Feigning sexual desire: Consenting to unwanted sexual activity in heterosexual dating relationships

1998 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia F. O'Sullivan ◽  
Elizabeth Rice Allgeier
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Sexual Desire ◽  
Dating Relationships ◽  
Unwanted Sexual Activity

THE ROLE OF SEXUAL DESIRE AND SEXUAL ACTIVITY IN DATING RELATIONSHIPS

2000 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela C. Regan
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Sexual Desire ◽  
Relationship Maintenance ◽  
Sexual Response ◽  
Relational Maintenance ◽  
Dating Relationships ◽  
Love Relationships ◽  
Passionate Love

Previous research indicates that adults believe that sexual desire and sexual activity play different roles in love relationships. Little research, however, has been conducted to document the presumed differences between these two aspects of human sexual response. The purpose of this study was to examine empirically (1) whether sexual desire and sexual activity co-occur in dating relationships; (2) whether desire is more strongly associated than activity with passionate love; and (3) whether desire and activity have different implications for relationship maintenance. The results revealed that sexual desire and sexual activity were moderately (but not significantly) related. In addition, and as expected, only sexual desire was related to passionate love. Sexual desire also was related to relational maintenance; the greater the desire for the partner, the less often participants thought about ending their current relationship, thought about beginning a new relationship, reported being unfaithful to their partner, and felt attracted to others.

Why Some Women Consent to Unwanted Sex With a Dating Partner: Insights from Attachment Theory

2002 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 360-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily A. Impett ◽  
Letitia Anne Peplau
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Activity ◽  
College Women ◽  
Attachment Theory ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
Dating Relationships ◽  
Unwanted Sex ◽  
Hypothetical Scenario ◽  
Unwanted Sexual Activity ◽  
Theory Framework

Several studies have shown that many college women engage in unwanted sexual activity with a dating partner. However, little research has examined the differences between women who comply with requests for unwanted sexual activity and women who do not. This study utilized an attachment theory framework to investigate individual differences in women's compliant sexual behavior. An ethnically diverse sample of 125 college women who had consented to unwanted sex with a current dating partner completed measures of their attachment style, commitment to their current relationship, perceptions of their partner's commitment, and willingness to consent to unwanted sex in a hypothetical scenario. Results showed that attachment style and commitment perceptions were associated with women's willingness to consent to unwanted sex with a dating partner in the hypothetical scenario and their reasons for this decision. As predicted, anxiously attached women were the most willing to consent to unwanted sex, and they often cited fears that their partner would lose interest in them as reasons for their compliance. Contrary to hypotheses, avoidantly attached women were not the least willing to consent to unwanted sex. They often reported passively complying with a partner's sexual request in order to fulfill relationship obligations. The importance of sexuality to attachment formation in dating relationships and the potential consequences of consenting to unwanted sex are discussed.

scholarly journals Sex life during pregnancy

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 280-287
Author(s):  
Tamara Košec ◽  
Anita Jug Došler ◽  
Mateja Kusterle ◽  
Ana Polona Mivšek
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Pregnant Woman ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Sexual Intercourse ◽  
Sexual Desire ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Common Factors ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Purposive Sample

Introduction: Pregnancy involves emotional and physiological changes, which affect the pregnant woman, her partner and their relationship. The sexuality of the couple changes with the onset of pregnancy compared to pre-pregnancy. The aim of the study was to investigate changes in the sex life of women during pregnancy.Methods: Quantitative research based on a questionnaire was carried out in August 2016 on a purposive sample of 685 women who had given birth at least once and women who were in the last trimester of pregnancy when completing the questionnaire. The data analysis included frequencies, percentages, mean values and independent samples t-test calculations.Results: The frequency of sexual intercourse decreased compared to the preconception period. The majority of women (43 %) included in the survey stated that their sexual desire declined during pregnancy. The most common factors that hindered women's sexual activity were fatigue and the feeling of awkwardness.Discussion and conclusion: Psychophysical changes in a pregnant woman may affect the couple's sexuality to a greater or lesser extent, which may in turn affect their relationship. It is therefore crucial that couples be offered quality counseling on sex life by appropriate institutions and programmes.

