Academic literature on the topic 'Human female sexuality'

For several decades, scholars of human sexuality have almost uniformly assumed that women evolutionarily lost oestrus—a phase of female sexuality occurring near ovulation and distinct from other phases of the ovarian cycle in terms of female sexual motivations and attractivity. In fact, we argue, this long-standing assumption is wrong. We review evidence that women's fertile-phase sexuality differs in a variety of ways from their sexuality during infertile phases of their cycles. In particular, when fertile in their cycles, women are particularly sexually attracted to a variety of features that likely are (or, ancestrally, were) indicators of genetic quality. As women's fertile-phase sexuality shares with other vertebrate females' fertile-phase sexuality a variety of functional and physiological features, we propose that the term oestrus appropriately applies to this phase in women. We discuss the function of women's non-fertile or extended sexuality and, based on empirical findings, suggest ways that fertile-phase sexuality in women has been shaped to partly function in the context of extra-pair mating. Men are particularly attracted to some features of fertile-phase women, but probably based on by-products of physiological changes males have been selected to detect, not because women signal their cycle-based fertility status.

A large body of scientific research documents four important gender differences in sexuality. First, on a wide variety of measures, men show greater sexual desire than do women. Second, compared with men, women place greater emphasis on committed relationships as a context for sexuality. Third, aggression is more strongly linked to sexuality for men than for women. Fourth, women's sexuality tends to be more malleable and capable of change over time. These male-female differences are pervasive, affecting thoughts and feelings as well as behavior, and they characterize not only heterosexuals but lesbians and gay men as well. Implications of these patterns are considered.

Introduction In contrast to animal species in which linear relationships exist between hormonal status and sexual behaviour sexuality in human population is not determined so simply by the level of sexual steroids. The article analyses female sexuality in the light of hormonal status. Administration of sexual steroids during pregnancy and sexual differentiation High doses of gestagens, especially those with high androgen activity, widely used against miscarriages may lead to tomboys, but without differences in sexual orientation. However, it has been observed that the frequency of bisexual and lesbian women is higher in women with congenital adrenogenital syndrome. Hormones sexual desire and sexuality during menstrual cycle It has been established that sexual desire, autoeroticism and sexual fantasies in women depend on androgen levels. There are a lot of reports claiming that sexual desire varies during the menstrual cycle. Hormonal contraception and sexuality Most patients using birth control pills present with decreased libido. But, there are reports that progestagens with antiandrogenic effect in contraceptive pills do not affect sexual desire. Hormonal changes in peri- and postmenopausal period and sexuality Decreased levels of estrogen and testosterone in older women are associated with decreased libido, sensitivity and erotic stimuli. Sexuality and hormone replacement therapy Hormonal therapy with estrogen is efficient in reference to genital atrophy, but not to sexual desire. Really increased libido is achieved using androgens. Also, therapy with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and tibolone have positive effects on female libido. Conclusion Effect of sexual steroids on sexual sphere of women is very complex. The association between hormones and sexuality is multidimensional, as several hormones are important in regulation of sexual behaviour. Still, it should be pointed out that sexuality is in the domain of hormonal, emotional-motivational and social factors.

In August 2015, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the production of Addyi (flibanserin), a pharmaceutical tablet for premenopausal women distressed by a lack of sexual desire. During clinical trials, reports from research participants revealed minimal efficacy: an estimated 0.8 increase in ‘satisfying sexual events’ per month. This article explores the emergence of Addyi as a case study of how this technique produces a particular subject of pharmaceutical knowledge. It examines the pharmaceutical tablet as a technique for the management of sexual appetite. I consider the significance of the act of pharmaceutical ingestion on the embodied subjectivity of the consumer and the chemical constitution of the human body.

There is increasing interest in and tolerance of the lay public for variations in human sexuality. In contrast, the molecular biology that underlies gender identity, the development of gonadal and genital anatomy, and the factors that define sexual behavior is proving unexpectedly complex and is still incompletely understood. It is now evident that humans cannot be characterized as member of 1 of 2 clearly defined units: male or female. In fact, individuals exist on a continuum: those who do not conform unequivocally to the dyadic view of human sex in terms of anatomy, gender identity, and/or sexual behavior should be characterized as having variations in rather than disorders of sexual development. Such individuals can no longer be regarded as anomalies to be rejected, condemned, and, if possible, “corrected” either psychologically or anatomically.

