Women Are Slightly More Sexually Satisfied in Their Romantic Relationships Than Men: An Integrative Data Analytic Approach.

Sexuality is a key predictor of relationship satisfaction, but sexual desire and satisfaction can be difficult to maintain over time. Past research has investigated who might be more likely to experience higher (compared to lower) levels of desire and sexual satisfaction in their relationships. Certain aspects of personality, such as extraversion, have been associated with sexual satisfaction and desire, but evidence linking personality to sexual outcomes has generally been mixed, meaning there is a lot left to learn about how personality is associated with sexual well-being. A promising, yet unexplored, trait that could be associated with higher sexual desire and satisfaction is charisma-a combination of influence and affability that has been identified as a desirable trait when people are selecting a romantic or sexual partner. Across two studies-a cross-sectional study of individuals in relationships (N = 413) and a 21-day dyadic daily experience study (N = 121 couples)-people higher in charisma reported being more communal during sex and reported higher sexual desire and satisfaction. Through higher sexual communal strength, people with a charismatic partner also reported higher daily sexual desire and sexual satisfaction. The effects were largely retained above and beyond general communal strength and Big Five personality dimensions, although in Study 1, charisma was no longer associated with sexual desire and satisfaction when controlling for extraversion. The current findings provide initial evidence that charismatic people tend to be responsive to their partner's sexual needs, which is associated with higher desire and sexual satisfaction in romantic relationships.

Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is the most frequent subtype of vulvodynia. Women report negative consequences of PVD on their sexual and romantic relationships. Researchers have recently highlighted the importance of examining interpersonal factors such as intimacy, and of including both women and their partners in study designs. The aim of this study was to investigate sexual and relationship intimacy as defined by the Interpersonal Process Model of Intimacy and their associations with sexual satisfaction, sexual function, pain self-efficacy, and pain intensity among women with PVD and their partners. Ninety-one heterosexual women (M age = 27.38, SD = 6.04) diagnosed with PVD and their partners (M age = 29.37, SD = 7.79) completed measures of sexual and relationship intimacy, sexual satisfaction, sexual function, pain self-efficacy, and pain intensity. Dependent measures were the (i) Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction Scale; (ii) Female Sexual Function Index; (iii) Painful Intercourse Self-Efficacy Scale; and (iv) visual analog scale of pain intensity during intercourse. After controlling for women's age, women's greater sexual intimacy (β = 0.49, P < 0.001) was associated with women's greater sexual satisfaction and higher pain self-efficacy (β = 0.39, P = 0.001), beyond the effects of partners' sexual intimacy. Also, women's greater sexual intimacy (β = 0.24, P = 0.05) and women's greater relationship intimacy (β = 0.54, P = 0.003) were associated with greater women's sexual function, beyond the effects of partners' sexual and relationship intimacy. Women's self-reported sexual and relationship intimacy in the couple relationship may promote higher sexual satisfaction, sexual function, and pain self-efficacy, as well as possibly foster greater sexual well-being among women with PVD. The authors discuss implications for the inclusion of emotional and interpersonal aspects of the couple's dynamic in clinical interventions and future research in PVD.

Improving Research Methodology in Adolescent Sexual Health Research

Introduction Idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) is a rare and debilitating neurologic disorder characterized by hypersomnolence, often beginning in adolescence. As IH has significant impacts on quality of life and may have greater social impact than narcolepsy, we studied how IH impacts social, romantic, and sexual relationships in young adults. Methods Young adults (18-39 years; N=106) with a self-reported IH diagnosis were recruited through national patient organizations. Participants completed an online survey to evaluate social, romantic, and sexual relationships, and communication with medical providers. Results Participants (mean=29.6 years; SD=5.2) were primarily female (90%), White/Caucasian (90%) and employed (80%). Almost all participants indicated that IH made social life or entering relationships more difficult (98% and 92%, respectively). Eighty-nine percent of participants indicated that IH had affected their sex life (“Too tired to engage in sexual activities or to feel aroused. …I want to sleep if I am in bed …”). IH symptoms impacted relationships in majority of participants (84%) and contributed to the breakup of a romantic relationship for almost 1 in 3 (32%). Rates of cohabitation and marriage were comparable to nationally representative samples. On the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, participants reported receiving significantly more support from their significant others (mean=4.3; SD=1.8) compared to their family (mean=3.9; SD=1.6; p&amp;lt;.05) or friends (mean=4.0; SD=1.6; p&amp;lt;.05). There was no difference between the level of support received from family or friends (V = 2154; p =.77). Medical providers rarely asked about the social (34%) or sex lives (9%) of participants. In contrast, many participants wanted clinicians to ask about the impact of IH symptoms on social life (70%) and sex life (35%). Conclusion IH substantially impacts social and romantic health in young adults. Similar to findings in narcolepsy, individuals with IH appear to prioritize romantic partnerships over other personal relationships. Many participants were interested in discussing their social and sexual relationships with their medical providers. However, only a small proportion of clinicians ask about these relationships. To provide effective treatment for the whole patient, clinicians should be prepared to evaluate and provide further support for the social health of young adults with IH. Support (If Any) Jazz Pharmaceuticals.

