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Archives of Sexual Behavior May 2020Despite the lack of evidence for negative health effects of masturbation, abstinence from masturbation is frequently recommended as a strategy to improve one's sexual...
Despite the lack of evidence for negative health effects of masturbation, abstinence from masturbation is frequently recommended as a strategy to improve one's sexual self-regulation. We adopted a framework of perceived problems with pornography to collect first hints about whether abstinence from masturbation stems from a psychological and behavioral "addiction" or conflicting attitudes. In an online questionnaire survey recruited via a non-thematic Reddit thread (n = 1063), most participants reported that they had tried to be abstinent from masturbation. As visible from zero-order correlations and multiple linear regression, motivation for abstinence was mostly associated with attitudinal correlates, specifically the perception of masturbation as unhealthy. While there were associations with hypersexuality, no significant correlation with behavioral markers such as maximum number of orgasms was found. Higher abstinence motivation was related to a higher perceived impact of masturbation, conservatism, and religiosity and to lower trust in science. We argue that research on abstinence from masturbation can enrich the understanding of whether and how average frequencies of healthy behavior are pathologized.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Masturbation; Sexual Abstinence; Sexual Behavior; Young Adult
PubMed: 32130561
DOI: 10.1007/s10508-019-01623-8 -
Archives of Sexual Behavior Jan 2018There is a notable gap between heterosexual men and women in frequency of orgasm during sex. Little is known, however, about sexual orientation differences in orgasm...
There is a notable gap between heterosexual men and women in frequency of orgasm during sex. Little is known, however, about sexual orientation differences in orgasm frequency. We examined how over 30 different traits or behaviors were associated with frequency of orgasm when sexually intimate during the past month. We analyzed a large US sample of adults (N = 52,588) who identified as heterosexual men (n = 26,032), gay men (n = 452), bisexual men (n = 550), lesbian women (n = 340), bisexual women (n = 1112), and heterosexual women (n = 24,102). Heterosexual men were most likely to say they usually-always orgasmed when sexually intimate (95%), followed by gay men (89%), bisexual men (88%), lesbian women (86%), bisexual women (66%), and heterosexual women (65%). Compared to women who orgasmed less frequently, women who orgasmed more frequently were more likely to: receive more oral sex, have longer duration of last sex, be more satisfied with their relationship, ask for what they want in bed, praise their partner for something they did in bed, call/email to tease about doing something sexual, wear sexy lingerie, try new sexual positions, anal stimulation, act out fantasies, incorporate sexy talk, and express love during sex. Women were more likely to orgasm if their last sexual encounter included deep kissing, manual genital stimulation, and/or oral sex in addition to vaginal intercourse. We consider sociocultural and evolutionary explanations for these orgasm gaps. The results suggest a variety of behaviors couples can try to increase orgasm frequency.
Topics: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Orgasm; Sexual Behavior; Sexuality; United States
PubMed: 28213723
DOI: 10.1007/s10508-017-0939-z -
Journal of Neurology May 2020This article reviews the disorders of thunderclap, cough, exertional and sexual headache. These are a group of paroxysmal and precipitated headaches, which often occur... (Review)
Review
This article reviews the disorders of thunderclap, cough, exertional and sexual headache. These are a group of paroxysmal and precipitated headaches, which often occur in bouts with prolonged remissions. Indometacin seems to be the most effective preventative. Each can occur in primary and secondary form. Thunderclap headache is the most frequently reported headache syndrome associated with a secondary pathology. Discussed are the complexities of whether all patients with thunderclap headache should have further investigation if timely computerised tomography is normal and, the relevance of abnormal imaging in these disorders, differentiating what is deemed to be secondary and managing the pain.
Topics: Headache Disorders, Primary; Headache Disorders, Secondary; Humans
PubMed: 32130497
DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-09728-0 -
Brain and Behavior Dec 2019Sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm are mediated by complex, yet still not fully understood, interactions of the somatic and autonomic nervous systems operating at the... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm are mediated by complex, yet still not fully understood, interactions of the somatic and autonomic nervous systems operating at the central and peripheral levels. Disruption of endocrine, neural, or vascular response, caused by aging, medical illness, neurological diseases, surgery, or drugs, can lead to sexual dysfunctions, thus significantly affecting patients' quality of life.
