Medicine female sexual dysfunction prize.

Recent Scientific Publications From proficiency to expert, when does the learning curve for robotic-assisted prostatectomies plateau? The Columbia University experience. The natural progression and remission of erectile dysfunction: results from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. New frontiers in sexual and reproductive medicine. The Bolger conference on PDE-5 inhibition and HIV risk: implications for health policy and prevention. Is there a relationship between sex hormones and erectile dysfunction? Results from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study.

BOOK CONTRIBUTORS

Dr. Mehmet Oz

Dr. Oz is vice chair and Professor of Surgery at Columbia University. He directs the Cardiovascular Institute and Complementary Medicine Program at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Oz received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University (1982) and obtained a joint MD and MBA (1986) from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Wharton School of Business. He has been featured on Oprah and numerous other talk shows. Dr. Oz authored the award-winning book, Healing from the Heart. He has a bimonthly column in Esquire magazine. His bestselling books include You: The Owner's Manual and You: On A Diet.

Bruce Scali

Bruce Scali is a professional writer across multiple genres and his broad expertise includes cutting-edge healthcare topics. He transforms complex subject matter to make it accessible to every reader. He contributed significantly to Sensational Sex in 7 Easy Steps.

Lois De La Haba

Lois De La Haba is a literary agent with extensive experience in publishing. She has been Dr. Shabsigh's literary agent for the past several years. She participated significantly in the success of Sensational Sex in 7 Easy Steps.

Advisory Board

A group of esteemed national and international experts in various specialties of reproductive medicine, urology, cardiology, psychology and communications advise Dr. Shabsigh in his endeavor to bring sexual health and overall health, together.

Jacques Buvat, MD

Director, Centre d'Etude et de Traitement de la Pathologie de l'Appareil Reproducteur et de la Psychosomatique (CETPARP), Lille, France, with teaching responsibilities in andrology, sexology, human reproduction, and superior training in general medicine at the University of Lille, France.

• Past president of the International Society of Sexual Medicine
• President of the French Speaking Society of Andrology

André T. Guay, MD, FACS, FACE

• Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine (Endocrinology)
• Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
• Director, Center For Sexual Function, Lahey Clinic Northshore, Peabody, USA

Robert Kloner, MD

• Professor of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, University of Southern California
• Director of Research at the Heart Institute ,Good Samaritan Hospital
• Attending cardiologist at Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical School. Los Angeles, USA
• Formerly Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and attending cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, USA
• Editor-in-chief of the textbook, The Guide to Cardiology and Cardiovascular Trials Review (10 editions), frequent contributor to scientific literature, and author of several medical thrillers.

Tom F. Lue, MD

• Professor, Department of Urology, University of California
• Emil Tanagho Endowed Chair in Clinical Urology, University of California
• Vice Chairman, Department of Urology, University of California
• Chief of Urology, UCSF Mount Zion Medical Center, University of California,
• Medical Director, Knuppe Molecular Urology Laboratory, University of California, San Francisco, USA
• Website >

Michael Perelman, PhD

• Co-Director, Human Sexuality Program, The New York Presbyterian Hospital
• Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Reproductive Medicine and Urology
• Weill Medical College of Cornell University
• Website >

Susan Quilliam

• Relationship psychologist offering advice on sexuality; broadcaster, columnist, author of 18 books on love and sex published in 31 countries and 22 languages.
• Member: Royal Society of Medicine; Editorial Board, Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care; Advisory Board Primary Care Erectile Dysfunction Society; British
• Association for Sexual and Marital Therapists; Association of Family Therapists.
• Website >

Aksam A. Yassin MD PhD EdD FEBU

• Professor of Urology & Human Sexuality
• Chairman of the Dept. Urology/Andrology at Segeberger Kliniken Hospital, Norderstedt-Hamburg, Germany
• Vice-President for Institutional Advancement at the Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
• Formerly Adjunct Professor for Human Sexuality at the University of Sarasota (now Argosy University) in Florida.

This simple review can assess your risk of having hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), diabetes and/or coronary artery disease.

1.How would you rate your health status?
Excellent       1 2 3 4 5 6 7    Poor

2.Do you have severe ED (frequently unable to achieve or maintain an erection)? yes no

3.Do you have a good relationship with your partner? yes no

4.Is your waist size ≥ than 38"? yes no