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This article provides an example of how middle-aged women rediscover and express emotions in digital media, mainly sexual desire but also the joy they feel among like-minded women of the same age. The ethnographic case is a community of European and North American women aged around 40 to 60 years who sexually desire 20-year-old TikTok celebrity William White. White went viral when he began lip-syncing to 1980s hits, particularly Barry Manilow's "Mandy" while performing his flirtatious signature moves: the smile, the wink, and the eye roll. This study is based on 6 months of daily lurking in a digital community the women call Whiteyynation, structured around White's accounts on various digital platforms. In trying to understand the meaning and function of a young male TikTok'er in the lives of middle-aged women, with Sara Ahmed's theory of emotions, I describe how happy objects align individuals in a social community toward happiness. Specifically, I analyze how White, through a playful capitalization of 1980s music combined with a certain flirtatious look, functions as a happy object that is multiplied, magnified, and circulated in Whiteyynation. I explore the circumstances and conditions surrounding Whiteyynation as an affective space and affective economy, such as the production and distribution of self-produced content, gifting as a strategy for increased reciprocity, and the various currencies at play. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze female existentialism in Helen Garner's "Monkey Grip" using a descriptive qualitative method. In this context, the data obtained were carefully reviewed, presented, and analyzed through stylistic analysis. The results showed that female existentialism was expressed in two patterns. Firstly, the female speech was similar to the male, accompanied by the open expression of sexual desires and male circle words. Secondly, female actions contained the feminine movement to overcome discrimination problems and interact with many males. The results showed that the female character was considered a feminist representative against male stereotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tripartite motif (TRIM46) is a relatively novel protein that belongs to tripartite motif family. TRIM46 organizes parallel microtubule arrays on the axons, which are important for neuronal polarity and axonal function. TRIM46 is highly expressed in the brain, but its biological function in adults has not yet been determined. Results: Trim46 knockout (KO) rat line was established using CRISPR/cas9. Trim46 KO rats had smaller hippocampus sizes, fewer neuronal dendritic arbors and dendritic spines, and shorter and more distant axon initial segment. Furthermore, the protein interaction between endogenous TRIM46 and FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP5) in brain tissues was determined; Trim46 KO increased hippocampal FKBP5 protein levels and decreased hippocampal protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation, gamma‐aminobutyric acid type A receptor subunit alpha1 (GABRA1) and glutamate ionotropic receptor NMDA type subunit 1 (NMDAR1) protein levels. Trim46 KO rats exhibited hypoactive behavioral changes such as reduced spontaneous activity, social interaction, sucrose preference, impaired prepulse inhibition (PPI), and short‐term reference memory. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the significant impact of Trim46 KO on brain structure and behavioral function. This study revealed a novel potential association of TRIM46 with dendritic development and neuropsychiatric behavior, providing new insights into the role of TRIM46 in the brain. Key Findings: The impact of Trim46 knockout on brain structure and behavioral function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay presents an autoethnography of a gay man's experiences in an open relationship. While one's relationship with their partner is the primary way in which one experiences and lives one's sexuality, in an open relationship one can also form connections with others. This essay examines the ways in which the author—being a gay man in an open relationship—navigates their desire within and beyond their relationship that involves interactions with other gay men. While relationships may be founded on a commitment, they remain subject to the changes in lived reality. As such, this essay traces the trajectory of the author's relationship in a period in which it underwent some major changes—from live-in to long distance, from a closed relationship to an open one, leading finally to counseling sessions with a therapist. The status of one's relationship has a direct bearing on the interactions—romantic, non-romantic, social, or fleeting, that one has with other people. In the heteronormative scheme of things, the constant shifts in one's relationship and their interactions with other people would be construed as a lack of stability and certainty. However, the author argues that these very shifts characterize the inherent queerness of their relationship, which is driven as much by their commitment to their partner as by the desire to have sexual interactions with others and indulge in experiences that are capable of jeopardizing the relationship altogether. The author posits that the "instability" in their relationship(s) be read as the conflict between the affective nature of queerness and the constraints posed by the heteronormative world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the intersection of sexualities and identities, with a particular focus on the ways these elements can be transgressed in Western theater. The study postulates that theater represents a distinctive forum for challenging established societal structures, thereby enabling actors and, by proxy, spectators to perform multiple identities that challenge conventional constraints and break traditional expectations. The research demonstrates the dynamic nature of identity formation on the modern stage, illustrating that identity can both reflect societal norms and serve as an alternative to them. This allows for the expression of diverse sexual identities that deviate from the heteronormative order. Consequently, the theater becomes a site for subverting conventional codes and for negotiating with mainstream society the potential for exploring a plethora of nonstandardized identities. This process culminates in the crystallization of norm-divergent gender identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the female gaze at the intersection of space, genre and gender in three Hellenistic poets who have explored the female viewpoint in their works, namely Apollonius of Rhodes, Theocritus and Herodas. The female gaze covers all the stages of desire from erotic fantasy to sexual fulfillment, and is contingent on both aesthetic factors and the sociocultural background of gender roles. It reflects the power dynamics between male and female and also becomes a means of subverting male authority by the gazing female. In Hellenistic poetry, the various degrees of female liberation through the control of the gaze vary depending on the spaces occupied by women. I argue that women, initially confined in the oikos according to the conventions of epic poetry, are represented as being gradually liberated in natural and urban spaces, the emblematic spaces of the neoteric genres of the bucolic idyll and the mime; this shift in gender dynamics is conveyed through the illustration of the female gaze in distinct genres of poetry and their respective symbolic spaces, namely the house, the natural landscape, and the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans have sex for myriad reasons, many unrelated to desire. But under what conditions does sexual desire not lead to sex? We investigated reasons college students refrain from sex despite desire and having an attractive, willing partner and relationships between these reasons and other aspects of sexuality and personality. For item generation, 604 participants identified 109 reasons why