Hi! I'm Dr. Len DeRogatis. I'm a clinical psychologist, which means I see patients, and I also direct the Johns Hopkins Center for Sexual Health and Medicine. About 30 years ago, while I was chief psychologist at Hopkins, I was invited to join other faculty members who were establishing a sex clinic. I decided to sign on, and I've been involved with sexual health and medicine ever since in a variety of research and administrative roles.

I grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, in the 1940s and '50s. We didn't know much about sex in those days -- but in spite of all we didn't know, sex was a very popular topic, as you might imagine. One of the nice things about living in Wilmington then was that in three hours, you could get to either New York City or Washington, D.C. Now, the same trips take just 2 hours. Our knowledge of human sexuality is growing at an even faster pace.

When I'm not seeing patients, much of my work is focused on designing and conducting clinical trials of possible new medications that may prove effective for men and women with sexual dysfunctions, such as a man's inability to get or sustain an erection. As we learn more about what's considered "normal" in human sexual functioning, we are developing drugs that may help people express and experience their sexuality more fully, regardless of limitations traditionally associated with age, illness, medications, and surgery. The next few years should bring some exciting treatment innovations.

I can't tell you how important it is that both health professionals and the public be educated about sexual health and treatments. Human sexuality is one of the most misunderstood aspects of our life experience. That's why I hope you'll join me on this blog in a constructive interaction designed to achieve this important goal as we all become better educated and more knowledgeable about our sexuality.