Study question Does offering the ‘Pleasure&amp;Pregnancy programme’ rather than expectant management affect sexual desire, pleasure and satisfaction, intercourse frequency and ongoing pregnancy rates in subfertile couples? Summary answer The ‘Pleasure&amp;Pregnancy programme’ limits the decline in sexual desire and intercourse frequency but does not affect sexual pleasure and satisfaction and ongoing pregnancy rates. What is known already Dutch guidelines advise six months of non-interactive expectant management, in couples with unexplained subfertility and Hunault-prognosis of minimally 30%, rather than immediately starting assisted reproduction. Adherence to this advice is limited as both couples and fertility clinic staff feel an urge for action. Underpowered studies indicated that face-to-face sex-counselling may increase the pregnancy rates of these couples. Interactive eHealth programmes proved as effective as face-to-face sex counselling in other patient populations. Our group developed the interactive six months Pleasure&amp;Pregnancy web-based programme, aiming to help couples maintain or improve sexual pleasure and activity and consequently increase chances on naturally conceived pregnancies. Study design, size, duration This multi-centre trial randomised 701 couples between six months of the Pleasure&amp;Pregnancy programme (n = 349) or expectant management, the current standard of care (n = 353) from 2016 to 2021. The Pleasure&amp;Pregnancy web-based programme contains eight modules combining psychosexual education with couple communication, mindfulness and sensate focus exercises and additionally enables couples to interact with professionals and peers. Sexual outcomes were assessed with a diary and reliable questionnaires at baseline, three and six months. Participants/materials, setting, methods Heterosexual couples with unexplained subfertility and a Hunault-prognosis of minimally 30% were included after their diagnostic work-up in 41 Dutch fertility clinics. All analyses were according to intention-to-treat principles. Differences between groups in ongoing pregnancy rates (naturally conceived within six months after randomization; primary outcome) were expressed as relative risks (RR). Linear mixed models assessed time, group and interactive effects on female/male sexual desire, pleasure and satisfaction, and intercourse frequency; mean differences (MD) are provided. Main results and the role of chance Response rates at baseline, three and six months for the diaries assessing sexual pleasure (Quality of Sexual Experience; QSE) were, respectively: 55.8%, 33.9% and 16.8%. For the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaires assessing intercourse frequency, sexual desire and satisfaction response rates were, respectively: 83.2%, 50.8% and 41.2%. The probability of a naturally conceived ongoing pregnancy within six months after randomization did not differ between the randomized groups, and was 22% (n = 78/349) in the Pleasure&amp;Pregnancy-group and 24% (n = 83/353) in the control group (RR 0.94; 95% CI 0.67 to 1.32). Neither did the groups differ in time to pregnancy (log rank p = 0.46). Both female and male sexual pleasure and satisfaction was comparable in both groups and did not change over time. Male sexual desire (scale 2-10) remained over time in the Pleasure&amp;Pregnancy-group but decreased in the control group (MD 0.47, 95%CI 0.28 to 0.67, p &amp;lt; 0.001) and a similar trend was observed in females (MD 0.16, 95%CI -0.02 to 0.33, p = 0.086). Intercourse frequency declined over time in both groups (MD over 6 months -1.05, 95% CI -1.47 to -0.62, p &amp;lt; 0.01), but less in the Pleasure&amp;Pregnancy- group (MD 0.3, 95% CI 0-0.6; p = 0.05). Limitations, reasons for caution The intended sample size of 1164 was not reached, although the inclusion period was doubled. Web-based tracking showed limited intervention adherence, indicating the need for per protocol analysis in addition to this intention-to-treat analysis. Examining user experiences with the Pleasure&amp;Pregnancy programme would be of interest and might explain adherence rate. Wider implications of the findings Clinics are advised to offer the Pleasure&amp;Pregnancy or similar programme to care for the sexual health of couples with unexplained subfertility. The Pleasure&amp;Pregnancy programme did not increase naturally conceived ongoing pregnancy rates but did help couples maintain their sexual desire and intercourse frequency, while continuing to attempt natural conception. Trial registration number NTR5709

