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The article discusses Sarah Coakley's work on Aquinas, Wittgenstein, and the 1980s Yale School, focusing on her studies that will contribute to her systematic theology. Coakley's essays cover topics like sacrifice, gender, and the eucharist, emphasizing the importance of preliminary studies to pave the way for a more even and teacherly tone in the main text. The essays also touch on Christianity and Judaism, highlighting the need for Christians to continue thinking about their relationship with Judaism. Coakley's work integrates realistic and linguistic approaches to doctrine, drawing on sources like Aquinas and Gregory of Nyssa to explore the mysteries of the eucharist and the incarnation. [Extracted from the article]

The precise nature of Horace Walpole's sexuality remains elusive, in spite of the extent of his surviving correspondence — which is vast but with notable and possibly strategic gaps. Walpole's reactions to two queer men he encountered in Italy, Cardinal Prince Henry Benedict and Baron Philipp von Stosch, nevertheless reveal some of his preoccupations and anxieties in relation to male‐male sexual desire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Twenty five years have passed since the first national survey on erectile dysfunction (ED) in Japan. The Japanese Society for Sexual Medicine conducted a nationwide survey on the actual status of sexual function targeting men over 20 years old in Japan using validated questionnaires commonly used in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: Japanese men aged 20 to 79 years participated in our online epidemiological study on sexual dysfunction. Erectile status was assessed by direct questioning and specific questionnaires. Risk factors and frequencies of sexual intercourse, masturbation, nocturnal erections, and feeling sexual desire were assessed. The prevalence of these risk factors was compared between men with and without ED. Prevalence and frequencies were calculated for each 5-year age group. Main outcomes were the prevalence and number of patients with ED and simultaneous evaluation of age-related variations. Results: Direct questioning of the men revealed that 13.0% felt troubled by ED. Although 81.0% of them had at least some ED symptoms based on a Sexual Health Inventory For Men score of ≤21, the prevalence of men with ED by Erection Hardness Score (EHS), the most appropriate questionnaire for Japanese with low sexual activity, was 30.9%, indicating that 14,012,596 men have ED. Most risk factors were related with ED, whereas frequencies of sexual intercourse, masturbation, nocturnal erections, and feeling sexual desire were affected by aging. However, the low frequency of these factors in the young generation was surprising. Conclusions: The EHS-based assessment revealed a prevalence of ED of 30.9%, which affected approximately 14 million men, and that the sexual desire, erection stiffness, orgasms, and satisfaction were lower than expected in young Japanese men, especially those aged 20 to 24 years, although those factors tended to worsen with aging. We believe that these findings actually reveal the current sexual status of men in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Non-normative sexual behaviors were traditionally studied from a psychopathological perspective, although nowadays a distinction is made between paraphilia (nonpathological) and paraphilic disorder (mental disorder). Methods: The present study aims to examine the differences between a group of millennials (n = 173) and centennials (n = 159) in their appetite for these sexual behaviors without the preconception of these behaviors as harmful or pathological. Results: Differences in appetite related to exhibitionism and foot fetishism were found in the first instance, with millennials showing a greater appetite for these. When including sexual orientation in the analysis, in addition to exhibitionism and foot fetishism, differences were found in behaviors related to asphyxiation, bestiality and urophilia. Millennials and homobisexual centennials showed the highest appetite for exhibitionism behaviors, homo-bisexual centennials for choking behaviors and bestiality and homo-bisexual millennials for foot fetishism and urophilia-related behaviors. Discussion: Exploring nonnormative behaviors from a non-psychopathological perspective will help us to understand the evolution of sexual appetite as part of human sexual diversity and to prevent risky behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Misperceptions of the social world can lead to actions and social policy that are detrimental to an individual's or group's well-being. Here we investigate whether misperceptions arise when participants make predictions of the modal number of ideal future sexual partners reported by heterosexual cohorts (younger cohort: 18–23 years; older cohort: 24–29 years). For both men and women and in both cohorts, the modal number of reported partners equaled 1.0, but men's averages were higher than women's averages due to a subgroup of men who reported desiring large numbers of partners (that is, the distributions had the same shape, but men's distributions had a longer tail). Study 1: When asked to estimate the mode directly, participants performed poorly and, in some conditions, dramatically so (e.g., 40% of younger men reported wanting one sexual partner, but 0% of younger men predicted 1 to be the most frequent response). Study 2: When asked to estimate the shape of the whole distribution, participants underestimated the number of respondents who would desire the mode and thus replicated patterns in the literature for misestimations of skewed distributions. Study 3: When provided information about others' actual modal desired number of partners, the number of male participants who reported desiring one sexual partner increased, suggesting that misperceptions of social norms may influence preferences. We discuss how the mean and mode can lead to two accurate but different interpretations of the data (mean: men report desiring more sexual partners than women; mode: the most frequent response reported by both men and women is 1.0). Discrepancies of this sort can lead to mischaracterizations that may not be uncommon in the research literature. These discrepancies cannot be differentiated by significance tests that seek to find differences in the mean but can be resolved with attention to other methods of analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Desire: A Theological Reappraisal" by Revd Professor Canon Graham Ward explores the complex nature of desire from a theological perspective, drawing on historical influences, modern philosophy, and empirical studies. It discusses the theological implications of desire in relation to salvation, spirituality, and pneumatology, emphasizing its role in human existence and spirituality. The text highlights the multifaceted dimensions of desire, linking it to biological, psychological, and theological aspects, and calls for a nuanced understanding of desire in the context of human flourishing and spiritual formation. [Extracted from the article]

In Pakistan the shared imaginal world of khwajasaras and malangs has been fractured by the divergent ways that each has been taken up in legal and religious discourse within the modern state. Tracing the development of the khwajasara as a secular, transgender subject and the marginalization of the antinomian Sufi malang through efforts to purify Islam, we examine the effects of this evolving public discourse on the persisting imaginal world of Faqiri that is shared by both khwajasaras and malangs. We argue that Faqiri offers articulations of gender and desire (ishq) that remain illegible to hegemonic state discourses while also offering an abundant site for rethinking religiously gendered selves, sexual difference and desire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectiveMethodsResultsConclusionMenopause can impact women’s physical and mental well-being, including sexual function. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of sexual counseling based on the PLISSIT model on improving the sexual function of postmenopausal women.The randomized trial focused on postmenopausal married women who did not have any pre-existing health conditions. The intervention group were provided with personalized sexual counseling grounded in the PLISSIT model, whereas the control group were given educational pamphlets. Participants filled out the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire and were categorized into two groups through randomized blocking, utilizing blocks of four and six. The main outcome measure was the average sexual function score assessed at the start of the study, as well as at 4 and 8 weeks following the intervention.A total of 60 eligible participants were included in the study. The mean ± standard deviation participant age was 58.7 ± 3.5 years. At week 4 following the intervention, statistically significant differences were observed between the study groups in the mean scores of sexual desire (p = 0.023), arousal (p = 0.002), orgasm (p = 0.0001), lubrication (p = 0.001) and satisfaction (p = 0.004). At week 8 following the intervention, significant differences were noted in the mean scores for sexual arousal (p = 0.001), orgasm (p = 0.000), lubrication (p = 0.031) and satisfaction (p = 0.004) between the study groups.The sexual counseling based on the PLISSIT model can significantly improve sexual function in postmenopausal women, making it a valuable intervention for healthcare providers to consider in their practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Human sexuality is a multifaceted process, and sexual desire plays a central role in the triphasic model of the sexual response cycle, as proposed by Helen Singer Kaplan. Methods: In this cross-sectional correlational study, we examined the relationship between various sociodemographic factors, such as age and motherhood, and sexual variables, including erotophobia, erotophilia, homophobia, and unconventional sex, with hypoactive sexual desire in women from Quito, Ecuador. The study sample comprised 421 women between the ages of 18 and 50, who were administered the Revised Sexual Opinion Survey and the Inhibited Sexual Desire Scale to assess their sexual attitudes and levels of desire. Results: The findings revealed that age (F = 7.13, p < 0.001) and motherhood (F = 13.72, p < 0.001) had a significant impact on inhibited sexual desire. Furthermore, significant correlations were observed between inhibited sexual desire and age (r = 0.16, p < 0.001), motherhood (r = 0.18, p < 0.001), erotophobia (r = 0.19, p < 0.001), erotophilia (r = −0.21, p < 0.001), and homophobia (r = −0.18, p < 0.001). Discussion: These results suggest that women who are older, mothers, or have higher levels of erotophobia are more likely to experience hypoactive sexual desire. In contrast, higher levels of erotophilia and homophobia were inversely related to hypoactive sexual desire. This contributes to a deeper understanding of how different personal and sexual attitudes influence sexual desire in Ecuadorian women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proactively engaging patients in conversations about their needs and desires for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is an essential part of providing client-centered care. This systematic literature identifies screening tools and approaches for assessing needs and desires for pregnancy- and STI-related services. PubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched for articles published between July 1, 2018 and July 26, 2023. Eligible studies examined the use of screening tools for various SRH services. This manuscript focuses on evidence from 28 articles that examine findings related to pregnancy and STI screening. The evidence suggests that using these tools can increase the number of patients who receive care. The tools also facilitate clients' discussions with their providers about reproductive health goals and needs. Patients appreciate tools that are easy to use and help them have non-judgmental interactions with providers and promote shared decision-making and bodily autonomy. Providers reported a preference for screening tools that are easy to use, quick to administer, and can be integrated into existing workflows. Screening tools are important for identifying clients' needs and desires as well as informing and streamlining care. More research is needed to better understand the diversity of provider and patient experiences with screening tools and whether the use of such tools promotes accessible and equitable service provision. There was insufficient evidence to recommend any specific screening tool or approach for assessing pregnancy or STI needs and desires because most tools were reported either in a single study or results were mixed. Prospero - CRD420234486 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Female sexual interest and arousal disorder (FSIAD) is the most prevalent female sexual dysfunction in the postmenopause. Objective: The aim of this review is to provide a summary of the currently available evidence on the use of testosterone in the treatment of FSIAD in postmenopausal women. Methods: A narrative review on the topic was performed. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews and meta-analysis were considered. 123 articles were screened, 105 of them assessed for eligibility, and finally 9 were included in qualitative synthesis following the PRISMA declaration. Results: Current evidence recommends, with moderate therapeutic benefit, the use of systemic transdermal testosterone within the premenopausal physiological range in postmenopausal women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), the previous entity for low desire dysfunction, not primarily related to modifiable factors or comorbidities such as relationship or mental health problems. The available evidence is based on studies with heterogeneity on their design (different testosterone doses, routes of administration, testosterone use in combination and alone, sexual instruments of measurement). There is no data indicating severe short-term adverse effects, although long-term safety data is lacking. Conclusions: Despite having testosterone as a valuable tool, therapeutic strategies are lacking in the pharmacological field of HSDD/FSIAD. Neuroimaging studies could provide valuable information regarding the sexual desire substrate and suggest the potential application of already approved drugs for women with a good safety profile. The use of validated instruments for HSDD in postmenopausal women, considering the level of distress, is necessary to be able to draw robust conclusions on the evaluated treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the political and conceptual possibilities of defiance to marriage as a gendered norm through the deviant words expressed in the lyrics of Bangla (Bengali) folk songs, in particular those in the Bhawaiya tradition. Bhawaiya is famous for its lyrics of embodied or sensual love, often in the form of deviant and "illicit" relations outside of marriage, expressed through the female voice of the songs. When performed, the songs can evoke similar deviant emotions in the performers and the listeners, creating an affective atmosphere and constructing a "temporal subjectivity" with the emotions of the female subjects of the songs, which I call the "sexual subaltern." I argue that throughout the colonial and postcolonial nationalist reforms and the emergence of strict reproductive heteropatriarchy in Bengal, the lyrics of Bhawaiya songs remained popular under the radar and as the artifacts of deviant sexual desire of the female subjects of the songs. This article goes further in examining how the temporal and affective subjectivity of the sexual subaltern, with deviant and defiant emotions, as constructed through these songs, can offer an alternative conceptual tool to dislocate West-centric feminist-queer politics and provide a global feminist remapping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses Avgi Saketopoulou's book "Sexuality Beyond Consent: Risk, Race, Traumatophilia," which offers a psychoanalytic perspective on sexuality, consent, and trauma. Saketopoulou suggests that embracing trauma rather than trying to heal it can lead to a deeper understanding of historical trauma. The book explores the concept of "traumatophilia" and encourages readers to consider what can be done with trauma rather than trying to resolve or heal it. Saketopoulou's work challenges traditional views on trauma and sexuality, advocating for a more nuanced and complex understanding of these topics. [Extracted from the article]

