The Relationship Between Same‐Sex Sexual Experience, Sexual Distress, and Female Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual dysfunctions have been the most prevalent group of sexual disorders and include a large number of populations of both sexes. The research of sexual behavior and treatment of women with sexual distress arises many questions related to differences in sexual response of men and women. The conceptualization of this response in modern sexology has changed over time. The objective of our paper was to present the changes and evolution of the female?s sexual response concept in a summarized and integrated way, to analyze the expanded and revised definitions of the female sexual response as well as implications and recommendations of new approaches to diagnostics and treatment according to the established changes. The lack of adequate empirical basis of the female sexual response model is a critical question in the literature dealing with this issue. Some articles report that linear models demonstrate more correctly and precisely the sexual response of women with normal sexual functions in relation to women with sexual dysfunction. Modification of this model later resulted in a circular model which more adequately presented the sexual response of women with sexual function disorder than of women with normal sexual function. The nonlinear model of female sexual response constructed by Basson incorporates the value of emotional intimacy, sexual stimulus and satisfaction with the relationship. Female functioning is significantly affected by multiple psychosocial factors such as satisfaction with the relationship, self-image, earlier negative sexual experience, etc. Newly revised, expanded definitions of female sexual dysfunction try to contribute to new knowledge about a highly contextual nature of woman?s sexuality so as to enhance clinical treatment of dysfunctions. The definitions emphasize the evaluation of the context of women?s problematic sexual experiences.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Risk factors for female sexual dysfunction in the general population: exploring factors associated with low sexual function and sexual distress.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.1120562.576775 ◽

2008 ◽

Author(s):

Leslie Schover

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

General Population ◽

Sexual Function ◽

Female Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Sexual Distress

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Sexual Dysfunction Prevalence and Sociodemographic Background in a Colombian Sample

Klinička psihologija ◽

10.21465/2016-kp-p-0025 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 158-158

Author(s):

M. Gómez-Lugo ◽

◽

P. Vallejo-Medina ◽

J. P. Saffón ◽

D. Saavedra-Roa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Sexual Satisfaction ◽

Sexual Functioning ◽

Female Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Massachusetts General Hospital ◽

National Sample ◽

Health Concern ◽

Male And Female ◽

Representative National Sample ◽

The Relationship

Objective: Sexual dysfunction is an important public health concern. Sexual dysfunctions, characterized by disturbances in sexual desire, arousal, erection, orgasm or sexual satisfaction have been reported in different research around the world. Prevalence range of disturbances is from 20% to 30% and 40% to 45% for men and women respectively. The aim of this study was to explore prevalence of sexual dysfunction in a Colombian male and female sample. Design and Method: Sample was composed by a non-representative national sample of 1366 women and 1410 men, aged from 18 to 73. To assess sexual dysfunction the Colombian version of the Massachusetts General Hospital- Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (MGH-SFQ) was used. Results: Results indicate on one hand that sexual dysfunction is more prevalent in women (42.5%) than men (32.1 %). On the other hand, in women, problems related to desire (28.5%) were more common, while in men those related to desire and sexual satisfaction, 21.4% and 21% respectively, were more prevalent. In women, problems related to desire (28.5%) were more common, while in men those related to desire and sexual satisfaction 21.4% and 21%, respectively were more prevalent. Furthermore, no evidence was found about the relationship between the sociodemographic characteristic (socioeconomic level, years of education and religion) and the sexual dysfunction; with exception of age. These results are similar to those observed in other cultures. Conclusions: This study shows the importance of epidemiologic research in male and female sexual dysfunction for the identification of risk factors.

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Diagnosis and Assessment of Female sexual Dysfunction(s)

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(09)70456-0 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 24 (S1) ◽

pp. 1-1

Author(s):

R. Balon

Keyword(s):

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Sexual Desire ◽

Sexual Functioning ◽

Female Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Clinical Interview ◽

Sexual Dysfunctions ◽

Sexual Distress ◽

Gynecological Examination ◽

Female Sexual Functioning ◽

Distress Scale

The first challenge in diagnosing female sexual dysfunction(s) originates in our diagnostic system. The traditional model of classifying sexual dysfunction is anchored in the sexual response cycle: desire - arousal - orgasm - resolution. However, as some experts have pointed out, this classification may be problematic in the area of female sexuality. Both the diagnoses of female hypoactive sexual desire disorder (FHSDD) and female arousal disorder (FSAD) probably need to be redefined and refined. Examples include adding the lack of responsive desire to the FHSDD criteria and creating categories of subjective FSAD and genital FSAD.The second challenge in diagnosis female dysfunction is the lack of solid diagnostic instruments, diagnosis-specific laboratory assays and other specific testing. Specific measures of female sexual functioning, such as Female Sexual Functioning Index, Profile of Female Sexual Functioning, Sexual Function Questionnaire, Sexual Desire and Interest Inventory, and Female Sexual Distress Scale were mostly developed as outcome measures. No solid diagnostic instrument for sexual dysfunction exists, not even a version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM sexual dysfunctions. The contribution of imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging or thermography, to the diagnosis is unclear, and these techniques are far (if ever) from clinical use.Thus, a detailed comprehensive clinical interview combined with physical examination, possibly a gynecological examination, and in some cases laboratory hormonal testing remains the cornerstone of diagnosing and assessing female sexual dysfunctions.