individuals may refrain from sex despite desire. For construct validation, 712 participants reported the frequency they experienced these reasons on a novel measure. Every reason evidencing discernible gender differences was endorsed more by women. These items largely concentrated in factors of Personal Insecurities and Principled Concerns. No gender differences emerged on the Partner Issues factor. Factors differentially related to sexuality and personality variables. Principled Concerns related negatively to sociosexual behavior and attitudes and positively to sexual traditionalism across genders. Partner Issues positively correlated with sociosexual behavior and desire for women. Personal Insecurities negatively correlated with sociosexual attitudes for men. Principled Concerns related to sexual functioning issues for women. Personal Insecurities and Principled Concerns related to worse sexual functioning for men. Personal Insecurities related to Neuroticism across genders. These results suggest potential directions for therapeutic interventions and further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexual function plays a very important role in the sexual health of people, and the determination of their related factors reflects the importance of paying attention to sexual function in the cultural context. Objective: The present study aimed to the role of sexual self-esteem, sexual desire, and sexual assertiveness in the female sexual function. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, 592 married women of reproductive age referring to comprehensive health centers in Rasht city (North of Iran) and eligible for the inclusion criteria were selected by cluster random sampling. The data collection tools were demographic information form, Halbert's Sexual Rights Questionnaires, Women's Sexual Self-Esteem (short form), Halbert's Sexual Desire, and Female Sexual Function Index. Data analysis was done with descriptive and inferential statistical tests at a significant level (p < 0.05). Results: The mean and standard deviation of sexual assertiveness, sexual desire, and sexual self-esteem scores were 56.79 ± 18.24, 49.12 ± 26.04, and 98.52 ± 6.11, respectively. Sexual assertiveness (p < 0.01, r = 0.13), sexual desire (p < 0.001, r = 0.178), sexual self-esteem (p < 0.01, r = 0.34) of the participants with the total score, and all areas of female sexual function had a significant positive correlation. Conclusion: Based on the findings, there is a direct and statistically significant relationship between sexual assertiveness, sexual desire, the adaptability of sexual self-esteem, and family income with sexual function in participants. However, the unemployment of the spouse had a negative effect on the female sexual function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In December 2019, roughly two hundred protesters stormed Mexico's Palace of Fine Arts to denounce Fabián Cháirez's painting La Revolución (2014). The image, which depicted the revolutionary icon Emiliano Zapata (1879–1919) dressed only in high heels and a pink sombrero, reignited debates about obscenity in Mexican art and Zapata's long-disputed sexuality that excludes any discussion of bisexuality. In this article, I take up bisexual erasure as a conceptual tool to understand the erotic tensions in Zapata's legacy. Bisexuality's slippery signification regarding varying romantic interests has often been characterised as multifarious and unrestrained. These characterisations, furthermore, are most often applied to racialised minorities who are seen as "premodern" and resistant to a "true" sexual identity. Bisexuality thus exceeds and subverts regimes of sexual desire, encompassing what Deborah Vargas terms "lo sucio": the lewd, obscene, and undisciplined behaviours that oppose normative respectability and comportment. Embracing this radical, multifarious methodological potential, I use bisexual erasure as a recuperative project to historicise the desire to know – via rumour and speculation – Zapata's unknowable sexual desires and to highlight how Zapata's erotic legacy offers a lesson in the plurality of sexual pleasures that resist the globalised mandates and colonial dictates of sexual identification and decency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the past two decades have seen an increase in research into both asexuality and polyamory, little is known about their intersection, that is, people who identify as asexual and engage in polyamorous relationships. Using an online survey, we explored the experiences of participants who identify as asexual or on the ace spectrum (e.g., demisexual, gray-asexual) and were in a polyamorous relationship at the time of the survey (N = 321). The majority of our participants identified as White (79.02%), a plurality identified as women (27.1%), and ages ranged from 18 to 53 years old (M = 29.55, SD = 6.77). Two qualitative questions related to motivations for engaging in polyamory were analyzed for this study (N = 224). The first question asked about personal motivations, and the second asked about partner(s)'s influence. Eight codes emerged across the two questions: Needs fulfillment, Exploration/contemplation, Solution to relationship conflict/personal insecurity, a Desire to connect with multiple people, Personal/relationship growth, Rejecting monogamy, Introduced by partner, and Other/no additional context. One additional code was found in Q2: Reluctance/jealousy/distrust. The most common code overall was Exploration/contemplation. Our findings indicate that fulfilling a partner's sexual needs was not a primary motivating factor for ace individuals engaged in polyamory. Ace individuals were more likely to describe experiences as exploring their identity and fulfilling personal needs for connection and intimacy. These findings indicate that motivations for engaging in polyamory are not solely centered in fulfilling sexual desires, and they may have larger implications for the what the scope of romantic and sexual relationships can look at outside of a monogamous and heteronormative context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Models depicting sexual desire as responsive to sexual arousal may be particularly apt for women experiencing arousal or desire difficulties, and the degree to which arousal triggers desire may depend on the relationship context and desire target and timing—yet, these associations have not been directly tested among women with and without sexual interest/arousal disorder (SIAD). Aim: To assess the role of SIAD status and relationship satisfaction in the associations between genital arousal and 4 types of responsive desire. Methods: One hundred women (n = 27 meeting diagnostic criteria for SIAD) in romantic relationships with men viewed a sexual film (pleasurable intimate depiction of oral sex and penile-vaginal intercourse) while their genital arousal was recorded via vaginal photoplethysmography (n = 63) or thermal imaging of the labia (n = 37). Partner and solitary desire was assessed immediately before and after the film (immediate desire) and 3 days later (delayed desire). Outcomes: Outcomes consisted of genital response (z scored by method) and associations between genital response and responsive sexual desire. Results: The key difference between women with and without SIAD was not in their ability to experience genital arousal but in how their genital responses translated to responsive sexual desire. Women with SIAD actually exhibited greater genital arousal than unaffected women. Associations between genital arousal and desire were significant only for women with SIAD and depended on relationship satisfaction and desire type. For women with SIAD with low relationship satisfaction, higher arousal predicted lower immediate desire for a partner; for those with high relationship satisfaction, arousal was either positively related (vaginal photoplethysmography) or unrelated (thermal imaging of the labia) to immediate desire for a partner. Associations with other desire types were not significant. Clinical Implications: Patterns of genital