The sexual relations of parents at the postpartum stage have been researched relatively often, but still there exist serious research deficits (for example, neglect of male partners, of the later postpartum stages beyond the third month, and neglect of sexual feelings, enjoyment and orgasm). The aim of this study was to gain more knowledge about German couples' sexual enjoyment and orgasm with regard to non-genital tenderness, French kissing, breast stimulation, manual-genital stimulation, cunnilingus, fellatio, vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse and masturbation at seven months postpartum.As part of a larger longitudinal study 60 women and men (30 couples) answered a newly developed Sexual Preferences Questionnaire (SPQ), which assesses sexual activity and enjoyment. Descriptive data about sexual enjoyment, sex/gender differences and perceptual differences between self-report and reports of partners' enjoyment are analyzed and SPQ data are validated with interview and other questionnaire data (PFB-tendemess). Both genders find the same activities most pleasant (tenderness, vaginal intercourse, receiving manual-genital stimulation) and most exciting (intercourse, receiving manual-genital and oral-genital stimulation) and reach orgasm most easily through intercourse, masturbation and receiving manual-genital stimulation. But men generally describe a higher sexual enjoyment and overestimate their partners' enjoyment, especially with regard to female orgasm through intercourse. The results are critically discussed with regard to limitations and strengths of the sample and the method.

Introduction Being involved in a romantic relationship has consistently been associated with better general well-being and life satisfaction, relational and sexual satisfaction, and sexual function. Research indicates that these relationships also buffer women against negative mental and sexual health outcomes after traumatic experiences. Regardless of quality, the presence of a romantic relationship is associated with better general and sexual outcomes for women. Though it has been well established that romantic relationships are positively associated with better sexual and general well-being for heterosexual individuals, the influence of relationship status on other important indicators of sexual well-being has received significantly less attention. Research has not assessed sexual well-being by self-schemas and sexual excitation and inhibition propensities. Given the associations of sexual schemas and sexual excitation and inhibition with sexual function and satisfaction, these two constructs are important to consider when evaluating sexual well-being for women. Additionally, it is imperative to consider nonconsensual sexual experiences (NSEs) when evaluating women’s sexual well-being as 20% of women in the U.S. experience an NSE in their lifetime. NSEs are known to negatively impact sexual excitation and inhibition, self-schemas, and sexual and general well-being. Objective The current study expands upon existing research on sexual well-being by including measures of excitation and inhibition and sexual schemas as well as considering participants’ NSE history. Filling these gaps in the extant literature could prove important for understanding the combined effects of relationship status and NSE history on women’s sexual well-being. Methods The data for the current study was taken from a larger assessment of female sexuality in February and July of 2016. Data from 1152 women was analyzed in the current study. The women completed assessments of previous consensual and nonconsensual sexual experiences using the Nonconsensual Sexual Experiences Inventory, sexual excitation and inhibition using the Sexual Excitation and Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women, sexual self-schemas using the Sexual Self-Schema Scale and relationship status. Results The results from an ANOVA and subsequent independent t-test pairwise comparisons indicate significant differences in sexual schemas and excitation and inhibition propensities across various relationship statuses (p values &amp;lt; 0.05). After Bonferroni corrections, there were a few significant findings. Women in married or cohabitating relationships report significantly more conservative/embarrassed sexual self-schemas than single women. Single women with NSE histories also reported significantly lower scores on the “setting” excitation subscale of the SESII-W compared to single women with no NSE histories. Conclusions The results indicate that women conceptualize their sexual schemas and experience facilitators and inhibitors of arousal differently across various relationship statuses. Consistent with previous literature, married and cohabitating women reported more conservative/embarrassed self-schemas. Interestingly, single women with an NSE history reported that sex in novel or public settings was less activating for their sexual arousal than the sexual setting for women with no NSE histories. These findings highlight the importance of considering relationship status and NSE history when examining sexual well-being, sexual self-schemas, and sexual excitation and inhibition. Disclosure No