Background Individuals experiencing chronic pain often report adverse effects on their sexual functioning. However, other important aspects of sexual well-being (SWB), such as sexual distress and sexual self-esteem, have received little attention. This is an important omission because a SWB involves more than just good sexual function. Similarly, past research has not examined how chronic pain characteristics affect the different aspects of SWB. Aim The goal of this cross-sectional study was to examine the SWB of individuals living with chronic pain and to examine the extent to which SWB is associated with different chronic pain characteristics. Methods A total of 310 individuals (28.1% men, 70.6% women, 1.3% transgender men) with ages between 21 and 50 (M  = 31.96, SD  = 6.13) who were in a romantic relationship and with self-reported chronic pain for three months or longer completed an online survey. Outcomes The following indicators of SWB were included in the study: frequency of genital sexual activity, sexual satisfaction, sexual self-esteem, sexual desire, sexual function, genital pain, and sexual distress. Results The results show that most individuals with chronic pain maintain an active and satisfying sexual life and feel positive about themselves as a sexual partner. Slightly more than a fourth reported experiencing at least one sexual functioning difficulty and almost three-fourths of them found those difficulties sexually distressing. A first canonical correlation showed that more negative pain characteristics were associated with poorer SWB. The second canonical correlation showed that greater perceived partner support can offset the negative relationship between pain and some aspects of SWB. Clinical implications These findings show that individuals living with chronic pain can experience positive SWB. Furthermore, the buffering effect of partner support suggests it is important to involve romantic partners in interventions aimed at improving the SWB of people living with chronic pain. Strengths and limitations The study examined a large number of indicators of SWB using a sample of individuals with different types of chronic pain. Limitations include potential self-selection bias and a sample that was predominantly white and highly educated. Conclusions The results paint a more positive picture of the SWB of individuals living with pain and show that individuals living with chronic pain can experience positive SWB. These findings can help for researchers, educators, and clinicians about how to conceptualize, understand, and improve the SWB of individuals living with chronic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effects of switching antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP) to antipsychotic monotherapy (APM) on various side effects in inpatients with schizophrenia. Side effects of interest included psychic, autonomic, and sexual symptoms, as well as metabolic side effects and movement disorders. A 9-month parallel randomized open-label clinical trial was conducted involving 136 chronic inpatients from two psychiatric hospitals in the Netherlands. Participants were randomly assigned to either a STAY or a SWITCH group. The SWITCH group underwent a 3-month tapering-off period in which either first-generation or second-generation antipsychotic medication was discontinued, followed by APM. Patients were assessed at baseline and at follow-up assessments at 3, 6, and 9 months. Psychic, neurological, autonomic, and sexual side effects were evaluated using the UKU Rating Scale, while movement disorders were measured with the St. Hans Rating Scale. Various metabolic parameters were also recorded. In the STAY group, side effects remained generally stable over time, except for a slight reduction in sexual desire. In contrast, the SWITCH group experienced significant reductions in psychic and autonomic symptoms, as well as improvements in akathisia, parkinsonism, and dyskinesia. There were no changes in dystonia, paresthesia, epilepsy, or sexual symptoms for this group. Notably, the SWITCH group also showed significant reductions in BMI and body weight. Switching APP to APM in long-term inpatients reduces the severity of various side effects, including movement disorders and metabolic side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between urogenital symptom frequency and severity, perception of vaginal treatment burden, and female sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted with a sample of 326 patients from three tertiary care hospitals in the United Arab Emirates. The frequency and severity of urogenital symptoms, emotional and physical functioning, and treatment burden were assessed using the validated genitourinary syndrome of menopause symptoms and vaginal treatments acceptability questionnaire (GSM‐SVATQ). To examine the mediating roles of emotional and physical functioning, as well as the perceived treatment burden on sexual functioning, a partial least squares‐structural equation model was developed using the SmartPLS 4 Software. Results: The measurement model was successfully established. All constructs had a reliability of > 0.70 and discriminant validity of < 0.90. Emotional, physical and sexual functioning showed an adjusted R2 values of 0.377, 0.282 and 0.169, respectively.The multistep multiple mediator model revealed a full mediation effect of both emotional and physical functioning between symptom, treatment burden and sexual functioning. The model showed high predictive performance with all manifest variables showing lower mean absolute errors compared to the naiive benchmark model. Conclusion: This study enhances our understanding of the relationships between urogenital symptoms, perceived treatment burden, emotional functioning, and sexual well‐being. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing emotional well‐being in managing urogenital symptoms and in addressing emotional factors associated with the use of vaginal treatments. Synopsis: Emotional and physical functioning have mediating roles between urogenital symptoms, treatment burden, and sexual functioning among peri‐ and postmenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common symptom that affects 40–90% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Previous studies have highlighted the negative impact of sexual dysfunction in the mental health status and overall quality of life in patients with MS. Methods: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) in the primary SD symptoms in patients with MS. A total of 40 participants were randomized (1:1 ratio) to either TTNS or Sham group and received three 20 min sessions over the course of two months. Pre and post intervention SD was evaluated using the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy Questionnaire (MISQ-15). Results: Statistically significant improvements in the aspects of primary sexual dysfunction were observed in the TTNS group pre-post intervention (specifically erectile function (for males)/vaginal lubrication (for females) (p <.001), orgasm quality and satisfaction for both male and female patients (p <.001), sexual desire (p <.05) and bladder related symptomatology (p <.005). In the sham group pre-post intervention, the only observed improvement was in the sexual desire aspect (p <.05). Post intervention the groups significantly differed erectile function/vaginal lubrication and orgasm quality and satisfaction (p <.05). Conclusions: Our findings underline the efficacy of TTNS in improving primary SD symptoms as well as bladder problems in both male and female patients with MS. TTNS demonstrated significant improvement in the following domains: erectile function, vaginal lubrication, orgasm quality, satisfaction, bladder-related symptoms, and sexual desire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose the concept of algorithmic heteronormativity to describe the ways in which dating apps' digital architectures are informed by and perpetuate normative sexual ideologies. Situating our intervention within digital affordance theories and grounding our analysis in walkthroughs of several popular dating apps' (e.g., Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge) interfaces, promotional materials, and ancillary media, we identify four normative sexual ideologies—gendered desire, hetero and homonormativity, mononormativity, and shame—that manifest in specific features, including gender choice, compatibility surveys, and private chat. This work builds on earlier digital culture theorizing by explicitly articulating the reciprocal and gradational linkages between existing moral codes, digital infrastructures, and individual behaviors, which in the contemporary context work jointly to narrow the horizon of intimate possibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current scholarship tends to frame retreat-going, and the practices carried out therein, as emblematic of late-modern forms of self-work, understanding retreats as part of broader personal life projects of self-mastery and self-knowledge. For this article, I draw on empirical data to suggest that, although work on the self is typically the central concern for retreat-goers, they also question or outright reject the discipline of the retreat space by breaking its 'rules'. Borrowing insights developed in the context of organisation studies, I describe two kinds of such 'misbehaviour' on retreat. First, I explore how retreat-goers misbehave in regards to the rules around intimacy, since sexual and erotic desire is usually discouraged but nonetheless features in retreat-goers' experiences. Then, I explore examples of collective misbehaviour and suggest that retreat-goers often work together to ensure the retreat's success by collaboratively breaking the rules through practices like gossip. This article contributes an understanding of how wellbeing practices might be usefully made sense of as social accomplishments, situated within the greater swathe of everyday life. But I also map out one way in