No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the authors.
Sex Toy Use by Gay and Bisexual Men in the United States
Archives of Sexual Behavior
Abstract
Recent studies have documented that vibrators are an important part of the sexual repertoires of both men and women and have demonstrated positive sexual health outcomes among individuals who use such products. However, little is known about the use of other sexual enhancement products, particularly among gay and bisexually identified men. This study sought to document the extent to which gay and bisexually identified men report using sex toys and the sexual and relational situations within which they used them. Data were collected via an internet-based survey from 25,294 gay and bisexually identified men throughout the U.S. recruited from an Internet site popular among men seeking social or sexual interactions with other men. A majority (78.5%) of gay and bisexually identified men reported having used at least one type of sex toy, including dildos (62.1%), non-vibrating cock rings (51.9%), vibrators (49.6%), butt plugs (34.0%), masturbation sleeves (27.9%), and anal beads or balls (19.3%). Among users, toys such as dildos or butt plugs were commonly inserted into one's own anus during masturbation (95.7%, n = 11,781) and insertion into their partners anus (72.0% n = 4,197) during partnered sexual activities. These data suggest that sex toy use is common among gay and bisexual men during both solo and partnered sexual activities and considered by these men as enhancing the quality of their sexual experiences.
... Sexual enhancement objects, such as sex toys, are readily accessible nowadays through in-home sex toy parties, adult bookstores, women's magazines, boutiques, drugstores, retail channels, and the internet. 2 Vibrators and dildos are two popular toys. 3 Vibrators are moveable gadgets that emit pulses of varied amplitude and frequency, increasing sexual desire and delaying climax in both men and women. ...
... Today, vibrators come in a variety of forms, dimensions, and materials, and they are intended and promoted for use by men, women, and partners during solitary and coupled sexual activities. 2,18,19 A nationally representative internetbased research about women in the United States revealed that 52.5% had used a vibrator. 4 Vibrators, both with their vibration features and different designs, have an accelerated upward trend with their adaptation to technological developments and gained a place in therapy, making them stand out in terms of choice. ...
... 5,26 These are advised for males, such as those with anorgasmia, who wish to modify their orgasmic experiences or improve their orgasmic response. 2,26 When used in urological practice, they could help patients with chronic prostatic pain maintain better prostate health. 27 Anal plugs are also on the rise in this study with vibrating types available. ...
Background
Individuals from all over the world are increasingly using the internet to purchase sex toys and gadgets to enhance their sexual experience and provide variety and excitement to their sexual encounters.
Aim
This study examined the trends about the most popular preferred sex toys by nation/region from 2009 using data from Google Trends (GT).
Methods
GT was used to generate a “line-graph” that displays how interest in a topic in certain places has risen or diminished over time. Search terms were generated for vibrator, dildo, anal plug, strap-on, and masturbator. The data were included “globally” from January 1, 2009 to June 30, 2023.
Outcomes
The search values for certain terms were indexed using the relative search volume (RSV), which is shown on a scale of 0–100.
Results
In the linear regression analysis, the trends by strength were sorted as follows: dildo, vibrator, strap-on, anal plug, and masturbator. In 2018, vibrator surpassed strap-on and came in second, while the regression analysis showed a positive trend for dildo between 2009 and 2016 (P = .014). It had a negative trend after 2016. Strap-on was the only one to have a downward trend (P = .029). Regression analysis revealed positive trends for vibrator and masturbator (P = .030, P = .045). The upward trends have continued uninterruptedly since 2009.
Clinical implications
According to our research, interest in online trends relating to sex toys has increased along with advancements in technology and clinical applications. This rise is linked to the worldwide sex toy industry’s development in response to consumer demand and ease of accessibility.
Strengths and limitations
This is the first research of this sort, looking into the interests of internet users about sex toys by country over time using GT. GT data is anonymous, and analysis of subpopulation groups is not possible.
Conclusion
Individual preferences for sex toys have different trends on different continents around the world. The compatibility of sex toys with technology over time, their clinical use, and sex toy-related injuries play an important role in the selection process. Web trends seem appropriate to reflect how the demand for sex toys has changed over time.
... One of the most common motivations for people to engage in sexual activity is pleasure [1,2]. Sex toys and devices can enhance and diversify sexual pleasure while introducing new possibilities and excitement into sexual play [3,4]. Although many sex toys are intended to enhance pleasure, other devices are considered therapeutic due to their ability to increase arousal levels, stimulation, and sexual activity [5]. ...
... Some are physical, such as stress reduction, physical attraction, and seeking new experiences, whereas others are emotional, such as seeking love, commitment, or even as a way of expressing oneself [1]. Sex toys can enhance pleasure, satisfaction and sex play in all genders [3,4]. These products are used for solo self-pleasure or for use during sexual activity with a partner. ...
Since the digital revolution, there has been a notable increase in the use and popularity of sex toys and innovative sexual devices, which can be attributed to advancements in technology. The sex toys industry strives to improve sexual experience, pleasure and sexual health, and to address sexual dysfunction through devices and technology. With the growth of this industry, new products that are considered “smart sexual devices” have gradually entered the market. Smart sexual devices feature wireless connectivity to a smartphone application that allows the user to control the device’s features and provide personal or sexual data about their sexual experiences. Other smart devices have sensors and are able to collect physical data during usage. With the aid of this data, individuals may be able to understand their sexual behavior and arousal better, resulting in improved sexual experience or the overcoming of sexual dysfunction. The present article aims to explore the potential applications of technology-based devices, and smart sexual devices, in the treatment of male sexual dysfunctions, including premature ejaculation (PE), and delayed ejaculation (DE), as well as female sexual dysfunction (FSD), such as sexual arousal disorder and female orgasmic disorder. Furthermore, we examine the advantages and disadvantages of these devices. Given the limited literature available on this subject and the absence of controlled studies, we conduct a narrative review of the existing scientific research on technological and smart sexual devices.
... Sex toys are defined as material objects used to generate or enhance sexual arousal and pleasure in both solo and partnered sex [3]. They come in a plethora of options and different designs, ranging from mainstream battery-operated vibrators [4] to technologically advanced remote-controlled smart devices [5]. Browsing for sex toys online has become a popular cybersexual activity with about 50% of young women and men in different Western countries reporting this behavior [6] and about one-third having used the Internet to purchase a sex toy [7]. ...
... Consumers of genitalia sex toys were significantly more concerned with quality and material compared to consumers of torso sex toys, while consumers of torso sex toys addressed size and weight more frequently. A possible explanation for this difference is that vibrators and masturbators have been on the market for a longer time than human torso sex toys and many consumers consider them to be mainstream products [4]. Therefore, their general functionality, look, and shape are already familiar to most people. ...
Sex toys are widely marketed on the Internet. Browsing for, buying, and reviewing sex
toys online are popular cybersexual activities. The aim of this study was to investigate consumers’ experiences with different types of realistic sex toys via online product reviews on Amazon.com. Toys were categorized in a 2 x 2 design regarding their representation of the human body (genitalia sex toys representing reproductive organs only versus torso toys representing larger parts of the human body) and their depiction of gender (toys representing female versus male body parts). Informed by feminist discourses on sex toys as well as sexual script theory and consumer research,
the study explored the overall evaluations (RQ1), most frequently addressed characteristics (RQ2), usage patterns (RQ3), and perceived effects (RQ4) of the four groups of sex toys. A quantitative manual content analysis of N = 778 online sex toy reviews showed that 79% of consumers gave popular realistic sex toys positive ratings (RQ1). The most frequently mentioned characteristics were quality, material, and shape (RQ2). Most reviewers were men and used sex toys for solo sexual activities (RQ3). An additional qualitative analysis of n = 69 reviews addressing the perceived effects
of sex toy use revealed that consumers predominantly mentioned positive effects (RQ4). Genitalia sex toys received better evaluations than torso sex toys and were perceived to be complementary tools to enhance sexual arousal, whereas the use of torso toys entailed anthropomorphization and symbolic social interactions. Implications for future research and design of different types of sex toys are discussed.
... Já estudos realizados nos Estados Unidos com homens adultos descobriram que 44,8% dos homens relatam ter brinquedo sexual com vibrador ao longo da vida. E outro realizado com homossexuais e bissexuais ao longo da vida identificou que a prevalência do uso de vibradores foi de 49,6% e o uso de pelo menos um brinquedo sexual foi de 78,5% (Rosenberger, Schick, Herbenick, Novak, & Reece, 2012). Outra pesquisa realizada com 25.294 homens também nos Estados Unidos com homossexuais e bissexuais mostrou que a maioria 78,5% referem ter usado pelo menos um tipo de brinquedo sexual, incluindo vibradores (62,1%), anéis sem vibrador (49,6%), buchas (34,0%) e esferas ou esferas anais (19,3%). ...
... E 95,7% dos participantes relataram que inseriram brinquedos como dildos ou buchas no ânus durante a masturbação e 72,0% inseriram no ânus do seu parceiro. Revelando que o uso de brinquedos sexuais é comum nessa população durante as atividades sexuais solitárias ou com parceiros (Rosenberger et al., 2012). A transmissão do HPV pode ocorrer através do uso de brinquedos sexuais também é apoiado por pesquisas sobre a detecção de HPV em outras superfícies. ...
... As such, in the SEA, level 0 technologies are not erobots, but correspond to simple erotic objects or media without agency beyond that which is attributed by humans and/or their (pre-established and/or intended) affordances (e.g., dildos, vibrators, artificial vulva/vagina, dolls, and pornography). However, they are here included because they represent a significant portion of the erotic technology currently available and used [22,56,86,89,90,137,138,247,251,253,262], and could play a role in our intimacy with erobots (e.g., interactions involving virtual partners and vibrators). They are also included here because their lack of agency (as previously defined in Sect. ...
... Noteworthy, at the moment, some of these phenomena are difficult to examine empirically without solely relying on self-report and hypothetical scenarios [87,219,265], partly due to the unavailability, high price, and/or novelty of (sophisticated) erobotic systems. Others, however, can already be observed (and studied)-to various degrees-through individuals, communities, and cultures related to: digi/technosexuality [21,200,283], cybersex (or online sexuality; [67,85]), hentai (i.e., manga or anime pornography; [301]) and otakuism (i.e., interests in animation, manga, and games, often incorporating (non-)fictional technology; [11,304]), dolls [87,104,166,174,280,294], toys [86,89,90,138,247,253], platforms [49], games [80], teledildonics [85,107,200], (VR/AR/MR) pornography [254,275], (AI-powered) dating applications [197,208,281], artificial partners [87,112,160,200,219,237,307], as well as objectophilia, agalmatophilia/pygmalionism, and mechanophilia (i.e., respectively, the (sexual and/or romantic) attraction to objects, statue/dolls/mannequins, and machines; [102,317]. Just to name a few. ...
Technology is giving rise to artificial erotic agents, which we call erobots (erôs + bot). Erobots, such as virtual or augmented partners, erotic chatbots, and sex robots, increasingly expose humans to the possibility of intimacy and sexuality with artificial agents. Their advent has sparked academic and public debates: some denounce their risks (e.g., promotion of harmful sociosexual norms), while others defend their potential benefits (e.g., health, education, and research applications). Yet, the scientific study of human–machine erotic interaction is limited; no comprehensive theoretical models have been proposed and the empirical literature remains scarce. The current research programs investigating erotic technologies tend to focus on the risks and benefits of erobots, rather than providing solutions to resolve the former and enhance the latter. Moreover, we feel that these programs underestimate how humans and machines unpredictably interact and co-evolve, as well as the influence of sociocultural processes on technological development and meaning attribution. To comprehensively explore human–machine erotic interaction and co-evolution, we argue that we need a new unified transdisciplinary field of research—grounded in sexuality and technology positive frameworks—focusing on human-erobot interaction and co-evolution as well as guiding the development of beneficial erotic machines. We call this field Erobotics. As a first contribution to this new discipline, this article defines Erobotics and its related concepts; proposes a model of human-erobot interaction and co-evolution; and suggests a path to design beneficial erotic machines that could mitigate risks and enhance human well-being.
