Nurse Maureen‘s Health Show

Dr. Ruth dies at 96: Her Best Sex Advice

• Maureen McGrath • Season 1 • Episode 60

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What does it take to transform from a Jewish child in Nazi Germany to a world-renowned sex therapist and media icon? Today we celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, who has left an indelible mark on sexual health advocacy. Dive into her compelling journey, filled with resilience and a candid approach to discussing sexuality. We'll share personal stories about encounters with Dr. Ruth at conferences, reflect on her witty wisdom about relationships, and underscore her immense contributions to fostering open, honest conversations about sex. Dr. Ruth's life is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of educating others about tolerance and understanding. 

Maureen McGrath, a registered nurse and nurse continence advisor discusses how urinary leaks are never something to ignore. Learn about the innovative Moxie Patch, a discreet, reusable, and eco-friendly solution that empowers women to live confidently without leaks!

Support the show

Speaker 1:

This podcast is brought to you by Life360 Innovations, creators of the Contino urethral insert, a non-surgical Health Canada licensed medical device for men with stress urinary incontinence. Contino is easy to use and blocks the flow of urine without the need for adult diapers or pads. More than just a medical device, the Contino care program connects you with experienced medical professionals and creates a personalized treatment plan that provides ongoing support so you can get back to life. Go to MyContinocom to see if Contino is right for you and book your free continence assessment. Get bladder leakage control with Contino and get back to living. Remember, go to Mycontinocom. That's M-Y-C-O-N-T-I-N-Ocom.

Speaker 1:

Ladies, do you leak with cough, sneeze and or exercise? Did you know that leaking urine is never normal? Hi, it's Maureen McGrath, registered nurse and nurse continence advisor. It's time to stop letting bladder leaks hold you back, and time to say goodbye to bladder leaks and hello to Moxie Patch, a revolutionary new device to treat stress urinary incontinence. Moxie Patch is ultra discreet, effective, reusable and eco-friendly, empowering you to live life to the fullest, free from the worries and limitations of stress urinary incontinence. With Moxie Patch, you can choose freedom from the hassle of bulky pads and embrace life again. Stop letting bladder leaks hold you back. Say goodbye to embarrassing moments and hello to unstoppable confidence with Moxie Patch. For more information or to order your Moxie Patch, go to MoxiePatchcom today and discover a new level of confidence. Moxiepatchcom, because you deserve to feel confident. Moxie patch is also available at select retailers and on amazoncom.

Speaker 1:

Good evening and welcome to another episode of Maureen's Health Show Podcast. I'm Maureen McGrath, a registered nurse, nurse, continence advisor and sexual health educator, and I have some sad news to report tonight. Although you've probably heard, dr Ruth passed away in her home in New York City on Friday. She was 96 years of age. Her full name was Ruth Westheimer. She was a renowned sex therapist, media personality and author, known for her frank and direct approach to discussing sexuality. You know, I have met her at conferences and it was interesting. The reception of her was interesting. Some of the, shall I say, snobbier sex therapists would dismiss her, they would ignore her, they would be nonplussed by her. I always thought it was jealousy or envy. I thought she was such an important figure because and it was amazing that she would attend these sexual health conferences because there she would learn and learn more and she was a conduit to people so that they could improve their sex lives.

Speaker 1:

Dr Ruth was born on June 4th 1928 in Frankfurt, germany. She was a Jewish child who witnessed the rise of Nazi persecution in the 1930s. In 1939, at the age of 10, she was sent to Switzerland as part of the Kindertransport, a rescue effort that transported Jewish children to safety from Nazi-occupied territories. In Switzerland, dr Ruth lived in orphanages and eventually trained as a scout and sniper in the Haganah, a Jewish paramilitary organization, and then she immigrated to Palestine, which is now Israel, in 1945. And then she immigrated to Palestine, which is now Israel, in 1945. And she worked on a kibbutz and later studied psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Speaker 1:

She was certainly well-educated. She moved to the United States in 1956, and that's where she pursued higher education, earning her Master's of Art in Sociology from the New School in New York City and a doctorate in education from Columbia University. She was no slouch and she began her career then as a therapist and educator specializing in the field of human sexuality. She had an openness about her personal history, which included her experiences during the Holocaust, and that has contributed to her public image as a survivor and advocate for tolerance and understanding. Her resilience and determination to educate others about sexual health not an easy thing to do in those times I must admit, it's not easy for me sometimes and relationships have made her a respected and beloved figure. In 2015, the Hollywood Reporter profiled Dr Ruth as one of the last surviving members of the entertainment industry who endured the Holocaust. Life is to be enjoyed, not endured. She went through so much and this recognition highlighted her unique perspective in the impact of her personal history on her career and public persona. Career and public persona.