arousal and partner-specific responsive desire among women affected with SIAD were indicative of an avoidance model in response to heightened genital arousal, unless relationship satisfaction was high; attending to genital arousal sensations could be a means of triggering sexual desire for women with SIAD who are satisfied in their relationships. Strengths and Limitations: This is one of the first sexual psychophysiologic studies to connect relationship factors to patterns of sexual response. The differing arousal assessment procedures and lack of official diagnosis may have attenuated results. The homogeneous sample and in-person session requirement limit generalizability. Conclusion: When compared with unaffected women, women affected by SIAD may exhibit stronger arousal responses with sufficiently incentivized sexual stimuli, and the connection between their genital arousal and responsive desire for their partners may be stronger and more dependent on relationship context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practice of abortion has been defended by many these days, including some Brazilian evangelicals, due to their understanding that it is matter of personal liberty which they feel should permit each one to decide what to do with their own bodies. They understand abortion to be an option of the pregnant woman and her circle of counselors, and not the right to life of the unborn child in the uterus which is not even considered to be a human being. Both science and religion hold a clear and firm position in regard to abortion, and both agree that abortion is the murder of an innocent victim regardless of what period of the pregnancy the abortion is performed. Instead of opting for abortion, the true liberty of the mother would not be in controlling of her sexual desires, and therefore choosing moral conduct which would consider the ethics and well-being of everyone involved, including the unborn child? True liberty would really only exist if it did not destroy other liberties of equal value in an ethically organized society. In summary--each human being has the right to life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in creating poetry, specifically focusing on AI-generated sonnets compared to Shakespeare's original works. The author acknowledges that while AI can organize information effectively, it lacks the individuality, emotional depth, and ability to handle concrete pain that human intellect brings to artistic expression. The article emphasizes the importance of recognizing the limitations of AI in dealing with cultural products and suggests that AI can be a useful tool in certain practices but is inadequate as a general model. The author concludes by proposing the concept of "realization" in the arts, which involves intensifying stylistic effects to elevate everyday experiences to the level of art. This text also provides a brief biography of Charles Altieri, a retired professor from the University of California, Berkeley, who has a passion for academic work and has recently published a book on literature, education, and society. He is currently working on a new book exploring the nature of imaginative experience in the arts from a phenomenological perspective. [Extracted from the article]

To correlate the sexual desire levels with sexual hormone binding globulin and free androgen index in women taking different types of hormonal contraceptives (HCs) containing ethinylestradiol (EE), oestradiol valerate (E2V), 17β-oestradiol (E2), or estetrol (E4), combined or in phasic formulation with different progestogens having antiandrogenic properties. Three hundred and sixty-seven women (age range 18-46) participated in the study. SHBG and total testosterone (TT) were measured, and the Free Androgen Index (FAI) was calculated. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) questionnaires were used to assess sexual function and distress, respectively. The highest SHBG values and the lowest FAIs were obtained of women on HCs containing EE than those of women on HCs containing E2V/17β E2 or E4 (p < 0.001). Desire scores and FSFI total scores were lower in women on HCs with EE than in those using HCs containing E2V, 17β E2, or E4 (p ≤ 0.001). The women who were on HCs containing EE reported FSDS levels higher than those containing all the other types of oestrogen. Finally, sexual desire and FSFI total scores had a negative correlation with the SHBG values and a positive correlation with FAI percentage (p ≤ 0.0001). A minority of women using HCs with EE might experience a decreased sexual desire. This was not observed in women on HCs containing E2V, 17 E2, or E4. To avoid HC discontinuation, due to sexual desire reduction, HCs having minor antiandrogenic effects could be taken into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Revised Sociosexual Orientation Inventory (SOI-R) is a measurement tool for assessing an individual's willingness to engage in uncommitted sexual relations. Despite its widespread use in various contexts, no studies have validated the use of this instrument in China. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of an existing Chinese translation of the SOI-R. A total of 2,209 participants were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: exploratory factor analysis was conducted on one group and confirmatory factor analysis on the other, with 161 participants from the total sample recruited to assess the test–retest reliability. Criterion validity was measured by testing the correlations between sociosexuality and sexual desire, mate value, sexual attitudes, and personality traits. The results confirmed a three-factor structure (sociosexual behaviors, attitudes, and desire) for the SOI-R. Furthermore, the findings demonstrated good reliability (internal consistency and test–retest stability) and validity (criterion validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity) of the SOI-R, supporting its suitability as an assessment tool for sociosexual orientation in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It can hardly be denied that Freud's conceptualization of the Oedipus complex and its dissolution reach their limits once the analytical couple is positioned beyond the heteronormative matrix, e.g., when a heterosexual analyst and a homosexual patient come together in the analytical room. This raises the question of how Oedipal conflicts take shape and can be worked through when neither the sexual desire nor the gender of the analytical couple seem to be a matching "fit". Taking a gender-sensitive perspective, this article develops the Freudian conceptualization of the Oedipus complex in terms of a homosexual dimension, with the aim of making a fruitful contribution to the clinical practice. Drawing on a case vignette from an ongoing psychoanalytical treatment with a homosexual male patient, the unique dimensions of the transference-countertransference relationship are first illuminated and discussed. It is then argued that there is the need for a fundamental analytical openness and capability for an "inner sexual diversity" beyond heterosexual structures of love and desire; a necessity that, despite Freud's heterosexual and binary signature, can not only be deduced but is actually being invited by Freudian theory itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Breast cancer (BC) is considered a risk factor for sexual dysfunction, which may be associated with the diagnosis itself or with oncological treatments. However, sexual dysfunction often remains underdiagnosed and unaddressed among BC survivors. Aim The study sought to evaluate the sexual function of postmenopausal BC survivors compared with postmenopausal women without BC. Methods This case-control study included 178 postmenopausal BC survivors (stages I-III), 45 to 70 years of age, with amenorrhea for ≥12 months and sexually active. They were compared with 178 women without BC, matched (±2 years) for age and time since menopause in a 1:1 ratio. Sexual function was evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), which consists of 6 domains (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain), with a total score ≤26.5 indicating risk of sexual dysfunction. Statistical analysis included Student's t test, chi-square test, and logistic regression (odds ratio [OR]). Outcomes Evaluation of sexual function in postmenopausal women treated for BC. Results Postmenopausal BC survivors showed poorer sexual function in the desire domain (P =.002). No significant differences were observed between groups in the other FSFI domains and total score (P >  .05). Postmenopausal BC survivors had a higher prevalence of risk of sexual dysfunction (64.6% with a total score ≤26.5) compared with the control group (51.6%) (P =.010). Adjusted risk analysis for age and time since menopause revealed a higher risk of sexual dysfunction in BC survivors compared with women without cancer (OR, 1.