RESUMOO diálogo entre antidepressivos e psicoterapia é o foco de nossas reflexões neste estudo, tendo como trilha questionamentos sobre a sexualidade feminina e o tratamento medicamentoso e a psicoterapia, destacando-se os principais benefícios e limitações de ambos os tratamentos. Essas reflexões objetivam a ampliação da compreensão dos profissionais envolvidos nos tratamentos da depressão. A escolha pelo profissional de uma droga adequada é essencial no tratamento da depressão e para a garantia de seu sucesso. E para tal é também de suma importância o compromisso de laboratórios que tenham em vista produzir medicamentos que não ofereçam reações adversas no exercício da sexualidade, bem como em outras áreas do existir humano. Com esta somatória de esforços, as vivências sexuais, ao invés de agravarem ainda mais os quadros depressivos, passam a expressar um horizonte de melhora. Quando o profissional adota essa postura, ele estará sempre aberto para reconhecer, aprender, diagnosticar e tratar o novo, não reduzindo o ser humano a apenas algum aspecto específico, mas oferecendo a suas pacientes todo o respeito e consideração que lhe são devidos, facilitando a adesão a ambos os tratamentos e possibilitando um prognóstico mais favorável.Descritores: Depressão; Mulheres; Sexualidade; Antidepressivos; Psicoterapia. ABSTRACTThe dialog between antidepressant and psychotherapy is the focus of our reflections in the present paper. We part from issues regarding feminine sexuality and medical and psychotherapeutical treatment, examining the major benefits and limitations of each. Such reflections aim to provide professionals who treat depression with a comprehensive understanding of these issues. The choice for the professional of an adequate drug is essential in the depression treatment and for the guarantee of its success. For that does very importance the laboratories commitment of that have in sight to produce medicines that do not offer adverse reactions in the exercise of the sexuality, as well as in other areas of human exist. With this addition of efforts, the sexual experiences, instead of aggravating the depressive pictures still more, start to express an improvement horizon. When the professional adopts this position, it always will be opened to recognize, to learn, to diagnosis and to treat the new, not reducing the human being only the some specific aspect, but offering to its patients all the respect and consideration that must to it, facilitating to the adhesion to both the treatments and making possible a more favorable prognostic.Descriptors: Depression; Women; Sexuality; Antidepressive; Psychotherapy.RESUMENEl diálogo entre antidepresivos y la psicoterapia es el foco de nuestras reflexiones en este estudio. Teniendo como guía de cuestionamiento la sexualidad femenina y al tratamiento médico y la psicoterapia, examinando las ventajas y las limitaciones de cada uno. Tales reflexiones apuntan a ampliar la comprensión de los profesionales que tratan la depresión. La opción para el profesional de elegir una droga adecuada es esencial en el tratamiento de la depresión y para la garantía de su éxito. Para ello es importante el compromiso de los laboratorios de producir medicamentos que no ofrezcan reacciones adversas en el ejercicio de la sexualidad, así como en otras áreas del ser humano. Con esta sumatoria de esfuerzos, las vivencias sexuales, en vez de agravar más los cuadros depresivos, comienzan a expresar un horizonte de mejoría. Cuando el profesional adopta esta posición, estará siempre abierto para reconocer, aprender, diagnosticar y tratar lo nuevo, no reduciendo al ser humano sólo a algún aspecto específico, sino ofreciendo a sus pacientes todo el respecto y consideración que deba a él, facilitando la adherencia a ambos tratamientos y posibilitando un pronóstico más favorable. Descriptores: Depresión; Mujeres; Sexualidad; Antidepresivos; Psicoterapia.

This study intends to analyze the causes of the high prevalence of the practice of female genital mutilations (FGM) in Sudan, Nigeria, and Iraq. For the attainment of this objective, the researcher had used the secondary data collection and the qualitative data analysis method. The results of the study indicate that the factors of culture, religion and society are the three most important ones which had directly contributed towards the high prevalence of FGM in the different developing nations like Sudan, Nigeria and Iraq among others. More importantly, the results also indicate that the practice of is an attempt on the part of the male dominated society of these nations to not only control the sexuality of the women but of almost all the aspects of their life. Furthermore, this ritual while adversely affecting the wellbeing as well as the health of the women and the girls is a gross violation of the human rights or the basic fundamental rights of the girls and the women. In addition to these, it had been seen that although the different nations of the world like Sudan and Iraq in the recent years had taken the help of various measures, legislations and others but they have failed to help these nations to effectively reduce the high prevalence of FGM. However, in the relation mention needs to be made of the nation of Nigeria which in the recent years had been able to reduce the prevalence of FGM by more than half through the usage of adequate implementation and monitoring strategies for the effective usage of the different legislations, regulations and others related to FGM. This as a matter of fact has important implications for the nations like Iraq and Sudan since they also have the option to reduce the high prevalence of FGM in their territory through the usage of similar measures. Lastly, the study recommends the usage of adequate implementation, monitoring and evaluation strategies for the legislations, regulations and others related to FGM, empowerment of women and the spread of required awareness regarding the harmful effects of FGM on the health and the wellbeing of the women for reducing the high prevalence of the same.

