Article

Beliefs About Women's Vibrator Use: Results From a Nationally Representative Probability Survey in the United States

Taylor & Francis
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
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Abstract

Women's vibrator use is common in the United States, although little is known about beliefs about its use. Elicitation surveys and interviews informed the development of a 10-item scale, the Beliefs About Women's Vibrator Use Scale, which was administered to a nationally representative probability sample of adults ages 18 to 60 years. Most women and men held high positive and low negative beliefs about women's vibrator use. Women with positive beliefs reported higher Female Sexual Function Index scores related to arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain (indicating less pain).

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... In general, masturbation is still more taboo for women than for men [44], and even more for people with disabilities [44]. Many people still perceive the use of sex toys as something reserved for single, lonely or ''desperate'' people, while in reality, more and more people are using them during solitary masturbation or as couples simply to enhance their pleasure [45]. We now know that few women achieve vaginal orgasms (approximately 30%) since the vaginal walls have far fewer nerve endings than the head of the clitoris [36,46]. ...
... The literature on sex toys suggests that, although using them is one of the most effective ways of achieving orgasm, this solution is still considered to be less acceptable and socially desirable than other ways of doing so (e.g., as a couple or manually with a partner) [32]. Men still experience strong social pressure to perform sexually and the ''cult of the phallus'' supporting the myth that penis size is proportional to women's pleasure [43] explains why some may be intimidated by sex toys or fear that women will no longer need their partners [36,45]. ...
... Sex toys are most often designed for women these days, partly due to the fact that they are more frequently prescribed by health care professionals to treat sexual dysfunctions (both in couples and single women) and also because of sex toy parties, which are still popular for ''girls' nights in'' [41,45,50]. Although companies such as Eros and Cie are starting to include couples, and therefore men, at these events, the objects presented that are designed for men are often described on the basis of how they can be used to satisfy women [34]. ...
Article
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Although our society still perceives them as asexual, people with motor disabilities still have the organ that regulates libido: the brain. Due to their pathologies, people with motor disabilities often face multiple difficulties when they wish to masturbate. Sex toys are often a means of reaching their genitals. Since the toys now on the market are not adapted to their condition, the objective of this article is to document their masturbation practices and to design adapted sex toys for people with motor disabilities. The study is based on two co-design meetings (semistructured individual interviews) with participants with motor disabilities and with a focus group of professionals (caregivers, occupational therapists, sexologists). Ultimately, this study will allow for the design of sex toys that are adapted to the condition of people with motor disabilities, and efforts will be made to ensure that these designs are accessible to this population with motor disabilities.
... One such modality is a vibrator. Studies have shown that perineal vibratory stimulation can improve urinary incontinence [1,2] and sexual function [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11], and vibrators are accepted as a health tool by medical providers [12]. All this suggests that a vibrator may be the best device for female pelvic rehabilitation, similar to the concept of penile rehabilitation post-prostatectomy [13]. ...
... Moreover, studies done in men demonstrated that local vibration applied to the external genitalia stimulates superficial and deep nerve receptors that transmit stimuli to the spinal cord, causing changes in sexual physiology [4,9,15]. Additionally, population-based studies have shown that vibrators are considered an accepted modality for enhancing a woman's sexual experience [10,11], as well as a health tool distributed by medical providers [12]. Participants who engaged in partnered sexual activity had a higher rate of study completion in addition to significantly improved sexual function outcomes. ...
Article
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Introduction and hypothesis In limited studies vibrators have been shown to improve sexual function and pelvic floor health; however, there are even fewer studies on the effect of vibrator use on overall genitourinary and mental health. To investigate the effect of regular vibrator use on sexual, genitourinary, and mental health in addition to quality of life. Methods We performed a prospective pilot study of women aged 18 to 80 years recruited from a urogynecology clinic. Study participants were instructed to use a vibrator according to the protocol. Sexual function, pelvic floor function, mental health, and pelvic examination were assessed at the initial visit and at 3 months’ follow-up using validated questionnaires. Results Of the 79 participants enrolled in the study, 53 women (66%) completed the study. The mean age of the participants was 54.7 years (range 19–80 years), and the majority of participants were white ( n = 59, 74.7%), post-menopausal ( n = 48, 60.8%), and not receiving systemic ( n = 63, 79.7%) or local ( n = 63, 79.7%) hormone therapy. Sexual function significantly improved over time ( p = 0.002), whereas the rate of bothersome pelvic organ prolapse symptoms and pain scores significantly decreased ( p = 0.034 and 0.0008 respectively). Rates of urge urinary incontinence decreased although this was not statistically significant ( p = 0.059). There was a significant improvement in the gross appearance of lichen sclerosus lesions ( p = 0.025) and in the severity of vaginal atrophy ( p = 0.018). Rates of depression were significantly decreased ( p = 0.011). Conclusions Vibrator use was associated with improved sexual, genitourinary, and mental health.
