Sexual Pleasure Matters – and How to Define and Assess It too. A Conceptual Framework of Sexual Pleasure and the Sexual Response.

Abstract

Sexual pleasure is central to current understandings of sexual function, health, and wellbeing. In this article, we suggest that we lack a sufficiently specific, yet encompassing, definition of sexual pleasure and that we therefore lack comprehensive assessments of sexual pleasure. We introduce a definition of sexual pleasure and position it centrally in an adapted framework of the sexual response. In the framework, we include a taxonomy of rewards which can be retrieved from sex and thereby aim to capture the multifaceted nature of sexual pleasure. We arrive at the definition, framework, and taxonomy by integrating theories of sexual motivation and response with the literature on sexual pleasure and basic rewards. We position this literature within theories of affect and personality which allows us to differentiate between the experience of and the tendency to experience sexual pleasure (i.e., state versus trait sexual pleasure). We shortly discuss how this conceptualization of sexual pleasure could be reflected in self-report assessments to quantitatively assess sexual pleasure. The framework may aid to focus on the role of the diverse facets of sexual pleasure in sexual function, health, and wellbeing and contribute to giving sexual pleasure the center position it deserves in sex research and therapy. [The four manuscript versions have been (re)submitted on July 15 2021, March 19 2022, August 19 2022, and January 3 2023 respectively. The fourth version is currently under review.]

Effectiveness of an Unguided Online Intervention (PleaSure) for Sexual Pleasure in Women: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

“…We chose this measurement instrument because it is the first questionnaire that tries to capture sexual pleasure holistically by covering the proposed facets of the theoretical framework for sexual pleasure (Werner et al, 2023). Previous questionnaires capture sexual pleasure rather unidimensionally, focusing on either sensory pleasure (Jozkowski et al, 2016;Vigil et al, 2021) or pleasure during intercourse (Pascoal et al, 2016).…”

“…Sexual pleasure can be defined as "physical and/or psychological satisfaction and enjoyment derived from solitary or shared erotic experiences, including thoughts, dreams and autoeroticism" (Global Advisory Board for Sexual Health and Wellbeing, 2016), and it constitutes one of the main reasons for engaging in sexual situations and becoming sexually active (Abramson & Pinkerton, 2002;Hull, 2008;Meston & Buss, 2007;Van Lunsen et al, 2013). Sexual pleasure describes the positive feeling that occurs when rewards are expected, attained, and enjoyed during sexual activities (Werner et al, 2023). Because the rewards achieved through sexual activity can be diverse, sexual pleasure is seen as a multidimensional construct (Goldey et al, 2016) and can be divided into three domains: hedonic, intrapersonal, and interpersonal.…”

“…These domains in turn comprise facets: sensual pleasure in the hedonic domain, pleasure-related mastery and validation in the intrapersonal, and interaction and bonding pleasure in the interpersonal. Each facet is related to a possible reward that can be derived from sexual activity (Werner et al, 2023).…”

Analyzing (pluri)sexual satisfaction and pleasure: A 38-year content analysis.

“…These expectations are situated within sociopolitical contexts, such as heterosexual patriarchy, which influence the extent to which an individual believes that they deserve and should expect positive sexual outcomes. With this being said, when conceptualizing whether a sexual experience or relationship is satisfying, there is a direct appraisal between what has occurred sexually and what they expected to occur (Werner et al, 2023). On the other hand, it is possible that sexual pleasure could be conceptualized as the subjective enjoyment resulting from anticipating or experiencing sexually rewarding stimuli.…”

Sexual Pleasure Matters – and How to Define and Assess It Too. A Conceptual Framework of Sexual Pleasure and the Sexual Response

“…In an exploratory study, Werner et al. ( in preparation ) factor-analyzed and summarized a broad list of items referring to different rewarding aspects of sexual activity into domains referring to pleasure retrieved from arousal, pleasure retrieved from being intimate and connecting with sexual partners, pleasure retrieved from pleasuring sexual partners, and feeling competent and confident about oneself and one’s body. Additional studies referred to in Table 1 pointed to feeling connected and experiencing ease and flow as rewarding aspects of sexual activity.…”