which the concept of 'misbehaviour' might be applied to activities outside of the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People in romantic relationships experience a decline in sexual desire as the relationship progresses, leading them to seek couples therapy. Discrimination and added stress exacerbate this decline. Prior research has identified self‐expansion (i.e., a person's need to expand their selves to take on more perspectives and worldviews) as a relational process to bolster sexual desire. It remains untested if self‐expansion can enhance sexual desire among couples who are the targets of discrimination, such as people in interracial relationships. We considered previous research that identified perspective‐taking as a process to promote positive self‐expansion (i.e., perceiving greater positive vs. negative traits from one's partner into their self‐concept) among White partners in interracial relationships. In our pre‐registered study, we predicted discrimination salience will be positively associated with positive self‐expansion for people who engage in high levels of perspective‐taking and negatively associated with positive self‐expansion for those who engage in low levels of perspective‐taking. In turn, greater positive self‐expansion would be associated with greater sexual desire. There was no interaction between discrimination salience and perspective‐taking on positive self‐expansion. Alternatively, we did find that White partners who considered their partner's perspective, regardless of discrimination salience, reported greater positive self‐expansion, which predicted greater sexual desire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual desire is a complex construct with important implications for sexual functioning and well-being. In this research, we translated the Sexual Desire Inventory (SDI-2), a widely used scale for assessing sexual (desire), into 25 languages from English and used data from the International Sex Survey (ISS) to (a) investigate its psychometric properties (i.e. factorial structure, reliability, validity, and measurement invariance) and (b) explore the expression of sexual desire across different countries, genders, and sexual orientations. A total of 82,243 participants from 42 countries completed the SDI-2, along with other sexuality-related scales. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a three-factor solution for the SDI-2 (CFI = .980; RMSEA = .060), encompassing the domains of “Partner-related,” “Attractive-person-related,” and “Solitary” sexual desire. The reliability of the total score and subscales were excellent. Likewise, correlations with other sexuality-related variables were positive yet weak-to-moderate in effect size. Measurement invariance tests supported its use across countries, languages, genders, and sexual orientations. Analysis of SDI-2 scores according to these variables supported its ability to capture group-based differences in sexual desire. In sum, the SDI-2 constitutes a psychometrically robust measure for the assessment of sexual desire in non-clinical samples with utility in large-scale cross-cultural studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Sexual functioning is a multifaceted aspect of human life that can be profoundly affected in patients with glioma. Most frequent symptoms include reduced sexual desire, difficulties in sexual arousal, or low satisfaction. Such symptoms may cause distress or interpersonal difficulties, inevitably resulting in negative outcomes on different domains of patients' quality of life. Despite this, sexuality is rarely addressed by medical staff and remains understudied. An important question still unanswered is whether sexual dysfunctions in glioma patients correlate with features of the tumor itself, with its treatment, or with the secondary effects of the tumor on the patient's psychological status. To answer this question, the present study aims to investigate the incidence of sexual life impairments in a very large population of patients with low- and high-grade gliomas, focusing on demographic, clinical, and treatment factors associated with their occurrence and developments. Methods: A total of 148 patients treated for glioma were evaluated for sexual functioning, i.e., sexual dysfunction (SD), relationship status (RS), intercourse frequency (IF), and sexual satisfaction (SS), by using a specific anonymous questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were utilized to investigate participant characteristics and to evaluate the occurrence of sexual problems. Chi-squared tests were performed to detect the association between "SS" or "IF" and different clinical/demographic factors as well as between "SS" or "IF" and the "subjective–personal skills judgment". Results: Results showed no difference between male and female patients, a very low frequency (1.4%) of SD, but a consistent percentage (25%) of subjective deterioration in sexual wellbeing. Notably, 24% of patients reported to have interrupted their relationship after the diagnosis. Chi-squared analyses reveal an association between adjuvant treatments (chemotherapy and radiotherapy) and reduction of IF. Interestingly, "SS" or "IF" was not associated with demographic, clinical, or histomolecular factors. Conclusion: Our study showed that sexual problems in glioma patients are not uncommon, and they are especially linked to SS, RS, and IF. Specifically, intercourse frequency reduction is associated with the adjuvant treatments. Results highlight the need for improved assessment strategies and interventions tailored to the unique needs of brain tumor patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of two internet-delivered psychological treatments for hypoactive sexual desire dysfunction (HSDD) in women: internet-based cognitive behavioral sex therapy (iCBST) and internet-based mindfulness-based sex therapy (iMBST). Method: Women with HSDD were randomly assigned to one of three groups: iCBST, iMBST, or a waitlist control group. The interventions consisted of eight modules delivered via an e-health platform with e-coach support to enhance adherence. Sexual desire and sexual distress were assessed at baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups (active conditions only). Per protocol, of the 266 consenting women, 106 were randomized to iCBST (Mage = 36.1, SD = 10.3), 106 to iMBST (Mage = 36.4, SD = 0.2), and 54 to the control condition (Mage = 36.7, SD = 11.0). Primary analyses utilized an intention-to-treat approach with linear mixed models. Clinical significance, assessed with clinical cutoffs and the reliable change index, was examined for active conditions. Results: Compared to the control condition, both iCBST and iMBST demonstrated significant improvements in sexual desire and sexual distress at 3-month (d = 0.89–1.14) and 6-month follow-up (d = 0.74–1.18). Results were sustained at 12-month follow-up, with 35 and 41% demonstrating reliable improvements and additional 20 and 24% achieving clinically significant improvements in sexual desire after iCBST and iMBST. Regarding sexual distress, 49 and 42% exhibited reliable change, with an additional 37%–42% achieving clinically significant improvements. Conclusions: Results provide support for the overall long-term efficacy of psychological therapies in treating HSDD in women. However, fewer than one in four women showed improvements in sexual desire that met the threshold for clinically significant change. What is the public health significance of this article?: This research highlights the potential of internet-delivered cognitive behavioral sex therapy and mindfulness-based sex therapy as valuable and accessible treatments for women experiencing distressing low sexual desire. With their sustained efficacy observed over a 12-month period, these treatments provide effective options for women seeking support for low sexual desire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histories of lust have often been separated from that of rape, due to a concern with naturalizing male violence against women. However, ideas about lust have been significant at various historical moments in framing understandings of sexual violence and masculinity. This article explores how ideas of disorderly emotion, including lust, shaped the prosecution of rape in eighteenth-century Scotland. It highlights that placing legal accounts of rape within a framework of the 'emotional ethics' that guided early modern society helps to explain the low prosecution rates for rape in contexts where sexual violence was nonetheless considered sinful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Sexual interest/arousal disorder (SIAD) is one of the most common sexual problems for women. In clinical research, there are often misalignments between the research priorities of patients and researchers, which can negatively impact care, and gender-diverse individuals are often excluded