... Intrusiveness of social media use into users' time and attention, as well as monitoring of social media activity, generated jealousy, relationship dissatisfaction, and relationship disruption [6,17,18]. Likewise, although the use of sex toys like vibrators is now common, including among partnered women of all sexualities [58], heterosexual women's use of sex toys like vibrators can elicit feelings of intimidation or inferiority in a substantial proportion of male partners [59]. ...
... This may be due to two straightforward factors. First, sex toys already exist and are part of public discussion [58,59,65], so they may be less unfamiliar and perhaps hold less taboo than virtual reality [12] or sex robots [30,66]. Second, there has been sustained media interest in sex robots over the past decade, and much discussion about potential downsides like furthering the objectification of and violence against women (see [2,8,75]). ...
Article
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Technologies that stimulate human social and sexual impulses could affect users and societies. Here, we report on two experiments designed to test participant responses to (1) “virtual friend” chatbots that vary in capacity to engage users socially and emotionally (i.e., emotional sophistication) and (2) “digital lover” technologies—in the form of sex toys, sex robots, or virtual reality entities—that vary in capacity to physically stimulate users (i.e., physical sophistication). Participants (173 female, 176 male) read vignettes that each described a particular technology and then answered whether, if their romantic partner were to use the described technology, they would anticipate jealousy or anger, and whether they would prefer to see the technology banned. Participant anticipations of jealousy and anger were so similar that we combined them in a single composite measure. In experiment 1, both the anticipation of jealousy-anger and the inclination to ban chatbots increased with emotional sophistication, particularly in female participants. In experiment 2, both sexes anticipated greater jealousy-anger and were more inclined to ban more physically sophisticated digital lovers. Female participants expressed higher levels of both responses across the range of sophistication. Experiment 2 participants were more likely to anticipate jealousy-anger and more inclined to ban sex robots than sex toys or virtual reality lovers. Our results show only limited consistency with evolutionary theories concerning sex differences in jealousy. Generally, the anticipated levels of jealousy-anger and inclination to ban the described technologies were low, suggesting low levels of resistance to the idea of the technologies.
... Positive attitudes toward vibrators were associated with higher FSFI scores related to arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and decreased pain. 20,22,35 Partner knowledge and acceptance of vibrator use were associated with higher sexual satisfaction for heterosexual women (P < .01). 35 Each stage of the sexual response cycle can benefit from vibratory stimulation. ...
Article
Introduction Vibrators and similar devices are an underutilized treatment modality in pelvic and sexual medicine, likely because of the limited knowledge on the health benefits of their use. Objectives The aim of this study was to review available data regarding the effect of vibrator use on sexual function, pelvic floor function, and chronic unexplained vulvar pain. Methods We performed a systematic literature review of PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE from inception to March 2021 per the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses). The search was based on the following keywords: sex toy woman, pelvic vibrator, sexual stimulation vibrator, vaginal vibrator, vibrator pelvic floor, vibrator incontinence, and vulvar pain vibrator. An overall 586 articles were identified. Studies that met inclusion criteria were reviewed: original research, sample of women, vibrator use, and application to the pelvic/genital area. Exclusion criteria included case reports, unrelated content, vibrator not applied to the pelvic/genital area, male participants, or conditions of interest not addressed. A total of 17 original studies met the criteria and were reviewed in depth. Results After review of the literature and identification of articles appropriate for the study, there were 8 studies surrounding sexual function, 8 on pelvic floor function (muscle strength/urinary incontinence), and 1 on vulvar pain. Among the identified studies, vibrators were considered an accepted modality to enhance a woman’s sexual experience, improve pelvic floor muscle function, and facilitate treatment of vulvar pain. Conclusions Vibrators are not well studied, and given the promising benefits demonstrated in the articles identified, future research efforts should be directed toward investigating their utility. Considering the potential pelvic health benefits of vibrators, their recommendation to women could be included in our pelvic floor disorder treatment armamentarium.