... Once considered taboo, the availability and reported use of sexual enhancement products (i.e., sex toys) is becoming increasingly common in North America (Curtis, 2004;Davis, Blank, Lin, & Bonillas,1996;Herbenick et al., 2009;Rosenberger, Schick, Herbenick, Novak, & Reece, 2012;Queen & Comella, 2008). Nationally representative surveys in the United States indicate that 52.5% of women report ever having used a vibrator in their lifetime (Herbenick et al., 2009). ...
... Academic interest in the use of sex toys has increased as these products have become more accepted in mainstream media, and incorporated into individuals' sexual scripts (Curtis, 2004;Herbenick et al., 2009;Queen & Comella, 2008;Rosenberger et al., 2012). However, much of the research has focused solely on vibrator use, with few studies examining the additional types of toys that women use to enhance their sexual lives. ...
Researchers' interest in the use of sex toys has increased in the past 10 years as products become more accepted in mainstream media, and incorporated into individuals' sexual scripts. Though researchers and health educators have emphasized the importance of sex toy use hygiene behaviours, few studies have addressed the extent to which individuals are sharing, cleaning and covering their sex toys. The current research examined 1) the prevalence, frequency, predictors, and types of sex toys use/used, 2) the prevalence/frequency of sex toy use hygiene behaviours (e.g., cleaning, sharing, covering) and 3) whether sex toy use hygiene behaviours were related to vulvovaginal health outcomes among a sample of Canadian participants. As part of a larger survey examining genital health and hygiene practices, 1435 participants across Canada completed an anonymous online survey. Prevalence of sex toy use was 52.3%. Sex toys users were more likely to report a bisexual, lesbian, queer or questioning identity and were more likely to report engaging in additional partnered sexual activities such as oral and anal sex. Participants used a wide variety of sex toys including vibrators, butt plugs, BDSM toys, and household items. Most participants indicated that they cleaned their sex toys regularly using soap and water and 21.7% reported sharing their sex toy(s) with a partner. Sex toy use is common among Canadian women and individuals report using a variety of sexual enhancement products. Implications for educators and medical practitioners working with sexually active clients are also discussed.
... Recent literature has shown that use of sex devices is highly prevalent in the general population, regardless of sexual orientation and gender. [9][10][11][12] Humankind has always had the desire to improve the pleasurable experiences connected with sexual activity: indeed, pleasure is one of the most common reasons to have sex, 13 and recent findings of the beneficial effects of sexual activity on mood and general health 14 put the quest for pleasure in an evolutionary perspective. In these regards, the use of sex devices could possibly be considered an adjunct tool for the improvement of the couple's sexual health, to be considered in a case-by-case scenario by sexual health specialists. ...
... Moreover, they had a greater variety of sex toys and were more likely to score higher on the kinkiness dimension. This finding is in line with the literature (e.g., Reece et al., 2010;Rosenberger et al., 2012). Interestingly, although women were more likely to report being non-straight than men, non-straight individuals were less likely to score high on clit orientation. ...
Research on the use of sex toys has been primarily performed from a medical perspective, while there is still limited research from a psychosocial perspective. To bridge this gap, in this study we examined whether some psychosocial variables might be linked to sex toy ownership in a sample of 3960 Italian (cisgender men and women) sex toy buyers. More specifically, we investigated the association between gender identities and ideologies and the variety and types of sex toys owned. Based on the data, we detected two dimensions underlying the ownership of sex toys: (1) orientation to owning kinky sex toys and (2) orientation to owning clit-oriented sex toys. Results showed that benevolent sexism and gender system justification were negatively correlated with owning clit-oriented toys. Moreover, strongly gender-identified participants owned a small variety of different toys and preferred toys that were designed to stimulate the vagina or clitoris over less commonly-used toys. No significant correlation between feminist identification and sex toy type owned was found when gender identification was taken into account. These results suggest that the owning of sex toys might be associated with traditional gender ideology and the strength of gender identification.
... The gendered construction of sex dolls might elicit attraction, but their primary function is sexual activity. Most sex toy consumers prefer smaller, genitalia only sex toys, such as dildos, masturbation sleeves, and anal plugs (Döring et al., 2022;Rosenberger et al., 2012). Realistic-looking genitalia sex toys generally receive positive product reviews online, but many of the most popular models are abstract in both form and shape (e.g., pink or purple cylinders rather than flesh-toned replicas) (Johns & Bushnell, 2024). ...
Sex dolls have been criticized for reproducing unrealistic expectations about human bodies. Yet precise sex doll measurements are lacking in the literature nor has there been any systematic attempt to determine the extent to which sex dolls exaggerate human characteristics. To address this gap, we compared the specifications of sex dolls marketed in the USA with the characteristics of women and men living in the USA. Specifically, we tested if and to what degree female dolls were slimmer (H1) and male dolls more muscular (H2) than female and male humans, respectively. Furthermore, we tested if and to what degree female dolls' breasts (H3) and male dolls' penises (H4) were larger than those of women and men. We also tested if sex dolls' observed race/ethnicity was more often White than that of the US population (H5). In 2023, we collected the measures of all 757 full-body sex dolls marketed by the US retailer SexyRealSexDolls.com. Body measures from the US population were extracted from scientific literature. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using R. All hypotheses were fully or partially confirmed, which indicated that sex dolls marketed in the USA are not realistic depictions of the US population but hypergendered (H1, H2), hypersexualized (H3, H4), and racially fetishized (H5). Implications of the lack of realism are discussed.
... Regardless of the benefits of using lubricants during sexual intercourse, our findings are similar to prior research [69], which finds that commodities for sexual and gender minority youth, such as dental dams and lubricants, are generally unavailable in public health facilities. Our findings correspond with the findings of other research finding that genderqueer individuals utilize sexual aids during intercourse [70][71][72], which indicates the importance of such devices as a specific SRHSN for individuals. ...
Abstract
There are ongoing debates and controversies about whether genderqueer individuals have specific sexual-reproductive healthcare services and needs (SRHSNs). This study intended to identify and explore queer-specific SRHSNs among healthcare providers (HCPs) in Gauteng Province, South Africa. This was an exploratory sequential mixed-methods study, and this article focuses on the qualitative findings of that investigation. Thirty-three HCPs were purposively sampled, and semi-structured one-on-one interviews were used to collect data between September and November 2023. The data were analyzed using thematic content analysis (TCA). The results of this study revealed nine main themes: a crucial need for inclusive healthcare facilities; a need for psychological, counseling, and therapeutic support in sexual and reproductive healthcare; access to sexual-reproductive education and integrating support; suggested reproductive health services for queer sexual wellness; improved accessibility and particular queer reproductive healthcare; optimizing services related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) access, and sexually transmitted illness (STI) treatment; genderqueer persons’ parenthood aspirations and empowerment; the safe availability of intimacy tools; and navigation transitions. A holistic and inclusive healthcare approach that fits psychological support, comprehensive sexual-reproductive education, and specialized services to accommodate the unique needs of queer individuals should be implemented and made easily accessible.
Keywords: LGBTQIA+; queer; sexual-reproductive healthcare; services and needs; healthcare providers; perspectives
... Nearly half of U.S. heterosexual men (in a survey of 1047 men aged 18-60) [1] and over half of heterosexual women (in a survey of 3800 women aged 18-60) [2] reported using a vibrator at some point in their lives. Prevalence within the LGBTQ population is higher still, with 70.6% of lesbian women, 79.7% of bisexual women [2], and 78.5% of gay or bisexual men [3] reporting using vibrators and other sex toy products. Thus, consumer exposure to sex toys as a product category is substantial, and unregulated risks could disproportionally affect members of already-marginalized communities. ...
Unlabelled:
A majority of American adults report having used sex toys, which, by design, interact with intimate and permeable body parts yet have not been subject to sufficient risk assessment or management. Physical and chemical data are presented examining potential risks associated with four types of currently available sex toys: anal toy, beads, dual vibrator, and external vibrator. A standardized abrasion machine made real-time breakdown of products into microplastics and nanoplastics. The microplastics from the sex toys were then solvent extracted and analyzed using GC-MS. Rates of microplastics and nanoplastics released during abrasion testing from most microplastic release to least was the anal toy, beads, dual vibrator, external vibrator. Both micro- and nanoplastics particles were generated following the abrasion test, with the 50 percentile diameters (D50) ranging from the anal beads at 658.5 μm, dual vibrator at 887.83 μm, anal toy at 950 μm, and external vibrator at 1673.33 μm. The material matrix of each product was analyzed using ATR-FTIR, with results identifying the anal toy as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the anal beads as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the external vibrator as a silicone blend (polydimethylsiloxane [PDMS]), and the dual vibrator as a rubber mixture (polyisoprene). After extraction, phthalates known to be endocrine disruptors were present in all tested sex toys at levels exceeding hazard warnings. Analogous findings have been reported for similar materials that, when incorporated into other product categories, are subject to regulatory scrutiny in both the US and EU. This data set is not intended to be representative of sex toys as an entire class of products, nor are the abrasion experiments claiming to simulate exact use conditions. However, these exploratory data frame potential concerns, highlighting research questions and the need for prompt prioritization of protective action. Therefore, future studies and multi-stakeholder action are needed to understand and reduce risk for this class of products.
Supplementary information:
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43591-023-00054-6.
... A significant aspect of human sexuality, and one which requires further exploration, is the use of insertable objects for sexual pleasure (Döring & Pöschl, 2018;Rosenberger et al., 2012). The majority of sex toys (dildos and vibrators -dildo as a term may come from both the Italian diletto, which translates as "to delight" (Das, 2014) and the English dally, to toy [with] (Kelly, 1974)) typically replicate the general shape of human male genitalia, although they can come in many forms, shapes, and sizes (Döring & Pöschl, 2018). ...
There is limited research into the morphology of sex toys, and specifically into (the often phallic-shaped) vibrators and dildos and what they may represent in terms of user preferences for male genital morphology. This study provides insight into consumer preference around vaginally insertable sex toys, their features, and what contributes to their popularity. Using a data set compiling information from the world's largest online sexual wellness retailer Lovehoney, we examined the dimensions, price, and morphological features of 265 sex toys designed for vaginal insertion to determine what contributes to item popularity. Using regression models, we found that realistic features did not predict item popularity, whereas price (p < .001) and circumference (p = .01) significantly predicted the overall popularity of a toy. It appears that consumers show a preference for insertable sex toys that are not direct replicas of the male penis, which suggests they are not seeking a realistic partner substitute. Further, we found that the length of the toy did not significantly predict popularity which is consistent with other work showing that women do not place considerable emphasis on large phallus size. Our results can contribute to future product design and marketing, as well as reveal preferences toward particular characteristics of the phallus (whether real or toy).
... However, recent (past-year) experiences of anal sex have since decreased (Herbenick et al., 2010b(Herbenick et al., , 2021aLeichliter, 2008;Michael et al., 1994). As another example, whereas adults' sex toy use was uncommon in the 1990s (Laumann et al., 2000), broadening access to sexual enhancement products through the internet and women's in-home sex toy parties translated into increases in the 2000s, with some studies showing about half or more of U.S. adults reporting lifetime sex toy use (Foxman et al., 2006;Herbenick et al., 2009;Reece et al., 2009;Rosenberger et al., 2012). Yet, little is known about sex toy use in a given partnered sexual experience. ...