Inhibited / diminished sexual desire and loss of orgasm in women

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioana Motogna
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Sexual Desire ◽  
Sexual Interest ◽  
Desire Disorder

In the specialized literature, sexual desire disorder is approached as a decrease in sexual interest, a lack of fantasies about sexual activity, decreased libido or frigidity. Gutceit believes that “out of 10 women 4 do not feel anything during intercourse and endure it without having the slightest pleasant sensation during friction and without having any idea about the pleasure of ejaculation”, and Debruner even adds that 50% of women are insensitive and one cannot speak of a proper libido.

Sexuality, philosophy of

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Soble
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Sexual Desire ◽  
Casual Sex ◽  
Sexual Pleasure ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Physical Force ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Kantian Deontology ◽  
Group Sex

The philosophy of sexuality, like the philosophy of science, art or law, is the study of the concepts and propositions surrounding its central protagonist, in this case ‘sex’. Its practitioners focus on conceptual, metaphysical and normative questions. Conceptual philosophy of sex analyses the notions of sexual desire, sexual activity and sexual pleasure. What makes a feeling a sexual sensation? Manipulation of and feelings in the genitals are not necessary, since other body parts yield sexual pleasure. What makes an act sexual? A touch on the arm might be a friendly pat, an assault, or sex; physical properties alone do not distinguish them. What is the conceptual link between sexual pleasure and sexual activity? Neither the intention to produce sexual pleasure nor the actual experience of pleasure seems necessary for an act to be sexual. Other conceptual questions have to do not with what makes an act sexual, but with what makes it the type of sexual act it is. How should ‘rape’ be defined? What the conceptual differences are, if any, between obtaining sex through physical force and obtaining it by offering money is an interesting and important issue. Metaphysical philosophy of sex discusses ontological and epistemological matters: the place of sexuality in human nature; the relationships among sexuality, emotion and cognition; the meaning of sexuality for the person, the species, the cosmos. What is sex all about, anyway? That sexual desire is a hormone-driven instinct implanted by a god or nature acting in the service of the species, and that it has a profound spiritual dimension, are two – not necessarily incompatible – views. Perhaps the significance of sexuality is little different from that of eating, breathing and defecating; maybe, or in addition, sexuality is partially constitutive of moral personality. Normative philosophy of sex explores the perennial questions of sexual ethics. In what circumstances is it morally permissible to engage in sexual activity or experience sexual pleasure? With whom? For what purpose? With which body parts? For how long? The historically central answers come from Thomist natural law, Kantian deontology, and utilitarianism. Normative philosophy of sex also addresses legal, social and political issues. Should society steer people in the direction of heterosexuality, marriage, family? May the law regulate sexual conduct by prohibiting prostitution or homosexuality? Normative philosophy of sex includes nonethical value questions as well. What is good sex? What is its contribution to the good life? The breadth of the philosophy of sex is shown by the variety of topics it investigates: abortion, contraception, acquaintance rape, pornography, sexual harassment, and objectification, to name a few. The philosophy of sex begins with a picture of a privileged pattern of relationship, in which two adult heterosexuals love each other, are faithful to each other within a formal marriage, and look forward to procreation and family. Philosophy of sex, as the Socratic scrutiny of our sexual practices, beliefs and concepts, challenges this privileged pattern by exploring the virtues, and not only the vices, of adultery, prostitution, homosexuality, group sex, bestiality, masturbation, sadomasochism, incest, paedophilia and casual sex with anonymous strangers. Doing so provides the same illumination about sex that is provided when the philosophies of science, art and law probe the privileged pictures of their own domains.

scholarly journals Testosterone Treatment and Sexual Function in Older Men With Low Testosterone Levels

2016 ◽  
Vol 101 (8) ◽  
pp. 3096-3104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn R. Cunningham ◽  
Alisa J. Stephens-Shields ◽  
Raymond C. Rosen ◽  
Christina Wang ◽  
Shalender Bhasin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Function ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Sexual Desire ◽  
Erectile Function ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Threshold Effect ◽  
The United States ◽  
Baseline Characteristics ◽  
Estradiol Levels