PURPOSE
This narrative review aims at characterizing the involvement of the central nervous system in human sexual behavior.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted using PubMed in its entirety up to June 2018, analyzing the studies dealing with the neurobiological and neurophysiological basis of human sexuality.
RESULTS
Sexual behavior is regulated by both subcortical structures, such as the hypothalamus, brainstem, and spinal cord, and several cortical brain areas acting as an orchestra to finely adjust this primitive, complex, and versatile behavior. At the central level, dopaminergic and serotonergic systems appear to play a significant role in various factors of sexual response, although adrenergic, cholinergic, and other neuropeptide transmitter systems may contribute as well.
CONCLUSIONS
Providing healthcare professionals with information concerning sexual behavior may overcome useless and sometimes dangerous barriers and improve patient management, since sexual well-being is considered one of the most important aspects of one's quality of life.
Topics: Adult; Arousal; Autonomic Nervous System; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases; Brain; Dopaminergic Neurons; Female; Humans; Male; Neuroanatomy; Orgasm; Quality of Life; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; Sexuality; Spinal Cord
PubMed: 31568703
DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1389 -
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aug 2022Despite many benefits related to masturbation, we know surprisingly little about how solo sex is associated with sexual satisfaction. Using questionnaire data from a...
Despite many benefits related to masturbation, we know surprisingly little about how solo sex is associated with sexual satisfaction. Using questionnaire data from a probability-based sample of 4,160 Norwegians aged 18-89 years, we explored subgroups of women and men that differed in their masturbation-sexual satisfaction typology and examined whether sociodemographic, psychological, and sexual behavioral characteristics were associated with distinct masturbation-satisfaction patterns. A cluster analysis revealed four similar groupings for women and men, reflecting sex lives characterized by high masturbation/sexual satisfaction, low masturbation/sexual satisfaction, high masturbation/sexual dissatisfaction, or low masturbation/sexual dissatisfaction. While being younger, higher pornography consumption, and sexual variety were primarily associated with increased masturbation frequency, sexual distress and a negative body and genital self-image were more clearly associated with sexual dissatisfaction. Predicting different masturbation-satisfaction groupings also revealed some gender-specific findings in the use of pornography, and in the association between masturbation and intercourse frequency, which suggested a complementary pattern for women and a compensatory pattern for men. Our findings emphasize that the linkage between masturbation and sexual satisfaction warrants closer focus.
Topics: Erotica; Female; Humans; Male; Masturbation; Norway; Orgasm; Personal Satisfaction; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 35790612
DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02305-8 -
American Family Physician Aug 2015Sexual dysfunction in women is a common and often distressing problem that has a negative impact on quality of life and medication compliance. The problem is often...
