Resources
Follow Dr. Melanie on Twitter for sexuality news and links — @DrMelanieDavis
- Articles By or Featuring Melanie Davis
- Book Recommendations
- Organizations & Consultants
- Affiliates
- Physician’s Resources
- Sex & Aging Resources
Articles By or Featuring Melanie Davis
- AASECT Member Spotlight: Melanie Davis — Contemporary Sexuality
- A Caring Approach to Pediatric Gynecology — Garden State Woman
- A New Perspective on Core Issues — Garden State Woman
- A New Spin on a Bottle — Reader’s Digest “Best You”
- AccessRX Interview with Sexuality Educator Melanie Davis
- Enjoying Sex in Later Life — The Courier-News
- Dialing Up Desire: From “Not Tonight” to “Hot Tonight” — SaferSex4Seniors.org
- Do Not Disturb: Grandma’s Having Sex – Healthy California Report
- Federal Funds Create Jobs for Sexuality Educators — Contemporary Sexuality
- Finding Your Way Back to Intimacy after Cancer — New York Metro
- Flirting with Fantasy; Toying with Toys — SaferSex4Seniors.org
- Hollywood’s Problem with Senior Citizen Sex — TheAtlantic.com
- Identifying Digital Dangers — Suburban Life
- How a Sexuality Educator Can Help You — SaferSex4Seniors.org
- How to Talk with Your Doctor about Sex — SaferSex4Seniors.org
- Love in the Time of Colic: The New Parents’ Guide to Getting it on Again — Contemporary Sexuality
- Member Spotlight: Melanie Davis — Contemporary Sexuality
- Meryl Streep, “Hope Springs” and Senior Sex: Why Seniors are Getting it On – Daily Beast (a Newsweek online magazine)
- Naked at Our Age: Talking Out Loud about Senior Sex– American Journal of Sexuality Education (book review)
- Reframing Intimacy after Cancer — Coping with Cancer magazine
- Sandra Leiblum Tribute AJSE – American Journal of Sexuality Education
- Sex and Healthcare with Dr. Melanie Davis (podcast interview) — SexwithTimaree.com
- Sex Shouldn’t Hurt — SaferSex4Seniors.org
- Sexual History Shouldn’t be a Mystery — SaferSex4Seniors.org
- Sexuality Education as a Ministry — American Journal of Sexuality Education
- Staying Intimate While Battling Breast Cancer — Fox News Magazine
- Keeping the Romance Alive — New Jersey Savvy Living
- Making Peace with Your Inner Critic — The Stepping Stone
Melanie’s Sexuality Book Recommendations for Parents, Youth, and Others
- Great Sexuality Books for Parents and Kids, Part 1
- Great Sexuality Books for Parents and Kids, Part 2
- Sexuality Talking Points: A Guide Toward Thoughtful Conversations Between Parents and Children
- Sex education curriculum store has great resources for educators!
- www.SexEdStore.com has terrific, affordable resources for educators
- Guide to Getting it On, by Paul Joannides. This massive resource is fun and engaging, featuring up-to-the-minute data and research on everything from sexual anatomy to sex tips and how to disclose your sexual orientation. If you buy only one book for answers about sex, buy this one.
Organizations & Consultants
- AASECT.org: American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). Visit the online directory to find certified professionals in your area.
- Sexuality Now: This blog, which I write for Cengage Learning/Wadsworth, provides lesson plans for college professors using Janelle Carroll’s Sexuality Now textbook.
- Circles_of_Sexuality: The Circles of Sexuality Model illustrates the breadth of sexuality issues that can be experienced, talked about and studied.
- cancer.org: American Cancer Society (search for Sexuality).
- cancerhelp.org:This British site has great information on cancer and sexuality as well as links to clinical trials.
- collegesextalk.com: Website for college students on sexuality.
- condomania.com: A fun website and a great online source for condoms of all sizes and kinds. Includes information on sexual health.
- dmcconsult.com: Resources in the Philadelphia area for transgender individuals and loved ones.
- ec.princeton.edu: Website on emergency contraception.
- Everyoneisgay.com : Kristen and Dannielle offer advice to youth and young adults who are exploring their sexual identities. The site hosts travel to schools and colleges to empower audiences.
- fatherhood.org: Website on fatherhood.
- ftmguide.org: Hudson’s FTM resources for transmen.
- glma.org: Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. Great resource for physicians!
- GoodMenProject.com : This great site has resources and is fostering a national discussion centered around modern manhood and the question, “What does it mean to be a good man”?
- Manyvoices.org: Resource for churches seeking to be welcoming to people of all sexual identies.
- MedLinePlus: Sexual health information from the National Institutes for Health.