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The Etiological Relationship Between Anxiety Sensitivity, Sexual Distress, and Female Sexual Dysfunction Is Partly Genetically Moderated

Journal of Sexual Medicine ◽

10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02710.x ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 1887-1896 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Andrea Burri ◽

Timothy Spector ◽

Qazi Rahman

Keyword(s):

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Anxiety Sensitivity ◽

Female Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Sexual Distress

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Female Sexual Dysfunction in Primary Adrenal Insufficiency

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10132767 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (13) ◽

pp. 2767

Author(s):

Virginia Zamponi ◽

Pina Lardo ◽

Roberta Maggio ◽

Chiara Simonini ◽

Rossella Mazzilli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Sexual Function ◽

Adrenal Insufficiency ◽

Replacement Therapy ◽

Female Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Primary Adrenal Insufficiency ◽

Healthy Women ◽

Sexual Distress ◽

Cortisol Levels ◽

Distress Scale

Purpose. No data are currently available on female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) and the possible impact of replacement therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of FSD and sexual distress (SD), and to evaluate the possible impact of replacement therapy on sexuality in women with PAI. Methods. Female Sexual Function Index-6 (FSFI-6) and Sexual Distress Scale (SDS) questionnaires were administered to 22 women with PAI and 23 healthy women matched for age as controls. Results. The prevalence of sexual symptoms measured by FSFI-6 (total score < 19) was significantly higher in women with PAI (15/22; 68.2%) compared to the controls (2/23; 8.7%; p = 0.001). Regarding the questionnaire items, significantly different scores were found for desire (p < 0.001), arousal (p = 0.0006), lubrication (p = 0.046) and overall sexual satisfaction (p < 0.0001) in women with PAI compared to the controls. The rate of FSD (FSFI < 19 with SDS >15) was 60% in patients with PAI. A significant inverse correlation was found between FSFI-6 total scores and SD (r = −0.65; p = 0.0011), while a significant direct correlation was found between FSFI-6 total scores and serum cortisol levels (r = 0.55; p = 0.035). Conclusions. A higher prevalence of FSD was found in women affected by PAI compared to healthy women. Desire seems to be the most impaired aspect of sexual function. Moreover, sexual dysfunction in this population seems to be related to sexual distress and cortisol levels.

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Sexual Concordance and Orgasm Consistency in Women

Inquiry@Queen's Undergraduate Research Conference Proceedings ◽

10.24908/iqurcp.9834 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Michelle McCowan

Keyword(s):

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Sexual Arousal ◽

Female Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Sexual Dysfunctions ◽

Sexual Assertiveness ◽

Sexual Outcomes ◽

Sexual Concordance ◽

Low Levels ◽

The Relationship ◽

Very High

The agreement between psychological and physical sexual arousal is variable among women: some show very high levels of sexual concordance while others demonstrate little or no agreement the emotional and physiological components of arousal (Chivers, Seto, Lalumière, Laan, & , 2010). This mind-body connection has been implicated in female sexual dysfunction, as women sexual dysfunctions tend to show especially low levels of sexual concordance (e.g., Laan, van Driel, & Lunsen, 2008). To date, there has been very little research on how concordance influences individual in sexual outcomes in women without sexual dysfunction. Initial evidence suggested a relationship between sexual concordance and orgasm consistency in healthy women (e.g., Adams, Haynes & Brayner, 1985); however, the few studies examining this relationship present mixed findings. The current study attempts to clarify the relationship between sexual concordance and orgasm consistency and examines sexual assertiveness as a mediator in the predicted concordance-orgasm consistency relationship.

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Costs of pleasure and the benefits of pain: self-perceived genital sensation, anatomy and sexual dysfunction

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh15160 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 63

Author(s):

Nina Callens ◽

Guy Bronselaer ◽

Petra De Sutter ◽

Griet De Cuypere ◽

Guy T'Sjoen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Sexual Function ◽

Sexual Experience ◽

Sexual Pleasure ◽

P Value ◽

Self Assessment ◽

Web Based ◽

Sexual Distress ◽

Distress Scale ◽

Genital Sensation

Background Research has highlighted the complex association between female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and distress regarding sexual activity, with decreased physical pleasure being an important mediator. The current study aims to elucidate the association between pleasurable and painful genital sensitivity and FSD, and to further investigate whether FSD may be distressing because it prevents the experience of sexual pleasure, induces pain or both. Methods: Sexually active women (n = 256; median, 22 years; range, 18–49 years) completed web-based questionnaires, including the Self-Assessment of Genital Anatomy and Sexual Function, the Female Sexual Function Index and the Female Sexual Distress Scale. Results: Women reported their clitoris to be more sensitive than their vagina in terms of having more pleasurable responses (P < 0.001), but not more painful responses (P = 0.49). In women with FSD (n = 36), impaired self-perceived genital sensation was found: they reported significantly less sexual pleasure and orgasm intensity, and more orgasm effort and discomfort within the clitoral and vaginal area than women without FSD (n = 220) (P-value < 0.05). The odds of having FSD were significantly greater in women with perceived increased discomfort in the vaginal area during stimulation (odds ratio = 5.59, P = 0.009, 95% confidence interval: 1.53–20.39), but not in the clitoral area. Conclusions: The data provide evidence of the relevance of self-perceived genital sensitivity to sexual pleasure and overall sexual experience. Enhancing the pleasurableness of genital sensations, especially during partnered sex, could decrease the likelihood of experiencing pain and concomitant FSD.

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