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Prior research with heterosexual and gay men suggests that heteronormative, hegemonic masculine norms influence sexual behaviors, including in relation to sexual health, and in sex between men, positioning in anal intercourse. This qualitative study offers an in-depth account of how bisexual men’s beliefs about masculinity and about the gendered nature of certain sexual behaviors may influence their experiences of sex with women and men, and the sexual practices they engage in. Twenty-two bisexual men participated in one-to-one, semi-structured interviews, where they were asked about their experiences of sex with women and men in relation to their beliefs about masculinity. A reflexive thematic analysis identified the influence of prevailing discourses of heteronormativity and hegemonic masculinity on sexual experiences and behaviors. Participants’ beliefs about masculinity and the gendered nature of certain aspects of sex influenced experiences relating to sexual performance, sexual assertiveness, positions adopted, practices engaged in, and how gender was enacted in sexual encounters. Sex with women was experienced as more masculine than sex with men: Participants described feeling more sexually assertive than their sexual partners, in control of the encounter, and responsible for facilitating their partners’ sexual pleasure. Sex with men was experienced as more egalitarian and provided favorable opportunities to relinquish sexual control and responsibilities around facilitating pleasure, and to feel less masculine, including by engaging in receptive anal intercourse. Findings therefore indicate that, for some bisexual men, masculinity is highly salient, influencing a range of sexual behaviors and experiences in sex with women and with men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Survivors of adult sexual assault and child sexual abuse – together encompassing sexual violence (SV) – experience a number of adverse consequences. High rates of self-blame can lead to increased symptomatology and treatment resistance. There has been a paucity of studies of men who have experienced SV, particularly about self-blame. For this study, 179 cisgender male survivors of SV completed an online survey to explore the relationships among 10 variables, including trauma-related self-blame, rape myth acceptance, tonic immobility, disclosure experiences, sexual arousal, and substance use. Multiple regression analyses and t-tests were used to test the study hypotheses. Results indicate that 93% of the sample reported some level of self-blame. However, only rape myth acceptance was strongly associated with self-blame. Additionally, participants who used substances within 12 hours prior to their SV had higher rates of self-blame, as did participants who had not previously disclosed their abuse. Exploratory analyses also found a significant difference in self-blame between those who experienced SV in childhood and adulthood versus those who only experienced SV in either childhood or adulthood. The findings of this research highlight the high rates of self-blame and how imperative it is to provide psychoeducation about the variables discussed in this study and to normalize these experiences, especially for less well-known phenomena such as physiological sexual arousal and TI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objective Method Results Conclusion Sexual position is one of the several aspects that affects ejaculation control, which is essential for sexual pleasure. Still little is known, nevertheless, about the connection between sexual positions and ejaculation duration.To investigate the impact of various sexual positions on the duration of ejaculation and gain a deeper understanding of the elements that influence the ability to control ejaculation.An online survey was carried out on a sample of 1904 heterosexual men between the ages of 18–65 years. Premature ejaculation (PE) diagnostic tool was used to define PE. Demographic, behavioral, and physiological traits that are linked to PE and non‐PE groups were collected. The participants listed their preferred sexual positions and the ones they changed to during ejaculating. Also, analyses were performed between male/female active or deep/shallow thrust positions and PE status.Although there were no appreciable variations in age or circumcision between PE and non‐PE groups, the age of first sexual experience was associated with PE status. Groups also varied in the number of weekly ejaculations, the duration of the favored ejaculations, and the characteristics of the erection. The most preferred sexual posture was the doggy style regardless of the group. When the non‐PE group felt to ejaculate, they preferred to change the position significantly more than the PE group (74% vs 67.2%; p < 0.05). However, when participants felt ejaculate, non‐PE participants tended to switch to shallow thrusting positions significantly more than PE participants, who preferred deeper positions (27.1% vs. 18%; p < 0.05).This study underlines the relevance of considering sexual positions in controlling PE. Modifying positions during sexual intercourse may offer a non‐pharmacological therapeutic alternative for improving ejaculation control. Future studies in this field might help to create tailored PE treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Several factors influence women's perception of their genitalia. Understanding the elements associated with genital self‑image (GSI) can significantly contribute to enhancing women's sexual experiences. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the predictors of GSI in Iranian women. Materials and methods: This online cross-sectional study was conducted on 722 healthy married reproductive-aged women with records in Amol-Iran health centers during 2022. Participants were selected using a random sampling method from all the healthcare centers. Data were collected through a checklist of socio-demographic and obstetrics information, the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSI), the 6-item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6), the Female Sexual Distress Scale – revised (FSDS-R), and the Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire (MSSCQ) for assessing sexual esteem and sexual satisfaction. The general linear model was employed to assess the impact of each independent variable (socio-demographic and obstetrics characteristics, sexual function, sexual distress, sexual esteem, and sexual satisfaction) on the dependent variable (GSI). Results: The mean score of GSI was 21.70 ± 3.82. Based on the Pearson correlation test, there were significant correlations between GSI and sexual function, sexual esteem, sexual satisfaction, and sexual distress (r = 0.20, r = 0.43, r = 0.42, r = -0.28 respectively; p < 0.001). Using the adjusted general linear model, with the increasing scores of sexual esteem and sexual satisfaction, the GSI score also increased (β = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.27, β = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.22, respectively; p < 0.001). Additionally, age, abnormal vaginal discharge, genital feedback from partners, and satisfaction with body image were identified as other predictors of GSI. Conclusion: Based on the study results, it was observed that sexual esteem, sexual satisfaction, and certain socio-demographic variables served as predictors of GSI. Consequently, considering the potential impact of GSI on various aspects of women's lives, healthcare providers can enhance their counseling techniques to improve GSI by gaining an appropriate understanding of the factors that influence it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pregnancy loss affects 1 in 4 women and is linked with poorer overall health and relationship outcomes. Despite sexual well-being's importance to health, how sexual well-being changes across time after a pregnancy loss and what might predict such changes, like perinatal grief, have never been examined, leaving practitioners and couples without knowledge of what to expect. Aim: We aimed to examine (1) how sexual satisfaction, sexual desire, sexual distress, and perinatal grief change from 10 to 25 weeks postloss for both couple members; and (2) if perinatal grief levels at 10 weeks postloss predict sexual well-being trajectories. Methods: Women and gender-diverse individuals who were pregnant when a pregnancy loss occurred (within the last 4 months) and men, women, and gender-diverse partners who were not pregnant (N = 132 couples) independently completed 4 monthly assessments of sexual well-being and perinatal grief. Outcomes: Outcomes included sexual satisfaction (Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction), sexual desire (Sexual Desire Inventory), sexual distress (Sexual Distress Scale–Short Form), perinatal grief (Perinatal Grief Scale). Results: Dyadic growth curve modeling indicated that, from 10 to 25 weeks postloss, both couple members' sexual satisfaction increased, and their sexual desire remained stable; sexual distress decreased for partners but remained stable for individuals who were pregnant; and both couple members' perinatal grief decreased. Perinatal grief levels at 10 weeks postloss did not predict sexual well-being trajectories over time. Clinical Implications: Given sexual well-being's dynamic nature, clinicians should regularly discuss sexuality with both couple members after pregnancy loss. During such discussions, clinicians could reassure couples about their sexual relationship's recovery by sharing that, on average, sexual satisfaction, sexual desire, and sexual distress tend to improve or stay the same (rather than worsen) from 10 to 25 weeks postloss. They can also share that perinatal grief tends to decrease during this time and is unrelated to trajectories of sexual satisfaction, sexual desire, and sexual distress. Strengths and limitations: This is the first study, to our knowledge, to examine how sexual well-being changes across time after a pregnancy loss and perinatal grief's role in such changes. The results may not generalize broadly, as most couples were in mixed-gender/sex relationships, identified as White, and were relatively affluent. Conclusion: From 10 to 25 weeks postloss, both couple members tend to experience improvements in their overall sexual well-being and declines in their perinatal grief. Early perinatal grief levels and subsequent sexual well-being trajectories are seemingly unrelated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The primary reasons for labiaplasty usually revolve around aesthetic, sexual, and functional concerns. Upon delving deeper into these issues, it becomes apparent that sexual partners play a controversial role in influencing women's decisions to undergo surgery. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the impact of sexual partners on women's choices to pursue labiaplasty. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across electronic databases covering the period from January 2000 to February 2024. After removing duplicates, a total of 931 articles were retrieved by searching keywords in titles and abstracts. Outcomes: The meta-analysis revealed that 36.7% of women who sought labiaplasty cited their partners' negative comments as a factor influencing their decision. Results: After applying the eligibility criteria and excluding irrelevant articles, a total of 12 articles involving 962 participants were included in the analysis. With the exception of 2 articles, the majority of the studies suggested a discernible influence of male partners on women's decisions to seek labiaplasty. Frequently, sexual partners are not the primary decision makers, nor do they exert significant pressure when it comes to seeking labiaplasty. In certain instances, women seeking labiaplasty acknowledged that their sexual partners did influence their decisions, either by making disparaging comments about their genitalia or by directly pressuring or requesting them to undergo labiaplasty. Additionally, women might opt for labiaplasty out of fear of their partner's negative remarks or to enhance sexual pleasure for their partners. For a more accurate result, a meta-analysis was conducted noting a considerable heterogeneity. Clinical Implications: The findings of this study can be applied in prelabiaplasty counseling sessions to acknowledge and explore the role of the sexual partner in women's decision making. Strengths and Limitations: This study stands as the inaugural systematic review examining the impact of sexual partners on women seeking labiaplasty, encompassing all original studies exploring the role of the sexual partner. However, a notable limitation lies in the varied interpretations of the sexual partner's role, that the heterogeneous nature of these interpretations poses a challenge to providing a more precise answer through meta-analysis. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this systematic review, it is evident that sexual partners exert multifaceted influences on women's decisions to seek labiaplasty. While not serving as the primary decision makers, women opt for labiaplasty with the aim of enhancing attractiveness in sexual relationships and mitigating potential negative comments from their partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document provides a historical overview of sexology, tracing its origins in Germany in the early 20th century and its subsequent development in the United States. It highlights key figures, institutions, and events that shaped the field, emphasizing the interdisciplinary approach and advocacy for sexual reform. The text also discusses the impact of societal shifts, the role of Jewish sexologists, and the resurgence of sexology in the United States post-World War II. Additionally, it explores the field's evolution towards sexual health, rights, and pleasure, culminating in the issuance of declarations and collaborations with organizations like the WHO. The document concludes by addressing current challenges and the importance of advocacy efforts to advance sexual health and rights globally. [Extracted from the article]

Georges Bataille was a regular attendee in Alexandre Kojève’s seminars on Hegel between 1933 and 1939. Bataille developed a lifelong friendship with the Russian philosopher, with whom he corresponded, and whose numerous unpublished drafts came to his possession after Kojève’s death. Initially, Bataille accepts the Kojèvian starting point of humanity and history, as desire and discourse, action and negativity, a vision which culminates in the apocalyptic end of history. However, progressively, Bataille comes to question the identification of negativity with human history or historical action. Bataille speaks of a ‘negativity without use’; an excess of negativity and death which does not disappear after history has ended. Grappling with Kojève’s suffocating vision of the end of history, Bataille emerges as a profound thinker who attempts to make sense of the post-historical and post-human horizon, and the return to animality, where there is neither desire, nor action and there is ‘nothing else to do’. In this eclipse of sense and historical action, the only endeavours available to humanity seem to be art, death, eroticism and play. Thus, for Bataille, the end of history is an exclusively human condition, in which humanity is brought resolutely to confront its own negative excess. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present overview discusses the putative aphrodisiac properties of carbohydrates. It comprehensively investigates the intricate interplay between the physiological systems that govern sexual arousal and the consumption of carbohydrates in the diet. One method to achieve this is by examining the historical origins of aphrodisiacs in various civilizations. It highlights the significance of carbohydrates as essential macronutrients and explores their function in crucial biochemical processes associated with libido and sexual response. In order to understand the impact of dietary carbs on sexual health, the study examines the correlation among sex hormones, insulin sensitivity, and blood glucose levels. To understand how particular diets high in carbohydrates can improve sexual arousal, performance and desire the analysis looks at scientific research informing that some diets have aphrodisiac properties. The present research examines the influence of carbohydrates on mood, stress levels, and overall well‐being to gain a deeper understanding of the psychological underpinnings of sexual function. The points elucidated in this analysis enhance the understanding of the complex interrelationships between dietary components, specifically carbs, and sexual health. Results have implications for lifestyle modifications aimed at improving sexual well‐being. The information contained here will also be beneficial to individuals and healthcare professionals who are looking for evidence‐based approaches to improve their sexual well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Claims have been made that more sexual liberalism in society than what generally existed in human history is necessary to promote societal tranquility and reduce violence. This research was conducted to investigate the real relationship between sexual behavior and aggression based on scientific data especially from the perspective of physiological psychology. Method: This study was a narrative review and utilized evidence-based findings from neuropsychology, psychophysiology, laboratory research, and field studies. Databases were explored for related terms until sufficiency was reached. The findings were categorized and analyzed descriptively and interpretively to establish connections between the findings. Ultimately, a comprehensive conceptualization was developed to conclude a theory on the relationship between sexual behavior, sexual satiety, and aggression. Results: The study indicated that unrestrained sexual behavior leads to an escalation of the behavior, rather than satiation, and aggression rather than calmness. This may be due to positive feedback in the nervous and hormonal systems, specifically mediated by the medial preoptic area (MPA) and testosterone, leading to aggressive behavior. However, since sexual deprivation can potentially lead to aggression, it is advisable to view the relationship between sexual activity and violence as a non-linear one. Conclusion: This paper establishes that the intensification of sexual behaviors leads to increased violence and aggression in society, ultimately elevating levels of public insecurity. Therefore, limiting sexual behavior within the framework of the relationship of married couples may serve as a moderating factor for this phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To the evaluate the readability and comprehensiveness of genitourinary and sexual health-related patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) used in gender-affirming care. Common PROMs that measure genitourinary and sexual health-related outcomes in gender-affirming care literature were identified from six recent systematic reviews. Readability analysis was completed at the level of individual items and full scale using established readability assessment tool, including Flesch Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), Gunning Fog Score (GF), Coleman Liau Index (CLI), and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) Index. The concepts measured by the PROMs were evaluated for comprehensiveness. Twenty-five PROMs were included, of which 12 assessed genitourinary outcomes and 13 assessed sexual health outcomes. A total of seven genitourinary domains and eight sexual health domains were identified during concept mapping. Readability analysis showed a median PROM grade level of 9.0 and 9.5 in genitourinary and sexual PROMs, respectively. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Sexual Function and Satisfaction v2.0 had the lowest median reading grade level of 5.7, and the Female Sexual Function Index has the highest median reading grade level of 13.9. No single PROM was found to be comprehensive. Multiple PROMs contained double-barreled items or used outdated terminology. Most PROMs used in the genital gender-affirming literature failed to meet the readability recommendations for patient-facing material and were culturally unfit for use in transgender and gender-diverse individuals. None of the PROMs were found to be comprehensive for evaluating outcomes of gender-affirming care. Validated gender-affirming care-specific PROMs that are comprehensible, comprehensive, and relevant are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper reports four consecutive studies that were conducted to link sexual health with a new construct of sexual intelligence by developing and validating a new scale to measure sexual intelligence. Sexual intelligence was defined as "the ability to perceive, understand and respond to sexual needs and desires in a personal and social context." Sexual Intelligence Scale (SIS), comprising of 8 items in English and 2 factors (sexual knowledge & sexual behavior), was developed and validated by involving 959 respondents in the process of 4 consecutive studies. The validity of SIS was tested step by step for its face, content, factorial, convergent, discriminant, and predictive validities. The reliability was measured through internal consistency and item-total & item-scale correlations. The study found significantly higher levels of sexual intelligence in men as compared to women. Sexual intelligence, moreover, had significant positive correlations with age, education, emotional intelligence, social intelligence, sexual health, and satisfaction with life. Sexual health was linked with sexual intelligence and the SIS was accepted as a reliable and valid tool to measure sexual intelligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five adult males who had sexually offended against children and had previously been victims of child sex abuse (CSA) were interviewed about their experiences of completing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy on memories of their CSA. Data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Themes identified encapsulated descriptions of changes in participants' perspectives of their CSA that led to changes in perspectives of their offending behavior and victims, reduction in sexual preoccupation, increased desire for healthy adult relationships and reduced sexual arousal to children. Therefore EMDR could potentially contribute to the reduction of re-offending in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The baubellum (os clitoridis) is a bone found in the clitoris of many female eutherian mammals and is homologous to the baculum in males. In contrast to the baculum, the baubellum has received very little attention regarding its morphological or interspecific diversity, or on hypotheses for its function. The presence of the baubellum in bears (Ursidae) has only been established and mentioned in the literature for the Ursus genus, and not for the other genera of bears. Moreover, no scaled photographs are available for baubella of this clade, and the sizes reported vary between sources. We hereby present and describe the baubellum of a spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), providing a detailed account of baubella in a basal ursid species. The baubellum of Tremarctos is slightly bowed dorsally, with two small prominences at the distal apex. The length of the Tremarctos baubellum in this study is comparable to that of Ursus americanus (American black bear). We infer the specific shape, with longitudinal ridges, of the baubellum in Tremarctos could indicate a discrete function during copulation or sexual arousal. However, future studies, especially regarding the associated soft tissues, will be required to confirm whether this is indeed the case. Our study expands the understanding of baubella within Ursidae, providing new data (including a three‐dimensional model) that can be used to further explore the morphological diversity and function of this enigmatic extra‐skeletal bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inpatients' sexuality in forensic psychiatric facilities remains a neglected topic. Given these circumstances, it creates barriers that hinder inpatients' ability to express their sexuality, leading to a poor integration of sexual concerns into inpatient treatments. Inpatients' sexuality can influence recovery journeys negatively or positively, for example by affecting medication adherence due to sexual side effects, or through the positive effects of having romantic relationships. To better understand inpatients' needs, this qualitative research explores inpatients' sexuality in a forensic psychiatric facility. This study aims to describe how inpatients perceive and express their sexuality while also exploring the perceived positive impacts of sexual satisfaction, sexual well-being, and intimacy on their recovery. Nine men hospitalized in a high-security forensic facility took part in an individual interview. Thematic analysis was conducted. Themes, including sexual representations and perceived benefits of sexuality, were gathered from past, present, and future contexts. Findings reveal that inpatients adapt their sexual expression in the face of barriers. Participants, while specifying their sexual needs, indicated an interest in forming a relationship with an intimate partner, seeing potential benefits for themselves and their recovery. Results underscore the need to incorporate a positive form of sexuality in treatment plans considering its positive outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a well-researched relationship between sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction, and recent literature has explored how body image impacts this relationship. The purpose of this study was to assess the degree to which the body dissatisfaction-sexual satisfaction-relationship satisfaction causal sequence varied at levels of pornography use and depression. Mechanical Turk data from a related study was used to explore three sets of hypotheses for the variables' relationships. Surprising results prompted the exploration of a three-way interaction outside of the original hypotheses. The exploratory analysis revealed that the moderating impact of pornography use on the relationship between body dissatisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction depends on the level of depression. These findings carry important implications for research and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects women of childbearing age and has been reported to cause sexual dysfunction in women. Although there are articles on sexual function in women with SLE, the number of articles is small, and the factors affecting sexual function in women with SLE are controversial. Based on this, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in Chinese female SLE patients and to explore the factors that influence it. The study design was a cross-sectional study conducted from December 2023 to April 2024 in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of a tertiary hospital in Hefei, Anhui Province. A total of 293 female patients diagnosed with SLE were enrolled using face-to-face questionnaires and online questionnaires. The questionnaire consisted of four parts: general information questionnaire, fatigue severity scale (FSS), depression-anxiety-stress scale (DASS-21), and female sexual functioning index (FSFI) scale. A total of 173 (59.04%) patients had sexual dysfunction, including 251 (85.67%) with decreased libido and 186 (63.46%) with difficulty in sexual arousal. There was a correlation between the patients' total FSFI scores and age (p = 0.028), marital satisfaction (p < 0.001), own education level (p = 0.008), partner's education level (p = 0.003), place of residence (p = 0.039), monthly household income (p < 0.001), family financial satisfaction(p < 0.001), menstrual status (p = 0.003), hormone use (p = 0.021),immunosuppressant use (p = 0.042), disease activity (p = 0.016), FSS score (p < 0.001), stress score (p < 0.001), anxiety score (p < 0.001) and depression score (p < 0.001)were correlated. The results of stepwise regression analysis showed that marital satisfaction (b = 2.011, t = 3.797, p < 0.001), monthly household income (b = 0.854, t = 2.316, p = 0.021), menstrual status (b = 1.218, t = 2.350, p = 0.019), fatigue scale score (b = − 0.069, t = − 2.302, p = 0.022), and depression score (b = − 0.117, t = − 2.910, p = 0.004) were the influencing factors of FSFI total score, and the difference was statistically significant. The incidence of sexual dysfunction in Chinese female SLE patients is high, and medical personnel should pay more attention to patients' sexual problems, to provide theoretical and practical bases for further prevention, treatment, and care of sexual dysfunction in female SLE patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sexual life of pregnant women alters during pregnancy due to the physiologic,' anatomic and hormonal changes in her body. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate female sexual functioning after becoming pregnant. Patients and methods: A prospective survey study including 148 pregnant women. An anonymous questionnaire including 60 inquiries concerning intimate relationship before and during pregnancy was performed. The following statistical test were used: Chi-square test of independence, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and Wilcoxon test. The significance level of p = 0.05 was assumed. Results: Most of the respondents were between 31 and 40 years old (55%). Majority of them were married (86%). During pregnancy, slightly more than half of women had a moderate need for sexual intercourse (51%), a large percentage of them had a low need (32%), a high need for intercourse was declared by 17% of women. The correlation analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between women's education and the need for sex before pregnancy (p = 0.049). Respondents with higher degrees of education more often felt the need for intercourse before pregnancy. No correlation was found between education and the need for intercourse after pregnancy (p = 0.107). After becoming pregnant, 51% of women had less need for intercourse, 7% more, and 42% the same as before pregnancy, and these differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Also, a decreased satisfaction with sexual intercourse was reported during pregnancy (p < 0.001). After getting pregnant, the average number of intercourses decreased in majority (71%) of respondents, and differences in the number of intercourses before and during pregnancy were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Pregnancy has significant impact on woman's sexuality. After becoming pregnant majority of women declare less need for sexual intercourses, decreased number of intercourses with less satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional sexual scripts (TSS) are associated with gender inequality for exposing women to vulnerabilities. Higher adherence to TSS has also been associated with deficits in sexual agency, contributing for decrease women's sexual health and problems with sexual satisfaction. The sexual agency is achieved through sex education, and comparing Portugal and Brazil that treat this issue in different ways may contribute to understand the role of sex education policies. This study verified and compared the association between TSSs, sexual agency and sexual satisfaction in Portuguese and Brazilian women and analyzed the predictive power of the variables on female sexual satisfaction. A cross-sectional online survey with 322 women university students, 161 Brazilian and 161 Portuguese, aged between 18 and 29, was made using measures to verify sexual scripts, sexual agency and sexual satisfaction, and data were analyzed using statistical analyses. Results indicate a significant moderate positive association between sexual satisfaction and initiation, and communion in both groups. Initiation, refusal, communion, instrumentality, and permissiveness were predictors of sexual satisfaction in Portuguese, and initiation, communion were predictors of sexual satisfaction in the Brazilian group. Despite higher rates of sex education and practices to prevent STIs and early pregnancy in the Portuguese group, there was no significant difference in adherence to sexual scripts in the groups. Compulsory sex education in Portugal contributes to increasing sexual agency in sexual practices, but programs focused on STI prevention and early pregnancy are not enough to change TSS, promote an integral agency, and sexual satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visual sexual stimuli (VSS) are often used to induce affective responses in experimental research, but can also be useful in the assessment and treatment of sexual disorders (e.g., sexual arousal dysfunctions, paraphilic disorders, compulsive sexual behaviors). This systematic literature review of standardized sets containing VSS was conducted by searching electronic databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) from January 1999 to December 2022 for specific keywords [("picture set" OR "picture database" OR "video set" OR "video database" OR "visual set" OR "visual database") AND ("erotic stimuli" OR "sexual stimuli" OR "explicit erotic stimuli" OR "explicit sexual stimuli")]. Selected sets were narratively summarized according to VSS (modality, duration, explicitness, shown sexes, sexual practices, physical properties, emotion models, affective ratings) and participants' characteristics (gender, sexual orientation and sexual preferences, cultural and ethnic diversity). Among the 20 sets included, researchers can select from ~ 1,390 VSS (85.6% images, 14.4% videos). Most sets contain VSS of opposite- and some of same-sex couples, but rarely display diverse sexual practices. Although sexual orientation and preferences strongly influence the evaluation of VSS, little consideration of both factors has been given. There was little representation of historically underrepresented cultural and ethnic groups. Therefore, our review suggests limitations and room for improvement related to the representation of gender, sexual orientation, sexual preferences, and especially cultural and ethnic diversity. Perceived shortcomings in experimental research using VSS are highlighted, and recommendations are discussed for representative stimuli for conducting and evaluating sexual affective responses in laboratory and clinical contexts while increasing the replicability of such findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the role of subjective sexual arousal within romantic relationships. The current paper addresses this limitation using a prospective study design that investigates the direct associations between subjective sexual arousal induced by a romantic partner (partner arousal) and arousal induced by pornography (porn arousal) on changes in relational outcomes. A total of 309 participants who were in a current romantic relationship completed measures of partner and porn arousal as well as relational outcomes (i.e., sexual satisfaction and relationship quality and stability) at baseline (T1) and completed a second assessment of relational outcomes 2 months later (T2). Partner arousal was found to have no significant associations with changes in relational outcomes; however, porn arousal was associated with significant declines in sexual satisfaction and relationship quality and stability over a 2-month period. This paper is the first to examine how feeling sexually aroused by porn may impact relational outcomes for those in romantic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review and meta-analysis study aimed to investigate the effect of sexual counseling based on PLISSIT (Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, and Intensive Therapy) and EX-PLISSIT models on sexual function, satisfaction, and quality of sexual life. We searched seven electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, Scopus, and PubMed). Studies published between January 1, 2010, and August 16, 2022, were included in the search. Eighteen articles were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. There was a significant difference in the sexual function scores of the PLISSIT and EX-PLISSIT groups and the comparison groups (standardized mean difference (SMD): 1.677; 95% CI 0.668, 2.686; p < 0.05) and "sexual and communication satisfaction" sub-dimension of sexual life quality (SMD: 0.748; 95% CI 0.022, 1.475; p < 0.05). There was no difference in the sexual satisfaction (SMD: 0.425; 95% CI − 0.335, 1.184; p > 0.05) and quality of sexual life scores of the PLISSIT and EX-PLISSIT groups and the comparison groups (SMD: − 0.09; 95% CI − 0.211, 0.032; p > 0.05). PLISSIT and EX-PLISSIT models-based sexual counseling on sexual function was affected by the moderator variables of the time of evaluation of the results after the intervention, type of comparison group, the study population, and by whom the intervention was applied. Sexual counseling based on the PLISSIT and EX-PLISSIT models improved sexual function scores and "sexual and communication satisfaction" sub-dimension of sexual life quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the use of dashes in the poetry of Cristina Peri Rossi and its connection with the poetry of Emily Dickinson. Both authors use dashes as a way to overcome the social limits of their respective exiles and sexual identities, as well as of poetic language. Dashes act as dislocation, a locus of eroticism, and dissent from official reading. They are studied in relation to litotes and as a mechanism to propose alterities, identities, and dissident epistemologies in two modalities of exile. [Extracted from the article]

The accurate assessment of pedophilic sexual interests is crucial for the treatment and management of individuals who have sexually offended children. This study aimed to validate the Revised Screening Scale for Pedophilic Interests (SSPI-2) in a Portuguese sample of 170 men convicted of sexual offenses against children, 104 serving sentences in the community, and 66 in prison. The findings indicated that SSPI-2 demonstrated good convergent validity, as evidenced by its significant and positive associations with the "sexual deviance" item of SVR-20, the number of previous convictions for sexual crimes against children, and having 3 or more child victims, which is associated with high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing men who show greater sexual arousal to children than to adults. Furthermore, the SSPI-2 exhibited good divergent validity, with no significant correlations observed with a self-report measure of psychopathy or with a nonsexual criminal history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: End‐stage renal disease is different from other chronic diseases that the treatment method is as difficult. Our aim in this study was to compare marital adjustment, sexual functions and family functioning between hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patient. Method: A total of 21 HD and 27 PD patients were included. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Short Form‐36 (SF‐36), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), Golombok‐Rust Inventory for Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS), Marital Adjustment Test (MAT) and Family Assessment Device (FAD) were applied. Results: BDI scores were significantly higher in HD patients (p < 0.001). According to FAD problem solving (p < 0.001), communication (p = 0.00) and general functioning scores (p = 0.04) were higher in PD. The rate of poor sleep quality was 44.4% in the PD group, and 66.7% in HD group (p = 0.12). General health (p = 0.04), vitality (p < 0.001), mental health (p = 0.00) and social functioning (p = 0.00) scores were lower in HD patients. Conclusion: HD patients are at high risk for psychiatric disorders due to the treatment modality. These patients should be monitored carefully and consultation‐liaison services should be increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study is a retrospective examination of how sexual minority women have experienced their sexuality. The analysis examined a national archival dataset that was collected online in the US and Canada to examine the relationship between gender and sexuality in 1084 sexual minority women in 2003, with a focus on butch and femme identities. It provided an understanding of how gender and sexuality interacted at the turn of the last century when the gender identity landscape differed from that of today. While this study collected data from butch and femme women approximately 20-years ago, the results have implications for how we develop situated understandings of the relationship between gender and sexuality. Findings indicated gendered patterns in sexual preferences and attraction that can shed light on how gender and sexuality have evolved in connection. At the same time, there were no differences in sexual satisfaction, which suggests that the enactment of gendered sexuality (in which attraction is structured by a gender dynamic) was experienced as empowering rather than oppressive. We examine our findings in relation to current scholarship on gendered sexuality to consider how sexuality is constructed and reconstructed across time. The findings support a view of gendered sexuality as a source of pleasure, affirmation, and positive embodiment. We theorize gendered sexuality as functioning to enhance experiences of authenticity and resist heteronormativity. The study holds implications for research on the interaction of gender and sexuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper will discuss the neologism of its title in which is conjoined eroticism and the French culinary concept of terroir in an attempt to theorise and conjure a ‘Bataillean’ relation to the earth. In so doing it will engage with Bruno Latour’s Down to Earth: Politics in the New Climatic Regime, 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual well-being (SWB) is a significant and understudied element of older adults’ health and well-being, and quality of life. The goal of this systematic review is to identify the researched topics in this field and assess the quality of the research while minimizing bias through a peer-to-peer review process. We searched several databases, including the Cochrane Database, Psy-Redalyc, PubMed, Scielo, Scopus and Google Scholar, resulting in 181,278 references. Ultimately, 62 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. These studies involved over 46,500 individuals with ages ranging from 55 to 99, from twenty-one different countries. Our study identified a variety of variables under the concept umbrella of SWB, including sexual satisfaction, sexual health, sexual interest, sexual experiences and behaviors, sexual intimacy, expressions of love and attitudes toward sexuality in different countries. The studies reveal diverse perspectives on the determinants, expressions, and challenges associated with SWB in old age. Common themes such as the importance of sexual satisfaction, intimate relationships, and the rejection of a universal decline in sexual interest, challenge ageist stereotypes. The emergent concepts, including the linking of physical to emotional health, the impact of technology, the inclusion of LGBTQIA+, older couples and people now in their 80s and 90s underscore the multifaceted nature of SWB in later life. As societies continue to age, embracing a more inclusive and nuanced approach to research and interventions will be pivotal in enhancing the overall well-being for older individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is a book review of "A Leisure Approach to Sex in Research" edited by Liza Berdychevsky and Neil Carr. The book focuses on the relationship between sex and leisure, challenging traditional approaches and exploring sex as a form of leisure in various disciplines. The chapters cover topics such as positive sexuality, escapism in sexual play, addiction to sex and pornography, quadriplegic sexuality, racial dynamics in gay cruises, romantic entertainers in Kenya's sex tourism, negative encounters for female Taiwanese solo travelers, and consent in a pornography expo in Las Vegas. The book offers diverse perspectives and challenges dominant narratives around sex and sexuality. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The Sexual Health Scale (QLQ-SH22) is the only cancer-specific measure of sexual health. It has never been translated into Arabic. In order to envisage effective healthcare strategies that improve sexual quality of life, the validation of the Moroccan version of this scale is a crucial step in exploring the influence of cancer and its treatment on patients in the Moroccan context. In this regard, this study aimed to validate a Moroccan Arabic version among patients with cancer. Method: A total of 280 Moroccan patients with cancer participated in this study from August 2022 to April 2023. The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the QLQ-SH22 was performed following the EORTC guidelines. Psychometric validation was explored using the reliability of internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). Results: The analysis revealed a greater internal consistency for both sexual satisfaction (α = 0.83) and sexual pain (α = 0.86). The intraclass correlation coefficient indicated an excellent level of test–retest reliability (from 0.925 to 0.993). The CFA demonstrated high-performing model fit indices (χ2/df = 1.17, SRMR = 0.05, RMSEA = 0.035, GFI = 0.94, CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.99, IFI = 0.99, NFI = 0.94). The concurrent validity between the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-SH22 confirmed a strong correlation between the fatigue scales in both questionnaires (r = 0.69). This version showed good discrimination between known groups. Conclusions: The QLQ-SH22 Moroccan Arabic version has demonstrated a high level of reliability and validity, and therefore it is now ready for use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orgasm is considered by many to be an essential part of women’s ideal sexual experiences. As a result, sexual liberation narratives have often advocated for the prioritization of women’s orgasms – particularly during heterosex – framing them as a central indicator of “good,” healthy, liberated sex. However, scholars have increasingly critiqued these narratives, arguing that they result in an orgasm imperative that has negatively impacted women’s sexual lives. Perspectives that promote the prioritization of women’s orgasm and those that warn against the negative repercussions strive for the same thing – to draw attention to women’s sexuality in ways that will lead to more pleasurable, enjoyable, and equitable sex for women overall. Yet, together, they offer contradictory messages about the role that women’s orgasms can or should play in women’s sexual liberation. For example, one could argue that it perhaps makes sense to prioritize women’s orgasms given that they often are highly pleasurable for women, center a unique form of embodied pleasure, and offer a supposedly clear objective for women and their men partners. On the other hand, such narratives frame women’s orgasm absence as abnormal, concede to men’s sexuality in problematic ways, and constrain more comprehensive possibilities for women’s sexual pleasure. In this critical feminist review, I offer a summative outline of these and other contradictions, focusing on how narratives prioritizing women’s orgasms can have simultaneous benefits and negative repercussions when it comes to (1) women’s sexual pleasure, (2) the medicalization/pathologization of women’s orgasms, and (3) heterosex norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectiveMethodsResultsConclusionsDissatisfaction with an inividual’s sex life is underlying factor that can lead to pornography addiction. The current research aims to understand the relationship between pornography use and sexual satisfaction.The pooled correlation coefficient with 95% confidence interval was calculated using random effects. The meta-regression method was used to examine factors affecting heterogeneity between studies and Egger’s test was used to evaluate of publication bias.41 studies with a total sample size of 70541 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled estimate for the correlation coefficient in total, in male and in female −0.06 (95% CI: −0.09 to −0.02), −0.07 (95% CI: −0.16 to 0.02) and −0.04 (95% CI: −0.08 to −0.01). The pooled estimate of correlation coefficient was −0.04 (95% CI: −0.07 to −0.02) in cross-sectional, −0.12 (95% CI: −0.19 to −0.05) in cohort, 0.00 (95% CI: −0.15 to 0.15) in studies that used self-report questionnaire and −0.06 (95% CI: −0.08 to −0.03) in studies that used online survey. Based on the results of the meta-regression, the publication year was found to have a significant effect on heterogeneity among studies (B = 0.013, p = 0.018). However, study design, age, data collection method, quality score and sample size did not have a significant effect.There was a significant negative correlation between pornography and sexual satisfaction and the disaggregation of results by gender also indicated this negative correlation among women. However, the relationship between pornography and sexual satisfaction was not significant in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Considering the prevalence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the lack of HPV vaccination program in Iran among young women and the importance of quality of life and sexual performance in women, we decided to conduct a study to examine the relationship between HPV infection and sexual dysfunction and quality of life in Iranian women. Materials and methods: In this cohort study, 250 married women who infected with HPV were recruited via convinence sampling from colposcopy clinic of Arash women hospital (Tehran, Iran) from April 2020 to May 2022. They were evaluated concerning their sexual function in the domains of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain with the female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire (the total FSFI score is calculated by the sum of the nineteen items). Sexual quality of life-female (SQOL-F) items (Likert-type scale with a cut-off of 65 points) were organized into four sub-scales: psychosexual feelings, sexual and relationship satisfaction, self-worthlessness, and sexual repression. All patients filled out the female sexual function index (FSFI) and sexual quality of life (SQOL) questionnaires. Variables