In a confidential U.S. nationally representative survey of 2,525 adults (1300 women, 1225 men), we examined participants’ event-level sexual behaviors, predictors of pleasure and orgasm, and perceived actual and ideal duration of sex, by gender and age. Event-level kissing, cuddling, vaginal intercourse, and oral sex were prevalent. Sexual choking was more prevalent among adults under 40. While women and men reported a similar actual duration of sex, men reported a longer ideal duration. Participants with same-sex partners reported a longer ideal duration than those with other-sex partners. Finally, findings show that gendered sexual inequities related to pleasure and orgasm persist.
... The most well-known, socially accepted and widely used sexual devices are vibrators, which are regularly used by both men and women [5][6][7][8][9]14 . Vibrators vary in terms of physical characteristics (size, shape and material) and functional characteristics (speed, type and intensity of vibration), and can be used for external or internal stimulation of the genitalia or anus. ...
Given that sexual pleasure is a core component of sexual health, devices that are designed to enhance and diversify sexual pleasure are particularly useful in clinical practice. Despite their growing popularity and widespread use in various biopsychosocial circumstances, many taboos still seem to exist, as indicated by the paucity of scientific literature on the prevalence, application and effectiveness of sexual devices for therapeutic use. However, sex toys and sexual devices are commonly used and have a variety of indications to expand individual and partnered sexuality and to treat sexual difficulties. Different devices are associated with specific advantages and potential risks, opportunities, barriers and ethical challenges when used in a clinical context. Increased knowledge about the aim and functional possibilities of sexual devices might help health-care professionals overcome potential embarrassment, preconceptions and other barriers, learn which patients might benefit from which products, consider their use in treatment programmes, educate about correct use and safety issues, and facilitate open communication about sexual pleasure with their patients.
... One national online study examined the appeal of over 50 sexual behaviors -such as wearing lingerie, having public sex, and role-playing -and found that many people engaged in these behaviors (Herbenick et al., 2017). Attention has also been paid to the use of sex toys (Döring & Poeschl, 2019), and in a study of 25,894 gay and bisexual men, 79% reported having used at least one type of sex toy (Rosenberger et al., 2012). ...
Gay men are underrepresented in research on sexual satisfaction. We examined sexual satisfaction and over 50 sexual practices in an online U.S. national survey of men in relationships. Coarsened exact matching created comparable samples of heterosexual (n = 3527) and gay (n = 452) men on six demographic factors, including relationship length. Results identified many similarities between the groups, including sexual frequency, orgasm frequency, duration of sex, and sexual satisfaction. The majority of heterosexual and gay men expressed physical or emotional affection during their last sexual encounter, reporting that they or their partner said “I love you” (66%; 57%) and engaged in deep kissing (69%; 75%) or gentle kissing (82%; 72%). Heterosexual men were less likely than gay men to usually-always receive (27%; 61%) or give (37%; 68%) oral sex when intimate in the past month; were less likely to view pornography with their partner (35%; 61%); but were more likely to give their partner massages in the past year to improve their sex lives (71%; 58%). Number of sexual communication behaviors was a strong predictor of sexual satisfaction, particularly for gay men (β =.36). These findings enhance our understanding of heterosexual and gay men’s sexual lives.
... Data from Australia (Ussher et al., 2018) reveal that GBM with PCa are more likely to use devices such as vibrators, dildos, and penis rings as assistive sexual aids than heterosexual PCa patients. This is not surprising as a large proportion (> 50 %) of healthy GBM use sex toys to help increase sexual arousal Rosenberger et al., 2012). ...
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a common treatment for men with systemic prostate cancer. However, ADT leads to sexual dysfunction, causing >80% of couples to cease sexual activity completely.
Here, we use a biopsychosocial framework to review factors that may influence the ability of patients on ADT to remain sexually active. We address sexual factors prior to ADT, neurobiological factors, intermittent ADT, sex aids, exercise, sleep, partner factors, masculinity, non-penetrative intimacy, depressive symptoms, and access to counselling or patient education programs. We make suggestions for future research in order to extend our understanding in this field with the goal of improving evidence-based treatment protocols and practice.
Importantly, we suggest that clinicians should discuss options for sexual intimacy after ADT with both patients and their partners, as sexual inactivity is not inevitable for most, and strategies are available for helping maintain sexual intimacy.
... From an internet-based survey from 25,294 MSM throughout the United States, 62% reported having or using dildos. 76 ...
Background:
Although sex aids have been used in clinical practice for ages, the scientific literature assessing their application in men with sexual dysfunction is limited.
Aim:
To summarize medical literature regarding scientific uses of the most common sex aids in men with sexual dysfunction and assess their clinical applicability.
Methods:
An extensive literature review was performed with regard to the use of sex aids in sexual medicine. Our search included journal articles, books, and guidelines in different databases: Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane. The key words were "sex aids," "sex toys," "pornography," "lubricants," "constriction bands," "dildos," "vibrators," "vacuum devices," "external penile devices," and "sex swings" were searched. Date of last search was December 4, 2018.
Main outcome measures:
We assessed the utility of sex aids in men with sexual dysfunction and formulated recommendations for clinicians.
Results:
Various sex aids are available for men with sexual dysfunction. We present a comprehensive review of the most common sex aids currently available: pornography, lubricants, constriction bands, dildos, vibrators, vacuum devices, external erectile support devices, and aids to positioning. We discuss their indications, outcomes, precautions, and complications.
Clinical implications:
This review is intended to provide sexual medicine practitioners and academics an overview of sex aids for men with sexual dysfunction for use in both clinical practice and research.
Strengths & limitations:
This is a compilation of scientific data for a topic that has broad application in sexual medicine and yet has been poorly addressed in the scientific literature. Because of the lack of sufficient data and the heterogeneous nature of different sex aids, a systematic review could not be performed.
Conclusion:
Having a comprehensive understanding of the sexual dynamics of individuals and couples combined with the appropriate integration of sex aids may have a positive effect in the treatment of male sexual dysfunctions. Miranda EP, Taniguchi H, Cao DL, et al. Application of Sex Aids in Men With Sexual Dysfunction: A Review. J Sex Med 2019;16:767-780.
... They were also more likely to seek information and support about sexual rehabilitation from informal and formal sources. This may reflect the greater importance placed on sex and sexual functioning by GBM and their partners (Bancroft, Carnes, Janssen, Goodrich, & Long, 2005;Pitts, Smith, Mitchell, & Patel, 2006); their greater openness to using sex aids and toys (Reece et al., 2010;Rosenberger, Schick, Herbenick, Novak, & Reece, 2012); and the higher levels of distress and sexual bother associated with sexual dysfunction in gay and bisexual men following PCa treatment (Hartman et al., 2014;Ussher et al., 2016) in comparison to heterosexual men. Interest and willingness to use sexual aids may also reflect GBM's greater openness to sexual experimentation (Lyons et al., 2011), leading to renegotiation of sexual activities or sexual flexibility in the context of PCa (Dowsett et al., 2014;Hartman et al., 2014;. ...
The use of assistive aids in sexual rehabilitation after prostate cancer (PCa) was examined in 124 gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) and 225 heterosexual men. GBM were significantly more likely to use assistive aids (79% versus 56%), to try multiple assistive aids (M = 1.65 versus M = 0.83) including medication, penile injection, penile implant, vacuum pump, and nonmedical sex aids, and to seek information about sexual rehabilitation on the Internet, through counseling, or in a support group. There were no differences between the groups in satisfaction with the use of assistive aids. However, use of aids was a significant negative predictor of sexual functioning for GBM and a significant positive predictor for heterosexual men. Interview accounts described satisfaction with assistive aids in terms of maintaining erectile functioning and relationships. The majority of men in the study also described hindrances, both physical and social, resulting in discontinuation of assistive aids, including perceived artificiality, loss of sexual spontaneity, side effects, failure to achieve erectile response, cost, and lack of access to information and support. It is concluded that the specific needs and concerns of GBM and heterosexual men regarding sexual rehabilitation after PCa need to be addressed by clinicians.
... In contrast, 32.7 % of heterosexual men reported lifetime insertive anal intercourse and 2.8 % of heterosexual men reported lifetime receptive anal intercourse. Finally, most gay and bisexual men report lifetime sex toy use either during solo or partnered masturbation (Rosenberger et al. 2012). In a large sample of gay and bisexual men, the most commonly used sex toys were dildos and butt plugs (62.1 %), which refer to objects designed to be inserted into the vagina or anus for sexual stimulation. ...
... However, research has shown that vibrator use is also relatively common among men. In a population-based sample of 1,047 heterosexual men, approximately half of gay and bisexual men (Rosenberger et al. 2012), and 42.6 percent of heterosexual men ) reported having used a vibrator at some point in their lives. The most frequently reported context for vibrator use in this sample population was foreplay with a partner (40.5 percent), followed by intercourse (36 percent; Reece et al. 2009). ...
Recent research demonstrated that more men, particularly those in couple relationships, are using vibrators to enhance sexual pleasure. However, men’s perceptions of vibrator use with a partner have rarely been investigated. The purpose of this analysis was to study men’s perceptions of the impact of vibrator use on their and their partner’s sexual pleasure and sexual satisfaction. Forty-nine men, aged twenty-five to fifty-eight, in heterosexual relationships responded to a series of open-ended questions regarding their experience of incorporating a couple-oriented vibrator into their sexual repertoire over a six-week period. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The data were organized into four themes: physical pleasure, awareness of partner’s experience, novelty and variety, and intimacy. Men’s experiences of sexual pleasure were tied to perceptions of their
partner’s pleasure and to the addition of novelty and variety in sexual encounters.
... An example of such a partnership is highlighted in the work conducted by Rosenberger et al. over the past several years in collaboration with Online Buddies Inc. (owners and operators of Manhunt.net). Since 2009, data have been collected from the membership base of Manhunt.net with the goal of documenting and understanding the sexual behaviors of gay and bisexual men who use online websites for social and sexual interactions (Calabrese, Rosenberger, Schick, Novak, & Reece, 2013;Hensel, Rosenberger, Novak, & Reece, 2012;Jozkowski et al., 2010;Rosenberger, Reece, Novak, & Mayer, 2011a;Rosenberger et al., 2011bRosenberger et al., , 2012aRosenberger, Schick, Herbenick, Novak, & Reece, 2012b;Stupiansky et al., 2010). Given the number of users of manhunt.net, ...
We document the historical and cultural shifts in how gay and bisexual men have used the Internet for sexuality between the 1990s and 2013-including shifting technology as well as research methods to study gay and bisexual men online. Gay and bisexual men have rapidly taken to using the Internet for sexual purposes: for health information seeking, finding sex partners, dating, cybersex, and pornography. Men have adapted to the ever-evolving technological advances that have been made in connecting users to the Internet-from logging on via dial-up modem on a desktop computer to geo-social-sexual networking via handheld devices. In kind, researchers have adapted to the Internet to study gay and bisexual men. Studies have carefully considered the ethics, feasibility, and acceptability of using the Internet to conduct research and interventions. Much of this work has been grounded in models of disease prevention, largely as a result of the ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic. The need to reduce HIV in this population has been a driving force to develop innovative research and Internet-based intervention methodologies. The Internet, and specifically mobile technology, is an environment gay and bisexual men are using for sexual purposes. These innovative technologies represent powerful resources for researchers to study and provide outreach.
... Taking these factors into account, it is reasonable to consider that even in the case of accidental ingestion of small amount of faecal matters during sexual activity; it could be delivered a sufficient inoculum to initiate the infection. Other behavioural factors such as the practice and frequency of anilingus, fellatio and/or digital-anal contact, particularly with shared penetrative sex toys, which their use seems to be common among gay and bisexual men during both solo and partnered sexual activities (Reece et al., 2010a;Rosenberger et al., 2012), could also influence transmission of this protozoan. There have been some studies reporting the use of sex toys among MSM (Perenboom, 2006;Turner et al., 2006) and lesbians (Kwakwa and Ghobrial 2003;Pinto et al., 2005;Marrazzo et al., 2005) with resultant STIs and HIV infection. ...