from research. Inclusion of patient perspectives when establishing research priorities may help to reduce these gaps; however, the research priorities of couples coping with SIAD remain unclear. Aim Identify the research priorities of women and gender-diverse individuals with SIAD and their partners. Methods In an online survey, couples coping with SIAD provided consent and responded to an open-ended question asking them to list the top 3 things they think are important for researchers to focus on related to couples coping with low sexual desire. A team-based content analysis was conducted to identify themes and their frequency of endorsement. Outcomes An author-developed open-ended question. Results Analysis of 1279 responses (n  = 667 from women and gender-diverse individuals with SIAD, n =  612 from partners) resulted in our identification of 6 main themes: general causes, general treatment and coping, biophysiological, relationship, psychological, and environmental/contextual. Additionally, we identified 4 sub-themes within each of the latter 4 main themes: general, cause, treatment, and impact. For women and gender-diverse individuals with SIAD, their partners, and specifically gender-diverse participants, the 3 most endorsed themes were psychological general factors (24.3%, 21.2%, 24.3%; eg, stress and the link between SIAD and anxiety), relationship general factors (15.7%, 13.2%, 18.6%; eg, relationship length and communication on sexual desire), and biophysiological general factors (12.3%, 12.4%, 14.3%; eg, research on medications and hormones). Clinical Implications Clinical researchers should consider the research priorities of couples coping with SIAD to ensure their work aligns with the needs of the affected population. Strengths and Limitations This study is the first to identify the research priorities of both women and gender-diverse individuals with SIAD and their partners. Most participants identified as heterosexual, North American, and of middle to high socioeconomic status; results may not generalize. Responses were sometimes brief and/or vague; interpretation of these responses was therefore limited and may have required more contextual information. Conclusion Findings suggest that women and gender-diverse individuals with SIAD, their partners, and gender-diverse participants have similar research priorities that are consistent with a biopsychosocial approach to research. Heterogeneity of responses across themes supports a multidisciplinary, patient-oriented approach to SIAD research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypersexuality refers to the inability to control sexual desire. Despite it has shown serious consequences for physical, psychological and social health, the evidence of available psychological interventions is still insufficient. In this open-label pilot study, an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention was conducted with adults with clinically significant levels of hypersexuality aimed to examine its feasibility and usefulness. The intervention consisted of eight weekly online individual psychological intervention sessions. Outcome self-report measures were administered at baseline, after the intervention and a 3 months follow-up. Behavioral and subjective informed changes in sexual practices were weekly assessed through self-monitoring. Twelve participants (M age = 38.8 ± 11.5 years, 83.3% male, 66.7% homo or bisexual) completed the intervention. The feasibility was found to be good, with all the participants completing the training and high levels of satisfaction. Hypersexuality, psychological flexibility, cognitive fusion and mindfulness scores significantly improved after the ACT intervention, with large effect sizes. Clinically significant changes in hypersexuality were found for the vast majority of participants, besides reductions in the time dedicated to planning and practicing sex and the sexualized drug use. Results indicate that ACT-based interventions may be considered feasible and potentially effective therapeutic alternatives for hypersexuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines how sexual communication impacts both sexual desire and sexual satisfaction. The purpose is to assist clinicians in understanding how these components of human sexuality interrelate so that they may use these findings to inform their clinical practice and improve outcomes for clients. Key dimensions of effective sexual communication are explored, and how those dimensions interact with experiences of sexual desire and sexual satisfaction. Consideration is given to the additional factors of relationship satisfaction and non-sexual communication and how these may mediate the relationship between sexual communication, desire, and satisfaction. The need for further research in this area outside of heterosexual and monogamous relationships is emphasized. Implications for practice highlight the importance of clinicians being able to screen for sexual communication skills in their clients, and upskill accordingly, particularly when issues of sexual desire and satisfaction are present, to enhance clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital machines, including artificial intelligence (AI), have long been held as potential agents of social change. From their binary role in cultural productions to the real-world implementation of such, digital machines have typically been considered within the Heideggerian "readiness-to-hand" category of Being. This paper seeks to alter conceptually this dynamic through the use of new materialism and Morton's concept of the "mesh" to provide a new understanding of the social and pragmatic roles advanced digital machines play in ecologies in which they dwell and continue to emerge. Through briefly tracing the complex intermingling of advanced digital machines in the realms of cardiovascular health, sexual desire, companionship, and creativity, the intermingling of flesh and code speaks to monumental future potentialities for enhanced forms of dwelling. This paper proposes that in the near future the necessity to view advanced digital machine technologies as co-agents dwelling together will alter the established paradigm and allow for emergent ecologies. (JN) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we analyze the psychometric characteristics of the Love Attitudes Scale: Short Form (LAS-SF), and the relationship between love style and other romantic relationships constructs in a Portuguese population. The LAS-SF measures six love styles: Eros, Ludus, Storge, Pragma, Mania and Agape, which are grounded on Lee's theory. This tool is one of the most utilized assessments of love in the literature. There were 1153 Portuguese participants (554 women, mean age = 38 years). Confirmatory factor analyses evidenced that the six latent dimensions of the LAS-SF confirmed an acceptable fit to the data. The internal consistency of the Portuguese form of the LAS-SF was evaluated utilizing Cronbach's Alpha (for subscales 0.71 to 0.78) and McDonald's Omega (for subscales 0.71 to 0.79). Eros was positively related to satisfaction with love life, satisfaction with sex life, sexual desire, commitment, and negatively associated with romantic loneliness. Ludic orientation was positively correlated with romantic loneliness and negatively correlated with commitment. Storgic orientation was positively related to commitment. Pragma was positively related to romantic loneliness. Mania was positively related to commitment. Agape was positively correlated with satisfaction with love life and commitment, and negatively correlated with romantic loneliness. Notably, commitment mediated the relationship of the agapic love style and romantic loneliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the ways in which three women poets of the long nineteenth-century – Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861), Emily Brontë (1818–1848) and Charlotte Mew (1869–1928) – represent fame in their work in terms of a tense sexualised dynamic of attraction and repulsion, variously modelled as femme-fatale-like seduction, repressed lust and the activity in, and consequences of, what Mew terms the “tossed bed” (“Fame”, l. 19). The focusing of fame through the ideas of sexuality and embodiment enables these writers to reflect, explicitly or implicitly, upon the gendered nature of literary creation, public voice and visibility, and thereby to negotiate, at least in part, the complex legacies of the “poetess”. In deploying innovative experiments with structure, form and language, Barrett Browning, Brontë and Mew repeatedly reveal fame’s double-edged nature, as something which may be alluring and enthralling in terms of desire, yet simultaneously silencing and threatening to the intellectual and creative life of the poet. The poems examined here consequently demonstrate that succumbing to fame is something which must be resisted at all costs in order to maintain personal and poetic integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnostic of sexual desire disorders is based on not only physiological and psychological symptoms but also on the extent of distress about these symptoms. Using data from a 2022 national survey of 3,000 respondents in Austria, this paper explores the range of relational distress individuals experience about their level of sexual desire. Participants were asked, ‘Have you ever been ostracised or ridiculed in your life for feeling too much (not enough) sexual desire? If yes, in what way?’ Gender and sexual minorities were more likely than cisgender and heterosexual participants to report negative reactions to their level of desire. The paper presents the results of a thematic analysis of the 341 written answers to the latter question. The analysis identified three themes: a) harassment, such as mocking, bullying, or public humiliation; b) the pathologization of desire as a sexual disorder; and c) negative social classification with respect to gender, age, or sexual orientation. By investigating different types of negative social reactions that individuals experience with respect to their level of sexual desire, the paper critically questions an individualised notion of sexual distress that has often been the basis for biomedical and psychological interventions by highlighting social factors that produce distress in the first place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

\nHIGHLIGHTSInfertility affects 8–12% of couples globally, with male factors contributing to around 40% of cases. Common male infertility issues include erectile dysfunction (ED) and low sperm count or quality, which account for over 90% of cases. These problems often result from anatomical, hormonal, or genetic abnormalities. This review focuses on natural aphrodisiac herbs commonly used to address ED, providing detailed information on their botanical characteristics, metabolic pathways, recommended dosages, phytochemical properties, side effects, origins, and traditional uses. It also reviews recent studies on medicinal herbs that boost sexual desire and treat urological conditions. By compiling reliable findings from the past decade, the study aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for individuals dealing with sexual health issues. Through careful evaluation of each herb, it offers insights into their effectiveness and limitations, emphasizing the potential of natural treatments as complementary alternatives to conventional therapies for male infertility and related conditions.Anatomy, hormone abnormalities and genetic flaws may contribute to male infertility.The most popular natural aphrodisiac herbs used in the treatment of infertility were revised.Unique and reliable references to sexual desire and urological problems were provided.Safe aphrodisiac herbs including phytochemical products were emphasized.Plants were investigated for their potential as aphrodisiacs and fertility enhancersAnatomy, hormone abnormalities and genetic flaws may contribute to male infertility.The most popular natural aphrodisiac herbs used in the treatment of infertility were revised.Unique and reliable references to sexual desire and urological problems were provided.Safe aphrodisiac herbs including phytochemical products were emphasized.Plants were investigated for their potential as aphrodisiacs and fertility enhancers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decreased libido and anorgasmia are common problems for women after menopause that reduce the quality of life of couples. This study examined the effect of topical Qust oil on sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women. In this double-blind, randomized, clinical trial, 110 postmenopausal women with decreased sexual desire visiting a Traditional Medicine Center and Hazrat Rasool Akram Hospital (affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences) were selected by convenience consecutive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received qust oil, while the control group was given a placebo (liquid paraffin); they were instructed to massage the product topically on their pubic area and perineum daily. The sexual function of both groups was assessed and compared before the intervention and four weeks after the intervention using the Female Sexual Function Index. The mean and standard deviation of the improvement of sexual function post-intervention were 37.66±32.52% and 11.96±11.18% in the experimental and control groups, respectively (p<0.001). In terms of the improvement of components of sexual function, a significant difference was observed between the two groups in the sub-scales of sexual desire [57.05±42.99% vs. 21.25±27.85%, p<0.001], arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction (p<0.001 for all); however, no significant difference was observed in terms of lubrication (p=0.25) and pain during intercourse (p=0.776). In postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction, massaging the pubic area and perineum with qust oil for at least four weeks significantly improves desire, arousal, orgasm, and sexual satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the historical process of the Sinicization of Buddhism and the evolution of the value of female roles in Buddhist beliefs have advanced hand in hand; the more Buddhism becomes Sinicized, the higher the status of women in Buddhist beliefs becomes. To some extent, the Sinicization of Buddhism can be considered a feminization process. Female roles in Buddhist beliefs are often passive objects and marginal positions that are uncertain and continuously presupposed by others. This article starts from a cultural, philosophical perspective, aiming to examine the internal logic of the evolution of female roles in Buddhist beliefs. In terms of individual experience, the highlighting of the identity as a "subject" of sexual desire makes women a necessary but insufficient prerequisite "option" for guiding male sexual desire—in Indian Buddhist beliefs, women's enlightenment involves both reflecting on sexual desire itself and negating their own gender disadvantage. As Buddhism spread worldwide, Western Buddhist traditions laid the foundation of Buddhist belief on "sacred images", while various local cultural genes infiltrated the imagination of "Western Buddhist nations". The Buddha's gender orientation achieved a transcendence of both male and female or a bilateral blend, leaning more towards female. Ultimately, from the perspective of family identity, in a Chinese Buddhist belief world organized by the patriarchal system, the unique role of women in the family—"mother"—pushes Buddhist belief back to the scene of the emotional world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pregnancy loss affects 1 in 4 women and is linked with poorer overall health and relationship outcomes. Despite sexual well-being's importance to health, how sexual well-being changes across time after a pregnancy loss and what might predict such changes, like perinatal grief, have never been examined, leaving practitioners and couples without knowledge of what to expect. Aim: We aimed to examine (1) how sexual satisfaction, sexual desire, sexual distress, and perinatal grief change from 10 to 25 weeks postloss for both couple members; and (2) if perinatal grief levels at 10 weeks postloss predict sexual well-being trajectories. Methods: Women and gender-diverse individuals who were pregnant when a pregnancy loss occurred (within the last 4 months) and men, women, and gender-diverse partners who were not pregnant (N = 132 couples) independently completed 4 monthly assessments of sexual well-being and perinatal grief. Outcomes: Outcomes included sexual satisfaction (Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction), sexual desire (Sexual Desire Inventory), sexual distress (Sexual Distress Scale–Short Form), perinatal grief (Perinatal Grief Scale). Results: Dyadic growth curve modeling indicated that, from 10 to 25 weeks postloss, both couple members' sexual satisfaction increased, and their sexual desire remained stable; sexual distress decreased for partners but remained stable for individuals who were pregnant; and both couple members' perinatal grief decreased. Perinatal grief levels at 10 weeks postloss did not predict sexual well-being trajectories over time. Clinical Implications: Given sexual well-being's dynamic nature, clinicians should regularly discuss sexuality with both couple members after pregnancy loss. During such discussions, clinicians could reassure couples about their sexual relationship's recovery by sharing that, on average, sexual satisfaction, sexual desire, and sexual distress tend to improve or stay the same (rather than worsen) from 10 to 25 weeks postloss. They can also share that perinatal grief tends to decrease during this time and is unrelated to trajectories of sexual satisfaction, sexual