Speaker 1:

She had some sage advice and some incredibly funny pieces of wisdom, and I would like to share some of that with you right now. One of the things she said was talking about sex may be the best aphrodisiac. I couldn't agree more. It's not just about technique. It's about loving yourself and your partner. Don't be afraid of talking to each other. If we can't talk to each other, we are in trouble. And you know past studies. The CLOSER study found that Canadians and Americans are not very good at talking to each other in the bedroom or talking about their sexual health issues. She also said she wanted people to understand that they shouldn't wait until they are old to think about their sexuality. And how many people do that? They think, oh, I don't have many years left. Maybe I should ditch the shame. No, no, do that much sooner. She also said one of my favorite pieces of wisdom there's no such thing as having too much pleasure, and you know that's something that we don't talk about. Too much pleasure, we don't even talk about pleasure.

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Speaker 1:

This podcast is brought to you by Life360 Innovations, creators of the Contino urethral insert, a non-surgical, health Canada licensed medical device for men with stress urinary incontinence. Contino is easy to use and blocks the flow of urine without the need for adult diapers or pads. More than just a medical device, the Contino care program connects you with experienced medical professionals and creates a personalized treatment plan that provides ongoing support so you can get back to life. Go to MyContinocom to see if Contino is right for you and book your free continence assessment. Get bladder leakage control with Contino and get back to living. Remember, go to MyContinocom. That's M-Y-C-O-N-T-I-N-Ocom.

Speaker 1:

Ladies, do you leak with cough, sneeze and or exercise? Did you know that leaking urine is never normal? Hi, it's Maureen McGrath, registered nurse and nurse continence advisor. It's time to stop letting bladder leaks hold you back and time to say goodbye to bladder leaks and hello to Moxie Patch, a revolutionary new device to treat stress urinary incontinence. Moxie Patch is ultra-discrete, effective, reusable and eco-friendly, empowering you to live life to the fullest, free from the worries and limitations of stress urinary incontinence. With Moxie Patch, you can choose freedom from the hassle of bulky pads and embrace life again. Stop letting bladder leaks hold you back. Say goodbye to embarrassing moments and hello to unstoppable confidence with Moxie Patch. For more information or to order your Moxie Patch, go to MoxiePatchcom today and discover a new level of confidence. Moxiepatchcom, because you deserve to feel confident. Moxie Patch is also available at select retailers and on Amazoncom, also available at select retailers and on amazoncom.

Speaker 1:

Dr Ruth has always been nonjudgmental in her approach to discussing these taboo subjects and her efforts to promote healthy attitudes towards sex and relationships. I'm not sure if you know this, but she was married three times and has two children. I'm sure she endured a lot of pain through those divorces, but also a lot of joy in those marriages as well. She was active in public speaking and writing right up to very close to the end. Anyway, she was quite the dominant figure, shall we say, and quite the influential person as well. But she was also hilarious, and her humorous and straightforward approach to discussing intimate topics helped to demystify sexuality for many people. She combined her empathy with a no-nonsense attitude, and that made her advice accessible and impactful. In terms of her influence in the field of sex therapy, she played a significant role in laying the foundation Through her radio show, television appearances and books. Dr Ruth brought sex therapy into the mainstream and she addressed common sexual issues openly, encouraging people to seek professional help without shame, and that message continues today. Help without shame and that message continues today.

Speaker 1:

Her career has been marked by advocacy for sexual education and health and sexual health, and by promoting accurate information and encouraging open communication. She helped to reduce the stigma surrounding sexual health issues. It's 2024 and we still have this stigma around sex. She's well known for offering a wealth of practical and insightful advice over the years and it's difficult to actually say what her best piece of advice is because it's so subjective and it really depends on who you are and what you need.

