Abstract: Background One-third of the world's men are circumcised, but little is known about possible sexual consequences of male circumcision. In Denmark (~5% circumcised), we examined associations of male circumcision with a range of sexual measures in both sexes. Methods Participants in a national health survey (n = 5552) provided information about their own (men) or their spouse's (women) circumcision status and details about their sex lives. Logistic regression-derived odds ratios (ORs) measured associations of circumcision status with sexual experiences and current difficulties with sexual desire, sexual needs fulfilment and sexual functioning. Results Age at first intercourse, perceived importance of a good sex life and current sexual activity differed little between circumcised and uncircumcised men or between women with circumcised and uncircumcised spouses. However, circumcised men reported more partners and were more likely to report frequent orgasm difficulties after adjustment for potential confounding factors [11 vs 4%, OR(adj) = 3.26; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42-7.47], and women with circumcised spouses more often reported incomplete sexual needs fulfilment (38 vs 28%, OR(adj) = 2.09; 95% CI 1.05-4.16) and frequent sexual function difficulties overall (31 vs 22%, OR(adj) = 3.26; 95% CI 1.15-9.27), notably orgasm difficulties (19 vs 14%, OR(adj) = 2.66; 95% CI 1.07-6.66) and dyspareunia (12 vs 3%, OR(adj) = 8.45; 95% CI 3.01-23.74). Findings were stable in several robustness analyses, including one restricted to non-Jews and non-Moslems. Conclusions Circumcision was associated with frequent orgasm difficulties in Danish men and with a range of frequent sexual difficulties in women, notably orgasm difficulties, dyspareunia and a sense of incomplete sexual needs fulfilment. Thorough examination of these matters in areas where male circumcision is more common is warranted.

Abstract: Cross-sectional, mail-back questionnaire study. To describe women's experiences of sexual functioning and sex life after spinal cord injury (SCI). Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. All community-living SCI women treated at spinal cord centres in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland meeting inclusion criteria (n=963) were mailed the study-specific SCI Women Questionnaire. Out of the 532 respondents, 392 reported having had sex after injury and were thus included in the study. The included women had a mean age of 42 years (range 18–68) and a mean time since injury of 11 years (range 2–54). The SCI women reported that the injury caused many changes in their sex life and affected many aspects of their sexuality negatively. Some changes were of a physical nature (for example, decreased, lost, or changed sensation; difficulties to achieve orgasm; bladder or bowel problems; and difficulties to move and position oneself) whereas other changes were of a psychological nature (for example, feeling unattractive or less attractive, having less self-confidence, and difficulties to meet or find a partner). Successful SCI rehabilitation requires a holistic approach, taking into account the patient's physical, psychological, and interpersonal circumstances. Given that many women with SCI remain sexually active but often experience less satisfaction after injury, it is important that rehabilitation efforts address this aspect of the patient's life. Our results elucidating strategies applied by women with SCI to compensate for loss of genital sensation and cope with physiological impairment during sexual activity may serve to help professionals in developing rehabilitation programmes for women with SCI.

Abstract: Sexual dysfunction is a common, but frequently overlooked, problem in postmenopausal women. At menopause, dramatic decreases in circulating estrogen concentrations cause physiologic changes that may affect sexual function, most notably the development of vulvovaginal atrophy. Vulvovaginal atrophy often leads to vaginal dryness, itching, irritation, reduced lubrication, dyspareunia, and vaginal bleeding associated with sexual activity. Estrogen deficiency also can affect other aspects of sexual function, including reduced vaginal blood flow and a reduced capacity for arousal and orgasm. As estrogen loss is a significant cause of sexual dysfunction in menopausal women, estrogen therapy is a logical treatment option in this population. Although both systemic and local estrogen therapy improve vaginal health and sexual functioning, local vaginal therapy with estrogen creams, rings, or tablets may be more appropriate for women without other indications for systemic estrogen therapy. These therapies ar...

Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, Intensive Therapy (PLISSIT) model sexual program on female sexual function for women with gynecologic cancer. Methods: The integrative 6-hr (two hours per session) program reflecting physical and psychosocial aspects of women’s sexuality was developed based on Annon’s PLISSIT model. Participants were 61 women with cervical, ovarian, or endometrial cancer. Of them, 29 were assigned to the experimental group and 32 to the control group. The women completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) including sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. Independent t-test and repeated measured ANOVA were used to test the effectiveness of the program. Results: Significant group differences were found on FSFI sub-domain scores including sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction but not pain. Significant time differences were found on all domains except for pain in the experimental group repeated measured ANOVA. Conclusion: The results indicate that the three-week PLISSIT model sexual program is effective in increasing sexual function for women with gynecologic cancer. Nurses may contribute to improving women’s sexual function by utilizing the program. Strategies to relieve sexual pain need to be considered for greater effectiveness of the program.

Abstract: We analyzed the facial behavior of 100 volunteers who video-recorded their own expressions while experiencing an episode of sexual excitement that concluded in an orgasm, and then posted their video clip on an Internet site. Four distinct observational periods from the video clips were analyzed and coded by FACS (Facial Action Coding System, Ekman and Friesen 1978). We found nine combinations of muscular movements produced by at least 5% of the senders. These combinations were consistent with facial expressions of sexual excitement described by Masters and Johnson (Human sexual response, 1966), and they included the four muscular movements of the core expression of pain (Prkachin, Pain, 51, 297–306, 1992).