Due to Convid 19 the presentation was virtual. 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multisymptomatic disorder and the most common endocrinopathy among women of reproductive age. Psychopathological problems are a relatively new aspect of PCOS for clinicians. Only about 3.5% of PubMed citations on PCOS address psychological and sexual disorders in PCOS women. Despite the sufficient body of scientific evidence, emphasizing the high prevalence of psycho-emotional problems in patients suffering from PCOS, the underlying factors that make PCOS subjects more susceptible to such disorders are still poorly understood, and data on them are often contradictory. The objectives of this study were to investigate health-related QoL, prevalence of psychological complaints and changes in sexual function in infertile PCOS women compared with patients with other infertility causes (tubal and male infertility factors) and to identify the predisposing factors. An observational study with three cohorts of infertile women was designed including 37 PCOS patients, 36 women with tubal factor, and 31 women with male factor. Patients were recruited at the reproductive medicine unit of the Hospital Clinic Barcelona from December 2017 to June 2019, where women complained of infertility. Clinical history, physical examination including Ferriman-Gallwey scores, and vaginal ultrasound were carried out in all patients. None of the women of the three groups was undergoing medically assisted reproduction (MAR) while participating in the present study. None of the women had any extragenital pathology. All participants were asked to complete the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaires. Patients with PCOS were also requested to complete the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Questionnaire (PCOSQ). RESULTS OBTAINED: Infertile women with PCOS reported significantly worse QoL scores of social functioning, emotional role functioning, mental health, and the mental component summary compared with women with other causes of infertility. In addition, body pain, general health, and vitality scores were significantly lower in women with PCOS compared with those with male factor infertility. Infertile PCOS patients showed low scores in all domains of the PCOSQ. Hirsutism and weight gain were the factors most associated with impaired health-related QoL in PCOS. Women with infertility due to PCOS showed a significantly higher prevalence of depressive (48.6 vs 19.4 and 12.9%,) and anxiety symptoms (21.6 vs 5.6 and 3.2%) than respondents of reference groups. Sexual function in PCOS subjects was impaired in the areas orgasm and satisfaction compared to patients of reference groups. Clinical, biochemical hyperandrogenism, and overweight were associated with a higher incidence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in the infertile PCOS group. Besides, the severity of anxiety symptoms was associated with the number of medically assisted reproduction attempts. Weight gain and age were associated with impaired sexual functioning. The relation between reduced sexuality and depressive/anxiety symptoms was found. CONCLUSIONS: • PCOS may result in a significant worsening of QoL, mainly on psychological and emotional components. • PCOS is associated with high prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms and some impairment of sexual functioning is associated with PCOS • Weight excess and hirsutism are important predictors for impaired psychological health • Anxiety and depressive state, weight gain are significant predisposing factors for reduced sexuality • Endogenous infertility potentiates deterioration in the QoL, psychological state, and sexual functioning of women with PCOS • Infertility accompanied by several MAR attempts may be an additional risk factor for the development of anxiety.
Los objetivos de este estudio fueron investigar la calidad de vida, la prevalencia de quejas psicológicas y los cambios en la función sexual en mujeres infértiles con SOP en comparación con pacientes con otras causas de infertilidad (factores de infertilidad tubárica y masculina) e identificar los factores predisponentes. Se diseñó un estudio observacional con tres cohortes de mujeres infértiles que incluyó a 37 pacientes con SOP, 36 mujeres con factor tubárico y 31 mujeres con factor masculino. Los pacientes fueron reclutados en la unidad de medicina reproductiva del Hospital Clínic Barcelona desde diciembre de 2017 hasta junio de 2019, donde las mujeres se quejaron de infertilidad. A todas las pacientes se les realizó historia clínica, exploración física con puntuaciones de Ferriman- Gallwey y ecografía vaginal. Ninguna de las mujeres de los tres grupos se sometió a reproducción médicamente asistida (RMA) mientras participaba en el presente estudio. Ninguna de las mujeres presentaba patología extragenital. Se pidió a todos los participantes que completaran el formulario SF-36, los cuestionarios HAM- A, BDI-II y FSFI. Los pacientes con SOP completaron el SOPQ. RESULTADOS OBTENIDOS: Las mujeres infértiles con SOP informaron puntuaciones de calidad de vida significativamente peores en los dominios que caracterizan la salud mental en comparación con las mujeres con otras causas de infertilidad. Los pacientes infértiles con SOP presentaron puntuaciones bajas en todos los dominios del SOPQ. El hirsutismo y el sobrepeso fueron los factores más asociados con el deterioro de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en SOP. Las mujeres con infertilidad por SOP mostraron una prevalencia significativamente mayor de síntomas depresivos y de ansiedad que las encuestadas de los grupos de referencia. La función sexual en los sujetos con SOP se vio afectada en las áreas de orgasmo y satisfacción en comparación con los pacientes de los grupos de referencia. El hiperandrogenismo clínico, bioquímico y el sobrepeso se asociaron con una mayor incidencia de síntomas depresivos / de ansiedad en el grupo infértil con SOP. Además, la gravedad de los síntomas de ansiedad se asoció con el número de intentos de RMA. El sobrepeso y la edad se asociaron con un funcionamiento sexual deficiente. Se encontró la relación entre la reducción de la sexualidad y los síntomas depresivos / ansiosos. CONCLUSIONES: • SOP puede resultar en un empeoramiento significativo de la calidad de vida y está asociado con una alta prevalencia de síntomas depresivos, de ansiedad y algún deterioro del funcionamiento sexual • El sobrepeso y el hirsutismo son importantes predictores de problemas de salud psicológica • La ansiedad y el estado depresivo, el sobrepeso son factores predisponentes importantes para la reducción de la sexualidad • La infertilidad endógena potencia el deterioro de la calidad de vida, el estado psicológico y el funcionamiento sexual de las mujeres con SOP • La infertilidad acompañada de varios intentos de RMA puede ser un factor de riesgo adicional para el desarrollo de ansiedad.

