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Hormones and Behavior Jul 2013This article is part of a Special Issue "Puberty and Adolescence". Sexuality emerges as a major developmental element of puberty and the adolescent years that follow.... (Review)
Review
This article is part of a Special Issue "Puberty and Adolescence". Sexuality emerges as a major developmental element of puberty and the adolescent years that follow. However, connecting the sexuality that emerges with puberty and elements of adult sexuality is difficult because much adolescent sexuality research addresses the transition to partnered sexual behaviors (primarily coitus) and consequences such as unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. This review proposes a framework of an expanded understanding of puberty and adolescent sexuality from the perspective of four hallmarks of adult sexuality: sexual desire; sexual arousal; sexual behaviors; and, sexual function. This approach thus addresses important gaps in understanding of the ontogeny of sex and the continuum of sexuality development from adolescence through the adult lifespan.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Adult; Female; Humans; Libido; Pregnancy; Puberty; Sexual Behavior; Sexuality
PubMed: 23998672
DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.03.007 -
Endocrinology Oct 2020Gonadal hormones contribute to the sexual differentiation of brain and behavior throughout the lifespan, from initial neural patterning to "activation" of adult... (Review)
Review
Gonadal hormones contribute to the sexual differentiation of brain and behavior throughout the lifespan, from initial neural patterning to "activation" of adult circuits. Sexual behavior is an ideal system in which to investigate the mechanisms underlying hormonal activation of neural circuits. Sexual behavior is a hormonally regulated, innate social behavior found across species. Although both sexes seek out and engage in sexual behavior, the specific actions involved in mating are sexually dimorphic. Thus, the neural circuits mediating sexual motivation and behavior in males and females are overlapping yet distinct. Furthermore, sexual behavior is strongly dependent on circulating gonadal hormones in both sexes. There has been significant recent progress on elucidating how gonadal hormones modulate physiological properties within sexual behavior circuits with consequences for behavior. Therefore, in this mini-review we review the neural circuits of male and female sexual motivation and behavior, from initial sensory detection of pheromones to the extended amygdala and on to medial hypothalamic nuclei and reward systems. We also discuss how gonadal hormones impact the physiology and functioning of each node within these circuits. By better understanding the myriad of ways in which gonadal hormones impact sexual behavior circuits, we can gain a richer and more complete appreciation for the neural substrates of complex behavior.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Brain; Female; Hormones; Humans; Male; Nerve Net; Sex Characteristics; Sex Differentiation; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Behavior, Animal
PubMed: 32845294
DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa150 -
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 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 -
Canadian Journal of Public Health =... Mar 2016Risky sexual behaviour associated with sexually transmitted infections (STI) and sexual harassment are important topics in university environments and public health.... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVES
Risky sexual behaviour associated with sexually transmitted infections (STI) and sexual harassment are important topics in university environments and public health. This article compares these behaviours between student cohorts in 2005 and 2012 from a Western Canadian university. The sexual habits of young adults with multiple partners are also examined.
METHODS
Researchers conducted a comparative study of sexual behaviour among approximately 400 students per cohort. Estimates of prevalence and adjusted odds for age group and sex were used to analyze associations between the two cohorts and their sexual behaviours.
RESULTS
Trends in sexual behaviour of young adults are maintained with respect to the proportion of those who are sexually active and their number of partners. A reduction in sexual harassment is observed, especially towards women. The condom remains the most frequently used method of contraception, but its use is erratic, particularly among respondents with multiple sexual partners. Drinking and the use of drugs predisposes to unplanned sexual relations and to non-use of means to prevent STIs and pregnancy, particularly among respondents with multiple sexual partners.
CONCLUSIONS
The postsecondary student population should be informed of the risks associated with multiple sexual partners and alcohol and drug consumption leading to unplanned sexual acts. A sexual harassment policy contributes to reduction of incidents of harassment within a postsecondary institution.
Topics: Adolescent; Canada; Cohort Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Risk-Taking; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Harassment; Sexual Partners; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Students; Universities; Young Adult
PubMed: 26986909
DOI: 10.17269/cjph.106.4968 -
Neuroendocrinology 2012Androgens are intricately involved in reproductive and aggressive behaviors, but the role of the androgen receptor in mediating these behaviors is less defined. Further,... (Review)
Review
Androgens are intricately involved in reproductive and aggressive behaviors, but the role of the androgen receptor in mediating these behaviors is less defined. Further, activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis can influence each other at the level of the androgen receptor. Knowledge of the mechanisms for androgens' effects on behaviors through the androgen receptor will guide future studies in elucidating male reproductive and aggressive behavior repertoires.