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-2.96; P =.007). Among BC survivors, the use of hormone therapy was associated with a higher risk of sexual dysfunction (OR, 3.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.59-7.51; P =.002). Clinical Implications Postmenopausal BC survivors should be regularly assessed before and throughout treatment to enable the early detection and diagnosis of sexual dysfunction. Strength and Limitations The main strength is that this study might contribute to a better understanding of sexual function in postmenopausal BC survivors compared with women without BC. The main limitation is that while the FSFI is a valid and reliable tool for the evaluation of female sexual function, it does not allow a comprehensive diagnosis of sexual dysfunction, as it is not applicable to partners. Conclusion Compared with postmenopausal women without BC, postmenopausal BC survivors face a higher risk of sexual dysfunction, especially when treated with adjuvant hormone therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the way in which Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus (1818) illuminates the physiological dimension of the sublime experience and its profound impact on the subject. Frankenstein’s creature presents provocative implications of how the unruly physiological functions of the body can defamiliarize the Enlightenment understanding of an ideal human being anchored in rationalism. My perspective adds to the aesthetics of the sublime, specifically the postmodern ideas of dissonance and immanence demonstrated by the creature’s signs of bodily unruliness, from instincts of self-preservation to carnal desires, which cause the spiritual effects of shock and horror in the creator. I argue that not only does Shelley provide a lens through which to perceive the defamiliarized world where the modern subject consistently encounters the unknown other as represented by the creature, but she also kindles a new kind of sympathy that can be enacted through the compromise of the self and the other’s disruptive physiological responses. In this respect, this paper employs the notion of the “physiological sublime” to explore Shelley’s incorporation of the sublime into the physiological dimension of interpersonal relations, and on the manifestation of sympathy as arising from the subject’s acknowledgment of their own physiological otherness as it develops through direct encounters with the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The nature of sexual desire is complex, and little phenomenological consensus exists about its meaning. Low sexual desire (LSD) is a commonly reported sexual difficulty among women, but it is less frequently associated with sexual distress. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore women's understanding of sexual desire, and their perceptions of factors that may contribute to LSD, its effects and their methods of seeking help. Methods: The research employed a questionnaire with 12 open-ended questions, developed by the researchers based on sexual script theory. Data were collected from 165 heterosexual Turkish women who reported LSD, recruited through social media platforms between August and October 2021. The data were analysed using a contextual form of thematic analysis to identify and explore patterns. Results: The ages of the participants ranged from 20 to 63 years. The majority of participants held a Bachelor's degree (81.2%) and in a relationship (78.8%). Three main themes emerged from the study: (1) gendered messages concerning sex, (2) multi-level sexual desire, and (3) minimisation. The research revealed that women's sexual desire is often ignored and repressed, and has negative consequences if not expressed in socially acceptable contexts. The causes of LSD in women go beyond personal factors, and include relational and social influences. Women experiencing LSD report distressing effects on their relationships and general wellbeing, yet they tend not to seek help. Conclusions: Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the factors impacting women's sexual desire and the barriers to seeking help. Our research indicates that women's sexual desire is frequently ignored and suppressed, which can have negative consequences when not expressed within socially acceptable contexts. The causes and solutions for decreased desire in women extend beyond individual factors, and encompass relational and social influences. Sexual desire plays a crucial role in motivating sexual behaviour, and as such, it should be incorporated into health education, health promotion and public health policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian women are often marginalized in global contexts, and they are often disembodied or presented in sexualized images in film and television productions. Even in the Asian region, Asian women have difficulty giving themselves a voice in popular culture. This essay has selected three films and tends to explore the gender connotation, body, and sexuality in the film works of East Asian female directors in recent decades, with the intent to explore the female sexual desire that is expressed and reflected in those female directors' works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the views and experiences of women of reproductive age regarding their sexuality and sexual life during their menstrual period. Methods: A qualitative, interpretive, phenomenological design was used. The study sample consisted of 16 women of reproductive age (18–49), who volunteered to participate and came to gynecology outpatient clinic appointments at a research hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Data were collected online through in-depth individual interviews. Results: The research was composed of six themes: "symptoms of the menstruation period," "duration and severity of symptoms during menstruation," "effect of the menstrual period on sexual life," "sexual desire during the menstrual period," "opinions about sexual life during menstruation," and "spouses' opinions about sexual life during menstruation." Conclusions: The women in the study noted that they experienced physiological and psychological symptoms during their menstrual period. Although some of the women stated that they do not have changes in sexual desire during this period, most of them think that they should not engage in sexual intercourse due to the symptoms they experience during their menstrual period, religious beliefs, and sociocultural values. Policy Implications: Nurses should counsel couples about the possible advantages and disadvantages of sexual intercourse during menstruation without displaying a judgmental attitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: During pregnancy, sexual distress is common, but its prevalence and underlying factors require elucidation. This study was performed to investigate sexual distress in pregnant women. Methods: This research was designed as a descriptive and multi-center study. The study included 2365 pregnant women from 6 geographical regions of Turkey between April 1, 2022, and February 1, 2023. Data was collected using the "Pregnant Information Form" and "Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FDS-R)." Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, analysis of variance, and the Pearson correlation test were used for data analysis. Results: Herein, 46.1% of pregnant women experienced sexual distress, and the mean FDS-R score of the study participants was 14.49. Participants who were dissatisfied with their sexual life before and during pregnancy (p < 0.001), those who did not have sexual intercourse during pregnancy (p < 0.001), those who experienced decreased sexual desire during pregnancy (p < 0.001), those who did not receive sexual education during pregnancy (p < 0.001), and those who experienced problems when engaging in sexual intercourse during pregnancy (p < 0.001) experienced more sexual distress. Sexual distress increased when the mean age and the number of pregnancies and children increased, whereas it decreased when the gestational week increased. Conclusions: Approximately half of the pregnant women included in the study experienced sexual distress. The findings highlight the importance of midwives and nurses encouraging pregnant women to discuss their sexuality. Policy implications: The findings of this study show that sexual distress during pregnancy is common and affected by some factors related to personal and sexual life during pregnancy. This result provides evidence of the need to develop culturally appropriate interventions and policies that include sexual partners in the context of improving pregnant women's sexual distress, sexual health, good family relationships and mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores Augustine's perspectives on sexuality and marriage, with a key point of contention between Augustine and the Pelagians centered on the nature of concupiscence in the context of original sin and baptism. The Pelagians argued that concupiscence is inherently good and only becomes problematic when in excess. In contrast, Augustine viewed concupiscence as a mark of original sin, leading individuals towards sinful behavior. Augustine clarified that carnal desires stem from original sin, rather than marriage itself. He also distinguished between the positive aspects of marriage and the negative influence of carnal desires, highlighting the importance of conjugal chastity. Augustine's insights remain relevant today as they continue to shape and challenge contemporary perspectives on marriage and sexuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The video game industry has emerged as one of the most profitable and rapidly expanding segments of the entertainment industry. Gamers interact with the virtual game world via an avatar, which offers an exceptional opportunity for players to express themselves in terms of sexual orientation and gender identity (or SOGI) through avatar customization. The main goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between gamers' SOGI-related motivation and their customization of avatar elements. An online survey was distributed to collect data from Thai social gaming communities, specifically those who play "Grand Theft Auto V," "Black Desert Online," and "The SIMS4." The sample consisted of 420 anonymous volunteer participants. Our chi-square analysis confirmed that gamers had SOGI-related motivations and demonstrated their desires via avatar customization. The findings also revealed that video gamers tend to customize their avatars to express their sexual orientation rather than their gender identity, particularly by reflecting the person for whom they have sexual desire. We specifically recommend that tertiary components of avatar appearance be prioritized in developing the customized options of video games to support the expression of SOGI-related motivation in virtual worlds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is something queer about Symbolism. Art historians have long acknowledged the links between Symbolist aesthetics and contemporaneous ideas about human sexuality, and even a cursory examination of artworks by male Symbolist artists working across the continent reveals an eyebrow-raising number of muscled nudes, lithe ephebes, and intimate male couplings. The sensual male body could register the artist's erotic desire, even as he put it forth as an idealized emblem of transcendental truth. But perhaps Symbolism's queerness extended beyond subject matter. Scholars have argued that Symbolism was in part defined by a subversive approach to visual semiotics: a severing—we might say a queering—of the ties binding a sign to its established cultural meaning. Similarly, male homosexual subcultures were sustained by endowing established signs and pictures with a uniquely queer significance. This paper seeks to tease out the relationship between Symbolist aesthetics and male homosexuality in terms of a shared sensibility towards pictorial interpretation. Taking as a case study the work of the Swedish Symbolist artist Eugène Jansson, I argue that Symbolism held appeal for homosexual artists precisely because queer subcultures were primed to read subversive meaning into normative pictures. Offering a new reading of Symbolism's sexual valences, I contextualize the movement's attendant artworks within the broader cultural landscape of homosexual signs and symbols and articulate the parallels between Symbolist approaches to the image and queer modes of seeing in the late nineteenth century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Different from the Others: German and Dutch Discourses of Queer Femininity and Female Desire, 1918–1940" explores the history of sexuality in the German-speaking world during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The author, Cyd Sturgess, focuses on the link between non-normative sexual behaviors and gender expression, particularly in relation to queer femininity and female desire. Sturgess challenges the assumption that feminine women who desired other women were marginalized or inconceivable figures, and instead seeks to counter the cultural dismissal of femininity. The article examines three main discourses - socio-medical, journalistic, and literary - and compares the experiences of Berlin and Amsterdam, highlighting the unique aspects of each city's queer culture and the influence of gender conventions. Sturgess also emphasizes the importance of including non-queer resources in historical studies of the queer past and explores the role of literature in disrupting traditional gender roles and giving sexual agency to women. Overall, the article encourages readers to question dominant discourses and consider the potential of less overtly queer spaces and discourses in understanding women's desire. [Extracted from the article]

Online harassment toward women in social networks can occur in many forms such as contempt, profanity, insult, sexual desire, pruriency, physical threat, misogyny, and so on. Particularly, women with high social status and influence over society, such as female journalists, are more frequently exposed to online harassment. In an area such as sport, where male hegemony is dominant, female sports journalists are exposed to online harassment both in social media and in their professional lives. In modern Muslim countries such as Turkey, the controversial position of women is reflected in social media networks, and female journalists can receive harassment, as well as support. As a result of the present study, which evaluated the online harassment experienced by female sports journalists in Turkey on Twitter, as well as the subdimensions of the harassment observed using the netnographic method, it was determined that female sports journalists are frequently exposed to online harassment on Twitter. Based on the findings obtained in the present study, the most frequently received comments on Twitter by female sports journalists are derogatory and sarcastic, focusing on the physical appearance of women, exclusionary from a hegemonic perspective, and involving emotional harassment, physical threat, and profanity, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distressing low sexual desire, termed Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), affects