Clinical use and implications of sexual devices and sexually explicit media

Pleasurable and problematic receptive anal intercourse and diseases of the colon, rectum and anus

The ability to experience pleasurable sexual activity is important for human health. Receptive anal intercourse (RAI) is a common, though frequently stigmatized, pleasurable sexual activity. Little is known about how diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus and their treatments affect RAI. Engaging in RAI with gastrointestinal disease can be difficult due to the unpredictability of symptoms and treatment-related toxic effects. Patients might experience sphincter hypertonicity, gastrointestinal symptom-specific anxiety, altered pelvic blood flow from structural disorders, decreased sensation from cancer-directed therapies or body image issues from stoma creation. These can result in problematic RAI - encompassing anodyspareunia (painful RAI), arousal dysfunction, orgasm dysfunction and decreased sexual desire. Therapeutic strategies for problematic RAI in patients living with gastrointestinal diseases and/or treatment-related dysfunction include pelvic floor muscle strengthening and stretching, psychological interventions, and restorative devices. Providing health-care professionals with a framework to discuss pleasurable RAI and diagnose problematic RAI can help improve patient outcomes. Normalizing RAI, affirming pleasure from RAI and acknowledging that the gastrointestinal system is involved in sexual pleasure, sexual function and sexual health will help transform the scientific paradigm of sexual health to one that is more just and equitable.

Role of sexuality in women with chronic pain: Results from an Italian cross-sectional study on chronic headache, fibromyalgia, and vulvodynia

Background/objectives

To compare sexual functioning, genital pain, and satisfaction among women diagnosed with various Chronic pain (CP) conditions. Additionally, it seeks to explore the role of sexual factors in predicting levels of central sensitization (indicative of CP-related mental and physical distress), physical, and mental quality of life (QoL) for each condition individually.

Methods

From April 2023 to January 2024, 1006 women categorized into five groups (Chronic Headache - CH; Fibromyalgia - FM, Vulvodynia - VU, Comorbidity group - CO, and Healthy Controls - HC) completed an online protocol.

Results

All groups reported sexual impairment: VU group exhibited the highest genital pain prevalence (97.93 %), followed by CO (74.29 %) and FM (55.91 %). ANCOVAs indicated lower sexual functioning scores for FM, VU, and CO compared to HC and CH. VU and CO reported lower satisfaction scores than other groups. Genital pain emerged as the primary predictor of central sensitization across all groups except controls. Regarding mental QoL, sexual satisfaction was significant for CH and CO, while genital pain and sexual satisfaction were significant for VU.

Conclusion

This study emphasizes the importance of integrating genito-pelvic pain assessment and addressing related sexual difficulties in CP diagnostics and care to enhance overall well-being and QoL.

Do Sex Toys Make Me Satisfied? The Use of Sex Toys in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, France, and the UK

Sex toys are easily accessible in many countries in the Western world. Yet, cross-country studies on sex toy ownership and use and their association with relationship, sexual, and life satisfaction are rare. Using a cross-country convenience sample of 11,944 respondents from six European countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, France, UK), we investigated the rate and factors linked to sex toy ownership and use and their associations with sexual, relationship, and life satisfaction. Data were collected in May and June 2022 through respondent panels by Cint, a market research software platform. Participants received an e-mail invitation for the study and completed an online self-report survey. We found that more than half of respondents owned or had owned a sex toy, with the most common sex toys owned being dildos and vibrators, followed by handcuffs, penis rings, and anal sex toys. Across countries, the majority of sex toy owners reporting using these either alone or with a steady partner (55-65%) and a minority with casual partners (10-15%). Controlling for socio-demographics, parental status, sexual orientation, number of sex partners, and relationship status and length, we found that sex toy ownership and use were significantly associated with higher sexual and life satisfaction, while higher relationship satisfaction was only significantly associated with currently owning a sex toy (but not number of sex toys) and frequency of use with a partner (but not alone). Across results, we generally found little cross-country variation.

Fantasy Sexual Material Use by People with Attractions to Children

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

With the Internet allowing consumers easy access to fantasy and fictional sexual materials (FSM), it is becoming increasingly important to understand the context of their use among specific populations. Of particular, social, clinical, and legal interest is FSM use by people who are attracted to children and whether this may have a risk-enhancing or protective impact on their likelihood of committing a contact or non-contact sexual offence.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is a lack of data currently available in relation to the use of FSM by those with sexual attractions to children. Evidence from allied areas appears to show no meaningful associations between FSM use and sexual aggression. We propose a novel research program and some initial research questions that provide a theoretical framework for more evidence-based inquiry on FSM use by people who experience attractions to children.

Sexual health and treatment-related sexual dysfunction in sexual and gender minorities with prostate cancer

Prostate cancer treatment has substantial effects on sexual health and function. Sexual function is a vital aspect of human health and a critical component of cancer survivorship, and understanding the potential effects of different treatment modalities on sexual health is crucial. Existing research has extensively described the effects of treatment on male erectile tissues necessary for heterosexual intercourse; however, evidence regarding their effects on sexual health and function in sexual and gender minority populations is minimal. These groups include sexual minority - gay and bisexual - men, and transgender women or trans feminine people in general. Such unique effects in these groups might include altered sexual function in relation to receptive anal and neovaginal intercourse and changes to patients' role-in-sex. Sexual dysfunctions following prostate cancer treatment affecting quality of life in sexual minority men include climacturia, anejaculation, decreased penile length, erectile dysfunction, and problematic receptive anal intercourse, including anodyspareunia and altered pleasurable sensation. Notably, clinical trials investigating sexual outcomes after prostate cancer treatment do not collect sexual orientation and gender identity demographic data or outcomes specific to members of these populations, which perpetuates the uncertainty regarding optimal management. Providing clinicians with a solid evidence base is essential to communicate recommendations and tailor interventions for sexual and gender minority patients with prostate cancer.