- mommasaid.net: The “back fence of the internet” created by parenting author Jen Singer. Melanie’s Buzz on the Birds and Bees blog got its start on mommasaid and now is simultaneously published there and this Honest Exchange site.
- mysistahs: Peer education for young women of color regarding sexuality and sexual health.
- iwannaknow.org: The American Social Health Association provides answers to questions about teen sexual health and sexually transmitted infections.
- Maria J. Clark-Adragna: Maria runs workshops on disability and intimacy, training to decrease the vulnerability of persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, and health education for individuals with developmental disabilities. She does corporate training on these topics as well.
- NJWAN.org: New Jersey Women and AIDS Network is the only female-specific AIDS service organization in the state and one of the first in the nation. It’s mission is to: reduce the spread of HIV infection in women; support the self-determination of women living with HIV/AIDS to better access quality care and treatment; educate service providers; and to advocate for appropriate policies in the women and AIDS pandemic.
- pflag.org: Lesbian and gay loved ones’ support group website.
- plannedparenthood.org: An excellent source for up-to-date information on sexual health, contraception and pregnancy options.
- thenationalcampaign.org: The “Planning for Children: Helping Couples Decide If and When to Have More Children” curriculum module is available for free download from The Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
- pregnancyoptions.info: An objective online workbook that walks pregnant women through their options.
- prochoice.org: Pregnancy Choices website.
- queeringthechurch.wordpress.com: Provides opinion pieces about spirituality and individuals with LGBTQ sexual orientations
- religiousinstitute.org: The Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice & Healing is a multi-denominational consortium of religious leaders and educators.
- SaferSex4Seniors.org : I coordinate this site, which offers accurate information from top sexologists on safer sex and relationships for older adults. Free poster! Great video!
- seriouslysexuality.com is a great sex ed resource for adolescents and teens, hosted by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. The site is easy to browse and rich with interactive learning features.
- sexetc.org: This terrific website by teens, for teens is sponsored by the Network for Family Life Education, Rutgers University.
- sexscience.org: The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality.
- SexSmartFilms.com offers a wealth of free and subscription videos for use by sex therapists, educators and other healthcare professionals.
- sexualhealth.com: Expert-written entries on sexual health and concerns.
- sexualhealth.com/channel/view/disability-illness/: Website on disability, chronic illness and sexuality.
- sexualityandaging.com: The blog for the Sexuality and Aging Consortium at Widener University, which provides speakers and trainers for adult care professionals as well as consumers.
- siecus.org: Home of the Sexual Information and Education Council of the US, which is a highly respected source for sexuality information and research.
- SurveyGizmo.com – A great resource for anyone conducting online surveys, whether for fun or for academic or business use.
- Sylvia Rivera Law Project: The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence.
- talkingwithkids.org: This site is run by Talking With Kids About Tough Issues, a national campaign sponsored by Children Now and the Kaiser Family Foundation.
- teenpregnancy.org: National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy website.
- teenwire.com: Teens will find this site both interesting and informative. Sponsored by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
- transproud.org: Transgender youth website.
- transpeoplespeak.org : I AM: Trans People Speak is a multi-media campaign aimed at raising awareness about the diverse communities of trans individuals, families, and allies.
- GenderAdvocates.org : Check out these links for transgender youth and their families
- WebMd.com: Sexual Health Conditions area.
- WeGiveaDamn.org: Information on action you can take to stop intimidation of LGTB teens and adults.
- Widener University Graduate Programs in Human Sexuality — Video overview of the only nationally accredited, university affiliated graduate program in human sexuality.
- Widener University Service Learning in Human Sexuality — Video overview of the real-world education offered to students at Widener U.
- Widener.edu/sexualityandaging : The online home of the Sexuality and Aging Consortium at Widener University.
- Worldsexology.org: The World Association for Sexual Health.
- XDress.com – Discover an assortment of lingerie styles including men’s lace underwear, fantasy wear and accessories.
Physician’s Resources
Sexual History Taking
- Yes/no Questions that Provide Answers about Sexual Desire
- Out For Health – When your patient is ready to come out as non-heterosexual or transgender, will you be ready?
- Pap Test Resources for Providers and their Female-to-Male Transgender Patients
- Paralysis and Sexuality Solutions Videos from sexologist and disabilities specialist Mitchell Tepper, PhD, MPH
- Reasons to Ask about Patient’s Sexual Partner’s Behavior, Too
- Reasons to Discuss Sexual Health Risks with Older Patients in New Dating Patterns
- Sexual History Taking video by the AMA
Patient Care
- Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Education Project by Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health offers downloadable Powerpoints on best practices for adolescent reproductive
and sexual health care. - Current Perspectives on the Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis of Female Sexual Dysfunction and Clinical Studies of Potential Histology and Immunohistochemical Studies of Female Genital Tissue
- Deciding Who to See: Lesbians Discuss Their Preferences in Health and Mental Health Care Providers
- Discussing Sexual Dysfunction
- Guidelines for Transgender Care
- Health Benefits of Sexual Expression
- Is it Time for “T”? Ads encourage men to request Testosterone testing.