were analysed via correlation coefficient and linear regression tests. Results: Mean age and mean marriage duration were 38.5±4.5 and 12.2±7.2, respectively. There was a weak correlation between FSFI and SQOL (r=0.15, p=0.001). Time of marriage and genital warts were the predictors on the FSFI and SQOL. Conclusion: The findings suggest that HPV infection can impair sexual function and quality of life. This research contributes valuable insights, especially considering the prevalence of HPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are currently no Food and Drug Administration–approved treatments for female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), which is physiologically analogous to male erectile dysfunction. Aims: The study sought to test the systemic and local genital safety of topical sildenafil cream, 3.6% (sildenafil cream) among healthy premenopausal women with FSAD and their sexual partners over a 12-week treatment period. Methods: This was a phase 2b, exploratory, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of sildenafil cream among healthy premenopausal women with FSAD. Safety was assessed by the frequency and incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) among participants and their sexual partners. Participants recorded the incidence of TEAEs in a daily eDiary (electronic diary). Sexual partners were contacted within 72 hours of each sexual event in which investigational product was used. All participants used placebo cream for 1 month, during a single-blind run-in period, and then if eligible, were randomized 1:1 to sildenafil cream or placebo cream. Participants used their assigned investigational product over a 12-week double-blind dosing period. They attended monthly follow-up visits, in which their eDiary TEAE data were reviewed by the study staff and graded for severity and relationship to study product. Outcomes: The frequency and incidence of TEAEs among participants and their sexual partners. Results: During the 12-week double-blind dosing period, there were 78 TEAEs reported by 29 of 99 sildenafil-assigned participants and 65 TEAEs reported by 28 of 94 placebo-assigned participants (P = .76). All TEAEs were mild or moderate in severity. The most common treatment-related TEAE among active and placebo-assigned participants was application site discomfort. There were no differences in the number of treatment-related TEAEs among sildenafil cream vs placebo cream users (P > .99). Four sildenafil cream participants and 3 placebo cream participants discontinued the study due to TEAEs involving application site discomfort (P > .99). There were 9 TEAEs reported by 7 of 91 sexual partners exposed to sildenafil cream vs 4 TEAEs reported by 4 of 84 sexual partners exposed to placebo cream (P = .54). Clinical Implications: These data support further clinical development of topical sildenafil cream for the treatment of FSAD. Strengths and Limitations: Safety was assessed among participants and their sexual partners after 1357 and 1160 sexual experiences in which sildenafil cream or placebo cream were used, respectively. The phase 2b study was powered for the primary objectives of efficacy, rather than safety. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that topically applied sildenafil cream was safe and well tolerated by exposed users and their sexual partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Efficacy assessments in clinical trials of treatments for female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) and other female sexual dysfunction (FSD) diagnoses rely on various patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Aims: We sought to compare 1-month recall PRO measures among participants enrolled in a clinical trial who provided these data without (test population) vs with (control population) use of an at-home, 24-hour recall electronic diary (eDiary), capturing similar data. Methods: Preplanned subset analysis as performed during a phase 2b, exploratory, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of sildenafil cream, 3.6% (sildenafil cream) among healthy premenopausal women with FSAD. Preliminary product efficacy was assessed via 1-month recall and 24-hour recall questionnaires. A subset of the participants, the Evaluation of Recall Subset [ERS] provided PROs via the 1-month recall instruments but did not provide data via the 24-hour recall eDiary. Outcomes: Responses to the 1-month recall instruments were compared among ERS (test) vs non-ERS (control) participants. Among the non-ERS population, correlations between 1-month and 24-hour recall endpoints were calculated. Results: There were no significant differences in the study co-primary 1-month recall efficacy endpoints, the Arousal Sensation (AS) domain of the 28-item Sexual Function Questionnaire (SFQ28) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale – Desire, Arousal, Orgasm question 14, among ERS vs non-ERS participants during the initial 1-month no-drug run-in period or the 1-month single-blind placebo run-in period (P values >.47). Scores on these 1-month recall PROs continued to be similar after randomization for sildenafil cream (P values >.30) and placebo cream (P values >.20) assigned ERS and non-ERS participants during the 3-month double-blind dosing period. There were strong correlations between the SFQ28 AS and eDiary AS scores during the no-drug run-in (R = 0.79, P < .01) and the single-blind run-in (R = 0.73 P < .001). During the double-blind dosing period, the SFQ28 AS score continued to be highly correlated with the eDiary AS score among sildenafil cream users (R = 0.83; P < .001) and placebo cream users (R = 0.8; 2 P < .001). Clinical Implications: There was no evidence that 1-month recall PRO instruments introduce recall bias; assessing arousal sensations with 24-hour vs 1-month PRO instruments is similar and either method could be used to assess efficacy depending on study objectives. Strengths and Limitations: This preplanned subset analysis compared efficacy of PROs based on recall duration. While the subset was preplanned, the study was powered to detect significant differences in the primary efficacy objectives, not among this subset analyses. Conclusion: These data will be used in planning future efficacy assessments of sildenafil cream for FSAD. Clinical Trial Registration: This clinical trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04948151. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major health problem with a paucity of available information about its impact on female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Aim: We aimed to study the association between NAFLD and FSD in Egyptian premenopausal women. Methods: Sexually active married premenopausal women who visited our NAFLD outpatient screening clinic (2019 to 2022) were divided into NAFLD and non-NAFLD (control) groups based on liver ultrasound and fatty liver index data. All participants completed the Arabic Female Sexual Function Index (ArFSFI) questionnaire. The resulting data were used to calculate the domains and total scores. FSD is then graded as follows: no FSD (≥28.2), minimal (21.7-28.1), mild (14.5-21.6), moderate (7.3-14.4), and severe (≤7.2). Outcomes: We determined the proportions of patients and controls for whom ArFSFI scores indicated dissatisfaction with their sexual lives. Results: Of 995 women participants whose FSFI scores were available, NAFLD was detected in 487 (48.9%) and absent in 508 (51.1%). The two groups were comparable in age, socioeconomic level, residence, and history of female genital cutting. The NAFLD patients had significantly much lower mean scores for the sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain domains of the FSFI (P < .001 for all), while no statistical difference was noticed in the desire domain for NAFLD patients compared with the controls. NAFLD women had significantly lower mean total FSFI scores than the controls (mean [SD] 16.7 [6.8] vs 21.7 [5.1], respectively; P < .001) with higher rates of FSD (98.5% vs 82.1%; P < .001, respectively). Most NAFLD women had higher FSD grades than controls (%): no FSD (1.5, 17.9), minimal (20.6, 51.8), mild (42.5, 38.8), moderate (26.2, 9.4), and severe (10.7, none), respectively. Clinical Implications: Given the high prevalence of FSD in patients with NAFLD, greater attention to FSF could improve the quality of life in patients with NAFLD. Strengths and Limitations: This study was limited by the lack of testing of sex hormones and some other important factors that were not tested (eg, age, socioeconomic level, residence, and female genital cutting), as these characteristics were previously matched. Strengths of the study include the large study size, to our knowledge the largest to date to investigate the possible link between FSD and NAFLD in premenopausal women, together with the inclusion of the detailed version of the validated ArFSFI. Conclusions: In Egyptian premenopausal women, NAFLD could harm their sexual function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although many challenges inherent to the birth of a first child are likely to interfere with new parent couples' sexuality, sexual well-being has often been neglected during the transition to parenthood. Considering the numerous uncertainties arising in this period, it is relevant to study whether first-time parents' intolerance of uncertainty could contribute to their lower sexual well-being and explore whether their perception of intimacy could explain this association. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of intolerance of uncertainty and intimacy in first-time parents' sexual well-being (i.e., sexual desire and sexual satisfaction). A total of 211 couples expecting their first child were recruited in a province of Canada to participate in a broader longitudinal study. Bearing mothers and their partners answered validated questionnaires measuring sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, intolerance of uncertainty, depression symptoms, and perceived intimacy at 4, 8, and 12 months postpartum. Dyadic path analyses revealed that, controlling for postpartum depression symptoms at 12 months postpartum, mothers' intolerance of uncertainty at 4 months postpartum was associated with both partners' lower sexual satisfaction at 12 months postpartum through their own lower perception of intimacy at 8 months postpartum. Mothers' intolerance of uncertainty at 4 months postpartum was also associated with partners' lower sexual desire at 12 months postpartum through their own lower perception of intimacy at 8 months postpartum. Better understanding these individual and interpersonal factors associated with first-time parents' sexual well-being could help in educating expecting couples and preventing sexual challenges they may encounter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual self-disclosure (SSD) is when a person shares information about their sexuality with another person. Technology-mediated communication is pervasive in modern society, yet researchers have not distinguished between SSDs that occur in-person versus in technology-mediated contexts. Using the Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction, researchers previously found that SSD predicts sexual rewards, costs, and satisfaction. In this study, we (1) compared cisgender/transgender men's and women's frequency (how much) and breadth (how many topics) of SSD via typed technology and in-person (H1, H2), and (2) examined the extent to which the frequency and breadth of SSD in each context predicted perceived sexual rewards, comparison of sexual rewards, and in turn sexual satisfaction while controlling for relationship satisfaction (H3, H4, H5, H6). Undergraduate students (N = 450) completed an online survey that assessed SSD in each context, perceived sexual rewards and costs, comparison of own and partner's sexual rewards and costs, and sexual and relationship satisfaction. Participants reported more frequent and greater breadth of SSD in-person than via technology. We also found that women disclosed more sexual topics than men in-person but not through typed technology. Using path analyses, a greater frequency of SSD in-person predicted greater perceived sexual rewards and comparison sexual rewards, and in turn, greater sexual satisfaction. The frequency of SSD via typed technology and the SSD breadth in either context did not predict exchanges or sexual satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual arousal (SA) is a multidimensional experience that includes cognitive, emotional, motivational and physiological components. Texts with erotic content have been used to generate a state of SA. Erotic texts often include aggressive content that has not been evaluated in relation to SA. The aim of this work was to compare cortical functionality in women when reading a sexually explicit text (SET) and a sexually explicit text with aggression (SETA). Twenty-seven women participated. The EEG activity of the frontal, temporal and parietal locations was recorded during the reading of both texts. The participants found the SET to be more pleasant than the SETA. Both texts were identified as triggers of general and SA. While reading the SETA, there was an increase in absolute power in the frontal and parietal locations, a higher intrahemispheric correlation between the left frontal and temporal locations in fast frequency bands and a greater interhemispheric correlation between the frontal locations in the delta and alpha1 bands. These findings indicate that cortical functionality during SA in women differs based on the content and context of the erotic material being read, possibly associated with mechanisms that underlie the processing and incentive value assignment of stimuli with sexual and aggressive connotations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and overactive bladder (OAB) are prevalent disorders that significantly impair women's quality of life. While pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is a well-established treatment for OAB, its effectiveness for FSD remains uncertain. Recent studies suggest that intravaginal electrical stimulation (IVES) may enhance the effects of PFMT. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combining IVES with PFMT to improve sexual function and bladder control in women with OAB and FSD. (2) Methods: A total of 40 women with FSD and OAB as determined by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) were randomized into two groups: group 1, the intravaginal electrical stimulation group (IVESG) (n = 20), and group 2, the placebo control group (CG) (n = 20). Patients in both groups received PFMT during the trial, and the IVESG underwent 10 weeks of electrical stimulation. The primary outcome was the change in the FSFI score from baseline to week 4 and week 10. The secondary outcome was a comparison of the OABSS values at week 4 and week 10 of the trial. (3) Results: After treatment, the IVESG scores for the total FSFI, sexual arousal and orgasm, increased significantly (p < 0.05). After 10 weeks of treatment, the OABSS values for IVESG were significantly lower (p < 0.01). After 10 weeks of treatment, the percentage of patients with mild OAB in the IVESG and CG increased by 53.33% and 60%, respectively, while the percentage of patients with both moderate and severe OAB decreased, especially in the IVESG, where patients with severe OAB were non-existent after 10 weeks of treatment. (4) Conclusions: IVES combined with PFMT improved objective and subjective measures of FSD and OAB. There was a significant improvement in FSD (including arousal and orgasmic domain scores). This study concludes that IVES is an effective conservative treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual satisfaction is an important dimension of sexual health. Despite there being evidence about its relations with sexual arousal, this association has not been addressed considering arousal as a trait and as a state. Therefore, the goal of this laboratory study was to examine, in young women with different levels of sexual satisfaction in their relationships, sexual arousal as a trait (i.e., propensity for sexual excitation/inhibition) and as a state (i.e., genital response and self-reported sexual arousal to a video with explicit sexual content). The sample was composed of 45 Spanish heterosexual women with a partner, from 18 to 25 years old. In the first phase, we evaluated the propensity for sexual inhibition/excitation and sexual satisfaction of the participants. In the second phase—in the context of a sexuality laboratory—the vaginal pulse amplitude, the rating of sexual arousal, and the rating of genital sensations were evaluated. The participants, distributed in three groups with different levels of sexual satisfaction (p < 0.001), were compared based on the different measures of sexual arousal. The results indicated that the group with lower sexual satisfaction, compared to the group with higher sexual satisfaction, reported more sexual inhibition due to the threat of performance failure (p = 0.011) and due to the threat of performance consequences (p = 0.038). However, no significant differences in sexual arousal status were found between the three groups. In conclusion, the negative association between sexual satisfaction and propensity for sexual inhibition in young women with a partner is supported, but not the positive association between trait/state sexual arousal and sexual satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometrial cancer (EC) patients make up the second largest group of female cancer survivors. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) including quality of life (QOL) and sexual function and satisfaction (SF and S) are critical facets of survivorship. This prospective, longitudinal study assesses associations between baseline characteristics and PROs after treatment. Herein, we report the baseline clinical characteristics and PROs prior to treatment initiation. Outcomes post-treatment over time will be reported separately. Patients with planned surgery for EC were prospectively enrolled in 2019–2021 and administered the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QOL Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30), EORTC QLQ EC Module (EN24), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), and the Mayo Clinic lower extremity lymphedema (LEL) questionnaire. This study enrolled 198 patients with a mean (SD) age of 63.6 (9.8) years and body mass index of 35.5 (8.3) kg/m2. No significant differences in the PROs for the QOL were seen when compared to the reference means (SD) except for the lower interest in sexual activity (31.9 (9.8) vs. 47.5 (SE0.70)) and lower fatigue (21.3 (19.8) vs. 31.7 (25.9)). Increased obesity was associated with an increased likelihood of LEL (p < 0.01) and multiple QOL scales, including poorer global health status (p < 0.01) and physical functioning (p < 0.01). Prior to treatment initiation for EC, the patients had a similar QOL compared to that of the general population. The patients with increasing obesity, a known risk factor for EC, had worse overall global health status and physical functioning. A better understanding of these QOL measures is imperative for earlier identification and intervention of patients at risk of chronic impairments from EC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Hypothesis: Condition-specific sexual questionnaires are important patient-reported outcome measures. The aim of this study was to translate and validate the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-International Urogynecology Association Revised (PISQ-IR) into Brazilian Portuguese and to clinically validate it in a Brazilian Portuguese-speaking population. Methods: Translation and validation of the PISQ-IR was performed according to the International Urogynecological Association-recommended process and guidelines. For external validity, PISQ-IR subscales were compared with the clinical measures, Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system (POP-Q) stage, pelvic floor muscle tone, and Oxford Grading Scale (Pearson correlations). Descriptive statistics, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient), and test–retest reliability (interclass correlation coefficient) were calculated for all PISQ-IR subscales. Results: A total of 