Labiaplasty improves women's genital self-image, sexual function, and mental well-being, while enhancing male partners' sexual satisfaction and overall couple sexual harmony. This study aims to evaluate the effects of labiaplasty on women's genital self-perception, sexual function, psychological state and sexual satisfaction levels of male partners in women with physical and functional complaints about labium minus. 97 women and their partners who underwent labiaplasty between January 2021 and June 2024 were included in the study. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Quality of Sexual Experience Scale (QSES), Female Genial Self-Image Scale (FSGIS), Sexual Quality of Life - Female (SQoL-F) questionnaires were applied to women before and after labiaplasty. Male Sexual Health Questionnaire-Ejaculatory Dysfunction (MSHQ-Ejd), Golombok-Rust Sexual Satisfaction Scale (GRISS), New Sexual Satisfaction Scales (NSSS) were applied to male partners. Preoperative and postoperative data were compared with participants who were one year postoperatively. In female participants, significant improvements were found in genital self-perception, sexual function, sexual pleasure, lubrication, orgasm and overall quality of sexual life, and a statistically significant decrease in depression scores was observed. In male partners, ejaculatory function remained constant, but positive changes were found in general sexual satisfaction, impotence, premature ejaculation and satisfaction levels. Labiaplasty operation provides significant gains not only in terms of aesthetics but also psychological and sexual well-being in women, and indirectly positively affects the quality of sexual life of male partners. It is thought that surgical intervention can increase sexual harmony in couple relationship as well as individual satisfaction.

Self-objectification, body self-consciousness during sexual activities, and sexual satisfaction in college women

Achieving healthy and satisfying sexual relationships is a major developmental task in adolescence, but factors promoting sexual satisfaction among adolescent romantic relationships remain underexplored. Since sexuality is shaped by relational experiences, strategies mobilized to negotiate conflicts in romantic relationships could be related to sexual satisfaction through comfort in negotiating sexual experiences. Sexual comfort refers to the ease of discussing sexuality, and feeling comfortable with one’s own sexual life and with others’ sexual behaviors. This cross-sectional dyadic study examined the mediating role of sexual comfort in the associations between perceived conflict negotiation strategies and sexual satisfaction among adolescent romantic dyads. The actor-partner interdependence model guided the analyses of self-reported questionnaires from 104 mixed- and same-sex dyads (Mage = 18.99 years, SD = 1.51). An adolescent’s higher compromise and lower submission were related to their own higher sexual satisfaction via their own higher sexual comfort. The results also revealed a direct association between an adolescent’s higher domination and their own lower sexual satisfaction. These findings underscore the importance of considering conflict negotiation strategies and sexual comfort as key factors related to adolescents’ sexual satisfaction.

This study differentiates between general sexual desire and partner-specific sexual desire by examining their distinct relationships with relationship well-being. We analyzed two-wave longitudinal data from South Korean individuals in relationships transitioning to marriage (Time 1: N = 1,058 individuals; Time 2: N = 655 individuals assessed approximately 1.5 years later, postmarriage), including 501 and 289 complete dyads, respectively. Cross-sectional analyses revealed that general sexual desire was negatively associated with relationship well-being at both time points, whereas partner-specific sexual desire showed positive concurrent associations with relationship well-being across waves. In contrast, two-wave longitudinal analyses provided limited evidence that sexual desire predicted changes in relationship or sexual satisfaction over time through alternative monitoring across the 1.5-year interval. These findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between general and partner-specific sexual desires to understand their respective roles in romantic relationships.

Few studies have prospectively assessed the impact of breast cancer (BC) on women's sexual lives. Therefore, this study examines the determinants of quality of sexual life (QOSL), sexual functioning (SF), and sexual enjoyment (SE) at 6 and 12 months after surgical treatment. All participants completed a measure of QOSL (The World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument-100 (WHOQOL-100)-facet Sexual Activity) before diagnosis (Time-1), and 1 (Time-2), 3 (Time-3), 6 (Time-4) and 12 months (Time-5) after surgical treatment. At Time-1, women also completed questionnaires on personality (The State Trait Anxiety Inventory-trait, NEO-FFI), body image and self-esteem (WHOQOL-100), depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale), and fatigue (Fatigue Assessment Scale). Furthermore, SF and SE (The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Breast Cancer module) were measured from Time-2 onwards. At baseline, the analysis included 223 women with early stage BC. Clinical factors did not predict QOSL, SF or SE. In the final analyses, trait anxiety predicted QOSL and SF at Time-4 (p's<0.01). At Time-5, agreeableness predicted QOSL and SE (p's<0.05). Having a partner and age predicted SF, while SE was predicted by educational level (Time-4). In addition, fatigue predicted SE at Time-4 (p<0.05). In general, QOSL diminished across time, while SF improved. However, women with a mastectomy did not differ from women with breast conserving therapy. Mainly personality and psychological factors affect patients' sexuality after surgical treatment. Clinical factors did not predict QOSL, SF or SE. More knowledge in this field will help professionals to identify women who are at risk of experiencing sexual problems and consequently will contribute to provide adequate support.

