Search

Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder/Genito-Pelvic Dysesthesia (PGAD/GPD), which affects up to 4.3% of individuals, is a distressing and poorly understood condition characterized by persistent, unwanted, and often painful sensations of genito-pelvic arousal (eg, throbbing) in the absence of sexual desire. PGAD/GPD is associated with significant negative impacts on psychosocial well-being and daily functioning. Recent research has indicated that PGAD/GPD shares many similarities with other forms of chronic genito-pelvic pain. This study applied the fear-avoidance model of chronic pain to PGAD/GPD to identify cognitive and behavioral factors associated with psychosocial and functional outcomes. A total of 263 individuals with PGAD/GPD symptoms completed a cross-sectional online survey of symptom intensity, cognitive and behavioral predictors (symptom catastrophizing, hypervigilance to symptoms, symptom fear and avoidance, self-efficacy), depression symptoms, and role functioning. Symptom catastrophizing, fear of symptoms, avoidance of symptoms, and hypervigilance to PGAD/GPD symptoms were significantly correlated with poorer psychosocial and functional outcomes, whereas higher self-efficacy was significantly associated with lower depression and better role functioning. Two serial parallel mediation models examined the fear-avoidance pathway from PGAD/GPD symptom intensity to depression symptoms and role functioning. In both models, the pathway through symptom catastrophizing, fear of symptoms, and symptom avoidance was significant, but the pathway through symptom catastrophizing, fear of symptoms, and symptom hypervigilance was not. The results of this study provide support for the applicability of the fear-avoidance model to PGAD/GPD. Interventions targeting fear-avoidance factors may help to reduce PGAD/GPD symptom intensity, distress, and increase psychological well-being and daily functioning.

Abstract:Persistent genital arousal disorder/genito-pelvic dysesthesia (PGAD/GPD) is a distressing condition characterized by unwanted, persistent sensations of genital arousal that occur in the absence of corresponding subjective sexual arousal or desire. PGAD/GPD is associated with significant negative impacts on psychosocial well-being and daily functioning; however, PGAD/GPD remains largely unknown by both healthcare providers and the general public. This lack of awareness is a barrier to receiving healthcare and may lead to greater stigma associated with the condition. This project sought to develop and evaluate an empirically informed 12-month social media-based knowledge translation campaign on PGAD/GPD, titled #PGADFacts. One research-supported fact about PGAD/GPD was posted weekly to three social media platforms from November 2019 to December 2020. Social media analytics indicated that the campaign had significant reach (111,587 total views across platforms). An anonymous online feedback survey indicated that respondents who had seen the campaign reported greater knowledge about PGAD/GPD as compared to those who had not seen it. Responses also indicated high acceptance and appropriateness. Adoption rates (e.g., sharing information learned on or off social media), however, were low with negative emotions (e.g., embarrassment) being a common barrier. Results indicated that the #PGADFacts campaign was successful, however, additional strategies (e.g., paid ads, partnerships with influencers) may increase adoption and reach a broader audience. Greater awareness of PGAD/GPD is needed to increase recognition of the condition and access to care as well as to reduce associated stigma.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among males globally, and it has one of the highest 5-year net survival rates of all cancers. Most diagnosed individuals, therefore, must live with the consequences of the disease and its treatments, including sexual side effects. Unfortunately, little is known about the sexual outcomes of PCa in individuals who identify as gay or bisexual.

Sex research is viewed as being particularly susceptible to volunteer bias, especially those studies that involve genital response measurement. Willingness to participate in sex research may be affected by study procedures, including the intrusiveness of devices measuring genital response, but this topic is seldom examined empirically. A community sample of 364 women and 117 men completed an online survey assessing willingness to participate in 15 sex research scenarios as well as measures of sexual attitudes, behaviours, and personality. As hypothesized, the presence versus absence of genital exposure, rather than the degree or type, impacted willingness ratings, such that participants were more willing to partake in studies in which they remained clothed versus studies that involved getting undressed. Erotophilic attitudes were associated with willingness to participate in unclothed and clothed research procedures for women and men, and sexual orientation impacted women’s willingness ratings for both types of research. Although some personality factors were correlated with willingness ratings, they generally did not explain additional variance in willingness beyond the associations of other correlates. This study provides a critical update on volunteer bias in sex research and demonstrates that self-selection biases may impact the generalizability of sex research assessing community samples of women and men.

This study sought to investigate associations between components of pain catastrophizing (using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale; rumination, magnification, and helplessness) and components of pain disability (using the Pain Disability Index; family/home responsibilities, recreation, social activity, occupation, sexual behaviour, self-care, life-support activity) in a diverse sample of individuals with endometriosis.

Persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) is a highly distressing and poorly understood condition characterized by unwanted sensations of genital arousal in the absence of subjective sexual desire. Research has shown that some individuals with PGAD also report orgasm, urinary, and pain symptoms, with 1 recent study specifically comparing a “painful persistent genital arousal symptom” group to a “non-painful persistent genital arousal symptom” group on various indicators given the highly frequent report of comorbid genitopelvic pain in their sample.

To explore factors associated with the diagnosis of provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) through (1) self-reported pain characteristics and (2) Friedrich's criteria (vestibular pain during sexual activity/gynaecological examination). We also identified cases in which incorrect diagnoses were assigned and explored group differences in gynaecological examination presentation and associations with self-reported pain.

(Abstracted from Obstet Gynecol2022;139(3):391–399)Dyspareunia, defined as pain during vaginal intercourse, commonly affects women during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Although its prevalence has been extensively studied, the wide variability in prevalence estimates may be explained by heterogeneity in trajectories of dyspareunia, which have not been established.

Persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) is a condition characterized by symptoms of physiologic (typically genital) sexual arousal in the absence of perceived subjective sexual arousal. The physiologic arousal can last hours or days, or it can occur constantly, and it does not typically remit after orgasm(s). The symptoms are usually described as distressing, intrusive, and unwanted.

Childbirth is a risk factor for developing genito-pelvic pain and/or dyspareunia during the postpartum period and potentially in the longer term. These two types of pain can occur simultaneously or sequentially and could be affected by different risk factors and have a range of repercussions to women's lives, including their sexual functioning.

A common subtype of vulvodynia is provoked vestibulodynia (PVD), characterized by severe pain upon contact to the vaginal entrance. Some researchers have further delineated the PVD group based on pain onset (primary vs secondary PVD, referred to as PVD1 and PVD2, respectively).

Abstract:Although social support for relationships is a commonly studied topic, the literature is divided upon whether social support from parents versus friends plays a more important role in predicting relational and health outcomes. Using a sample (N = 698) of heterosexual and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) participants, the current study examined differences in past experiences of relationship disapproval from friends and family, as well as self-reported levels of importance assigned to various sources of social approval for relationships. In addition, participants read hypothetical scenarios in which they were told that their parents, heterosexual friends or LGBTQ friends disapproved of their current dating partner and suggested that they end the relationship. Participants responded by indicating whether or not they would end the hypothetical relationship based on the disapproval. Results indicate that individuals in same-sex relationships often perceive less social support for their relationships from parents than friends, that they place more value on relationship approval from friends, or chosen family, and that they are less likely to end a relationship based on parental disapproval, compared to those in mixed-sex relationships. A ‘currency’ model of parental disapproval for relationships is introduced, whereby parents are seen to have a finite amount of ‘relationship disapproval currency’ available to spend on an adult child’s relationships. Inaccurately disapproving of their children’s relationships is shown to reduce the likelihood of children considering their parents’ opinions, while accurately disapproving of relationships significantly increases the likelihood of their adult children considering their opinions in the future.

Abstract:This study was an exploration of the impact of men’s circumcision status on their sexual partners, focusing on sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction, general preferences for circumcision status, and beliefs about circumcision status. A total of 196 individuals (168 women, 28 men) currently in a sexual relationship with a man were recruited for an online survey. Sexual functioning for female or male participants (assessed by the FSFI or IIEF-MSM, respectively) was not impacted by circumcision status, but women with intact partners reported higher levels of sexual satisfaction, while no differences were observed in the male sample. Women’s responses indicated that circumcision status minimally impacted satisfaction with partner’s genitals, while men with intact partners indicated significantly higher levels of satisfaction than those with circumcised partners. Overall, women and men rated high levels of satisfaction with their partner’s circumcision status and did not wish for it to change. Women indicated a slight preference for circumcised penises for vaginal intercourse and fellatio, and held more positive beliefs about circumcised penises, while men indicated a strong preference toward intact penises for all sexual activities assessed and held more positive beliefs about intact penises. The current study demonstrates distinct gender differences in attitudes toward circumcision status but minimal impact of circumcision status on sexual functioning. Future research should further explore sexual correlates of circumcision status, with a focus on directionality of said correlates and the impact on couples, as well as replicating the findings with a larger sample, specifically with respect to the male sample.