Abstract: The current studies were conducted in order to investigate the phenomenon of copulatory vocalizations and their relationship to orgasm in women. Data were collected from 71 sexually active heterosexual women (M age = 21.68 years ± .52) recruited from the local community through opportunity sampling. The studies revealed that orgasm was most frequently reported by women following self-manipulation of the clitoris, manipulation by the partner, oral sex delivered to the woman by a man, and least frequently during vaginal penetration. More detailed examination of responses during intercourse revealed that, while female orgasms were most commonly experienced during foreplay, copulatory vocalizations were reported to be made most often before and simultaneously with male ejaculation. These data together clearly demonstrate a dissociation of the timing of women experiencing orgasm and making copulatory vocalizations and indicate that there is at least an element of these responses that are under conscious control, providing women with an opportunity to manipulate male behavior to their advantage.

Abstract: The review critically examines two functional claims involving the human female orgasm. The first is that it is involved in the transport of spermatozoa by its release of oxytocin to create uterine contractions that suck up more semen at a faster rate. There is no physiological evidence for this scenario and the published experimental studies with oxytocin do not mimic the conditions of natural coitus. There is no evidence that orgasm has a role to play in reproductive fitness. The second claim is that as penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI) and its induced orgasm is the only sexual arousal that involves possible reproduction, evolution has rewarded it, and not clitorally-induced arousal (which it punishes), with highly specific health rewards. Apparently these cannot be generated by clitoral stimulation, moreover, its employment previous to and even at the same time as PVI negates these health advantages. The studies rely not only on women's retrospective self-reports of the genital structures creating their...

Abstract: Orgasm is assumed to be the height of sexual pleasure, reinforcing the recurrence of sexual behaviors. Surprisingly, data supporting the role of orgasm as a reward in women appear lacking. The most likely psychological function of orgasm in women, consistent with the very limited empirical information, is as a secondary reinforcer. In other words, sexual arousal is the primary reward for sexual behavior in women and orgasm associates sexual arousal with the partner. Data from a small (n = 38 women) pilot are presented to highlight the challenges of studying female orgasm. Challenges include differentiating vaginally- or clitorally-generated orgasms by self-report and the large proportion of women who are unsure if they experience orgasms. Finally, the recent spate of publications purporting to show differences in penile-vaginal intercourse induced orgasms is critiqued in light of the information reviewed.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify associations between incomplete condom use (not using condoms from start to finish of sex) and sexual arousal variables. A convenience sample of heterosexual men (n = 761) completed a web-based questionnaire. Men who scored higher on sexual arousability were more likely to put a condom on after sex had begun (AOR = 1.58). Men who reported difficulty reaching orgasm were more likely to report removing condoms before sex was over (AOR = 2.08). These findings suggest that sexual arousal may be an important, and under-studied, factor associated with incomplete use of condoms.

Abstract: The anatomy of the clitoris is described in human anatomy textbooks. Some researchers have proposal and divulged a new anatomical terminology for the clitoris. This paper is a revision of the anatomical terms proposed by Helen O'Connell, Emmanuele Jannini, and Odile Buisson. Gynecologists, sexual medicine experts, and sexologists should spread certainties for all women, not hypotheses or personal opinions, they should use scientific terminology: clitoral/vaginal/uterine orgasm, G/A/C/U spot orgasm, and female ejaculation, are terms that should not be used by sexologists, women, and mass media. Clitoral bulbs, clitoral or clitoris-urethrovaginal complex, urethrovaginal space, periurethral glans, Halban's fascia erogenous zone, vaginal anterior fornix erogenous zone, genitosensory component of the vagus nerve, and G-spot, are terms used by some sexologists, but they are not accepted or shared by experts in human anatomy. Sexologists should define have sex, make love, the situation in which the orgasm happens in both partners with or without a vaginal intercourse.

Abstract: Title: Sexual Functioning, Sexual Satisfaction, and Subjective and Psycho- logical Well-being in Spanish Women. Abstract: The current study investigated the association between sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction and psychological well-being in a sample of Spanish women. The participants were 157 female university students who completed questionnaires regarding their sexuality. Independent variables were various dimensions of sexual functioning, including orgasm likelih- ood, sexual assertiveness, physical and sexual attractiveness, sexual anxiety, sexual motivation, sexual esteem, and cognitive distraction during sex. The results indicated that sexual assertiveness, sexual anxiety, and sexual moti- vation were strong predictors of sexual satisfaction. It was also found that the main factors related to psychological well-being were sexual satisfac- tion and physical and sexual attractiveness. The findings show the va- riables most strongly associated with sexual satisfaction and highlight the role of sexual satisfaction and sense of attractiveness in psychological well- being of women. Results are discussed with regard to directions for future research.

Abstract: Neurodermatitis is a chronic disease affecting the patient's psychosocial status and quality of life. It is associated with a variety of psychologic problems, including demoralization, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and sleep disturbances. Coexistence of sexual dysfunction, especially in women, with several systemic diseases has gained interest in recent years. In this study, we evaluated sexual function in female patients with neurodermatitis. We enrolled 89 women (43 patients, 46 controls) in the study. Quality of life was assessed with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to determine sexual function. Individuals with psychiatric disorders and/or those using antidepressants were excluded. The total DLQI score was 11.95 ± 5.65 in patients with neurodermatitis. The total FSFI score was significantly lower in patients compared with healthy controls (22.76 ± 5.31 and 28.83 ± 3.50, respectively; P = .001). Domain scores of FSFI (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction) except pain were significantly lower in patients with neurodermatitis (P = .001). The pain score was also lower in patients than controls, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = .073). Neurodermatitis may be associated with sexual dysfunction, and patients with neurodermatitis should be evaluated with regard to sexual function to provide a better quality of life.