... Other studies utilizing internet recruitment of MSM have reported rates of participation ranging from 5%-61% [33,34,35,36]. Reassuringly, participant demographics in this study sample were comparable to those found in other recent studies involving members of the same online network [37,38], making it more likely that the study sample accurately represents the network's demographics. Second, study completion rates were modest with only twothirds of participants responding to all survey questions. ...
In 2010, the iPrEx trial demonstrated that oral antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reduced the risk of HIV acquisition among high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM). The impact of iPrEx on PrEP knowledge and actual use among at-risk MSM is unknown. Online surveys were conducted to assess PrEP awareness, interest and experience among at-risk MSM before and after iPrEx, and to determine demographic and behavioral factors associated with these measures.
Cross-sectional, national, internet-based surveys were administered to U.S. based members of the most popular American MSM social networking site 2 months before (n = 398) and 1 month after (n = 4 558) publication of iPrEx results. Comparisons were made between these samples with regards to PrEP knowledge, interest, and experience. Data were collected on demographics, sexual risk, and experience with post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with PrEP awareness, interest, and experience post-iPrEx. Most participants were white, educated, and indicated high-risk sexual behaviors. Awareness of PrEP was limited pre- and post-iPrEx (13% vs. 19%), whereas interest levels after being provided with a description of PrEP remained high (76% vs. 79%). PrEP use remained uncommon (0.7% vs. 0.9%). PrEP use was associated with PEP awareness (OR 7.46; CI 1.52-36.6) and PEP experience (OR 34.2; CI 13.3-88.4). PrEP interest was associated with older age (OR 1.01; CI 1.00-1.02), unprotected anal intercourse with ≥1 male partner in the prior 3 months (OR 1.40; CI 1.10-1.77), and perceiving oneself at increased risk for HIV acquisition (OR 1.20; CI 1.13-1.27).
Among MSM engaged in online networking, awareness of PrEP was limited 1 month after the iPrEx data were released. Utilization was low, although some MSM who reported high-risk behaviors were interested in using PrEP. Studies are needed to understand barriers to PrEP utilization by at-risk MSM.
A common sentiment among anti‐sex‐robot scholars is the apprehension that sex robots will normalize and perpetuate sexual violence towards humans. In this new chapter within the feminist sex war, the authors of this article tend to agree with anti‐sex‐robot concerns and seek to further identify potential harms of sex robots. However, instead of characterizing the harm in terms of what the robots represent and symbolize, we are primarily interested in the internal state of the user and the type of relationship that will emerge between human users and sex robots, which we argue is an unprecedented sexual relation. Unlike other comparable sex products and services, sex robots occupy a liminal space between being perceived as both a sexual property and agent, oscillating based on the preferences and convenience of the user. We argue that this oscillation that enables human–sex robot intimacy requires self‐deception, which in turn entails individual moral responsibility. Thus, we articulate a novel virtue‐based approach of examining human–robot intimacy that focuses on cultivating erotic flourishing. We conclude that people have a moral responsibility to exhibit self‐awareness within the dynamics of their intimate relationship with sex robots and the (contradictory) beliefs required to maintain such intimacy.
The ability to experience pleasurable sexual activity is important for human health. Receptive anal intercourse (RAI) is a common, though frequently stigmatized, pleasurable sexual activity. Little is known about how diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus and their treatments affect RAI. Engaging in RAI with gastrointestinal disease can be difficult due to the unpredictability of symptoms and treatment-related toxic effects. Patients might experience sphincter hypertonicity, gastrointestinal symptom-specific anxiety, altered pelvic blood flow from structural disorders, decreased sensation from cancer-directed therapies or body image issues from stoma creation. These can result in problematic RAI - encompassing anodyspareunia (painful RAI), arousal dysfunction, orgasm dysfunction and decreased sexual desire. Therapeutic strategies for problematic RAI in patients living with gastrointestinal diseases and/or treatment-related dysfunction include pelvic floor muscle strengthening and stretching, psychological interventions, and restorative devices. Providing health-care professionals with a framework to discuss pleasurable RAI and diagnose problematic RAI can help improve patient outcomes. Normalizing RAI, affirming pleasure from RAI and acknowledging that the gastrointestinal system is involved in sexual pleasure, sexual function and sexual health will help transform the scientific paradigm of sexual health to one that is more just and equitable.
Although Döring and Poeschl (2020) have presented findings on the use of a broader range of sex toys from a German national sample, little is known about the prevalence and characteristics of users of a broad range of sex toys in the United States. The present study aims to examine the prevalence, characteristics of, and comfort with sex toys among a sample of American adults (n = 231). Within this study, the term “sex toy” refers to any object used directly on the body (e.g., vibrator, dildo, handheld masturbator), while “sexual aids” refers to items that may enhance sexual pleasure or libido (e.g., lubrication, aphrodisiacs). We used survey data that was previously collected in 2020 using Reddit.com/r/SampleSize and Ball State University’s Communications Center to solicit participation. Using data from Döring & Poeschl (2020) to assess sex toy use, we added questions regarding participant comfortability using sex toys in the past. If the participant had never previously used sex toys but would be willing to do so in the future, we asked about the perceived comfort of using a sex toy. We also asked about the perceived positive and negative effects of toy use, as well as a number of possible predictors of use including personality, sexuality, mental health, and trauma-related experiences (sexual assault, sex problems/dysfunctions, being diagnosed with PTSD). Our findings revealed that a significant portion of Americans have previously used sex toys. Among our participants who have never used a sex toy, a significant portion said they would be willing to try doing so in the future. Future research could examine prevalence, comfort with, and characteristics of sex toy use among a more sexually and racially diverse sample. Implications for sexual health will be discussed in terms of the Positive Sexuality and Positive Technology frameworks.
The anaerobic conditions at the Roman fort of Vindolanda, close to Hadrian’sWall in northern Britain, have famously preserved a variety of finds made of organic materials, including wooden writing tablets and a pair of leather boxing gloves. Here, the authors re-examine a wooden object originally recovered in 1992, re-interpreting the find as a large, disembodied phallus. Stone and metal phalli are known from across the Roman world, but the Vindolanda example is the first wooden phallus to be recognised. Combining evidence for potential use-wear with a review of other archaeological and contextual information, the authors consider various possible interpretations of the function and significance of the Vindolanda phallus during the second century AD.
Introduction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) can lead to reduced sexual intimacy in men. The external penile prosthesis (EPP) is a device to help them participate in penetrative sex.
Aim
We investigate factors that may affect the willingness of individuals with ED to try an EPP and explore how the EPP could be presented most effectively to such patients to enhance their willingness to try an EPP.
Methods
Recruitment for this cross-sectional study occurred in-person and online. 147 participants (60.0 ± 14.3 years old; all experiencing self-reported ED) completed a survey containing both validated measures and questions specific to this study. The survey was open to English-speakers over the age of 18 who self-reported experiencing ED.
Main Outcome Measure
The primary outcome was participants’ willingness to try an EPP based on their level of knowledge about using the EPP. Secondary outcomes included the influence of the sexual function, sexual distress, ED history, age, relationship duration, sexual flexibility on willingness to try an EPP. We also collected feedback from participants’ on how and where they would like to be introduced to the EPP option.
Results
Most participants indicated a preference for being introduced to the EPP after trying some ED treatments (51.0%). Participants did not have strong preference regarding the setting where they were informed about the EPP. The majority however preferred having a sexual health therapist/counsellor (28.6%) or physician (25.9%) as the person introducing the EPP to them. Participants’ willingness to try the EPP increased with more information about the EPP presented to them (P < .001). Personalization of the EPP to match one's own penis was preferred by 38.7% of participants. Referring to this aid as an ‘external penile prosthesis’ was significantly more preferred over alternative labels, such as a “belted prosthetic phallus” or “strap-on dildo” (Ps < .001 for both). Multiple regression analyses showed that only sexual script flexibility was associated with the initial willingness to try an EPP (P < .01).
Clinical Implications
Clinicians should consider presenting the EPP to men with ED, who desire maintaining penetrative sexual intercourse with their partners.
Strength and Limitations
This is the first study to explore factors influencing the willingness to try an EPP. Further research is needed to establish the efficacy of EPPs for maintaining sexual activity and satisfaction in the real-life setting.
Conclusion
This study informs clinicians about effective ways to introduce the EPP to patients with ED who wish to maintain insertive/receptive sex.
Fu F, Duthie CJ, Wibowo E, et al. Openness to Using an External Penile Prosthesis for Maintaining Sexual Intimacy by Individuals with Erectile Dysfunction: A Cross-Sectional Study. Sex Med 2022;XX:XXXXXX.
Today, the trend of advertising sex toys via YouTube’s videos is increasing, and most of such advertisement videos use English as the medium of communication. To help those with insufficient English competences, YouTube provides a closed caption (CC) feature that can instantly display subtitles of various languages. However, sexual discourses are culturally sensitive and even of taboos in Indonesian culture. In this regard, cultural adjustments of CC’s Indonesian subtitles are of paramount importance. Thus, the present study sought to unravel the forms, categories, and units of sexual expressions and identify the translation techniques of CC’s Indonesian subtitles of 26 YouTube’s sex toy advertisement videos. Observations, document analysis, and focus group discussion were conducted to collect the data, and raters and translation experts were involved as the informants to validate the data. This study revealed that the videos most dominantly used orthophemism (395 expressions), followed by dysphemism (30 expressions) and euphemism (21 expressions). 13 translation techniques were identified from the CC’s Indonesian subtitles. Of some translation results, conflicts of cultural perspectives might occur when sexual expressions were dysphemically translated into Indonesian due to a taboo benchmark affiliated with sexual discourses. In the end, implication and recommendations for an update on CC feature and for further studies are given.
Keywords: subtitling, audiovisual translation, translation techniques, sexual expressions, sex toy advertisements, closed caption subtitles
In the United States, more than half of all women have used a vibrator, nearly one third of women have used a dildo, and more than three quarters of women who have sex with women have used a vibrator. Sexual devices can be used by patients with decreased libido, anorgasmia, conditions inhibiting vaginal penetration, partner erectile dysfunction, and motor or sensory disabilities. Basic knowledge of sexual devices can help obstetrician-gynecologists counsel patients about device safety, sharing, cleaning, disinfection, and material selection. Common sexual devices include vibrators, penetrative devices, anal-specific devices, and air pulsation devices. Collision dyspareunia aids can assist patients who experience difficulty with deep penetration owing to pain and structural limitations. Although rare, the most common risks of sexual devices are traumatic injury and infection. Barrier use over sexual devices and proper disinfection can help reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of transmission of common viral and bacterial sexually transmitted infections. Sexual devices made of nonporous materials are the safest and easiest to clean and disinfect. Porous materials should be avoided given inability to disinfect and risk of material breakdown. Sexual devices can benefit specific patient populations, including women who are pregnant or postpartum, those with disorders of sexual function or pelvic floor, menopausal patients, cancer patients undergoing treatment, and women with disability and chronic illness.