Abstract:A commonly measured indicator of a romantic couple’s sexual well-being and satisfaction has been the frequency with which they engage in sexual activity, or more specifically, sexual intercourse. Although some have acknowledged that frequency of sexual intercourse is not an appropriate measure for all types of romantic relationships (e.g. same-sex couples), the measurement of sexual frequency, of one type or another, has remained fairly constant throughout sex and relationships research. While precise estimates of sexual frequency among different types of couples (male/female same-sex vs. mixed-sex) have varied, the general pattern of findings has often indicated that female same-sex couples report lower sexual frequencies than other couples. The current study sought to examine an alternate dimension of sexuality by asking individuals in same-sex and mixed-sex relationships to report the length of their last sexual encounter as well as the length of their average sexual encounter. A sample of 822 participants reported both length of sexual encounters and frequency of sexual activity. While the sexual frequency data replicated past findings, with female same-sex couples reporting the lowest sexual frequencies, sexual duration data painted a very different picture, with female same-sex couples reporting significantly longer durations spent on individual sexual encounters than men and women in mixed-sex or male same-sex relationships. Consequently, it is argued that to better understand the nature of a specific couple’s sexual relationship, it is important to examine not just sexual frequency, but also the amount of time spent on individual sexual encounters.

Abstract:The literature on transgender/transsexual-spectrum persons is limited. Most studies are based on the assumption that trans persons are best understood within rigid and binary definitions of gender and sexuality and tend to focus on diagnostics, medical management and risk factors. Researchers and clinicians may also assume that people who challenge cultural norms of gender and sexuality can be grouped together. Such assumptions about the specific experiences of trans persons can be harmfully incorrect. The goals of the present study were to explore the gender and sexual identities of trans persons, to investigate group differences, and to examine factors that predict better psychological and physical well-being. Participants took part in an online study and provided information about their gender and sexual identity, social support, relationship quality, and mental/physical health. Results depicted diverse gender identities and sexual orientations among trans persons and emphasized that while many challenges faced by sexual and gender minorities are similar, trans persons report unique mental and physical health outcomes. Also, greater social support and relationship quality predicted mental, but not physical, health among trans persons. These results highlight the importance of acknowledging the complexity of trans identities and the key role of social and personal support.

Persistent genital arousal disorder/genito-pelvic dysesthesia (PGAD/GPD) is a distressing condition characterized by unwanted, persistent sensations of genital arousal that occur in the absence of corresponding subjective sexual arousal or desire. PGAD/GPD is associated with significant negative impacts on psychosocial well-being and daily functioning; however, PGAD/GPD remains largely unknown by both healthcare providers and the general public. This lack of awareness is a barrier to receiving healthcare and may lead to greater stigma associated with the condition. This project sought to develop and evaluate an empirically informed 12-month social media-based knowledge translation campaign on PGAD/GPD, titled #PGADFacts. One research-supported fact about PGAD/GPD was posted weekly to three social media platforms from November 2019 to December 2020. Social media analytics indicated that the campaign had significant reach (111,587 total views across platforms). An anonymous online feedback survey indicated that respondents who had seen the campaign reported greater knowledge about PGAD/GPD as compared to those who had not seen it. Responses also indicated high acceptance and appropriateness. Adoption rates (e.g., sharing information learned on or off social media), however, were low with negative emotions (e.g., embarrassment) being a common barrier. Results indicated that the #PGADFacts campaign was successful, however, additional strategies (e.g., paid ads, partnerships with influencers) may increase adoption and reach a broader audience. Greater awareness of PGAD/GPD is needed to increase recognition of the condition and access to care as well as to reduce associated stigma.

The article provides information on vulvodynia, a chronic pain disorder that leads to problems in sexual and psychological functioning. Vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (VVS) and generalized vulvodynia are the two most common types of vulvodynia. The cotton-swab test in the standard gynecological tool for diagnosing VVS. According to a research, 74 percent of women with VVS agree that the pain impacts their relationships.

A woman became unable to achieve penetration after repeated painful intercourse. This case illustrates the shortcomings of the present nomenclature and diagnostic criteria for the sexual pain disorders, dyspareunia and vaginismus. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, considers the sexual pain disorders as sexual dysfunctions, completely ignoring the pain component and leading to internally inconsistent descriptions of these conditions. The role of pain in dyspareunia and vaginismus and the implications of using a pain syndrome framework for diagnosis and research are discussed. Most important, pain syndrome framework focuses diagnosis on the presence or absence of pain and the history of the development of the pain. This approach does not deny a role for psychosocial factors, but rather considers them as critical components of the pain syndromes. From the pain syndrome perspective, preliminary data indicate that vulvar vestibulitis syndrome may be associated with nonpainful sensory abnormalities, and that women with vaginismus do not constitute a homogeneous group.