desire, and sexual distress. Strengths and limitations: This is the first study, to our knowledge, to examine how sexual well-being changes across time after a pregnancy loss and perinatal grief's role in such changes. The results may not generalize broadly, as most couples were in mixed-gender/sex relationships, identified as White, and were relatively affluent. Conclusion: From 10 to 25 weeks postloss, both couple members tend to experience improvements in their overall sexual well-being and declines in their perinatal grief. Early perinatal grief levels and subsequent sexual well-being trajectories are seemingly unrelated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) is a frequent sex-related problem in women; however, a specific tool to characterize HSDD subtypes based on sexual inhibitory and excitatory factors is still lacking. Aim: (1) To find a cutoff value in Sexual Inhibition Scale (SIS)/Sexual Excitation Scale (SES) scores predicting a diagnosis of HSDD in women consulting for sexual symptoms, (2) to explore the sexual inhibitory and excitatory profiles in women referred to a clinic for female sexual dysfunction by stratifying the sample according to the newfound cutoffs, and (3) to identify biopsychosocial factors significantly associated with the 2 profiles. Methods: An overall 133 women consulting for sexual symptoms were retrospectively evaluated for clinical, biochemical, and psychosexologic data collected at the first visit. A subgroup of 55 women treated with transdermal testosterone was retrospectively analyzed at baseline and the 6-month visit. Outcomes: Patients underwent physical and laboratory examinations and completed the SIS/SES, Female Sexual Function Index, Female Sexual Distress Scale–Revised, Emotional Eating Scale, and Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire. Results: Specific cutoffs for SIS1 (≥32.5; indicating threat of performance failure) and SES (≤46.5) predicted HSDD diagnosis with an accuracy of 66.4% (P = .002) and 68.7% (P < .0001), respectively. Patients with impaired SIS1 scores showed higher distress and psychopathologic symptoms, while those with impaired SES scores demonstrated lower desire and arousal and a negative association with some metabolic and hormonal parameters. SES score also showed a significant predictive value on testosterone treatment efficacy for HSDD. Clinical Translation: A better characterization of HSDD would enable individualized treatment based on the main underlying etiologies. Strengths and Limitations: Limitations of the study include the small sample size and cross-sectional retrospective design, with the choice of treatment for HSDD limited to transdermal testosterone. Strengths comprise the thorough and multifactorial evaluation of every aspect potentially affecting inhibitory and excitatory components of sexual desire. Conclusion: Validated cutoffs of SIS/SES scores could allow deep characterization of women diagnosed with HSDD, thus ensuring better tailoring of therapy and prediction of the probability of response to specific treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much has been written about the need for greater integration between the fields of sex therapy and couples therapy, as sex is an integral part of many intimate relationships. Sexual desire discrepancy (SDD) is a common relationship issue that couples therapists are likely to encounter; however, they receive limited and varying degrees of training on how to approach and treat sexual issues like SDD. Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is an empirically supported approach to couples therapy that offers a structure for strengthening relational bonds. The current literature on using EFT for sexual issues in general, and desire discrepancy specifically, focuses on adapting EFT to treat sexual issues by mapping out the sexual cycle and using an attachment lens to increase emotional safety. The PLISSIT model and its extension the Ex-PLISSIT model are multi-pronged approaches commonly used in sex therapy that provide a guide for how to initiate and progress therapeutic treatment of sexual issues. This article explores how incorporating the PLISSIT and Ex-PLISSIT models into EFT can offer additional benefits to clients and practitioners alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we describe fertility and the sexual aspects of several (pediatric) urological conditions: hypospadias, spina bifida and bladder exstrophy-epispadias. Hypospadias is a very common condition. Especially males with a more severe, proximal hypospadias can develop problems with sexual wellbeing. Approximately 10% experience difficulties with erections and ejaculation. The overall sexual wellbeing seems to be comparable to that of men without hypospadias. Spina bifida patients are sexually active and have just as much sexual desire as the general population. Fertility in general is reduced and female patients need adjusted doses of folic acid preconception. Urine- and fecal incontinence are important negative factors for sexual wellbeing. Bladder exstrophy-epispadias is very rare, but the complexity of this condition requires transition of care and long-term follow-up. Extensive reconstructions may be associated with problems in various phases of life. The cosmetic appearance of the penis is often a point of concern due to a short and wide aspect despite reconstruction. Urological involvement during pregnancy is preferable in mothers with exstrophy. In general, patients with these conditions are in need of good education and guidance. Preferably pro-active, thus initiated by the doctor, and with easy access to a psychologist and/sexologist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper explores Manto's selected short stories i.e. Toba Tek Singh, The Dog of Tetwal, Ten Rupees, Blouse, Khol Do, Licence, For Freedom, and Smell from thematic perspectives. Manto deftly presents the issues of his time through the sentiments and experiences of his characters. The psychological impact of the partition, people's attitude towards animals after partition whether they belong to which country, how the hunger of stomach compels females to sell their body for survival, adultery, extramarital affairs, morality influencing human relationships, hormonal changes during adolescent period resulting in emotional turmoil, communal riots resulting in bloodshed and loss of families, lust, fear, female victims' conditioning to surrender their body for survival to the lusty inhabitants, atrocities of the British on native Indians, freedom as a desired dream and female body as a sight for respite are some of the major concerns, Manto addresses in these texts. Thus, the writer unfolds the aftermaths of chaos, and unrest to the world while presenting the picture of society he lived in. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background A study of topical Sildenafil Cream 3.6% was completed among healthy premenopausal women with female sexual arousal disorder. Aims To compare efficacy endpoints based on product use in pre-planned and post-hoc subsets of age, race, and medication use. Methods Phase 2b, exploratory, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of Sildenafil Cream, 3.6% among healthy premenopausal women with female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD). Eligible participants were randomized 1:1 to Sildenafil versus Placebo Cream and used investigational product for 12 weeks. Outcomes The co-primary efficacy endpoints were the change from baseline, at week 12, in the Arousal Sensation (AS) domain of the Sexual Function Questionnaire (SFQ28) and Question 14 (Q14) of the Female Sexual Distress Scale – Desire, Arousal, Orgasm (FSDS-DAO). The secondary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline at week 12 in the mean number of satisfactory sexual events (SSEs) reported in a daily diary. Exploratory efficacy endpoints included the Desire and Orgasm domains of the SFQ28. Results Age group (≥18 years and ≤ 45 years versus >45 years), race group (White versus non-White), and baseline use/non-use of hormonal contraception did not significantly affect the co-primary endpoints of the SFQ28 AS domain and FSDS-DAO Q14 (P values >0.11). Non-White Sildenafil Cream users had an increase in SSEs at week 12 (0.7 ± 0.63) while non-white Placebo Cream users reported a decrease (−1.5 ± 0.58) (P  = .02). Daily psychiatric medication use among women assigned to either Placebo or Sildenafil Cream resulted in lower SFQ28 Desire domain scores compared to non-users of these medications. Women who used study product only in un-partnered events had a larger improvement in their SFQ28 Orgasm domain scores at week 12 (2.39 ± 0.95) with Sildenafil Cream use compared to Placebo (−0.19 ± 0.75) (P  = .06). Non-White women represented a higher proportion of un-partnered women and women who used IP only during un-partnered sexual events compared to White women (P  < .01). Clinical Implications These pre-planned subset analyses will help refine target populations in future studies of Sildenafil Cream, 3.6% for the treatment of FSAD. Strengths and Limitations Subset analyses focused on variables pertinent to future target populations. The current study population was primarily educated non-Hispanic White women. Conclusion Age and hormonal contraceptive use did not impact the efficacy of topical Sildenafil Cream. Daily psychiatric medication use decreased sexual desire in active and placebo users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article explores the poetics of touch and female fetishism in Lynn Nottage's play "Intimate Apparel." The author argues that the fetish object in the play serves as a creative medium for female expression, knowledge, and fantasy, rather than devaluing femininity. The protagonist, Esther Mills, uses her attachment to fabrics and garments as a way to navigate her own femininity and overcome feelings of loss and alienation. The article also discusses the transformative power of the fetish object and its influence on Esther's evolution throughout the play. [Extracted from the article]