Speaker 1:

But she did consistently emphasize the importance of communication in relationships and sexual encounters. Emphasized the importance of communication in relationships and sexual encounters. She encouraged partners to talk openly about their desires, their concerns, their fantasies and their boundaries, to enhance intimacy and connection. And rather than solely focusing on performance or technique, we always think of sex as performance, don't we? But she stressed the significance of prioritizing mutual pleasure and emotional connection during sexual activity. This approach quite honestly helps to foster a more fulfilling and satisfying sexual experience for both partners or even for three partners. I think she promoted threesomes as well. Maybe she discovered them.

Speaker 1:

Dr Ruth also advocated for ongoing education about sexual health and anatomy. Let's call the vagina the vagina, the vulva the vulva, and believe that being well informed about one's own body and sexual health can lead to increased confidence and better decision-making in relationships. And of course, she injected humor into her discussions about sex and that can really allay anxiety and tension around the subject. And her light-hearted approach encouraged people and resonated with people in the bedroom. Sex should be fun. She celebrated sexual diversity and encouraged individuals to embrace their own unique preferences and identities without judgment, and she promoted acceptance and understanding of different sexual orientations, desires and practices. She was well ahead of her time, grounded in empathy, respect and a deep understanding of human sexuality. She supported LGBTQI2S plus people. Her insights have helped countless individuals and couples navigate complex issues and improve their sexual relationships, and her influence will continue to resonate and she will remain a respected figure in the field of sex therapy and education. As time passes, new voices and perspectives on sexuality will undoubtedly emerge, but Dr Ruth's contributions have laid a strong foundation for ongoing conversations about sexual health communication understanding. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of sex educators and therapists to approach their work with empathy, knowledge and a commitment to promoting healthy attitudes towards sexuality. Dr Ruth's life story is a testament to courage, resilience and the power of education, empathy and overcoming adversity. Her journey from wartime Europe to becoming a renowned sex therapist and educator is both inspiring and a poignant reminder of the importance of understanding and compassion in every aspect of life. She will be so missed. A new time has come.

Speaker 1:

I'm Maureen McGrath and this is Maureen's Health Show Podcast. Thanks so much for tuning in. I'm Maureen McGrath and you have been listening to the Sunday Night Health Show podcast. If you want to hear this podcast or any other segment again, feel free to go to iTunes, spotify or Google Play or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. You can always email me nursetalk at hotmailcom or text the show 604-765-9287. That's 604-765-9287. That's 604-765-9287. Or head on over to my website for more information. Maureenmcgrathcom, it's been my pleasure to spend this time with you. This podcast is brought to you by Life360 Innovations.

Speaker 1:

Creators of the Contino Urethral Insert a non-surgical, health Canada licensed medical device for men with stress urinary incontinence. Contino is easy to use and blocks the flow of urine without the need for adult diapers or pads. More than just a medical device, the Contino Care Program connects you with experienced medical professionals and creates a personalized treatment plan that provides ongoing support so you can get back to life. Go to MyContinocom to see if Contino is right for you and book your free continence assessment. Get bladder leakage control with Contino and get back to living. Remember, go to MyContinocom. That's M-Y-C-O-N-T-I-N-Ocom.

Speaker 1:

Ladies, do you leak urine with cough, sneeze and or exercise? Leaking urine is never normal. Hi, I'm Maureen McGrath, registered nurse and nurse continence advisor. Ladies, it's time to stop letting bladder leaks hold you back. Say goodbye to embarrassing moments and hello to Moxie Patch, the revolutionary solution for stress urinary incontinence. Moxie Patch is ultra-discreet, effective, reusable and eco-friendly, empowering you to live life to the fullest without worries or limitations. So, ladies, ditch the bulky pads and embrace freedom with Moxie Patch. Experience unstoppable confidence today. For more information or to order your Moxie Patch, visit MoxiePatchcom. That's MoxiePatchcom, because you deserve to feel great again. Moxie Patch is also available online at select retailers and on Amazoncom. Get your Moxie patch today. You'll be glad you did.