Is there a drug to lower the sex drive?

I have a much higher sex drive than my partner. He is in his late 30s; I am in my mid-20s. I would prefer to have sex every couple of days; he is fine with having it once every week and a half.

I find it difficult to deal with this. I worry I might make sex seem like a chore to my partner if I ask him to have it with me more often. I wish that I could take medication that could lower my sex drive.

We consulted two leading sex experts. Ruth Westheimer suggested your partner could help you achieve sexual satisfaction even if not in the mood for intercourse. Dr. Irwin Goldstein said you aren't unusual. In focus groups, it was found that 25% of women often have a higher sex drive than their male partners.

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FOR THE RECORD
Libido drug: The People's Pharmacy column in the April 14 Health section gave an incorrect brand name for the experimental drug flibanserin, a possible libido enhancer. The column referred to it by the name Ectris, but flibanserin currently has no brand name.

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It may be worth your partner having a medical work-up and his hormone levels checked. Goldstein mentioned an experimental drug, Ectris (flibanserin), that may improve libido for men and women. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to review it during the next year. There are no approved drugs to lower libido. However, the herb vitex (chaste tree berry) may reduce sex drive.

Is chewing Aspergum as effective as chewing an aspirin if you think you are having a heart attack?

Physicians often advise patients who think they may be having a heart attack to dial 911 and chew a baby aspirin while waiting for the ambulance. Aspergum contains 227 milligrams of aspirin per tablet and should work about as well.

Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon can be reached at www.peoplespharmacy.com or care of this newspaper.