One longitudinal study of married couples and one experiment tested the hypothesis that the experience of sexual desire for an alternative sexual partner might heighten feelings of desire for one's long-term romantic partner, and conversely, sexual desire for one's long-term partner might heighten desire for alternative partners. A daily-diary study of newlywed couples revealed that (a) on days people reported heightened interest in alternative partners, they also reported increased desire to have sex with their partner and (b) on days people reported heightened desire to have sex with their partner, they also reported increased interest in alternative partners. An experimental study of partnered individuals revealed that people primed with sexual desire for an alternative partner reported increased sexual desire for their romantic partner (relative to a control condition). People primed with sexual desire for their romantic partner, however, did not report increased sexual desire for alternatives. Taken together, these findings support evolutionary perspectives on the function of sexual desire. Findings are consistent with the broader hypothesis that sexual desire is not partner-specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parent couples often struggle to maintain satisfying sex lives perhaps because partners have different priorities to balance including the self, their relationship with each other, and their relationships with their children. Given that parents are increasingly involved in supporting adult children, it is important to examine how prioritization of other's needs over one's own shapes a couple's sexual relationship. In a sample of 179 parent couples with university student children living at home, we examined whether prioritizing one's partner's (i.e., partner‐centrism) and/or their child's (i.e., child‐centrism) needs above one's own were associated with couples' sexual relationship outcomes (sexual desire, satisfaction, and frequency). The results showed that higher partner‐centrism was positively associated with sexual satisfaction for both men and women. Having a partner who prioritized them and not their child was beneficial for men's sexual relationship. In contrast, it was important for highly child‐centric women that their partner was also child‐centric. The findings highlight the importance of examining the ways in which parents prioritize their own and other family members' needs when working with couples. It may be especially beneficial for men's outcomes when they feel prioritized and for women when they feel that their partner shares their goal to prioritize children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whereas Djuna Barnes's use of early modern discourses in Ladies Almanack has generally been read as a critique of sexology and psychoanalysis I argue that her use of this cross-temporal knowledge is a part of a cacophonous contradictory plastic and process-oriented understanding of embodied gender reproduction and queer desire. She "thinks out loud" about how women can have sex in the wake of centuries of (male) authors trying to make sense of women's sexual desires. In so doing Barnes defies twentieth-century assumptions of how knowledge happens and what knowledge should do and instead privileges thinking over knowing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Methadone-induced sexual dysfunction in men can significantly impair their quality of life and reduce methadone adherence, thereby interfering with its therapeutic benefits. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of bupropion and amantadine on reducing sexual dysfunction in methadone-dependent males. Methods: This clinical trial included 47 methadone-dependent males attending the Addiction Treatment Center in Babol, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to either the amantadine group (n = 23) or the bupropion group (n = 24). Demographic data and addiction history were collected using a checklist, and sexual dysfunction was assessed with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) Questionnaire before and after the intervention. Paired t-tests, independent t-tests, and chi-squared tests were used to compare the two groups. Results: Both groups had similar demographic variables and sexual function scores before the intervention (P > 0.05). However, there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of total sexual dysfunction scores (52.13 ± 13.07 for bupropion vs. 60.79 ± 4.47 for amantadine; P = 0.006). Additionally, significant differences were observed in sexual desire (P = 0.003), satisfaction with intercourse (P = 0.001), and overall satisfaction (P = 0.034), with higher scores in the bupropion group. Adverse medication-related effects were less prevalent in the bupropion group (54.2%) compared to the amantadine group (60.9%). Conclusions: Bupropion appears to be more effective in improving sexual function in methadone-dependent males undergoing methadone treatment, with patients in the bupropion group achieving better scores than those in the amantadine group. Additionally, the occurrence of adverse effects was lower in the bupropion group compared to the amantadine group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) and sex hormone profile disturbances are common in ESRD patients. Objective: To assess the effect of kidney transplant (KT) and Hemodialysis/peritoneal dialysis (HD/PD) on the serum sex hormone profile and sexual functions in ESRD patients with ED. Patients and methods: A single-center, non-concurrent cohort study included a hundred ESRD patients with ED, on regular HD/PD (group A, n = 50) and after KT (group B, n = 50) at Armed Forces Hospitals Southern Region, KSA. Results: the mean age of patients was 47.3 ± 7.01 and 56.8 ± 9.6 years in groups A and B, respectively. The cohorts were comparable regarding patient demographics, apart from a higher incidence of comorbidities in group B. After KT the mean testosterone level was higher in Group B (13.64 ± 3.21 nmol/L Vs 10.26 ± 3.26 nmol/L, p < 0.001). Similarly, LH and prolactin levels were lower in group B than in group A (p < 0.05). As regards sexual function, ED was reported in 92% of patients in group A compared to 42% in group B (p < 0.001). In groups A and B, mild ED was found in 48% and 14% of patients, while moderate ED was found in 16% and 8%, respectively. The mean total IIEF-15 score was 36.42 ± 9.33 and 43.87 ± 9.146 in groups A and B, respectively (p = 0.0001). Sexual desire and orgasm were significantly better in Group B. Conclusions: Our study showed that kidney transplantation could improve erectile function and restore normal sex hormone levels in ESRD male patients with ED, with better outcomes compared to HD/PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "The Sexual and Racial Politics of Intimacy in Thomas A. Digges's Adventures of Alonso (1775)" published in Early American Literature explores the extensive geographical and epistemological scope of the two-volume picaresque novel Adventures of Alonso. The narrative follows Alonso, a Portuguese-born protagonist, on episodic travels across the Atlantic world, focusing on the small-scale intimacies between male protagonists. The text delves into the regulation and management of intimacy across transatlantic spaces, highlighting how Adventures of Alonso constructs notions of liberal subjectivity and relationality through exclusion and affective distancing of racialized, gendered, and sexualized individuals. The article examines how the novel uses intimacy to reorganize bodies into a fantasy of democratic social form while dismissing others as politically expendable, ultimately revealing the racialized and sexualized dynamics at play in the narrative. [Extracted from the article]