approximately 10% of women and 8% of men. In women, the 'top-down' theory of HSDD describes hyperactivity in higher-level cognitive brain regions, suppressing lower-level emotional/sexual brain areas. However, it is unknown how this neurofunctional disturbance compares to HSDD in men. To investigate this, we employed task-based functional MRI in 32 women and 32 men with HSDD to measure sexual-brain processing during sexual versus non-sexual videos, as well as psychometric questionnaires to assess sexual desire/arousal. We demonstrate that women had greater activation in higher-level and lower-level brain regions, compared to men. Indeed, women who had greater hypothalamic activation in response to sexual videos, reported higher psychometric scores in the evaluative (r = 0.55, P = 0.001), motivational (r = 0.56, P = 0.003), and physiological (r = 0.57, P = 0.0006) domains of sexual desire and arousal after watching the sexual videos in the scanner. By contrast, no similar correlations were observed in men. Taken together, this is the first direct comparison of the neural correlates of distressing low sexual desire between women and men. The data supports the 'top-down' theory of HSDD in women, whereas in men HSDD appears to be associated with different neurofunctional processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with premature ejaculation (PE) are often concerned and distressed about their sexual performance. Hence, they may be more willing to exploit their refractory period to employ sexual coping strategies in order to improve their unsatisfactory sexual intercourse compared with patients without PE. Aim: The study sought to verify the sexual coping strategies of patients with PE in the daily sexual activities. Methods: We included both patients with PE and individuals without PE and analyzed their sexual behaviors and attitudes by means of detailed interviews and questionnaires. Outcomes: The main outcomes were perceived intravaginal ejaculatory latency time recording, Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool score, and sexual frequency, attitudes, and behavior log. Results: A total of 182 young patients with PE (age 31.2 ± 6.2 years) and 92 individuals without PE (age 30.7 ± 5.1 years) were included in the study. A total of 53.3% of patients with PE vs 17.4% of individuals without PE reported engaging in multiple sexual intercourse sessions within a single day in the past 4 weeks. PE patients who engaged in multiple intercourse sessions displayed better performance during the second attempt but performed poorly compared with individuals without PE. Scores for the first attempt in PE vs second attempt in individuals with PE vs without PE were the following: intravaginal ejaculatory latency time, 2.4 ± 1.6 vs 4.8 ± 5.7 vs 9.9 ± 9.4 (P <.001); Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool, 14.9 ± 3.1 vs 12.7 ± 4.8 vs 5.2 ± 2.5 (P <.001); satisfaction, 2.9 ± 1.0 vs 3.1 ± 0.8 vs 3.7 ± 1.4 (P <.001). A total of 57.1% of patients held a negative attitude toward precoital masturbation, for reasons such as a reduced sexual desire (21.2%), the belief that masturbation is harmful (17.6%), concerns about erectile function (15.7%), fatigue (9.8%), and other mixed reasons (35.3%). Clinical Implications: Engaging in multiple intercourse sessions within a day is more common among the young PE population, and using precoital masturbation as a coping strategy is not universally applicable among patients with PE. Strengths and Limitations: This is the first study to explore symptom-coping strategies in patients with PE compared with individuals without PE. However, the conclusions cannot be generalized to the entire male population. Conclusion: Patients with PE, compared with individuals without PE, are more inclined to engage in multiple sexual intercourse sessions within a single sexual session, likely in an attempt to compensate for their first unsatisfactory sexual encounter. Moreover, the majority of patients with PE here studied hold a negative attitude toward using precoital masturbation as a coping strategy for symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypoactive sexual desire dysfunction (HSDD) is prevalent among women. This retrospective cohort study aimed to verify the results of the strategies used by Gynecologists and Obstetricians (Ob-gyn) residents in the management of female HSDD. For this, we conducted a data collection of patient medical records of women with HSDD from the Human Sexuality Studies outpatient clinic of the Human Reproduction Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of FMRP-USP, from 2005 to 2019. Among the 437 women included, 361 (82.6%) answered the question concerning the effect of the protocol to which they were submitted, whereas 234 (64.8%) reported improvements in sexual desire. The univariate model showed that patients without chronic pelvic pain were 19.0% less likely to report improvements in HSDD than those with chronic pelvic pain (p = 0.03). Patients without depression and without orgasmic dysfunction were, respectively 32% and 23% more likely to show improvements in their HSDD than those who had depression or orgasmic dysfunction (respectively p = 0.001, p = 0.008). However, the multivariate model did not identify any associations. The assistance regarding HSDD by the Ob-gyn resident in training to deal with female sexual complaints may be effective in improving sexual complaints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to investigate the relationship between traditional gender roles and the frequency of sexual intimacy within romantic relationships, considering sexual desire and societal norms and expectations. The study was conducted among a convenience sample of men and women in Israel. The survey included measures of sociodemographic information, traditional gender roles, sexual desire, perceived partner's sexual desire, and frequency of engaging in sex. Findings suggest that men who embraced less traditional gender roles exhibit a greater synchronization between their own sexual desire and their perceived partner's sexual desire, whereas women who embraced more traditional gender roles tend to rely more on their partners' sexual desire in their frequency of sex. These results imply that men's sexual desire plays a significant role in determining the frequency of sexual activity in romantic relationships, especially in relationships where traditional gender roles are more strongly embraced. Findings from the current study underscore the idea that the decision to engage in intimate acts may not solely hinge on individual sexual desire; rather, it operates within a broader context influenced by societal and cultural expectations. It is important to challenge societal norms to promote more balanced and equitable sexual dynamics in committed relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Getting a good night's sleep was of great importance to early modern people because it was central to healthy routine and the practice of piety. Re-examining printed regimens and herbals reveals that lust was thought to interrupt slumber and that managing sexual impulse and activity is a hitherto unexplored aspect of sleep care. Aspects of routine had to be repeated moderately and in succession in order to prevent disease and imbalance. Feeling sleepy and feeling lustful were, this article finds, connected in complicated and often conflicting ways in bedtime routine. Printed herbals and domestic recipe books shows that soporific materials were also useful in lessening lust. Such findings point to a shared culture of herbal knowledge that centred around bedtime and beds. Early modern people grappled with social, practical, moral and medical concerns when deciding how and when to use their beds, revealing the ways in which sleep care, sexuality and the pursuit of a healthy body and soul intersected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Impossibilia: Revista Internacional de Estudios Literarios is the property of Impossibilia: Revista Internacional de Estudios Literarios