As reported by Natalie Angier in The New York Times, recent findings in a series of sexology studies at the University of Amsterdam suggest that "arousal is not necessarily a conscious process." One researcher said "we think that sexual desire emerges from sexual stimulation, the activation of one's sexual system." 

What does this mean for you and me? It suggests that our bodies are hard-wired for arousal, but that we need to trigger that arousal -- not with sexual thoughts or fantasies, but with sexual feelings or touch that physically excite us. The key is the body, not necessarily the mind. 

So again, you have to tap into what gets you hot: is it a back rub or massage? Is it looking at erotic images of naked bodies? Is it watching a film with explicit sex scenes? This current wave of research seems to indicate that even if you've been having trouble getting aroused, you shouldn't throw in the towel. You may just need to work a little harder at reawakening your body's arousal channels. 

As one of the major researchers at the University of Amsterdam put it, "Our sexual responsiveness can be activated or enhanced by stimuli we're not even aware of." So by all means, keep looking or trying to find what does make you hot . . . you may be surprised.