Asexuality vs. sexual interest/arousal disorder: Examining group differences in initial attention to sexual stimuli

Attention is considered to be a critical part of the sexual response cycle, and researchers have differentiated between the roles of initial (involuntary) and subsequent (voluntary) attention paid to sexual stimuli as part of the facilitation of sexual arousal. Prior studies using eye-tracking methodologies have shown differing initial attention patterns to erotic stimuli between men and women, as well as between individuals of different sexual orientations. No study has directly compared initial attention to sexual stimuli in asexual individuals, defined by their lack of sexual attraction, to women with Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (SIAD), a disorder characterized by a reduced or absent interest in sex coupled with significant personal distress. The current study tested differences in the initial attention patterns of 29 asexual individuals (Mage = 26.56, SD = 4.80) and 25 heterosexual women with SIAD (Mage = 27.52, SD = 4.87), using eye-tracking. Participants were presented with sexual and neutral stimuli, and their initial eye movements and initial fixations to both image types and areas of erotic contact within sexual images were recorded. Mixed-model ANOVAs and t-tests were used to compare the two groups on the speed with which their initial fixations occurred, the duration of their initial fixations, and the proportion of initial fixations made to sexual stimuli. On two indices of initial attention, women with SIAD displayed an initial attention preference for sexual stimuli over neutral stimuli compared to asexual participants. This study adds to a growing literature on the distinction between asexuality and SIAD, indicating that differences in early attention may be a feature that differentiates the groups.

HUMAN SEXUALITY AND BREAST CANCER PATIENTS

Sexuality reflects a person’s personality. Cancer, regardless of its location can affect sexuality. Cancer and its treatment have a bio-psycho-social impact on a patient.3 Research has shown that poor physical health and emotional distress can affect sexual health.4 Cancer survivors were reported to have sexual problem after cancer therapy,5 following changes in body image. Materials and Methods: Subjects taken for the study were who had come for consultation regarding their physical health including sexual health. 65 subjects with breast cancer patients were included in the study. Informed consent was taken from the cases and it was approved by an Institute Ethics review Board attached to the institute. Basson’s sexual response cycle formed the basis for formulating worksheet given to the patients to record breaks in their sexual response cycle following a sexual encounter they had with their partners ( husbands).5 It takes into account the role of intimacy in understanding the women’s sexual response cycle and it is non-linear in nature. This makes the model suitable for studying sexual response cycle in women in health and disease. Based on the model the work sheet was created to understand the sexual response cycle of women with breast cancer, The Breaks in the sexual response cycle were found to be due to Biological inhibiting factors like body image, fatigue and drug therapy along with psychological factors like pain, anxiety and depression. The main motivators of sexual response were physical intimacy and care in these patients.

Does the Physical Therapy Intervention Improve Female Sexual Dysfunction in Saudi Society?

Introduction: Sexual dysfunction refers to a problem occurring during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual or couple from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual activity. The sexual response cycle traditionally includes excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. Desire and arousal are both part of the excitement phase of the sexual response. The literature review confirmed that the sexual dysfunction is common, 43 % of women and 31 % of men report some degree of difficulty, it is a topic that many people are hesitant to discuss. But the treatment options are available [1]. The literature also supports the use of pelvic floor exercise in order to improve sexual function. The health concept for women magazine reported that the Neo-control magnetic chair improved the sexual dysfunctions in women specially the orgasm problems [2]. Objective: The objective of the study is to explore the role of the physical therapy intervention for the female sexual dysfunction in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Thirty women had sexual dysfunction, were evaluated by muscle power (Oxford scale) before and after the treatment, and FSFI questioners were answered before and after the completion of the treatment. Main Outcome Measures: The domain scores of the female sexual function index (FSFI), included desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain, were calculated. The supervised pelvic floor muscle training, core strengthening pelvic exercises were conducted for 30 minutes, and magnetic field “neocontrol chair” frequency 50HZ, 15 sec. on, 1 sec. off for 20 min. power 75-80%, twice a week for six weeks(12 sesssions). Muscle power (Oxford scale) was measured before and after the treatment. Results: All subjects successfully completed the study with no adverse events significant improvement in sexual function as assessed by the FSFI, sex desire improved by 80%, sexual arousal improved by 86%, lubrication and orgasm improved by 80%, general satisfaction 87%, 73% pain free through intercourse. Muscle power were improved from 1-2 out of 5 to 3+ out of 5. Conclusion: The physical therapy intervention which include pelvic floor exercise, core strengthening exercise and magnetic field had improved the sexual function in female Saudi society.

FEMALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION. UNSPOKEN TRUTH? HYDERABAD SINDH BASED STUDY

Background: Sexual cycle is complex and have so many phases. There are desires that initiates sex , which occur with or without stimulus. Sexual dysfunction is a problem that occurs during the sexual response cycle that inhibits person from sexual satisfaction .It is difficult to estimate the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women because of religious grounds, natural shyness, illiteracy, and unawareness of sexual education.Objective: To determine female sexual dysfunction in non-diabetic young female of Hyderabad, and to enhance awareness of this taboo problem in women.Material and methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire based study includes 276 married non diabetic females, enrolled by non-probability convenience sampling from OPD of private clinics of sadder Hyderabad. Study was conducted in l accordance with the guidelines for Declaration of Helsinki and data was collected after obtaining participants consents. All women were interviewed according to questionnaire designed in local aspects by modifying female sexual scale which contained 19 different questions, most of them having score from 1 to 5 or -1 to -5. This scale has been modified in local languages in Urdu and Sindhi. All data was entered and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences version 22.0.Results: The mean age was 23±9.5 years, mean BMI was 24±5.5, mean duration of marriage was5.6±4.3 years, (24%) didn’t conceived after 2 years of marriage.(55%) had 2 or more children, Contraceptives user were 24±5.6 Pain was experienced during coitus by (15%), decreased desire in (20%),decreased secretion during foreplay in (15%) lack of orgasm in (30%) and arousal failure in (10% )and only (10%) had mixed disorder.(30%) had orgasm failure score of 25 and p value adjusted with age 0.03, arousal failure was in 10% but score was very low -10, p value was0.04.Conclusion: Awareness and decreasing shyness barriers of sexuality are increasing among the women. Women are seeking a sexual solution, which is the first step toward proper treatment plan.

Sex and Depression

Sexual dysfunction is one of the more common features of depressive disorders, presenting with dysfunction across sexual response cycle. Variety of factors play a role in causing sexual dysfunction in these patients, such as psychological, biological, social and interpersonal factors. Another cause of sexual dysfunction in these patients can be the side effect of antidepressants making it difficult to conclude if the dysfunction is the result of the depression or the treatment of depression. Clinicians need to be aware about the sexual dysfunction as it can have big impact on the overall quality of life of an individual.