Adam & Eve: Helping healthy, happy relationships

The health of a couple's sexual relationship is a huge factor in the happiness of their marriage, said Adam & Eve regional general manager Heather Frazier

Her biggest goal is to help women be healthy and happy.

"If women are sexually strong and confident, it really will make the marriage so much better," Frazier said.

In her store at 348 W. Bosanko Ave., she carries a vast array of products that can help couples achieve a greater level of satisfaction in their relationships, and she is always happy to educate customers in a respectful, comfortable way.

Not everyone is comfortable revealing their likes and dislikes, but approaching the subject like a doctor or nurse can help, she said.

"We never use lewd terms," said Frazier, who always recommends starting small.

She also knows how important the brain is when it comes to sexual relationships, and that feeling beautiful is an important part of the picture for women. That's why she carries items from extra small to 6x - things women will feel comfortable wearing.

"It's everything from stockings to elegant pieces to corsets," said Frazier.

She tries to put herself into her customer's shoes when making recommendations. Every woman hates at least one part of her body, she said. The key to helping a woman feel beautiful is emphasizing her best features.

In addition, Frazier and her staff will ask questions to identify problems and to make appropriate recommendations. Everybody is different and people can have allergies or sensitivities to certain products, but Frazier and her staff can help. Frazier frequently talks to doctors and makes continuing education a priority for herself.

"When I started this a year and a half ago, I never thought I'd take such an interest in something," Frazier said.

She also requires her staff to attend sex education classes and classes on how different products break down chemically, enabling them to better help their customers find exactly what they need.

In addition, Frazier specializes in helping people who have diabetes, cancer or other illnesses that can make sex difficult.

"I work with a lot of older couples, people with disabilities," she said.

Medicaid can even help pay for some of the items at the store. Plus, Adam and Eve carries products that are similar to Viagra, but that don't have the side effects.

Frazier also works to educate younger customers, including teens - and that can be extremely important. You must be 18 to enter the store.

Teens often don't know that a natural lamb condom won't block diseases, though it can prevent pregnancy. Many of them don't even know how to use condoms or how they can break, she said.

"Let them come in. I'll talk to them each time," said Frazier, who encourages abstinence for younger teens.

She can also help men. Asking them questions like "How many kids do you have?" "How many jobs does she have?" and "Do you help clean the house?" can yield solutions to problems a husband might not have realized existed.

Sometimes they just don't know where to start when enter the store for the first time to shop for their wives.

"It's scary for them, because of course they don't want to fail," she said.

Visit Adam & Eve at 348 W. Bosanko Ave., Unit C in Coeur d'Alene or call (208) 664-1400 for more information.