Introduction. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be highly prevalent among young women, and STIs continue to be a challenging health issue on college campuses. Studies have shown that the highest prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) is among young adult women, ages 20 to 24, including female college students. While the HPV vaccine has proven to be highly effective in preventing certain high-risk types of HPV, it is not effective in preventing all types of HPV or other STIs. Practicing other safer sex behaviors, in addition to condom use, also can help individuals protect themselves and their partners from acquiring HPV and other STIs. Purpose. Relationships between knowledge about HPV and the HPV vaccine, beliefs about HPV, acceptance of the HPV vaccine, and intentions to practice safer sex behaviors were assessed to determine if female college students who had a high acceptance of the HPV vaccine were also more likely to practice safer sex behaviors. Methods. A convenience sample of 2,706 undergraduate female college students, ages 18 to 24, from three U.S. public universities, completed an online survey that measured the following study variables: knowledge about HPV; knowledge about the HPV vaccine; acceptance of the HPV vaccine, specifically influential factors and barriers to vaccination; as well as attitudes, normative beliefs, control beliefs and intentions for practicing safer sex behaviors. Results. The majority of participants had a high level of knowledge of HPV (70.4%) and the HPV vaccine (73.7%). Over one-third of the participants (37.3%) received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine. Most participants thought they had a low susceptibility to HPV, as 54% thought they were unlikely to contract HPV; however, most (53.6%) thought that HPV would be a serious problem for them. The safer sex behavior that participants thought was the easiest was refusing to have sex with a partner that would not use a condom (51.8% “Strongly agree”) and the safer sex behavior that participants thought to be the most difficult was asking a partner to get tested for STIs (54.5% “Disagree”). Attitudes, normative beliefs, and control beliefs combined to strongly predict intentions (R = .730, p < .001), and attitudes was the strongest predictor for intentions to practice safer sex behaviors (β = .666), 95% CI [.649, .711]. There was a significant positive correlation between vaccine acceptance and intentions to practice safer sex behaviors (r = .087, p < .001), including likelihood of getting vaccinated against HPV (r = .098, p < .001). Conclusions. Findings from this study demonstrate the need for university student health centers to provide information about the HPV vaccine as part of broader STI prevention and social marketing campaigns, targeting female college students who are single, as well as those in monogamous relationships. Furthermore, because young men can be carriers of HPV and the HPV vaccine is now available to them, follow-up studies are needed to determine acceptance of the HPV vaccine among male college students as it relates to HPV knowledge, knowledge of the vaccine, and intentions to practice safer sex behaviors.