Topics: Aggression; Animals; Estrogens; Female; Humans; Male; Receptors, Androgen; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 22414851
DOI: 10.1159/000337663 -
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences :... Jun 2018Species survival is dependent on successful reproduction. This begins with a desire to mate, followed by selection of a partner, copulation and in monogamous mammals... (Review)
Review
Species survival is dependent on successful reproduction. This begins with a desire to mate, followed by selection of a partner, copulation and in monogamous mammals including humans, requires emotions and behaviours necessary to maintain partner bonds for the benefit of rearing young. Hormones are integral to all of these stages and not only mediate physiological and endocrine processes involved in reproduction, but also act as neuromodulators within limbic brain centres to facilitate the expression of innate emotions and behaviours required for reproduction. A significant body of work is unravelling the roles of several key hormones in the modulation of mood states and sexual behaviours; however, a full understanding of the integration of these intrinsic links among sexual and emotional brain circuits still eludes us. This review summarises the evidence to date and postulates future directions to identify potential psycho-neuroendocrine frameworks linking sexual and emotional brain processes with reproduction.
Topics: Animals; Brain; Emotions; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Neurosecretory Systems; Reproduction; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Behavior, Animal
PubMed: 29619543
DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2802-3 -
Trends in Cognitive Sciences Jan 2019The dual mating strategy hypothesis proposes that women's preferences for uncommitted sexual relationships with men displaying putative fitness cues increase during the... (Review)
Review
The dual mating strategy hypothesis proposes that women's preferences for uncommitted sexual relationships with men displaying putative fitness cues increase during the high-fertility phase of the menstrual cycle. Results consistent with this hypothesis are widely cited as evidence that sexual selection has shaped human mating psychology. However, the methods used in most of these studies have recently been extensively criticized. Here we discuss (i) new empirical studies that address these methodological problems and largely report null results and (ii) an alternative model of hormonal regulation of women's mating psychology that can better accommodate these new data.
Topics: Animals; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Marriage; Models, Biological; Models, Psychological; Ovulation; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 30477896
DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2018.10.008 -
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aug 2016The Philippines is one of seven countries in which HIV incidence has recently increased-much of this increase has been among men who have sex with men. Despite this...
The Philippines is one of seven countries in which HIV incidence has recently increased-much of this increase has been among men who have sex with men. Despite this trend, knowledge on sexuality and same-sex behaviors in the Philippines is limited. This study examines same-sex behavior, sexual outcomes, substance use, and psychological distress among young adults participating in the 2005 Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey (CLHNS). We use gender-stratified, multivariate models to compare young adults who reported same-sex behaviors and those who did not. Among a cohort of 1,912 Filipino young adults (ages 20-22), 58.2 % were sexually experienced and 15.1 % of them reported same-sex sexual contacts or romantic relationships. Compared to females, more males reported same-sex sexual contact (19.4 vs. 2.3 %) or same-sex romantic relationships (9.2 vs. 4.1 %). Young adults reporting same-sex behavior had higher odds of smoking, drug use, perceived stress, and more sexual partners as compared to their peers. Males who reported same-sex behavior initiated sex earlier than those males who did not report same-sex behaviors. There were no significant differences in depressive distress. Earlier sexual initiation and higher levels of substance use among Filipino young adults engaging in same-sex behavior highlight the need to address unique health issues within this population. Mixed findings for depressive distress and perceived stress indicate that further investigation is needed to explore the potential impacts of same-sex status on mental health outcomes, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries such as the Philippines.
Topics: Adult; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Surveys; Homosexuality; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Philippines; Sexual Behavior; Young Adult
PubMed: 25416159
DOI: 10.1007/s10508-014-0389-9 -
Archives of Sexual Behavior May 2017Sexual positioning practices among men who have sex with men (MSM) have not received a thorough discussion in the MSM and HIV literature, given that risks for acquiring... (Review)
Review
Sexual positioning practices among men who have sex with men (MSM) have not received a thorough discussion in the MSM and HIV literature, given that risks for acquiring or transmitting HIV and STIs via condomless anal sex vary according to sexual positioning. MSM bear a disproportionate burden of HIV compared to the general population in the United States; surveillance efforts suggest that HIV and STIs are increasing among domestic and international populations of MSM. We conducted a narrative review, using a targeted literature search strategy, as an initial effort to explore processes through which sexual positioning practices may contribute to HIV/STI transmission. Peer-reviewed articles were eligible for inclusion if they contained a measure of sexual positioning identity and/or behavior (i.e., "top", "bottom," etc.) or sexual positioning behavior (receptive anal intercourse or insertive anal intercourse), or assessed the relationship between sexual positioning identity with HIV risk, anal sex practice, masculinity, power, partner type, or HIV status. A total of 23 articles met our inclusion criteria. This review highlights dynamic psychosocial processes likely underlying sexual decision making related to sexual positioning identity and practices among MSM and MSM who have sex with women (MSMW), and ways these contexts may influence HIV/STI risk. Despite limited focus in the extant literature, this review notes the important role the contextual factors (masculinity stereotypes, power, partner type, and HIV status) likely to play in influencing sexual positioning identity and practices. Through this review we offer an initial synthesis of the literature describing sexual positioning identities and practices and conceptual model to provide insight into important areas of study through future research.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Male; Masculinity; Middle Aged; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Partners; Young Adult
PubMed: 27178171
DOI: 10.1007/s10508-016-0738-y