and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article provides an alternative, sexual reinterpretation of Machiavelli’s Mandragola from an alternative sexual perspective focusing on sodomy (in its sixteenth-century meaning), and especially male-male sexuality. In this reading, Messer Nicia is, put in today’s terms, a homosexual and, at the same time, surprisingly enough, the key, princely character in the play. Dri ven by a desire to establish a new, less oppressive familial order, Nicia is able to renew his corrupted family by means of a conspiracy aimed at liberating Lucrezia’s sexuality from the restraints of the dominant morality. Mandragola constitutes an intrinsic part of Machiavelli’s political project, showing how the explosion of sexual desire beyond the confines of dominant heteronormative morality can serve as a productive way of expressing plebeian desire not to be oppressed and commanded by the great, which proves beneficial to all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alcohol may foster the initiation of sexual activity by removing inhibitions, but it impairs performance in the long run, which leads to marked discomfort and relationship problems. The correlation between alcohol dependence and sexual dysfunction is multifaceted. Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to physiological changes in the body, disrupting hormonal balance, neurochemical pathways, and vascular function, all of which contribute to sexual dysfunction. These problems, in turn, would amplify alcohol misuse. Some studies have looked into sexual dysfunction due to alcohol, but there are only a few case-control studies reported from India. Methods: This is a prospective and case control study was conducted among the patients with the history of alcohol dependence admitted in a tertiary care hospital over a period of 6 months. Patients with 21 years of age and above were included. The nature and the purpose of the study were explained briefly to the study population in the informed consent form and then the study population was recruited according to inclusion-exclusion criteria as mentioned above. During the study period, all the recruits were given standardized self-answering questionnaires as mentioned below in the instruments used. ICD-10 F52 criteria were used to diagnose sexual dysfunction. Results: The current study determined occurrence of at least one sexual dysfunction among case (76.6%) which is higher than that of control (36.6%). Furthermore, occurrence of more than one sexual dysfunction in case (63.3%) came out to be higher than that of control (23.3%). No vast difference between case (54.3%) and control (71.4%) can be found with regards to premature ejaculation. In addition, researcher did not find any significant difference. A negative association between erectile function, sexual desire, overall satisfaction, and intercourse satisfaction domains of IIEF and duration of alcohol consumption was observed [r = -0.015, -0.271, -0.04, and -0.168, respectively]. This means an increase in the scores of sexual desire and intercourse satisfaction can be observed with the duration of alcohol consumption, while scores of overall satisfactions tend to decrease. Conclusion: The study highlights the global nature of sexual dysfunction in men with alcohol dependence. It emphasizes the need for clinicians to routinely assess the sexual problems in their alcohol drinking patients, especially those with liver disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Hypothesis: Although laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy is a recommended procedure for sexually active women, its full impact on sexual life remains underexplored. This study is aimed at comprehensively assessing changes in the quality of sexual life and the prevalence of dyspareunia in women 1 year after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy. Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled women undergoing laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for pelvic organ prolapse stage≥ 2. Included were women with a completed Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire, IUGA Revised (PISQ-IR) questionnaire before and at 1 year after surgery. Individual domains of the PISQ-IR were compared separately. Dyspareunia, single summary PISQ-IR and PISQ-12 scores were additionally compared in sexually active women. Statistical analyses included paired signed rank, Wilcoxon, Median, Chi-squared, and Fisher tests (p < 0.05). Results: Between February 2015 and December 2019, a total of 333 women were included. Mean age was 61.0 ± 11.2 and 141 (42%) reported being sexually active at baseline. At 12 months postoperatively, sexual activity was preserved in 110 (78%) of these women and an additional 26 women (14%) became sexually active. Both single-summary PISQ-IR (3.4 vs 3.6, p < 0.01) and PISQ-12 (36.0 vs 38.1, p < 0.01) scores increased significantly. The only variable that was associated with deteriorated scores postoperatively was a higher BMI. Individual domain analyses revealed significant improvement in condition-specific and condition-impact domains, except for the desire domain, which deteriorated. Prevalence of dyspareunia decreased post-surgery from 21.8% to 16.4%, p < 0.05. Newly sexually active women were older, had shorter vaginal length preoperatively, but lower PISQ-IR scores postoperatively than sexually inactive women pre- and postoperatively. Women ceasing sexual activity were older and had lower preoperative PISQ-IR scores than sexually active women pre- and postoperatively. Conclusions: Although the overall rate of sexually active women and sexual desire declined 12 months after sacrocolpopexy, overall sexual function scores improved and the prevalence of dyspareunia decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Gaceta Médica de Caracas is the property of Academia Nacional de Medicina and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article offers information on the transformative impact of Carol Gilligan's work on listening to women's voices, highlighting the shift it brought in psychology's understanding of moral development. Topics include the concept of radical listening, the influence of Carol Gilligan's work on the author's academic and professional journey, and the importance of relationships and care in the human experience.

Background: Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women involves biological, psychological, and social aspects. In the European Society for Sexual Medicine meeting in Rotterdam in February 2023, several leading experts in the field discussed the multifaceted nature of this disorder and the state of the art regarding treatment at a round table. This review reflects the information discussed at this event and further discusses current controversies. Summary: HSDD is the most prevalent female-estimated sexual disorder reported by 28% of the 40% premenopausal women with sexual dysfunction. Flibanserin and bremelanotide are the only approved medications to treat HSDD in the USA, and none are approved in Europe. Lybrido, Lybridos, and Lorexys are under development. There are several psychological factors with impact in sexual desire, including depression and sexual abuse. Feminine sexual scripts, the pleasure gap, and structural inequalities also affect sexual desire. Evidence strongly supports the value of combining medical and psychological approaches in the treatment of HSDD, but there is ongoing controversy regarding the pharmacological treatment of young women with HSDD. However, some women seem open and would like to have access to drug treatment. Key Messages: The treatment of HSDD in young women requires a mixed treatment approach that addresses the disorder's complexity. Despite clinicians seeming to be divided between using pharmacological and/or psychosocial approaches, some women might respond better to one type of intervention over the others. This calls for the development of tools that assess the best approach for each person, including their will and informed choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common, yet