120 sexually active and 106 not sexually active women were enrolled in the study between March 2015 and July 2019. Internal consistency was acceptable, with Cronbach's alpha values 0.60–0.80, except for the sexual arousal and orgasm, sexual arousal and partner-related issues, sexual arousal and condition-specific issues, global rating of sexual quality and condition impact subscales. PISQ-IR demonstrated good reliability (α > 0.6, CIC = 0.996). The agreement for each individual questionnaire item also individually presented substantial agreement between the assessments (κ 0.61–0.8). There was a correlation between PISQ-IR and POP, mixed, stress and fecal incontinence diagnosis and a positive correlation with pelvic floor muscle function according to the Oxford Scale in sexually active women. For sexually inactive women there was a correlation between PISQ-IR and mixed urinary symptoms. Conclusions: The Brazilian Portuguese version of PISQ-IR is a reliable and valid tool that can be easily used for the identification and assessment of sexual function in Brazilian Portuguese-speaking women with pelvic floor disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There still remains a significant gap in understanding the sexual and reproductive health challenges faced by adolescents, particularly in the context of early sexual activity, teenage pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases. This study seeks to fill this gap by exploring the initial sexual experiences of Cambodian adolescents, highlighting the complex interplay of cultural, social, and personal influences that shape their sexual health decisions and outcomes. Methodology: A descriptive qualitative research design was used. Thirty Cambodian adolescents were interviewed from March to June 202 and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Participants met their sexual partners in school and through friendships and social networking sites. Their motivations for sexual activities ranged from intrinsic desires to influences of inebriation, love, and trust. Consent was crucial but some were influenced by partners. Awareness of sexual protection varied, affecting condom use and information-seeking behaviors. After initial encounters, participants grappled with complex emotions and physical changes. Discussion: The findings suggest the need for educational interventions that address substance use; promote safe behavior, consensual conduct, open communication, and mutual respect; and provide coping strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study takes an integrative approach, considering individual transdiagnostic processes and relationship outcomes. It assumes an interdependence approach and aims to test a dyadic model to analyze the impact of worry and relationship satisfaction on heterosexual couples' sexual -distress, an essential factor for diagnosing sexual dysfunction. The current study recruited 103 couples from the community to complete an online survey containing the Female Sexual Distress Scale–Revised, the Penn State Worry Questionnaire – Abbreviated, and the Global Measure of Relationship Satisfaction. The results show that women's and men's worries are associated with their own sexual distress, and men's relationship satisfaction has an effect on their own and their partner's sexual distress. These results highlight the critical role of cognitive processes in shaping the experience of sexual distress and reinforce the importance of taking an integrative perspective that considers relationship (satisfaction), individual (worry) and social factors (gender) in interventions to treat sexual distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the relationships between sexual health indicators (i.e., sexual satisfaction, distress, and function) and the DSM-5 Alternative Model for Personality Disorders, a promising dimensional framework for assessing personality pathology. A sample of 489 participants seeking help in private practice clinics completed self-report measures of sexual satisfaction, distress, and function, as well as dyadic adjustment, psychological distress, romantic attachment, personality impairment, and pathological personality facets. Results first showed that participants reaching the cutoffs for a personality disorder had significantly higher sexual distress and lower sexual function compared to participants without a personality disorder. Second, path analyses controlling for psychological distress, dyadic adjustment, and romantic attachment revealed that, for women, the Criterion B Intimacy Avoidance facet was consistently linked with higher sexual distress and lower sexual satisfaction and function. For men, result patterns were more complex, linking Criterion B Separation Insecurity with high sexual distress, and Separation Insecurity and Intimacy Avoidance facets with low sexual function. In addition, Criterion B Irresponsibility, Rigid Perfectionism, as well as Criterion A Intimacy impairment were linked with higher sexual satisfaction. These findings improve our understanding of the links between personality and sexual health and provide support for considering personality difficulties in sexual health interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to defend the emerging conceptualization of healthy sexuality (Bianchi in Figurations of Human Subjectivity: A Contribution to Second-Order Psychology. Springer, Berlin, 2020) against the traditional authoritative concept of sexual health as defined by the WHO. Becoming a sexual subject means following a sexual trajectory with episodes of one's own bodily experiences, genital satisfaction, intimate attachment, acceptance of sexual identity, sexual pleasure, mutual sexual satisfaction and planned parenthood. In each of these episodes, the individual may experience feelings of pressure, fear, shame, pain and/or joy and pleasure. The extent to which the subject has a healthy sexuality depends on whether these feelings/emotions facilitate or inhibit healthy sexuality. The concept of healthy sexuality runs counter not only to quantitative statistical demographic measures of sexual health, but also to the existing arsenal of sexology questionnaires. Qualitative empirical research is being conducted into the facilitators and inhibitors of a healthy sexuality (in the first author's PhD research). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual assaults' effects on survivors' sexual pleasure have been well-documented in the literature. However, much of this research is quantitative in nature and focuses on the negative effects of assault on sexual satisfaction. The present study seeks to address a gap in the literature that has failed to ask survivors what they enjoy about having sex and the pleasure they derive from sex. Through a qualitative interview study of a diverse, community sample of sexual assault survivors, we identified several themes around survivors' sexual pleasure. Prior to the assault, survivors mentioned limited pleasure due to men not being interested in giving them sexual pleasure, but they also enjoyed the emotional connections felt during sex. Some survivors mentioned impacts on their ability to enjoy sex, but this was not universal in the sample. Finally, queer survivors mentioned feeling more sexual pleasure with women, and survivors found empowerment in exploring what they liked about having sex and sexual pleasure with current partners who supported them emotionally. We discuss the importance of a focus on the sexual pleasure of survivors from a sex-positive, rather than a "high risk", framework in future research, along with suggestions to improve sexual health interventions with survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the absence of empathy in Emmanuel Levinas's philosophy and argues that new concepts, such as the caress and metaphysical desire, are needed to understand the experience of the other. It discusses Levinas's critique of Husserl's theory of intentionality and emphasizes the importance of the ethical relation in Levinas's thought. The article raises questions about the compatibility of Husserl's concept of inaccessibility with the classical phenomenological concept of empathy. It suggests that the concepts of the caress and metaphysical desire provide a better understanding of the I's relation to the other, highlighting the other's inaccessibility while acknowledging the I's desire to connect with them. [Extracted from the article]

People with pedophilia (PWP) can deal with their sexual desires by relieving sexual arousal without sexually exploiting children. Study 1 investigated whether public reactions toward nonoffending pedophilic men are affected by their strategies to relieve sexual arousal (nonsexual pictures vs. child sex dolls) or to reduce their sex drive via testosterone lowering medication in legally nonproblematic ways. A sample of German-speaking participants (N = 143) read three vignettes describing PWP using either of these strategies. Participants' (59.4% females) mean age was 39.7 (SD = 15.6). Although no significant difference was detected between the nonsexual pictures and sex dolls conditions on cognitive (except for dangerousness), affective, and behavioral levels, both consistently elicited more stigmatizing reactions than the testosterone-lowering medication condition. To investigate if this effect was driven by disapproving any relief of sexual arousal or the use of actual child stimuli in particular, Study 2 (N = 151) added two conditions with PWP using adult child-like stimuli to relieve sexual arousal: adult-as-schoolgirl porn and adult partner with childlike appearance. Here, Participants' (57.6% females) mean age was 28.0 (SD = 13.3). Results indicate that stigmatization was driven by disapproving the use of child stimuli rather than the relief of sexual arousal in general. Individuals with a sexual interest in children face strong stigmatizing reactions, which are only alleviated when they are described as undergoing treatment lowering sex drive or – to a lesser extent – being able to mate with an adult partner or using porn with adult actors posing as schoolgirls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]