Little attention has been paid to distress in sexual functioning or the sexual satisfaction of people who practice BDSM (Bondage and Discipline, Domination and Submission, Sadism and Masochism). The purpose of this study was to describe sociodemographic characteristics and BDSM practices and compare BDSM practitioners' sexual outcomes (in BDSM and non-BDSM contexts). A convenience sample of 68 respondents completed an online survey that used a participatory research framework. Cronbach's alpha and average inter-item correlations assessed scale reliability, and the Wilcoxon paired samples test compared the total scores between BDSM and non-BDSM contexts separately for men and women. Open-ended questions about BDSM sexual practices were coded using a preexisting thematic tree. We used self-reported demographic factors, including age at the onset of BDSM interest, age at first BDSM experience, and favorite and most frequent BDSM practices. The Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction measured the amount of sexual distress, including low desire, arousal, maintaining arousal, premature orgasm, and anorgasmia. The participants had an average age of 33.15 years old and were highly educated and waited 6 years after becoming interested in BDSM to act on their interests. The practices in which the participants most frequently engaged did not coincide with the practices in which they were most interested and were overwhelmingly conducted at home. Comparisons between genders in terms of distress in sexual functioning in BDSM and non-BDSM contexts demonstrate that, with the exception of maintaining arousal, we found distress in sexual functioning to be statistically the same in BDSM and non-BDSM contexts for women. For men, we found that distress in sexual functioning, with the exception of premature orgasm and anorgasmia, was statistically significantly lower in the BDSM context. There were no differences in sexual satisfaction between BDSM and non-BDSM contexts for men or women. Our findings suggest that BDSM sexual activity should be addressed in clinical settings that account for BDSM identities, practices, relationships, preferences, sexual satisfaction, and distress in sexual function for men and women. Additional research needs are identified, such as the need to define distressful sexual functioning experiences and expand our understanding of the development of BDSM sexual identities.

We present the results of a study designed to empirically test predictions derived from two hypotheses regarding human female orgasm behavior as an evolved communicative trait or signal. One hypothesis tested was the female fidelity hypothesis, which posits that human female orgasm signals a woman's sexual satisfaction and therefore her likelihood of future fidelity to a partner. The other was sire choice hypothesis, which posits that women's orgasm behavior signals increased chances of fertilization. To test the two hypotheses of human female orgasm, we administered a questionnaire to 138 females and 121 males who reported that they were currently in a romantic relationship. Key predictions of the female fidelity hypothesis were not supported. In particular, orgasm was not associated with female sexual fidelity nor was orgasm associated with male perceptions of partner sexual fidelity. However, faked orgasm was associated with female sexual infidelity and lower male relationship satisfaction. Overall, results were in greater support of the sire choice signaling hypothesis than the female fidelity hypothesis. Results also suggest that male satisfaction with, investment in, and sexual fidelity to a mate are benefits that favored the selection of orgasmic signaling in ancestral females.

It is important to understand how people experience pleasure and sexual satisfaction with a partner, as these phenomena can impact how they view their relationships, themselves, as well as the role of sexual activities within relationships. Three hundred and four undergraduates at East Carolina University and California State University Chico who reported having at least one sexual experience with a partner completed a 45 item survey assessing social correlates of sexual pleasure and sexual satisfaction. Analysis revealed that those in a committed relationship reported the highest sexual pleasure (on average), followed by those in an emotionally-involved relationship, followed by those in a hookup. A parallel analysis for sexual satisfaction revealed the same associations. Regarding the length of relationship, being in a relationship for at least six weeks appeared to matter for pleasure and satisfaction, but being in a relationship longer than six months did not indicate greater advantages than those in a relationship between six weeks and six months. Limitations of the research are identified.