She doesn't "do e-mail," and operating a fax machine is about as high-tech as she'll go. But Dr. Ruth Westheimer, iconic guide to all things sexually speaking, is happy to embrace the computer age.

Even if she isn't actively part of it.

"It's a big country and a big world and we still need a lot of sex educators," said Dr. Westheimer, the petite Jewish grandmother whose 1980 radio show made it OK to use "orgasm" in polite conversation. "I would not want to do my regular radio show from 10 p.m. to midnight now ... however, there is plenty of space and need for sex education, even with the Internet."

Dr. Westheimer will be guest speaker Wednesday when AdagioHealth presents an evening of frank, informational talk at Larrimor's, One PNC Plaza, Downtown. A wine reception and book signing are part of the program; tickets are available for $75 online at www.adagiohealth.org.

Talk about timing; HBO Films' "Sex and the City 2" opens in theaters the next day. It's the reunion of four well-dressed, mature women whose sexual histories could fill a library.

"I am delighted to come to Pittsburgh," said Dr. Westheimer, whose topics of discussion include the 50th anniversary of the Pill. "We now have less unintended pregnancies -- although we still have too many -- but we do have less, and that's because of an organization like [AdagioHealth]."

AdagioHealth provides comprehensive women's health care, including annual exams, pregnancy care, and breast and cervical cancer screening, as well as ancillary services.

The event is open to those 18 and older, as well as college freshmen. Although she is still a popular speaker on campuses, twice named "college lecturer of the year," Dr. Westheimer, 82, also tackles problems specific to an aging generation of baby boomers. Her 2006 book, "Sex After 50," is a best-seller.

It's all well and good to laugh at Betty White's recent bawdy appearance on "Saturday Night Live," she said, but there are very real sexual concerns among aging partners.

When she embarked on a career as a psychosexual therapist more than 50 years ago, the idea of a woman taking responsibility for her own pleasure was a novel idea. And Viagra? Who knew?

It's important for couples to communicate at any age, she added, but given the physical changes beyond 50, older partners can probably use a little help.

"Both need to know that after menopause, the women will need lubrication, men might need physical stimulation."

Despite the myriad online sources offering information on sex therapy, Dr. Westheimer's brand of advice, education and a healthy dose of humor is still relevant in a changing world.

She was recently named one of Good Housekeeping Magazine's "125 women who changed our world" and continues to provide commentary on Sirius satellite radio. She is an adjunct professor at New York University and an associate fellow of Calhoun College at Yale, as well as a fellow of Butler College at Princeton University. Dr. Westheimer is also a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine.

Her latest award was a source of amusement among her family, she said, noting she is not known for her domestic skills.

"My son [Joel] said 'Good Housekeeping? You must be kidding!' "

Dr. Westheimer is happy to speak of the past, but also wants to speak to the future. And that future, she said, will be a much better place if more people and organizations would pick up the mantle of sex education.

"I don't think there are enough courses in medical schools, social work schools, nursing schools," she said.

Alfred Kinsey's ground-breaking sexuality report was published over five years, circa 1953: "We do need a 'new' Kinsey because Kinsey is too old in the climate of today's sexuality."

As for the present, Dr. Westheimer is a woman with answers. Her talk at Larrimor's is being billed as "an evening of fun and insightful conversation," and she's open to just about any line of questioning.

"I don't use four-letter words, and I do not shock," she said, adding she does, however, know how to get an audience's attention.

Go ahead. Ask her anything.

Doug Oster writes a blog, "Growing With Doug," exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.