Orgasm Equality: Scientific Findings and Societal Implications

Mahar, Elizabeth A.; Mintz, Laurie B.; Akers, Brianna M.

doi:10.1007/s11930-020-00237-9

Cited by 89 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Being younger, living alone, and feeling stressed and lonely were linked to trying new things Li et al [ 45 ] China Quantitative March 13–March 15, 2020 189 women 270 men [ 18 – 27 , 29 – 46 ] Ad hoc questionnaire 30% of women reported a decrease in the number of sexual partners, 37% reported a decrease in sexual frequency, and 39% reported decreases in sexual satisfaction. Multiple regression analysis showed that age, partner relationship, and sexual desire were closely related to sexual frequency Li et al [ 40 ] China Quantitative May 1 – May 5, 2020 426 women 541 men 26.6 ± 4.86; [ 16 – 27 , 29 – 36 ] Ad hoc questionnaire 22% of participants reported a decrease in sexual desire, 41% experienced a decrease in the sexual intercourse frequency, and 30% reported an increase in the frequency of masturbation. 31% reported a deterioration in partner relationships during the pandemic Lorentz [ 53 ] Brazil Quantitative, longitudinal November 2019–March 2020 50 women Mdn = 25; [ 23 – 26 , 29 – 34 ] FSFI [ 26 ] There were no changes in the FSFI scores at the three evaluated times were reported, but depressive symptoms increased across times Luetke et al [ 60 ] USA Quantitative April 10–April 20, 2020 381 women 365 men [ 18 – 94 ] Ad hoc questionnaire Among individuals in relationships, 34% reported some degree of conflict with their romantic partners.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4.3% of these tried to get pregnant Mirzae et al [ 52 ] Iran Quantitative May–June 2020 200 pregnant women, 203 lactating women, 201 non-pregnant/non-lactating women 20.81 ± 5.92 FSFI [ 26 ] Pregnant and lactating women presented higher sexual dysfunction and lower quality of life scores Mollaioli et al [ 43 ] Italy Quantitative April 7–May 4, 2020 4177 women 2644 men 32.83 ± 11.24; [18+ FSFI [ 26 ] IIEF [ 77 ] Orgasmometer [ 94 ] 50.3% of participants reported an interruption of sexual activity during lockdown. Logistic regression models showed that lack of sexual activity during lockdown was associated with higher risk of developing anxiety and depression Omar et al [ 34 ] Egypt Quantitative March 30–June 27, 2020 479 women 217 men [ 16 – 75 ] FSFI [ 26 ] IIEF [ 77 ] Index of Sexual Satisfaction [ 95 ] Overall, sexual satisfaction was higher before lockdown. During lockdown, men were more satisfied than women.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because sexual wellness may be considered nonessential, sexual medicine services might be reduced along with maternal and reproduction health services, affecting women disproportionately [ 12 , 13 ]. In addition, pre-existing inequalities affecting homelife, work [ 14 , 15 ], and sexual pleasure [ 16 , 17 ], as well as higher vulnerability to affective disorders [ 18 – 20 ], and to sexual dysfunction [ 21 , 22 ], could be contributing to decreased sexual health among women during this period. Notably, sexual problems manifest in the context of overlapping systems of oppression that besides gender also intersect with aspects such as race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status [ 23 ].…”

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confidence: 99%

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Women’s Sexual Health During the Pandemic of COVID-19: Declines in Sexual Function and Sexual Pleasure

Oliveira

Carvalho

2021

Curr Sex Health Rep

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Purpose of the Review The World Health Association declared COVID-19 a pandemic more than 1 year ago. We conducted a systematic review of the literature on the topic of women’s sexual health during the pandemic, with a focus on sexual function and sexual pleasure. Our aim is to describe current findings and to discuss implications for women’s sexual health during this period. Recent Findings Thirty-four articles, from 18 countries, were identified. These studies addressed topics ranging from individual aspects, such as cognitive, emotional, and personality factors affecting sexuality during the pandemic, to contextual factors, including relationship, childrearing, and employment status in this period. Summary Research identified a deterioration of women’s sexual function across countries, with an emphasis on sexual desire. Most studies found decreases in the frequency of sexual intercourse during the pandemic and increases in solitary sexual behavior. Many women also experienced declines in sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction. Findings suggested that gender inequalities contributed to lower indices of sexual function and satisfaction, and might have exacerbated the pleasure gap between men and women.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Women’s Sexual Health During the Pandemic of COVID-19: Declines in Sexual Function and Sexual Pleasure