The Self-Reported Sexual Real-World Consequences of Sex Doll Use

It is a growing concern that the use of sex dolls and robots could affect human sexuality. This concern has led to a ban of child-like sex dolls in several countries and a call to ban adult-like sex dolls and robots by some scholars. However, empirical data is largely missing supporting this claim. Here, we present retrospective self-reported quantitative and qualitative data of a large sample (N = 224, 90.5% men, Mean age = 31 years, SD = 14.2) of teleiophilic (i.e., sexual orientation toward adults) and pedo-hebephilic participants. Using an online survey, we found that users reported an overall reduction in sexuality-related behaviors (e.g., porn consumption or visiting of sex workers) in response to doll ownership. Users in a relationship with a human were less affected by doll use, while those in a relationship with a doll reported greater effects. Interestingly, pedo-hebephilic users reported a greater reduction of sexual compulsivity compared to teleiophilic participants following doll use. Additionally, pedo-hebephilic participants more often reported acting out of illegal sexual fantasies with their dolls and a loss of interest in (sexual) intimacy with real children through doll use in the qualitative data. These self-reported data challenge the view that doll use is dangerously affecting human sexuality and instead suggest that dolls may be used as a sexual outlet for potentially dangerous and illegal (sexual) fantasies.

Hybrid high- and low-molecular weight chains of hyaluronan is an effective modality treatment for increasing female sexual satisfaction: An interventional, randomized-control parallel study

Background and Aims

Psychological, behavioral, hormonal, surgical, and psychopharmacologic approaches are the only acknowledged treatments for Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD). The study is conducted to assess the efficacy of hybrid cooperative complexes of high and low molecular weight hyaluronan (hybrid H-HA/L-HA) in treating females with varying of sexual dysfunction and to assess the female genital self-image scale (FGSIS), female sexual function index (FSFI), and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) before and after treatment.

Methods

Sixty female patients were divided into two groups. The study group enrolled 30 female patients injected with hybrid H-HA/L-HA, while the control group enrolled 30 female patients injected with saline. Patients were recruited from the clinic searching for medical advice. Controls were selected from close associates of the cases who were attending with the patients or healthy escorts of dermatology patients attending the dermatology outpatient clinic. We assessed socio-demographic, clinical evaluation, the (FGSIS), (FSFI), and (DLQI) before and after treatment. The first assessment was conducted at the first visit, and the second assessment was conducted after 1 month of the second injection.

Result

Significant increase in the frequency of sexual intercourse/week in the study group after the first and second injection sessions compared to the controls was observed (p < 0.05). There was statistically significant amelioration in desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction domains, and total score of the FSFI (p ≤ 0.05). The study demonstrated significant increasing differences in all domains of the FGSIS (p ≤ 0.05). The symptoms and feelings, leisure, personal relationships, and total scores were significantly higher post first and second injection of (hybrid H-HA/L-HA) sessions compared to the controls (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The (hybrid H-HA/L-HA) injection for rejuvenating the genital area appears to be a safe and effective way to enhance female genital self-image, sexuality, and quality of life with high levels of satisfaction as a minimally invasive method.

Genital whitening with topical Cyperus rotundus Oil enhance sexuality and quality of life

BACKGROUND

Cyperus Rotundus Essential Oil (CREO) is an anti-inflammatory and depigmenting agent that helps treat hyperpigmentation.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the depigmenting effect of CREO on genital hyperpigmentation to that of arbutin (ARB), as well as to evaluate the association between genital lightening, genital self-image, sexual performance, and life quality.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Three hundred and eight healthy people were categorized into 3 groups: the CREO group, the ARB group, and the cold cream group (CC). In genital pigmentation, the tristimulus colorimeter is used to assess erythema and pigmentation. Additionally, we aided in the development of the female genital self-image scale (FGSIS-4), the female sexual function index (FSFI), and the dermatology life quality index (DLQI).

RESULT

The reduction in genital hyperpigmentation was significantly greater in the CREO and ARB groups than in the CC group; in physician global assessment and patients' self-assessment, the results in treated bikini with the CREO and ARB groups were excellent when compared to the CC. Furthermore, no adverse effects were found in the CREO group, but mild irritation was found in the ARB group; additionally, the percentage of hair growth, color and luminance reduction, and hair thickness were significantly reduced in the CREO group only. In addition, there were significantly different in FGSIS, FSFI, and DLQI between the CREO and ARB groups and the CC group.

CONCLUSION

CREO is equivalently efficacious in decreasing pigmentation, inflammation, and hair growth in the genital area. Positive changes boost female genital self-image, self-esteem, and sexual performance. Improving sexual health has a positive impact on quality of life.

Sexual Behaviour and Fantasies in a Group of Young Italian Cohort

Over the years, sexual behaviour has changed due to the growing interest in everything related to the sexual sphere. The purpose of the study was to collect information on the sexual habits and behaviours of Italian people of all ages, sexes and sexual orientations and to describe the patterns of sexual behaviour, with the aim of gaining a representative picture of sexuality in Italy, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed a survey with 99 questions about their sexual habits. In our group first sexual experiences occurred on average around the age of 15, whilst the median age of the first sexual intercourse was 17. The fantasies that most stimulated and excited our group (Likert scale ≥ 3) was having sex in public (63.9%), having sex with more than one person at the same time (59.4%), blindfolded sex (64.9%), being tied up (56.3%) and observing a naked person (48.6%). As for pornography, we have shown that 80% of our group watched porn at home, alone or from their smartphones. Our results have several practical implications for the areas of sex education and sexual health. It is necessary to safeguard the health of young people and support them increasing their sexual well-being.