Studies from English-speaking countries show that sex toy use is common in various populations and often associated with sexual well-being. Empirical data on sex toy use and perceived effects in other countries is still missing. Based on the Positive Sexuality framework and the Positive Technology framework, this study documented the prevalence of sex toy use in solo and partnered sex among heterosexual-identified women and men in Germany, as well as perceived positive and/or negative effects of sex toy use on sexual well-being. A survey was conducted with a national online sample of 1,723 heterosexual-identified adults in Germany (Mage = 42.71, SD = 13.25, 49% women, 51% men). The majority (52%) reported sex toy use in partnered sex, and 45% reported sex toy use in solo sex. Stronger positive than negative perceived effects of sex toy use were reported by women and men alike. Findings indicate that professionals in sexual health/sexuality education should consider sex toy use as a common and beneficial sexual behavior. Future studies could explore specific effects of sex toy use and their predictors in more detail.
In the 21st century, sexual products such as sex toys, sex dolls and sex robots are openly marketed on the Internet. The online retailer Amazon alone provides literally thousands of sexual wellness products. The Internet has done with sexual products what it has already achieved with pornography: it has expanded and diversified the market, made sexual products more accessible and affordable, and thus normalized their use. Research, though, is lagging behind: in comparison to the large body of pornography studies, research on sexual products, their users, uses and outcomes is scarce. The present paper therefore reviews both the state of technological development and the state of research regarding sex toys, sex dolls and sex robots marketed on the Internet. For each of these three groups of sexual product, we first present the range of products available and then provide data on their users and use. Finally, outcomes of sexual product use are discussed based on theoretical assumptions, available data and selected user experiences. Operating within a Positive Sexuality Framework (Williams et al., 2015) and a Positive Technology Framework (Riva et al., 2012), both rooted in the Positive Psychology Approach (Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi, 2000), the paper argues that sexual products have the potential to improve sexual well-being in various populations. Health professionals working in the field of sexuality need to be well-informed about the ever-evolving market of more and more technologically advanced sexual products. It is their call to foster both, the health-related use of existing sexual products and health-related development of future sexual products.
Résumé
Au 21e siècle, les produits sexuels comme les jouets sexuels, les poupées sexuelles et les robots sexuels sont ouvertement commercialisés sur Internet. Le détaillant en ligne Amazon fournit à lui seul des milliers de produits de bien-être sexuel. L’Internet a fait avec les produits sexuels ce qu’il a déjà réalisé avec la pornographie : il a élargi et diversifié le marché, a rendu les produits sexuels plus accessibles et abordables, ainsi normalisant leur utilisation. La recherche, cependant, est à la traîne : comparée aux nombreuses études de la pornographie, la recherche sur les produits sexuels, leurs utilisateurs, leurs utilisations et leurs résultats est rare. Cet article passe donc en revue à la fois l’état du développement technologique et l’état de la recherche sur les jouets sexuels, les poupées sexuelles et les robots sexuels commercialisés sur Internet. Pour chacun de ces trois groupes de produits sexuels, nous présentons d’abord la gamme des produits, puis fournissons des données sur leurs utilisateurs et leur utilisation. Enfin, les conséquences de l’utilisation des produits sexuels sont discutées sur la base d’hypothèses théoriques, de données disponibles et d’expériences d’utilisateurs. Dans un cadre de sexualité positive (Williams et al., 2015) et de technologie positive (Riva et al., 2012), tous les deux ancrées dans l’approche de la psychologie positive (Seligman et Csikszentmihalyi, 2000), cette étude soutient que ces produits sexuels peuvent améliorer le bien-être sexuel de différentes populations. Les professionnels de la santé travaillant dans le domaine de la sexualité doivent être bien informés concernant le marché, qui est en constante évolution, des produits sexuels qui sont de plus en plus avancés technologiquement. C’est à eux de favoriser à la fois l’utilisation des produits sexuels dans le cadre de la santé, et leur développement futur.
Sexualbezogene Internetnutzung (Internetsex) ist heute alltaglich und gut erforscht. Am Ubergang vom Internet- zum Roboter-Zeitalter stellt sich nun die Frage nach der sexualbezogenen Roboternutzung (Robotersex). Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt auf, dass Robotersex heute schon Realitat ist und in der internationalen Fachliteratur seit rund zehn Jahren diskutiert wird. Anhand unterschiedlicher Quellen (Fachliteratur, Presseberichterstattung, Produktwerbung, Erfahrungsberichte der Kunden) wird rekonstruiert, was wir bislang uber Robotersex und dessen negative wie positive Folgen wissen. Der Beitrag pladiert dafur, dass sich die Sexualwissenschaft dem Gegenstand Robotersex zuwendet und die technischen Artefakte, die Nutzenden und die Nutzungsweisen verstandnisorientiert erforscht. Ethische Verantwortung im Digitalzeitalter lasst sich nicht durch „kritische Distanz“ zur technischen Entwicklung wahrnehmen. Stattdessen ist heute, im fruhen Stadium der Technikgenese, aktive Mitgestaltung vonseiten sexualwissenschaftlicher Fachleute gefragt, um moglichst konstruktive Umgangsweisen mit Robotersex zu finden, sei es im Privatleben oder auch im Zuge sexueller Bildung und Therapie.
Effective therapy with lesbian and bisexual women and gay and bisexual men is best realized when clinicians are aware of the unique developmental challenges that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals experience. This chapter considers these elements and highlights their potential impact on the psychotherapy process. Given the recent upsurge in acceptance of LGB sexualities that renders earlier research of questionable generalizability, the chapter focuses on studies published within the past decade. It reviews the scant, often deficient, findings related to sexual dysfunction in women who have sex with women (WSW) and men who have sex with men (MSM). Sexual dysfunction also can ebb and flow over the life course, especially during times of stressful transition, such as when coming out to self and others, starting or ending a romantic relationship, or changing a job or geographically relocating at which time coming out is once again experienced as a risk-laden undertaking.
In years following the onset of HIV infection, priority was given to therapeutic research. Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy in 1996, mortality and morbidity related to HIV have decreased dramatically. However, the epidemic remains active, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM), highlighting the need for changes in testing and prevention policies. This thesis presents the evolution of a part of research in epidemiology of HIV in Northern countries, focusing first on HIV treatments effectiveness then moving toward to limitations of current HIV testing strategies, new strategies of HIV testing, and finally addressing prevention. This Ph.D thesis contains five epidemiological studies conducted in France.The first study, conducted in 175 HIV-1 infected antiretroviral-naive patients, showed that lopinavir/ritonavir was efficient regardless to polymorphisms carried by the viral protease.The second study, based on an economic model accounting changes in medical practices and the impact of new drugs, showed that lifetime cost associated with HIV care is €535,000/patient (€320,700 discounted) for a life expectancy of 26.5 years under current conditions. Moreover, it highlighted that annual cost of care increases with late access to care (€21,600/year if AIDS or CD4 count <200 cells/mm3 at HIV care initiation, vs. €19,400 if CD4 count >500 cells/mm3, undiscounted costs).The third study conducted in 1,008 HIV-infected patients newly diagnosed, showed that 93% of patients had seen a general practitioner within 3-year period prior to HIV diagnosis. Of patients enrolled, 82 who sought care for HIV-related symptoms within this period had a missed opportunity for HIV testing proposition. Similarly, 55% of MSM who notified to a healthcare setting that they belonged to this risk group had a missed opportunity for HIV testing proposition. The fourth study assessed a community-based HIV testing strategy targeting MSM (532 MSM tested into the program studied). This HIV testing reached people at high risk of HIV, on third of these was little or not tested in other testing facilities. Among the 15 patients who tested positive (2.8%), 12 (80%) received confirmation and linked to care (median CD4 count =550 cells/mm3). The fifth study, a case-control study conducted in MSM in northern France (53 cases of early syphilis and 90 controls) showed receptive oral sex without a condom and anal sex toy use as the main risk factors for syphilis acquisition. Our results highlight limitations of current HIV testing strategies. They show the importance of promoting routine HIV testing in primary care settings, and extension of testing facilities that target populations with specific risk. In addition, they enhanced prevention for risk reduction measures for HIV and STIs. In the era of effective and well tolerated but expensive antiretroviral therapy, testing and prevention are significant issues in the control of the HIV epidemic.
Latino men represent a quickly growing segment of the U.S. population. As such, it is important to document the health of these individuals. Data were collected from one of the largest gay networking Web sites in the U.S. Using multivariate logistic regression relationships between participant characteristics and sexual health outcomes and behaviors were examined. The sample included 1,880 Latino men self-identifying as gay (83.7%) and bisexual (16.3%). Findings suggest the majority of men had not tested positive for any STD (86.8-92.0%) or HIV (79.9%), however overall STD testing was low (33.9%) compared to HIV testing (55.6%) during the previous year. Additionally, education level, employment, sexual orientation, and relationship status significantly influenced a variety of sexual behaviors and sexual health outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Due to advances in HIV screening and treatment, HIV/AIDS have become more manageable diseases for those diagnosed, a disproportionate proportion of whom continue to be men who have sex with men (MSM). Much of the existing literature on HIV-positive (HIV+) MSM focuses on transmission risk, but fails to describe healthy sexual activities. This study examines experiences with sexual enhancement products by men with HIV-infection.
METHODS: Data were used from a national online survey of 25,294 gay and bisexually identified men, of which 3,571 self-identified as HIV+. Participants completed items related to sociodemographics, health-related behaviors, sexual behaviors and sexual enhancement product use.
RESULTS: Most HIV+ participants reported being sexually active (85.2%) and nearly all (90.6% ) reported their physical health status as being "good" or better for more than 21 of the previous 30 days. A majority of HIV+ participants (77.1%) reported vibrator use, both alone and with a partner, and nearly all (93.3%) participants reported that they enjoyed using a vibrator with their partner. Additionally, HIV+ participants were significantly more likely to report using vibrators for safer sex purposes than participants who reported a negative serostatus (X2 =8.67).
CONCLUSIONS: The use of sexual enhancement products was common among HIV+ participants in this sample, and was described as adding to quality of their sexual experiences. Public health practitioners should be mindful of the multiple healthy ways HIV+ men express their sexuality, and consider the discussion of sexual enhancement products as safer sex tools in the context of clinical settings.
Lymphogranuloma venereum is a sexually transmitted disease caused by serovars L1-3 of Chlamydia trachomatis. This infection was originally endemic in tropics and transmitted predominantly by heterosexual contact but since the beginning of the century it spreads in industrialized countries mainly among men having sex with men causing them severe proctitis. In the Czech Republic the first case was diagnosed in 2011. Lymphogranuloma venereum can resemble other forms of anorectal disorders inclusive inflammatory bowel diseases and thus it must be included into differential diagnostic considerations. Definitive diagnosis is based on detection of specific serovars of Chlamydia trachomatis by polymerase chain reaction. In patients with lymphogranuloma venereum it is also necessary to exclude other sexually transmitted diseases, particularly syphilis, HIV and also hepatitis C. The therapy of choice is doxycycline administered for three weeks. Key words: Chlamydia trachomatis, serovar L, biovar LGV, proctitis, lymphogranuloma venereum, HIV.
Background:
Substantial increases in syphilis have been reported since the early 2000s in northern countries, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). The authors aimed to identify risk factors for early syphilis in MSM in Lille, a large urban area of northern France.
Methods:
A matched case-control study was conducted in MSM aged ≥ 18 years. Cases were diagnosed with primary, secondary or early latent syphilis between April 2008 and June 2010. Controls sought care in STIs clinics or were followed in an HIV clinic. Controls had no history of and no current syphilis. They were matched to cases for age and HIV status. Multivariate conditional logistic regression models were used to identify risk factors for early syphilis.
Results:
53 patients with early syphilis were enrolled. Average age was 37 years, and 47% were HIV-infected. For analysis, they were matched to 90 controls. Factors associated with syphilis were: low educational attainment (OR=5.38, 95% CI 1.94 to 14.94; p=0.001), receptive oral sex with casual male partners without a condom (OR=4.86, 95% CI 1.63 to 14.48; p=0.005) and anal sex toy use with casual male partners (OR=2.72, 95% CI 1.01 to 7.32; p=0.05). Seeking of sex partners online (OR=5.17, 95% CI 1.33 to 20.11), use of poppers (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.3) and erectile dysfunction drugs (OR=1.9, 95% CI 1.0 to 13.2) were associated with syphilis only in the univariate analysis.
