Sister doctors host women's TV show on healthy sexuality

Jennifer Berman, MD, and Laura Berman, PhD, who have also authored a book on female sexuality, advise physicians to speak to their patients about sex-related issues.

By Damon Adams, AMNews staff. Feb. 10, 2003.

Talking about sex for the Berman sisters was as normal a part of their adolescence as homework and crushes on boys.

Jennifer Berman was four years older, so sister Laura asked her a lot of questions. And their parents weren't shy about discussing sexual issues with the two girls.

Now, discussing sex is a vital part of the Berman sisters' careers.

Jennifer Berman, MD, is a urologist. Laura Berman, PhD, is a sex therapist.

The sisters have practiced together in Boston and Los Angeles, heading sexual health centers in both places. They've authored a book on female sexuality. And they host a TV show, "Berman & Berman: For Women Only," on Discovery Health Channel.

Their book, For Women Only: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Sexual Dysfunction and Reclaiming Your Sex Life, is what lifted the two sisters from private practice to the TV spotlight.

"As a result of that book, we got approached by a lot of media entities about doing something to heighten public awareness about women's problems and address women's issues," Dr. Jennifer said.

The two have appeared on "Oprah" and on "Good Morning America."

Among their admirers was Discovery Health Channel.

In the beginning, the sisters faced some criticism for conducting academic research one minute and appearing on "Oprah" the next.

"There was a lot of resentment of, 'Who are these young whippersnappers getting all of this attention,' " Dr. Laura said. "We just kept trudging along."