Context: The Testosterone Trials are a coordinated set of seven trials to determine the efficacy of T in symptomatic men ≥65 years old with unequivocally low T levels. Initial results of the Sexual Function Trial showed that T improved sexual activity, sexual desire, and erectile function. Objective: To assess the responsiveness of specific sexual activities to T treatment; to relate hormone changes to changes in sexual function; and to determine predictive baseline characteristics and T threshold for sexual outcomes. Design: A placebo-controlled trial. Setting: Twelve academic medical centers in the United States. Participants: A total of 470 men ≥65 years of age with low libido, average T <275 ng/dL, and a partner willing to have sexual intercourse at least twice a month. Methods: Men were assigned to take T gel or placebo for 1 year. Sexual function was assessed by three questionnaires every 3 months: the Psychosexual Daily Questionnaire, the Derogatis Interview for Sexual Function, and the International Index of Erectile Function. Results: Compared with placebo, T administration significantly improved 10 of 12 measures of sexual activity. Incremental increases in total and free T and estradiol levels were associated with improvements in sexual activity and desire, but not erectile function. No threshold T level was observed for any outcome, and none of the 27 baseline characteristics predicted responsiveness to T. Conclusions: In older men with low libido and low T levels, improvements in sexual desire and activity in response to T treatment were related to the magnitude of increases in T and estradiol levels, but there was no clear evidence of a threshold effect.

scholarly journals Attachment-related anxiety is associated with poor genital satisfaction and sexual problems in women

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikola Komlenac ◽  
Margarethe Hochleitner
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Sexual Arousal ◽  
Sexual Desire ◽  
Sexual Experience ◽  
Sexual Problems ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Bodily Experiences ◽  
Relationship Structures ◽  
Medical University

Abstract Background Genital satisfaction has been found to influence women’s sexual experience. We tested the Relational Bodily Experiences Theory (RBET) that predicts associations between women’s genital satisfaction, attachment models, and sexual desire. We extended the model by additionally considering sexual arousal, orgasmic sensation, or the experience of pain during sexual activity as outcome variables. According to the RBET, women’s attachment models are associated with their genital satisfaction and linked to women’s sexual experience. Methods A cross-sectional online questionnaire study was conducted at an Austrian medical university. In total 294 women (Mage = 23.7, SD = 3.4) provided full responses. Women were asked about genital satisfaction and experiences of distressing sexual problems. Attachment-related anxiety and avoidance were assessed with the Experiences in Close Relationships-Relationship Structures Questionnaire. Results Results partially support the RBET. Attachment-related anxiety was associated with genital satisfaction which, in turn, was linked to experiences of frequent and/or distressing diminished sexual arousal, diminished sexual desire, or pain during sexual activity. Conclusions These results suggest that clinicians should assess genital satisfaction when treating female sexual problems. Women with attachment-related anxiety may especially be prone to having poor genital satisfaction and may profit from body image interventions in order to improve their sexual experience.

scholarly journals Testosterone Patch Increases Sexual Activity and Desire in Surgically Menopausal Women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

2005 ◽  
Vol 90 (9) ◽  
pp. 5226-5233 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Simon ◽  
Glenn Braunstein ◽  
Lila Nachtigall ◽  
Wulf Utian ◽  
Molly Katz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Placebo Group ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Sexual Desire ◽  
Estrogen Therapy ◽  
Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
End Points ◽  
Parallel Group ◽  
Menopausal Women ◽  
Desire Disorder

Abstract Context: Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is one of the most common sexual problems reported by women, but few studies have been conducted to evaluate treatments for this condition. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a testosterone patch in surgically menopausal women with HSDD. Design: The design was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, 24-wk study (the Intimate SM 1 study). Setting: The study was performed at private or institutional practices. Patients: The subjects studied were women, aged 26–70 yr, with HSDD after bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy who were receiving concomitant estrogen therapy. Placebo (n = 279) or testosterone 300 μg/d (n = 283) was administered. There were 19 patients who withdrew due to adverse events in the placebo group and 24 in the 300 μg/d testosterone group. Intervention: Testosterone (300 μg/d) or placebo patches were applied twice weekly. Main Outcome Measure(s): The primary end point was the change in the frequency of total satisfying sexual activity at 24 wk. Secondary end points included other sexual functioning end points and safety assessments. Results: At 24 wk, there was an increase from baseline in the frequency of total satisfying sexual activity of 2.10 episodes/4 wk in the testosterone group, which was significantly greater than the change of 0.98 episodes/4 wk in the placebo group (P = 0.0003). The testosterone group also experienced statistically significant improvements in sexual desire and a decrease in distress. The overall safety profile was similar in both treatment groups. Conclusion: In the Intimate SM 1 study, the testosterone patch improved sexual function and decreased distress in surgically menopausal women with HSDD and was well tolerated in this trial.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document