Anna Catania (Page 3)

Anna Catania (M.Cons. PG(Dip) Psychosexual and relationship therapy is a warranted counsellor specialised in the area if sex and relationships. She provides counselling to individuals and couples who are having difficulties with sexuality, relationships and intimacy.

Click here to check out Anna's full bio as well as a list of all her Wham published articles

anorgasmia

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In: Relationships, Women

Female orgasmic disorder or anorgasmia is the inability to reach orgasm during sex or through sexual stimulation. Colloquially we use words like: “I did not come” or “I did not finish” after having sex. In my clinical experience, women can experience distress when they do not reach orgasm because they fear that there is something wrong with them or that their bodies are not functioning well. However, recent research indicates that in most cases anorgasmia does not stem from a biological problem. In fact, reasons for not reaching orgasm can be various and may include stress and/or anxiety, not giving oneself enough time to enjoyRead More…

what to do on christmas day

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In: Home and Family, More

Still unsure about what to do on Christmas day? If you are spending this festive season alone or quieter than usual, consider these suggestions that will benefit your overall emotional and relational wellbeing… It’s 5am and I am writing this article in front of a fully lit Christmas tree. I am thinking how reluctant I was to decorate this year and how happy I am that I did. “Focus on light not on darkness” is great advice, as we face celebrating the festive season in our own little “bubble” away from extended family and friends. Digital Christmas 2020 During the best of times, the festiveRead More…

movember

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In: Health, Physical Health

Over the last couple of years we have seen a growing interest in men’s physical and mental health especially during the month of November. In fact, in beginning of the month, termed Movember, a number of men start with a clean shave, and grow a moustache during the rest of the month. This gesture aims to raise awareness on men’s health issues including testicular and prostate cancer, depression, anxiety and suicide. This campaign attempts to empower men to lead better, healthier lives. The Movember movement started back in 2003 in Australia however it has now turned global. This lobby does not focus only on physicalRead More…

sex in relationships

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In: Relationships, Women

Having sex during the pandemic may not be as easy as before, but with careful planning you can bring sexual intimacy back into your lives… Life has become somewhat bizarre; in everything we do, we have had to adapt to using the same space. Every room in the house has become a place to work, talk, entertain ourselves, listen to lectures, eat, discuss. Some couples are using this time to reconnect, spend time together and with their family. Others haven’t had it as easy, especially if their relationship was already on the brink of trouble. Parents, especially those having younger children, have an extra challengeRead More…

breast cancer

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In: Health, Wellbeing

Facing a cancer diagnosis is difficult. It stops us in our tracks, makes us re-evaluate our priorities, sometimes our whole life. It changes our daily routine, disrupts our plans and work commitments. It hits hard those who love us and significantly impacts their lives as well. I have worked for many years at the Breast Clinic, Mater Dei Hospital and could see the effect of cancer diagnosis and treatment on a daily basis. Moreover, I have experienced this first hand when my own father was diagnosed with leukaemia. Our lives revolved around his hospital visits and admissions, cancer treatment and remission. When he took aRead More…

breast cancer awareness

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In: Health, Physical Health

Pink October is how we refer to October as a month for raising Breast Cancer awareness. There are walks, runs and bike rides being organised around Malta and Gozo to raise funds for NGO’s and Cancer Research. Schools and work places organise breast awareness talks and encourage wearing pink for the day. This drive towards more awareness and information is vital because it helps highlight the importance of being checked by a doctor and having the necessary medical investigations and treatment if there is an issue. This year, due to the COVID pandemic, NGO’s had to re-think ways to raise awareness and funding for cancerRead More…

sexual consent

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In: Relationships, Women

If we are drunk or if everyone around us seems to be doing it, we might feel pressured to have sex. This is where sexual consent comes in. We need to talk about consent…it’s not really a sexy word…but it can help us have great sex… In theory we all understand that if, for example, I am feeling hungry and my friend is eating a packet of crisps, I should ask before taking some, not just pop my hand into the packet and grab a handful. The same applies with sexual consent. In theory we understand the concept of having our own personal space andRead More…

mindful masturbation

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In: Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health

Research points towards mindful masturbation being effective in improving sexual health and in treating sexual difficulties. Here’s why… Most women of my generation grew up with a negative view of female sexuality, where sex was reserved for procreation and for after marriage. The words vulva, vagina and clitoris were taboo and rarely spoken about. There was an aura of shame, guilt and disgust around female sexual pleasure and we were tasked with the responsibility of keeping the boys in check by our behavior, the way we dressed and our general demeanor. We were told by authority figures that masturbation was bad and to be avoided.Read More…

romantic expectations

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In: Relationships, Women

The “happy-ever-after” in a long lasting relationship seems to be elusive. This could be the result of pre-built romantic expectations … I read regularly on Women for Women (Malta) comments like “Where are all the good men?” “Is it possible for a 30+ year old to find a relationship which is not just for sex?” “I am going through a rough patch and it seems I can’t take a leap of faith in relationships” “My love life was never a good one due to the deep, profound psychological trauma that I had after an abusive relationship” “How can I ever trust again?” In my lineRead More…

raising good men

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In: Home and Family, More

I was very disturbed by the avalanche of stories posted on Women for Women as part of the #metooMalta movement. As I read story after heart-wrenching story, I started thinking “where are all the good men? Are we still raising good men?” Make no mistake, sexual abuse happens by all genders and to all genders. Hence, teaching our kids about respect, consent, trust, and consideration for others is of utmost importance, regardless of their gender and age. However, studies indicate that there are links between toxic masculinity, violent behaviour, and the need to feel powerful. What is toxic masculinity? This term generally refers to harmfulRead More…