Conclusions:
Receptive oral sex without a condom and use of anal sex toys were identified as presenting a major risk of syphilis infection. Although these practices have been shown to present low risk of HIV transmission, the general public is unaware of their impact on transmission of other STIs.
The development of safer sex recommendations for women who have sex with women (WSW) remains challenging given a limited understanding of sexual behaviour between women. The present study was conducted in order to investigate the sexual repertoires of WSW and the safer sex methods they use to reduce the likelihood of sexually transmitted infection acquisition.
An online survey targeted towards women with desire, attraction or previous sexual behaviour with women was distributed globally. Women (N=3116) who engaged in at least one sexual act with a woman in the previous year and were currently living in the USA, UK, Canada or Australia were included in the present study. Questions were based upon previously validated items in nationally representative studies.
Participants indicated a wide diversity of sexual behaviours with the majority of women reporting a history of genital rubbing (99.8%), vaginal fingering (99.2%), genital scissoring (90.8%), cunnilingus (98.8%) and vibrator use (74.1%). Barrier use was reported by a minority (<25%) of the participants.
The variety of sexual acts reported by the sample points to the need for the development of more contextually appropriate sexual health guidelines for WSW.
HIV/AIDS disproportionately impacts men who have sex with men (MSM) in the USA. Most existing literature on MSM with HIV focuses on transmission risk, but does not acknowledge health-promoting sexual behaviours men may undertake. This study examined sex toy use within this population to describe the extent to which using toys is incorporated into their sexual repertoires as a risk reduction practice. Data regarding sociodemographics, sexual/health-related behaviours and sex toy use were collected from 2275 MSM using an online survey. Most participants reported being sexually active (88.5%), and the majority (70.2%) of participants reported sex toy use within the previous year. Sex toy users were more likely to be white, in sexual relationships with others, and reported higher levels of sexual satisfaction. Given that sex toy use is common among this population, room for discussion exists about sex toys as tools to enhance pleasure and reduce HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission.
Amongst gay men, the self-label – top, bottom or versatile – reflects the sexual role preference during anal intercourse. This study explored whether this label could predict preferences for other sexual behaviors and the roles within those behaviors. First, the accuracy of the sexual self-label was tested. We confirmed that tops strongly preferred insertive anal intercourse; bottoms, receptive anal intercourse; and versatiles, both behaviors. Further tests showed that sexual self-label was indeed correlated with corresponding roles within sexual behaviors aside from intercourse, e.g. insertive urination or receptive fisting. About 75% of these sexual behaviors followed posited trends: tops being insertive; bottoms, receptive; and versatiles, between the two. Finally, within groups, tops were found to strongly prefer playing insertive rather than receptive roles; bottoms strongly prefer playing receptive to insertive roles; and versatiles were found to have an equal preference for playing both.
This study explored the characteristics and sexual behaviors reported by men who have sex with men (MSM) seeking sex on an intergenerational website. Of special interest was to determine whether and how seeking sex on the Internet contributed to risky sex behaviors.
This descriptive exploratory study extracted data from a stratified random sample of 1,020 profiles posted by men seeking sex on a gay intergenerational website. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for all categorical variables. Analysis of variance was used to test for differences in subgroup categories.
The men in the sample were primarily Caucasian (92.3%) with a mean age of 50 years (range: 18-88 years). More than one-fourth of the men (28.5%) reported being married. Of the married men, 76.0% indicated they would engage in receptive anal intercourse. Only a small number of men in the total sample expressed interest in safe sex (17.5%), while 91 men (8.9%) directly stated that they wanted unsafe sex. Most men in the sample were seeking intergenerational sexual encounters, with 71.0% of younger men expressing a preference for older men.
The Internet can play a significant role in seeking same-sex encounters across generational groups. Safe sex was not a stated priority for most men in this study, and the Internet provides an effective method of seeking unsafe sex. A number of MSM seeking sex on the Internet were married and Caucasian. This finding suggests the need for greater attention to married and/or publicly identified Caucasian, heterosexual men in human immunodeficiency virus prevention efforts. Effective Internet-based prevention programs need to be implemented and researched.
Men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to bear a disproportionate HIV and sexually transmitted disease (STD) burden. The current study examined the frequency and associations of sexual risk reduction behaviors among a sample of MSM in the greater Boston, Massachusetts area. One hundred eighty-nine MSM completed a one-time behavioral and psychosocial assessment between March 2006 and May 2007. Logistic regression procedures examined the association of demographic, psychosocial, and behavioral factors with risk reduction practices. Twenty percent of the sample reported rimming, mutual masturbation, digital penetration, using sex toys, or 100% condom use as a means to reduce their risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV in the prior 12 months. In bivariate analyses, risk reducers were more likely to disclose their MSM status (i.e., be "out"; odds ratio [OR] = 3.64; p < 0.05), and report oral sex with a condom in the prior 12 months (OR = 4.85; p < 0.01). They were less likely to report: depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CES-D] score 16+; OR = 0.48; p < 0.05), a history of one or more sexually transmitted diseases (STDs; OR = 0.40; p < 0.05), and meeting sexual partners at public cruising areas (OR = 0.32; p < 0.01). In a multivariable model, risk reducers were less likely to report: alcohol use during sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.33; p < 0.05), depression (CESD score 16+; AOR = 0.32; p < 0.05), or meeting sexual partners at public cruising areas (AOR = 0.30; p < 0.05), or via the Internet (AOR = 0.12; p < 0.05) in the previous 12 months. Identifying and understanding such factors associated with risk reduction behaviors may be important to consider in designing effective prevention interventions to promote sexual health for MSM.
Although vibrators are commonly recommended by clinicians as adjunct to treatment for female sexual dysfunction, and for sexual enhancement, little is known about their prevalence or correlates of use.
The aim of this study was to determine the lifetime and recent prevalence of women's vibrator use during masturbation and partnered sex, and the correlates of use related to sociodemographic variables, health behaviors, and sexual function.
A nationally representative sample of 3,800 women aged 18-60 years were invited to participate in a cross-sectional Internet-based survey; 2,056 (54.1%) participated.
The prevalence of vibrator use, the relationship between vibrator use and physical and psychological well-being (as assessed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] Healthy Days measure) and health-promoting behaviors, the relationship between vibrator use and women's scores on the Female Sexual Function Index, and an assessment of the frequency and severity of side effects potentially associated with vibrator use.
The prevalence of women's vibrator use was found to be 52.5% (95% CI 50.3-54.7%). Vibrator users were significantly more likely to have had a gynecologic exam during the past year (P < 0.001) and to have performed genital self-examination during the previous month (P < 0.001). Vibrator use was significantly related to several aspects of sexual function (i.e., desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, pain, overall function) with recent vibrator users scoring higher on most sexual function domains, indicating more positive sexual function. Most women (71.5%) reported having never experienced genital symptoms associated with vibrator use. There were no significant associations between vibrator use and participants' scores on the CDC Healthy Days Measures.
Vibrator use among women is common, associated with health-promoting behaviors and positive sexual function, and rarely associated with side effects. Clinicians may find these data useful in responding to patients' sexual issues and recommending vibrator use to improve sexual function. Further research on the relationships between vibrator use and sexual health is warranted.
The San Francisco Men's Health Study is a prospective study of the epidemiology and natural history of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in a cohort of 1034 single men, 25 to 54 years of age, recruited by multistage probability sampling. At entry, June 1984 through January 1985, the seropositivity rate for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among homosexual/bisexual study participants was 48.5%. No heterosexual participants were HIV seropositive. Among homosexual/bisexual men reporting no male sexual partners in the two years before entry into the study, seropositivity was 17.6%. For those reporting more than 50 partners, seropositivity was 70.8%. Only receptive anal/genital contact had a significantly elevated risk of HIV infection. Douching was the only ancillary sexual practice that contributed significantly to risk of infection.
(JAMA 1987;257:321-325)
Health related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important surveillance measure for monitoring the health of populations, as proposed in the American public health plan, Healthy People 2010. The authors investigated the retest reliability of four HRQoL questions from the US Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
Randomly sampled BRFSS respondents from the state of Missouri were re-contacted for a retest of the HRQoL questions. Reliability was estimated by kappa statistics for categorical questions and intraclass correlation coefficients for continuous questions.
Missouri, United States.
868 respondents were re-interviewed by telephone about two weeks after the initial interview (mean 13.5 days). Participants represented the adult, non-institutionalised population of Missouri: 59.1% women; mean age 49.5 years; 93.2% white race.
Retest reliability was excellent (0.75 or higher) for Self-Reported Health and Healthy Days measures, and moderate (0.58 to 0.71) for other measures. Reliability was lower for older adults. Other demographic subgroups (for example, gender) showed no regular pattern of differing reliability and there was very little change in reliability by the time interval between the first and second interview.
Retest reliability of the HRQoL Core is moderate to excellent. Scaling options will require future attention, as will research into appropriate metrics for what constitutes important population group differences and change in HRQoL.
To promote the health and quality of life of United States residents, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – with 54 state and territorial health agencies – has supported population surveillance of health-related quality of life (HRQOL). HRQOL was defined as "perceived physical and mental health over time." Commonly-used measures of health status and activity limitation were identified and a set of "Healthy Days" HRQOL measures was developed and validated. A core set of these measures (the CDC HRQOL-4) asks about self-rated general health and the number of recent days when a person was physically unhealthy, mentally unhealthy, or limited in usual activities. A summary measure combines physically and mentally unhealthy days. From 1993 to 2001, more than 1.2 million adults responded to the CDC HRQOL-4 in each state-based Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) telephone interview. More than one fifth of all BRFSS respondents also responded to a set of related questions – including five items that assess the presence, main cause and duration of a current activity limitation, and the need for activity-related personal and routine care; as well as five items that ask about recent days of pain, depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, and vitality.
The Healthy Days surveillance data are particularly useful for finding unmet health needs, identifying disparities among demographic and socioeconomic subpopulations, characterizing the symptom burden of disabilities and chronic diseases, and tracking population patterns and trends. The full set of 14 Healthy Days Measures (the CDC HRQOL-14) has shown good measurement properties in several populations, languages, and settings. The brief standard CDC HRQOL-4 is now often used in surveys, surveillance systems, prevention research, and population health report cards.
To describe the prevalence of a range of autoerotic and other non-coital sexual practices among Australians.
Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 10,173 men and 9,134 women aged 16-59 years (response rate 73.1%). Respondents were asked whether in the past year they had: masturbated, engaged in various other autoerotic activities, or engaged in any of six other non-coital or esoteric practices.
Half of the respondents (65% men, 35% women) had masturbated in the past year. Nearly half (48%) of the men and 25% of the women had masturbated in the past four weeks, among whom men had done so a mean of 5.8 times and women 3.3 times. About a quarter of all respondents had watched an X-rated film (37% men, 16% women), 12% of men and 14% of women had used a sex toy, and 17% of men and 2% of women had visited an Internet sex site. 17% of men and 14% of women had engaged in digital-anal stimulation with a partner. Phone sex, role play or dressing up, bondage and discipline, sadomasochism or dominance and submission (BDSM-DS), fisting (rectal or vaginal, insertive or receptive) and rimming (oral-anal stimulation) were all engaged in by less than 5% of the sample.
Most of the practices studied were engaged in by more men than women. A range of autoerotic activities are both substitutes for partnered sex and additional sources of pleasure for people with sexual partners.