underdiagnosed problem in Parkinson Disease (PD) patients. It can negatively impact their quality of life (QoL) and clinical outcome. we tried to assess SD in a group of Egyptian PD patients. Methods: The study is a case–control, cross-sectional study that included 200 participants, consisting of 100 PD patients and 100 matched healthy controls. Social, demographic information, and clinical variables were collected from both groups. Sexual functions were assessed using the Arabic Female Sexual Function Index (ArFSFI), and the Arabic version of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Results: Women with PD scored worse on FSFI total score compared to controls (p < 0.001). Regarding the FSFI domains, they scored significantly lower in individual domains of desire (p < 0.001), arousal (p < 0.001), lubrication (p = 0.006), orgasm (p < 0.001), satisfaction (p < 0.001), and pain (p = 0.003), compared with controls. Men with PD scored worse on IIEF total scores compared to controls (p < 0.001). They showed significantly worse scores of erectile functions (p < 0.001), orgasmic function (p < 0.001), sexual desire (p < 0.001), intercourse satisfaction (p < 0.001), and overall satisfaction (p < 0.001). Both groups reported significant effect of SD on their QoL. There was a significant correlation between disease severity and SD. Conclusion: SD is common in PD patients. It negatively impacts their QoL and partnership. Healthcare professionals should initiate conversations about SD with the patients and provide appropriate education and treatment options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 30 years, an increasing number of people have identified within the asexual (ACE) spectrum recognizing an absence/low/situational sexual attraction to individuals of any gender. The current study aims to deepen the knowledge of sexual desire, erotic fantasies, and related emotions within the ACE spectrum. A total of 1072 Italian volunteers were recruited to take part to the present study via social media. Data were collected from October 2021 to January 2022 using the Sexual Desire and Erotic Fantasies questionnaire and the Sexual Desire Inventory-2. Participants were divided into four groups: asexual, demisexual, gray-asexual, and questioning. Focusing on sexual desire, asexual people reported significantly lower scores than the other groups in all the dimensions except for "negative feelings to sexual desire," while demisexual participants showed the higher scores in all the domains except for "negative feelings to sexual desire." The questioning group reported the highest scores in the "negative feelings toward sexual desire" compared to the asexual and demisexual ones. The asexual group reported significantly lower scores than the other groups in fantasies frequency, fantasies importance, negative emotions, and sharing and experiencing. The demisexual group showed higher frequency of romantic fantasies than the asexual and gray-asexual ones. The results showed some specific patterns of desire and fantasies among the asexual, gray-asexual, demisexual, and questioning groups. These data may provide relevant material to clinicians working with asexual patients who need greater awareness about the diversity and heterogeneity of the sexual experience within the ACE spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The choice between using the internal or external iliac arteries to supply a transplanted kidney poses a dilemma during renal transplantation. As the internal iliac artery branches to the genital tract, cutting it could potentially result in sexual dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of these two surgical methods on sexual function. Materials and Methods: 122 sexually active male patients under the age of sixty were randomly divided into two groups: the internal iliac anastomosis group and the external iliac artery anastomosis group. Before surgery and one year after the procedure, patients completed the International Index of Erectile Function-15 questionnaire (IIEF-15), and the difference in scores of each domain was measured. Results: Statistically, kidney transplantation improved all domains of IIEF in both groups, except for erectile function in patients who underwent internal iliac artery anastomosis group. Additionally, there were significant differences between the two groups in the domains of erectile function (p-value=0.04) and overall satisfaction (p-value = 0.002), while other domains such as orgasmic function, sexual desire, and intercourse satisfaction did not show any statistically significant differences. Conclusion: In conclusion, the choice between using the internal or external iliac artery for arterial anastomosis during kidney transplantation does not significantly impact graft function. However, it may negatively affect erectile function in patients who undergo internal iliac artery anastomosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article argues that Freud's concept of 'transference-love' – the phenomenon where patients fall in love with their psychoanalysts – could become the basis for a theory of collective life. Freud's radical claim that transference-love, despite its immoral appearance, is real love is situated in relation to the problems facing the sociology of romantic love: modern couples are problematised for being unable to provide a normative foundation for not only sexual desire, but social solidarity outright. This article restates the problem: transference is not a lesson in how love resists norms, but how love is resistant to logic. Transference-love arises out of a social condition Georg Simmel called life's fragmentary character, marked by asymmetries appearing symmetrical: instead of transference being a case where we fall in love with the wrong person, transference is a case where our mistaken apprehensions of others is the precondition for our bonds to them. Viewed through the phenomenon of transference, love illuminates this asymmetrical form of life. It is argued that transference could be understood, sociologically, as demonstrating a logical impossibility to collective life: that a shared life together is possible, but nevertheless relies upon something that evades each of us. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poetry therapy is a promising method for healing psychiatric disorders and gaining fresh perspectives on life. Spiritual poetry, in particular, supports psychology and therapeutic uses. This study argues that as an effective therapy, Milarepa's songs can treat lust and ignorance and improve our physical and mental health, understanding, and viewpoint on life and other related problems. The first section of the study will discuss how lust can cause health problems and other diseases by affecting the body and mind. In the second section, Milarepa's songs on ignorance, enlightenment, and lust will demonstrate how they can relieve lust and psychic disorder while improving morals and understanding. The article also shows how Milarepa's songs inspired the author to write poetry about desire and broaden his life perspective. The author uses a wide range of literature to substantiate his arguments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines how the podcast Thirst Aid Kit makes Black women's desires—often erased or distorted in media—audible. Using Critical Technocultural Discourse Analysis (CTDA) and feminist close reading, I make three interrelated arguments: (1) The hosts' use of regional, Black vernaculars and cultural touchstones disrupts podcasting's Whiteness and builds intimacy with Black women listeners; (2) The podcast's aural expressions of thirst articulate Black women's desires rather than shield them from broader publics; (3) The show's expression of thirst is connected to the romance genre; however, Thirst Aid Kit , ruptures the genre's investment in Whiteness and the happy ending. This article builds from and intervenes in podcasting research, studies of Black women and media, and popular romance studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]