Oliveira

Carvalho

2021

Curr Sex Health Rep

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“…Also, valuations are found in the language we use, so that clitoral stimulation is often seen as foreplay. The term foreplay gives clitoral stimulation a minor role and implies that there is something else that is actually more important (Mahar et al, 2020). Additionally, the female orgasm achieved solely through penetration may be perceived as particularly important to protect the partner's feelings of masculinity and his ego (Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010).…”

Section: Vaginal Penetrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of Types of Stimulation and Attitudes to Clitoral Self-stimulation on Female Sexual and Orgasm Satisfaction: a Cross-sectional Study

et al. 2021

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Introduction Societal assumptions and individual myths that define vaginal penetration as normal sexuality can affect the sexual pleasure of varied sexual activities. Although women orgasm much more easily through direct clitoral stimulation than through vaginal intercourse, many couples desire the latter. The purpose of this study is to investigate how orgasms from different types of stimulation with a partner affect sexual satisfaction and orgasm satisfaction in cisgender women. Also, the attitude of women to stimulate their clitoris themselves to reach orgasm during sex with their partner will be included. Methods Two independent surveys (N = 388 and N = 555) were conducted online in 2016 and 2020. Results Regression analyses showed that orgasm consistency through sexual intercourse had a stronger influence on orgasm satisfaction and sexual satisfaction than orgasm consistency through oral sex, stimulation by the partner’s hand, or self-stimulation. Positive thoughts and feelings about self-stimulation of the clitoris during sex with the partner showed only little effect, but in some cases, they were even negatively related to the reported satisfaction. Conclusions The results indicate that the common misconception about sexuality, that it is normal for women to experience orgasms during penile-vaginal intercourse, influences the subjective evaluation of one’s own sexuality. Orgasms from clitoral stimulation seem to have a second-class quality for some women, although there is no evidence that these orgasms feel like less pleasureable. Policy Implication Rigid assumptions about what normal sexuality should look like should be publicly addressed and discussed in sex education classes.

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“…Personal satisfaction with partnered sexual activity—the focus of the current study—includes various components, such as sexual sensations, feelings of presence, connections with partners, and types of sexual behaviors (Meston & Trapnell, 2005; Štulhofer et al, 2010). However, women frequently report experiencing less sexual satisfaction than men (Mahar et al, 2020; McClelland, 2010). Thus, it is essential to understand factors that enhance or impede women’s sexual satisfaction.…”

Section: Negative Body Attitudes and Partnered Sexual Satisfactionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Young Women’s Body Attitudes and Sexual Satisfaction: Examining Dehumanization and Communication as Serial Multiple Mediators

Holland

Silver

Cipriano

et al. 2021

Psychology of Women Quarterly

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Women’s bodies are frequent sites of stigmatization. The internalization of negative attitudes toward the body can have negative implications for women’s sexual wellbeing. In the current study, we examined the relationships between young women’s internalization of body stigma—including body shape, genitals, and menstrual periods—and sexual satisfaction. Additionally, we tested two mechanisms that may mediate the relationship between body attitudes and sexual satisfaction: dehumanization (i.e., feelings of a loss of autonomy and subjectivity) and communication with a sexual partner (e.g., expressing needs and desires). We collected and analyzed survey data from 569 undergraduate women. We tested serial mediation models, such that more negative body attitudes would predict greater feelings of dehumanization, and more dehumanization would predict less comfort communicating with a sexual partner, and less comfort communicating would then predict decreased sexual satisfaction. We found support for serial mediation, which suggests that the links between body attitudes and sexual satisfaction may be partially explained by feelings of dehumanization and communication with a sexual partner. Our findings identify opportunities for intervention in practice and policy, and further clarify the ways that sociocultural stigma surrounding women’s bodies extends beyond the body—affecting women’s feelings of power, relationships, and sexual lives.

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Orgasm Equality: Scientific Findings and Societal Implications

Cited by 89 publications

References 51 publications

Women’s Sexual Health During the Pandemic of COVID-19: Declines in Sexual Function and Sexual Pleasure

Women’s Sexual Health During the Pandemic of COVID-19: Declines in Sexual Function and Sexual Pleasure

The Influence of Types of Stimulation and Attitudes to Clitoral Self-stimulation on Female Sexual and Orgasm Satisfaction: a Cross-sectional Study

Young Women’s Body Attitudes and Sexual Satisfaction: Examining Dehumanization and Communication as Serial Multiple Mediators

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