An association between persistent Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in women and cervical cancer has been established. Young women are particularly at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections such as HPV because of risky sexual activity and physiological immaturity. While at risk though, young women have been shown to be amenable to health promoting initiatives. There are a small number of international studies concerning adolescent HPV infection and the risk factors associated with infection, but there is currently no evidence on the prevalence and risk factors for HPV in an Australian, sexually active female adolescent population. This study aimed to provide evidence of the prevalence of HPV, risk factors associated with infection and the patterns of sexual activity in a female sexually active, senior high school population in the Australian Capital Territory. Participants in this study were a convenience sample of 161 sexually active 16-19 year old females who had an HPV test who were attending a senior high school in the Australian Capital Territory. Nurses and doctors using a clinical record collected information about sexual and other risk behaviours. Self-obtained vaginal swabs were tested for HPV DNA using the polymerase chain reaction method and genotyping was undertaken. The HPV prevalence in this cohort of young women was 1 1.2%. High-risk genotypes were found in 55.5% and multiple genotypes were found in 38.8%. There was a significant association found between HPV infection and having had more than one male partner with whom vaginal intercourse had occurred in the previous six months. No statistically significant association was found between HPV and the age of coitarche, length of time young women had been sexually active, condom use, and smoking or alcohol intake. A young age at coitarche was common for this group. Smoking and alcohol use was seen in large proportions in this group. This is the first Australian study that has examined the prevalence and risk factors for genital HPV in this demographic group. The HPV prevalence is lower than in international studies in comparable groups, in similar age groups and much lower than in older women both in Australia and overseas. With the comparatively low prevalence comes an opportunity for important public health interventions for this group including routine Pap smears, vaccination against the high-risk types of HPV when this becomes available and strategies for young women to reduce their number of male sexual partners. A substantial amount of young women in this study were sexually active aged under 16 years. Whilst this was not identified as being a risk factor in this study, it is both a health and personal safety issue for these young women. There is a demonstrated need for health promotion strategies for this cohort about the consumption of safe levels of alcohol and for smoking cessation. Further research is recommended that includes a repetition of this study with a larger sample, the use of a prospective study design to identify trends in infection and examination of HPV prevalence and risk factors for a variety of populations.

This chapter discusses Qur’anic concepts related to sex and sexuality and considers how sex, as a feature of embodiment and as an act of intimacy, factors into Qur’anic narratives. It delineates concepts such as “female,” “woman,” and “wife,” and gives attention to Qur’anic notions of virginity and beauty. The chapter points out the many provocative juxtapositions between female figures, the situations that they navigate, and the moral valences of their actions and intentions. It demonstrates how the issue of illicit sex is a major human dilemma in the Qur’anic worldview, both for the chaste who are unjustly accused of illicit sex and for immoral people who create havoc for themselves and others through their profligacy and moral bankruptcy. On the other hand, the Qur’an does not emphasize the trope of the seductress; of the dozens of female figures mentioned in the Qur’an, only one plays this role, and even she can be directly contrasted to women in similar, potentially compromising situations who take the morally sound course of action. Qur’anic terminology for paradisal beings and the possibility of sex in paradise is also discussed.

In order to facilitate a fuller appreciation of the conceptions of ontology identified in Becoming Human, I pose three arguments that fundamentally reframe the animalization of blackness. First, I argue that philosophers’ and historians’ emphasis on antiblack formulations of African reason and history have overlooked the centrality of gender, sexuality, and maternity in the animalization of blackness. Namely, I argue that black female flesh persistently functions as the limit case of “the human” and is its matrix figure. This is largely explained by the fact that, historically, the delineation between species has fundamentally been determined by how the means and scene of birth are interpreted. Second, I demonstrate that Eurocentric humanism needs blackness as a prop in order to erect whiteness: to define its own limits and to designate humanity as an achievement as well as to give form to the category of “the animal.” Third, I look beyond recognition as human as the solution to the bestialization of blackness, by drawing out the dissident ontological and materialist thinking in black expressive culture, lingering on modes of being/knowing/feeling that gesture toward the overturning of Man. I also provide a reading of Ezrom Legae’s Chicken Series and provide chapter summaries.

This paper is one of the components of our research on how to optimize polymeric drug delivery vehicles. One of the applications is in the topical delivery of anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gels called microbicides [1]. Microbicides are delivered to vaginal or rectal epithelium to protect it from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Microbicides may provide a physical barrier amplifying the normal vaginal defense, as well as destroy the pathogens chemically or inhibit viral infection. The microbicide may consist of an anti-HIV active agent in some delivery vehicle, such as a gel, cream or foam. Microbicides are a promising solution to provide a low-cost, female-controlled method for protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted pathogens.