The principles of community-based participatory research were applied to an exploratory sexual health study that examined "cruising for sex" among men on a college campus. In the context of a study seeking a broad interpretation of the health implications of cruising, and when faced with methodological challenges, the researchers found these principles to provide invaluable guidance. A review of the research process is offered and the manner in which the principles of community-based participatory research were operationalized for this study is described.
The objective was to examine how many young men who have sex with men (MSM) meet their first sexual partner through the Internet and whether this has increased over time. In 2003, 2505 MSM surveyed on UK Internet sites completed a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed for 810 MSM who were under 30 years old at the time of the survey and who first had sex with another man between 1993-2002. During this period there was a significant increase in the percentage of MSM who met their first male sexual partner through the Internet (2.6-61.0%). There was a corresponding decrease in the percentage who met their first sexual partner at a gay venue (34.2-16.9%), school (23.7-1.3%), a public sex environment, through small ads or telephone chatlines (10.5-1.3%). An increasing number of young MSM appear to meet their first sexual partner through the Internet. Online sexual health interventions should be developed targeting men early in their sexual careers.
This is a fascinating book, almost impossible to put down. It explores how the contemporary contradiction generated by post-feminist rhetoric is both produced and partially resolved through the marketing and practice of Ann Summers parties. These parties play with the dynamic of useless men and liberated women, offering sex toys as the solution to the power gap; they promote hegemonic masculinity as inevitable whilst ridiculing it at the same time. This book shows that sex toys are symbolically central to current power formations in gender and class relations. I can guarantee that you will learn a lot from this book. (Professor Beverley Skeggs, Department of Sociology, University of Manchester)
Meticulously researched, and written with great verve and style, Latex and Lingerie makes a major contribution to our understanding of heterosexual femininities. It shows how being ‘one of the girls’ is constructed around manifold exclusions of class, sexuality, ‘race’ and ethnicity, and how the ‘fun’ on offer in Anne Summers parties is of a distinctly post-feminist variety. Storr has fashioned a highly original analysis of female homosociality that takes both its pleasures and its problems seriously. This is an extremely important book that is destined to become a classic in the fields of gender, sexuality and cultural studies. (Rosalind Gill, Gender Institute, London School of Economics)
Using data from a sample of 235 female nurses, this study focused on marital and sexual satisfaction as important criteria in maintaining a healthy disposition, high life satisfaction, and positive sexual relationship characteristics. A cluster analysis identified five different profiles of marital and sexual satisfaction within the total sample. Of the two most positive profiles, one group of women was defined by high scores in both areas, the other by high sexual satisfaction but only moderate marital satisfaction. In two other profiles, the women were very dissatisfied with either sex or marriage. Subsequent analysis showed that the profiles were meaningfully associated with measures of psychological symptoms and overall life satisfaction. The profiles were also associated with measures of sexual desire, sexual stress, sexual compatibility and sexual assertiveness which reflected the sexual characteristics of the relationship. The strongest univariate profile discriminator was the level of sexual desire. A discriminant function analysis revealed that the level of sexual desire was even more powerful when it was compared to the level of sexual compatibility.
In this exploratory study, we investigated several demographic and sexual history correlates of vibrator usage among a diverse sample of 202 women. They completed a 35‐item questionnaire that included the predictor variables and items allowing them to describe their experiences using vibrators. Vibrators were used primarily to enhance sexual responsiveness and sexual pleasure, most commonly in autoerotic activity, but, for more than two thirds of the sample, also in partnered activity. A majority indicated orgasms triggered by vibrator stimulation were more intense than others. Nearly half experienced multiple orgasms when using a vibrator. Most were very satisfied with their orgasmic experience in autoerotic activity and were either moderately or very satisfied with their orgasmic experience in partnered activity. The clitoris is the preferred site of vibrator stimulation for most, but there was great diversity in both preferred location and technique. These results were interpreted as indicating the value of being self‐reliant in enhancing sexual responsiveness and satisfaction. Because of sampling limitations, additional research is needed to replicate and to extend these findings.
This article is a case study of a woman-owned and-operated sexual products business, conceived in the midst of a fragmenting women's movement in 1977. The article tracks the evolution of pro-sex feminist ideology within this business during the past 22 years. Whereas most feminist organizations research focuses on nonprofit organizations and their relationship to the state, this study focuses on a political organization that depends on profits for survival. The voices in this study reveal the complexities of running an “alternative” business during the 1980s and 1990s and of balancing political ideals with profit needs. Ironically, as Toy Box and its consumer base grow (in response to capitalist pressures), more and more men and women are exposed to pro-sex feminism and buying into its philosophy. This contradiction is fundamental to the story of Toy Box's history and evolution.
Based on a 1974 nationwide survey, this paper describes the characteristics of 1,669 women in consciousness-raising (CR) groups. Most women in the survey are white, middle- and upper-middle class women who joined their first CR group during the 1970's. They learned about CR groups primarily from women friends and joined a group with friends or through a women's organization. Sixty-five percent of the women considered themselves to be members of the women's movement prior to their joining a CR group. Most women identified themselves as liberal (58%) or radical (21%). Women's primary reason for joining a CR group was to learn from, share with, and gain support from other women; they joined to examine personal issues within the context of their common social roles. Sharing experiences and feelings as women was the most salient group process. Women in this survey were highly satisfied with their CR group experience and encouraged other women to join a CR group.
In just a short span of time, the internet has become 'home' to tens of millions of women who sign on for connection, education and titillation. Women are playing an increasingly prominent role in cyberspace as visitors, purveyors of goods and services, customers and featured performers. This article will explore the various ways in which the world wide web provides educational opportunities and support for women, opportunities for developing and exploring romantic and sexual relationships and an entrée into new erotic worlds and marketplaces. The virtues of the internet - the democratization of sexual access and the opportunities afforded women of any age and physical condition - will be highlighted, as well as the potential risks associated with its ready availability and ease of access. The downsides of the internet, namely the possibility of misrepresentation, misinformation and isolated instances of misogyny will be reviewed as well.
AIDS prevention work needs an understanding of the full spectrum of sexuality. A survey of sexual practices was conducted among gay and bisexual men in New South Wales, Australia. Interviews with 535 men indicate that the repertoire of sexual expression appears to be diminishing under the impact of the AIDS crisis. Particular sexual practices can be grouped into several clusters or factors, and scales can be constructed which focus on anal, oral/tactile and esoteric practices. These factors appear stable for sex with regular or casual partners. Pleasure and practice are not isomorphic; some men have modified their sexual behaviour and given up some of the practices they enjoy. Pleasure is gained from a broad spectrum of activities, but patterns of genital primacy (oral‐genital and anal‐genital) and communicative primacy are present.
In this interview sexologist and author Carol Queen discusses feminist and queer sexual politics in the pre and post Barnard eras. Despite the policing of sexual desires and practices during the height of the feminist sex wars, Queen argues that sex-positive feminists and sex radicals were able to create alternative spaces, resources, and counter-discourses that had tangible effects on many people's sexual lives and identities.
ABSTRACT The links between the production of sexual subjectivity and commodity consumption exemplify how capitalism thrives through the production of plurality and difference. Tupperware-style sex-toy parties organized by and for women provide the ethnographic ground for exploring the question of how sex toys marketed in this venue incite consumer desires and reshape sexual practices. Using an interpretative approach to understanding the effects of the home-based parties as well as in-depth interviews with participants, this article demonstrates how marketing practices encourage the proliferation of multiple sexualities.
Recent reports indicate that vibrator use during solo and partnered sexual activities is common among heterosexual men and women in the United States. However, little research has comprehensively assessed vibrator use among gay and bisexually identified men.
This study sought to document the extent to which gay and bisexually identified men report using vibrators, the sexual and relational situations within which they use them, and how men use vibrators on their own and their partners' bodies.
Data were collected from 25,294 gay and bisexually identified men from 50 U.S. states and from the District of Columbia via an internet-based survey.
Measures included sociodemographics, health-related indicators, sexual behaviors, and those related to recent and past use of vibrators during solo and partnered sexual interactions with other men.
Approximately half (49.8%) of gay and bisexually identified men reported having used vibrators. Most men who had used a vibrator in the past reported use during masturbation (86.2%). When used during partnered interactions, vibrators were incorporated into foreplay (65.9%) and intercourse (59.4%). Men reported frequent insertion of vibrators into the anus or rectum when using them during masturbation (87.3%), which was also common during partnered interactions (∼60%), but varied slightly for casual and relationship sex partners. For both masturbation and partnered interactions, men overwhelmingly endorsed the extent to which vibrator use contributed to sexual arousal, orgasm, and pleasure.
Vibrator use during both solo and partnered sexual acts was common among the gay and bisexually identified men in this sample and was described by men as adding to the quality of their sexual experiences.
While vibrating products have been recommended by clinicians for the treatment of male sexual dysfunctions, knowledge is lacking with regard to the prevalence of vibrator use among men in the United States, the characteristics of men who use vibrators, and whether there are relations between vibrator use and sexual function among men.
To establish lifetime and recent prevalence rates for vibrator use by men in the United States, to document the characteristics of men who use vibrators and their reasons for using vibrators, and to explore relations between men's vibrator use and sexual function.
During April 2008, data were collected from a population-based cross-sectional survey of 1,047 men aged 18-60 years in the United States. Analyses were conducted using post-stratification data weights.
Measures included sociodemographics, health status and health-related behaviors, sexual behaviors, vibrator use, and sexual function.
For both solo and partnered sexual activities, the prevalence of men who had incorporated a vibrator into sexual activities during their lives was 44.8%, with 10.0% having done so in the past month, 14.2% in the past year, and 20.5% over 1 year ago. Men who had used vibrators, particularly those with more recent use, were more likely to report participation in sexual health promoting behaviors, such as testicular self-exam. Men who had used vibrators recently also scored higher on four of the five domains of the International Index of Erectile Function (erectile function, intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function, and sexual desire).
Among men in the United States, vibrator use during solo and partnered sexual interactions is common and is associated with a wide array of positive sexual health characteristics. Future research should continue to explore ways in which men incorporate vibrators into solo sexual acts, partnered sexual play, and sexual intercourse.
2507 homosexual men who were seronegative for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at enrollment were followed for six months to elucidate risk factors for seroconversion to HIV. 95 (3.8%) seroconverted. Of men who did not engage in receptive anal intercourse within six months before baseline and in the six-month follow-up period, only 0.5% (3/646) seroconverted to HIV. By contrast, of men who engaged in receptive anal intercourse with two or more partners during each of these successive six-month intervals, 10.6% (58/548) seroconverted. No HIV seroconversions occurred in 220 homosexual men who did not practise receptive or insertive anal intercourse within twelve months before the follow-up visit. On multivariate analysis receptive anal intercourse was the only significant risk factor for seroconversion to HIV, the risk ratio increasing from 3-fold for one partner to 18-fold for five or more partners. Furthermore, data for the two successive six-month periods show that men who reduced or stopped the practice of receptive anal intercourse significantly lowered their risk of seroconversion to 3.2% and 1.8%, respectively. Receptive anal intercourse accounted for nearly all new HIV infections among the homosexual men enrolled in this study, and the hazards of this practice need to be emphasised in community educational projects.
Vibrotactile stimulation, when used in combination with visual sexual stimulation, has been shown to enhance erectile response in sexually functional men. The present study attempted to describe a diagnostic methodology, including the development and application of a new mini-vibrator, that might enhance penile response in men with erection problems. Tests on 78 men with either erectile dysfunction (ED), or a combination of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation (ED+PE), showed that vibratory stimulation together with an erotic video (EV+VT), produced greater penile response than the erotic video alone (EV). The new mini-vibrator was more effective than a previously used model, and produced clinically significant increases in erectile response in ED+PE men. In addition, the enhancing effect of the combined stimulation on self-reported penile response was greater when it followed EV than when it preceded it. The use of vibrotactile stimulation and visual sexual stimulation together may therefore assist in determining the potential sexual potency of men experiencing erection problems during the process of differential diagnosis.