- Pap Tests for TransMen
- Pelvic Exam Video – How to be a sensitive provider.
- Persistence is Key to Treating Vaginal Pain
- Reproductive Health Care for Women With Disabilities
- Seeking Medical Help for Sexual Concerns
- The Pleasure Deficit: Revisiting the “Sexuality Connection” in Reproductive Health
- Viagra Falls: Older Men Aren’t That into Erection Drugs – Castleman
- Women and Genital Cosmetic Surgery Issues — A study from New Zealand.
- Women’s Sexual Health in Midlife and Beyond
Other Topics for for Healthcare Providers
- Seeking What Matters: Patients as Research Partners
- Medical School Education in Sexual Health – Journal of Sexual Medicine. Melanie participated in this 2013 summit, which assessed the status of sexuality education in medical schools and developed recommendations for medical schools in the US and Canada.
- Body Image Help for Female Patients: For patients worried about their body size or appearance, I recommend “This is Who I Am: Our Beauty in all Shapes and Sizes,” a photo essay book by Rosanne Olson. Keep a copy of “Petals,” a photo book by Nick Karras, in your office to share with female patients concerned about the size or shape of their labia. The tasteful, sepia-tone photos show vulvar diversity, normalizing differences among female genitalia, and increasing self-esteem.
- Guide to Getting it On, by Paul Joannides. This massive resource features up-to-the-minute data and research on everything from sexual anatomy to sex tips and how to disclose your sexual orientation. If you buy only one book for help answering patient questions, buy this one. The content is accurate and substantiated. Keep a copy on hand for yourself and your staff, and consider an extra copy to let patients borrow.
- Reframing Intimacy after Cancer — Melanie’s article for Coping with Cancer magazine.
- SexSmartFilms.com offers a wealth of free and subscription videos for use by sex therapists, educators and other healthcare professionals.
Sex & Aging Resources
Articles
- Enjoying Sex in Later Life -Davis
- DeLamater_Sexual Desire in Later Life
- Do Not Disturb: Grandma’s Having Sex
- Hollywood’s Problem with Senior Citizen Sex
- Lindau Good Health Leads to Good Older Sex
- P-V Intercourse Positions that Protect Joints
- Sensate Focus Exercises
- Still Got It at Seventy_Sex HIV and Aging
- Taking the Mystery Out of Female Orgasm (self-help brochure)
- Viagra Falls: Older Men Aren’t That into Erection Drugs – Castleman
- Women’s Sexual Health in Midlife and Beyond
Websites
- Aging and Sexuality Resource Guide, www.apa.org
- Better Than I Ever Expected blog, http://joanprice.com/BetterThanExpected.htm
- Get a Second Wind, http://getasecondwind.com/
- National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, www.lgbtagingcenter.org
- New Jersey Center for Sexual Wellness, www.njsexualwellness.com
- SaferSex4Seniors, www.safersex4seniors.org (Coordinator, Dr. Melanie)
- Sex, Honestly (Dr. Melanie’s blog for adults)
- Sex Smart Films (films related to aging), www.sexsmartfilms.com
- Sexuality and Aging Consortium at Widener University, www.widener.edu/sexualityandaging
- Sexuality and Aging Today blog, www.sexualityandaging.com
Sexual Education and Resources
- Sex Advice & Spice: This is my sex advice column hosted by Fantasia Home Parties. I am the company’s on-call sex educator for customers and product sales reps.
- SaferSex4Seniors.org (Coordinator, Dr. Melanie) Fact sheets about all aspects of emotional and physical sexual safety. Ask-the-experts feature.
- Sexuality and Aging Today blog Created by the Sexuality and Aging Consortium at Widener University
- What They Are Asking Provides expert answers to questions adults ask anonymously in the contributing experts’ (including Dr. Melanie) classes, workshops and trainings.
Advice & Commentary
Products
- Adult Romance Products and Toys My sales portal at Fantasia Home Parties. Contact me for free product selection advice.
Videos
- Better Sex Video Series Created by the Sinclair Institute
- Erotic Touch Massage Video classes by the New School of Erotic Touch
- SexSmartFilms has free and subscription videos that can be used for educational purposes. Some subscription videos are graphic and explicit in order to serve as a teaching resource for sex therapists.
- Sexual Health Videos Created by the Healthy Sexuality Advisory Board — sexual health, sensate focus, and other topics.

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