Sexual dysfunction in women is a common and often distressing problem that has a negative impact on quality of life and medication compliance. The problem is often multifactorial, necessitating a multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment approach that addresses biological, psychological, sociocultural, and relational factors. Criteria for sexual interest/arousal disorder require the presence of at least three specific symptoms lasting for at least six months. Lifelong anorgasmia may suggest the patient is unfamiliar or uncomfortable with self-stimulation or sexual communication with her partner. Delayed or less intense orgasms may be a natural process of aging due to decreased genital blood flow and dulled genital sensations. Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder includes fear or anxiety, marked tightening or tensing of the abdominal and pelvic muscles, or actual pain associated with attempts toward vaginal penetration that is persistent or recurrent for at least six months. Treatment depends on the etiology. Estrogen is effective for the treatment of dyspareunia associated with genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Testosterone, with and without concomitant use of estrogen, is associated with improvements in sexual functioning in naturally and surgically menopausal women, although data on long-term risks and benefits are lacking. Bupropion has been shown to improve the adverse sexual effects associated with antidepressant use; however, data are limited. Psychotherapy or sex therapy is useful for management of the psychological, relational, and sociocultural factors impacting a woman's sexual function. Clinicians can address many of these issues in addition to providing education and validating women's sexual health concerns.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Estrogens; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Psychotherapy; Quality of Life; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological; Testosterone
PubMed: 26280233
DOI: No ID Found -
Indian Journal of Psychiatry Jul 2015Sex is a motive force bringing a man and a woman into intimate contact. Sexuality is a central aspect of being human throughout life and encompasses sex, gender... (Review)
Review
Sex is a motive force bringing a man and a woman into intimate contact. Sexuality is a central aspect of being human throughout life and encompasses sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy, and reproduction. Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors, practices, roles and relationships. Though generally, women are sexually active during adolescence, they reach their peak orgasmic frequency in their 30 s, and have a constant level of sexual capacity up to the age of 55 with little evidence that aging affects it in later life. Desire, arousal, and orgasm are the three principle stages of the sexual response cycle. Each stage is associated with unique physiological changes. Females are commonly affected by various disorders in relation to this sexual response cycle. The prevalence is generally as high as 35-40%. There are a wide range of etiological factors like age, relationship with a partner, psychiatric and medical disorders, psychotropic and other medication. Counseling to overcome stigma and enhance awareness on sexuality is an essential step in management. There are several effective psychological and pharmacological therapeutic approaches to treat female sexual disorders. This article is a review of female sexuality.
PubMed: 26330647
DOI: 10.4103/0019-5545.161496 -
Cureus Jan 2022Priapism is defined as an erection that lasts longer than four hours, is unrelated to sexual interest or stimulation, and is unrelieved by orgasm. The ischemic subtype...
Priapism is defined as an erection that lasts longer than four hours, is unrelated to sexual interest or stimulation, and is unrelieved by orgasm. The ischemic subtype is a urologic emergency and is often caused by medication side effects, most notably selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and trazodone. We present the case of ischemic priapism thought to be caused by the recent initiation of gabapentin.
PubMed: 35174036
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.21241 -
Fertility and Sterility Nov 2015Delayed orgasm/anorgasmia defined as the persistent or recurrent difficulty, delay in, or absence of attaining orgasm after sufficient sexual stimulation, which causes... (Review)
Review
Delayed orgasm/anorgasmia defined as the persistent or recurrent difficulty, delay in, or absence of attaining orgasm after sufficient sexual stimulation, which causes personal distress. Delayed orgasm and anorgasmia are associated with significant sexual dissatisfaction. A focused medical history can shed light on the potential etiologies, which include medications, penile sensation loss, endocrinopathies, penile hyperstimulation, and psychological etiologies. Unfortunately, there are no excellent pharmacotherapies for delayed orgasm/anorgasmia, and treatment revolves largely around addressing potential causative factors and psychotherapy.
Topics: Animals; Ejaculation; Humans; Male; Orgasm; Penis; Predictive Value of Tests; Prevalence; Recovery of Function; Risk Factors; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological; Terminology as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26439762
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.09.029 -
Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery :... Apr 2022The treatment of gender dysphoria consists of psychiatric evaluation, initiation of hormonal therapy, and the final step in an individual's transition, performing... (Review)
Review
The treatment of gender dysphoria consists of psychiatric evaluation, initiation of hormonal therapy, and the final step in an individual's transition, performing gender-affirming surgery. Construction of the neophallus is one of the most demanding tasks in genital affirming surgery of transgender men. The main objectives of phalloplasty are to achieve a cosmetically acceptable and functional phallus, with a neourethra that allows voiding in standing position, sufficient length and strength for possible penetrative intercourse, preserved tactile and orgasmic sensation, and acceptable donor site morbidity. The musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap has reliable and suitable anatomy (good size, volume, and length of neurovascular pedicle) to meet the esthetic and functional requirements of neophallus reconstruction. Despite many advantages, the main disadvantage of this flap is the lack of sensitivity. Although the radial free forearm flap technique is the most commonly performed procedure, musculus latissimus dorsi flap is an acceptable choice in gender-affirming surgery.
PubMed: 36017409
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1740382