To examine the association between seeking sex on the Internet and sexual risk behaviour among gay men in London.
In January-February 2000, gay men in London gyms were asked to complete self-administered questionnaires concerning use of the Internet, history of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and recent unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). Internet sex seekers were compared with other men, also with Internet access, who did not seek sex in this way.
Of 743 gay men included in the analysis (121 HIV-positive, 465 HIV-negative, 157 never-tested), 80.9% (601) had access to the Internet. Among those who had access, 34.4% (207) had used the Internet to find a sexual partner; this did not vary significantly by HIV status (P = 0.3). Internet sex seekers were more likely to have had an STD (HIV-negative men, 26.9 versus 17.5%, P = 0.04) or gonorrhoea (HIV-positive men, 22.2 versus 5.8%, P = 0.04) in the previous year than other men with Internet access. HIV-negative Internet sex seekers were also more likely to report non-concordant UAI in the previous 3 months [23.1 versus 11.8%; adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2--3.5; P = 0.01]. HIV-positive Internet sex seekers were more likely to report UAI with another positive man (37.8 versus 7.4%; aOR, 7.9; 95% CI, 1.8--34.6; P = 0.006).
Seeking sex on the Internet was associated with recent STD and high-risk sexual behaviour among HIV-positive and -negative gay men in London. The contribution of seeking sex on the Internet to the recent increase in high-risk behaviour among London gay men merits further investigation.
The purpose of this review is to present the current understanding of penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) and electroejaculation (EEJ) procedures and its clinical use in men with ejaculatory dysfunction. Unfortunately, the record of treating such individuals has been quite poor, but within recent years development and refinement of PVS and EEJ in men with spinal cord injury (SCI) has significantly enhanced the prospects for treatment of ejaculatory dysfunction. The majority of spinal cord injured men are not able to produce antegrade ejaculation by masturbation or sexual stimulation. However, approximately 80% of all spinal cord injured men with an intact ejaculatory reflex arc (above T10) can obtain antegrade ejaculation with PVS. Electroejaculation may be successful in obtaining ejaculate from men with all types of SCI, including men who do not have major components of the ejaculatory reflex arc. Because vibratory stimulation is very simple in use, non-invasive, it does not require anaesthesia and is preferred by the patients when compared with EEJ, PVS is recommended to be the first choice of treatment in spinal cord injured men. Furthermore, EEJ has been successfully used to induce ejaculation in men with multiple sclerosis and diabetic neuropathy. Any other conditions which affect the ejaculatory mechanism of the central and/or peripheral nervous system including surgical nerve injury may be treated successfully with EEJ. Finally, for sperm retrieval and sperm cryopreservation before intensive anticancer therapy in pubertal boys, PVS and EEJ have been successfully performed in patients who failed to obtain ejaculation by masturbation. Nearly all data concerning semen characteristics in men with ejaculatory dysfuntion originate from spinal cord injured men. Semen analyses demonstrate low sperm motility rates in the majority of spinal cord injured men. The data give evidence of a decline in spermatogenesis and motility of ejaculated spermatozoa shortly after (few weeks) an acute SCI. Furthermore, it is suggested that some factors in the seminal plasma and/or disordered storage of spermatozoa in the seminal vesicles are mainly responsible for the impaired semen profiles in men with chronic SCI. Home insemination with semen obtained by penile vibratory and introduced intravaginally in order to achieve successful pregnancies may be an option for some spinal cord injured men and their partners. The majority of men will further enhance their fertility potential when using either penile vibratory or EEJ combined with assisted reproduction techniques such as intrauterine insemination or in-vitro fertilization with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
To explore the extent to which adult retail stores may contribute to a community's sexual health promotion infrastructure, we collected data from 294 customer service employees of 80 adult retail stores in 61 U.S. cities. Findings indicated that these stores and their employees do possess at least a baseline level of characteristics that indicate they are serving, or have the potential to serve, as sexual health resources in their communities. As researchers and practitioners continue to explore new and effective mechanisms for responding to sexual health issues, they should consider outlets such as adult stores. Enhancing the capacity of these stores to contribute to sexual health may require strategic collaborations between sexual health researchers, sexual health practitioners, and the adult retail industry in order to develop initiatives that are responsive to the unique goals and cultures of each.
The fertility potential of infertile men can be enhanced to a great extent by the application of assisted reproduction techniques such as intrauterine insemination or in-vitro fertilization with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection, but how to obtain semen from men with ejaculatory dysfunction remains a problem. The development and refinement of penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) and electroejaculation (EEJ) have significantly brightened the prospects for the treatment of ejaculatory dysfunction. Because vibratory stimulation is non-invasive and easy to perform, and needs no anaesthesia, it is preferred by most of the patients to EEJ, and recommended to be the first choice of treatment for ejaculatory dysfunction. Approximately 80% of all ejaculatory dysfunction men with an intact ejaculatory reflex arc (above T10 ) can obtain antegrade ejaculation by PVS. Any condition which affects the ejaculatory mechanism of the central and/or peripheral nervous system including surgical nerve injury may be treated successfully by EEJ. The purpose of this review is to present the current understanding of PVS and EEJ procedures and their clinical use in men with ejaculatory dysfunction.
Sexual and relationship characteristics of men in the general population, particularly those with erectile dysfunction (ED), are not well established. This Internet-based survey (N = 700) examined demographic, sexual, and relationship characteristics of two groups of men aged 40-70: those with no ED (n = 589) and those with probable ED (n = 111). Compared to men without ED, men in the ED sample were significantly older, had more medical conditions, and had significantly worse sexual, psychological, and relationship function. Sexual function and relationship and psychological characteristics were significant predictors of overall sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction.
We describe the prevalence of ever and current use of sexual enrichment aids and of using drugs to enhance the sexual experience, and correlates of that usage.
Participants in a random-digit dial survey conducted in the Seattle area between 2003 and 2004 among residents age 18 to 39 years of age with fluency in the English language.
Use of sexual enrichment aids and drugs to enhance sexual experience during a typical 4-week period were reported by 27% and 13%, respectively, of participants. Among those reporting using a drug to enhance their sexual experience, the most commonly used drugs were alcohol (83.7%), marijuana (34.7%), ecstasy or "sextasy" (ecstasy combined with sildenafil) (8.2%), and sildenafil (7.5%). Persons reporting use of sexual enrichment aids and drugs to enhance sexual experience were more likely to engage in sexual behaviors associated with a higher risk of acquiring and transmitting a sexually transmitted infection (STI),such as having nonmonogamous partnerships and multiple partners in the previous 12 months and sexual repertoire.
Whether use of sexual enrichment aids and drugs to enhance sexual experience is causally associated with STI risk or merely an additional marker of high-risk behavior or sensation seeking cannot be discerned from a single cross-sectional survey. However, these behaviors occurred frequently, and usage was common across all age, gender, ethnic, sexual, and income groups. Further studies in STI and other populations are required.
To estimate the percentage of men who have sex with men (MSM) who have used the Internet to look for sex partners and to examine the prevalence of risky sex among MSM who have and have not sought partners online.
Meta-analyses were conducted on findings from published English-language studies. High-risk sex was self-reported unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). Analyses were stratified by method of study recruitment (online versus offline venues) and participants' human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status.
In studies that recruited MSM offline, a weighted mean, based on 15 findings, indicated that 40% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35.2%-45.2%) of MSM had used the Internet to look for sex partners. In 3 findings from offline studies that stratified by participant HIV status, the weighted-mean percentage was higher among HIV-positive (49.6%; 95% CI, 44.9%-54.3%) than HIV-negative/unknown MSM (41.2%; 95% CI, 36.8%-45.6%). UAI with male sex partners was more likely among MSM who sought partners online than MSM who did not (odds ratio, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.18-2.40; k = 11). This group difference was observed for UAI with HIV-serodiscordant as well as HIV-seroconcordant partners, particularly among HIV-positive study participants. HIV-serodiscordant UAI was not more prevalent with partners met online than offline.
A substantial percentage of MSM use the Internet to look for sex partners, and those who do are more likely to engage in unprotected sex. Additional research is needed to determine whether the Internet may increase risk behavior beyond that which occurs when men meet partners at offline venues.
To evaluate the effectiveness of penile vibratory stimulation for the management of retarded orgasm. Retarded orgasm, a condition characterized by difficulty achieving orgasm and ejaculation, is one of the most recalcitrant of the male sexual dysfunctions. Currently, no evidence-based treatments have been proven to ameliorate this condition.
Men who had a complete inability to achieve an orgasm during sexual relations in the previous 3 months were instructed in the use of penile vibratory stimulation. The men's responses were measured by self-report of orgasm function and using the orgasm and satisfaction domains of the International Index of Erectile Function. The responses were assessed at baseline (admission into the study) and at 3 and 6 months.
A total of 36 men met the inclusion criteria, and 72% reported the restoration of orgasm. These responders reported that orgasm during sexual relations occurred 62% of the time. A statistically and clinically significant increase occurred in the orgasm and satisfaction domains of the International Index of Erectile Function between the baseline visit and the 3-month follow-up visit. These gains were sustained at 6 months.
Penile vibratory stimulation is an effective treatment for retarded orgasm. Penile vibratory stimulation should be integrated into current cognitive-behavioral sex therapy techniques to achieve maximal effectiveness and satisfaction.
State differences in reported healthy days among adults—United States
- Disease Centers
- Control
- Prevention
Measuring healthy days GA: Author Community indica-tors of health-related quality of life—United States
- Disease Control
- Prevention
Centers for Disease Control, Prevention. (2000a). Measuring healthy days. Atlanta, GA: Author. Centers for Disease Control, Prevention. (2000b). Community indica-tors of health-related quality of life—United States, 1993–1998.
HIV/AIDS surveil-lance report Atlanta, GA: Author. Available at http:// www.cdc.gov/hiv Sexuality in the AIDS crisis: Patterns of sexual practice and pleasure in a sample of Australian gay and bisexual men
- Disease Control
- Prevention
- R W Connell
- S Kippax
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2006). HIV/AIDS surveil-lance report, 2006 (Vol. 18). Atlanta, GA: Author. Available at http:// www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/reports/ Connell, R. W., & Kippax, S. (1990). Sexuality in the AIDS crisis: Patterns of sexual practice and pleasure in a sample of Australian gay and bisexual men. Journal of Sex Research, 21, 167–198.
Sex in America: A definitive survey Boston: Little, Brown The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Healthy Days Measures—population tracking of perceived physical and mental health over time Tops, bottoms, and versatiles
- R T Michael
- J Gagnon
- E Laumann
- G Kolata
- D Moriarty
- M Zack
- R Kobau
Michael, R. T., Gagnon, J., Laumann, E., & Kolata, G. (1994). Sex in America: A definitive survey. Boston: Little, Brown. Moriarty, D., Zack, M., & Kobau, R. (2003). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Healthy Days Measures—population tracking of perceived physical and mental health over time. Health Quality Life Outcomes, 1, 37. Moskowitz, D. A., Reiger, G., & Roloff, M. E. (2008). Tops, bottoms, and versatiles. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 23, 191–202.
Community indicators of health-related quality of life-United States
- Centers for Disease Control, Prevention
Measuring healthy days
- Centers for Disease Control, Prevention
Health-related quality of life among persons with epilepsy-Texas
- Centers for Disease Control, Prevention
State differences in reported healthy days among adults-United States
- Centers for Disease Control, Prevention