... Additionally, most women and men express positive attitudes towards the use of sex toys and sex paraphernalia, including a decrease of embarrassment during the purchase (Piha, Hurmerinta, Sandberg, & Järvinen, 2018) and a belief that vibrator use can enhance sexual relationships (Herbenick et al., 2011;Walther & Schouten, 2016) and positively contribute to sexual health and sexual agency (Chesser, Parry, & Penny Light, 2019). In Austria, too, the prevalence of coupled sex toy use is evident. ...
Article
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This article presents an exploration into women’s purchasing of vibrators and how they negotiate the meaning of these sex toys with their partners’ preferences and attitudes. Drawing on semi‐structured interviews with 32 female consumers, the study identifies ways in which emotional, transformative and contextual aspects of meaning revolve around choosing, buying, and using vibrators in heterosexual relationships. In analysing such experiences, the article points to the potential of vibrators to become imbued with notions of desire, maintenance, privacy, and preference. Overall, this research draws attention to salient and non‐salient meanings attached to vibrators that constitute the sex toys’ significance beyond simply functional elements. The paper enriches research on consumer behaviour and vibrator use in sexual relationships and proposes an understanding of object relations grounded in the intimate spheres of consumer studies.
... D€ oring and Poeschl (2019) found that heterosexual-identified women in Germany reported using sex toys significantly more frequently while masturbating than men (N ¼ 1723), and heterosexual men reported sex toy use in partnered sex (52%) more than during solo masturbation (37%). While Herbenick et al. (2011) noted that heterosexual women might have concerns about how their partners would react and some women in their study believed that a vibrator was intimidating to a partner, the majority of their male participants had positive feelings about women's vibrator use. ...
Article
This systematic review provides an overview of what qualitative research has revealed about partner-related factors around women’s masturbation and explores how these factors relate to women’s behavior, perceptions, and motives towards masturbation. Eleven studies were identified and secondary thematic analysis was used for synthesis. Women’s perceptions often focus on the (potential) negative influences of masturbation on current or future relationships. Motivations some women reported for masturbating due to partner-related factors were diverse. Findings suggested that some women modify their masturbation behavior when in a relationship. The implications of these findings for sexual health educators and clinicians are discussed.<br/
... Relatedly, another study (Raiford, 2019) found that young adult men reported feeling less masculine and less achievement when their partner had an orgasm from a vibrator, as compared to intercourse or oral/manual stimulation. Despite this recent finding, research has shown that a woman's sexual satisfaction is highly correlated with a male partner's acceptance of vibrator use (Herbenick et al., 2011). Therefore, this bibliotherapy chapter, or similar interventions, may in fact result in greater acceptance of vibrator use. ...
Article
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The current study examined whether reading the chapter titled “Cliteracy for Him” from the book Becoming Cliterate is an effective intervention for increasing young heterosexual men’s sexual functioning. Specifically, this study compared an intervention group (i.e., those who read the chapter) to a waitlist control group at three points in time: before reading the chapter, immediately after reading the chapter, and three weeks later. Outcome measures included clitoral knowledge, sexual self-esteem, sexual depression, communication during sexual activity, and dysfunctional beliefs about sexuality (e.g., beliefs about women’s satisfaction, about being “macho,” and sexual conservatism). Participants who read the bibliotherapy chapter showed immediate improvement on clitoral knowledge, dysfunctional beliefs about women’s sexual satisfaction, and sexual communication. Longer-term improvements were found on clitoral knowledge, and dysfunctional beliefs about both women’s sexual satisfaction and being “macho.” Additionally, compared to the waitlist control group, men in the intervention group demonstrated better sexual communication and fewer dysfunctional beliefs about women’s sexual satisfaction immediately after reading the chapter, and more clitoral knowledge, fewer dysfunctional beliefs about women’s sexual satisfaction, fewer dysfunctional macho beliefs, and lower sexual depression three weeks after reading the chapter. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.
... Relatedly, another study (Raiford, 2019) found that young adult men reported feeling less masculine and less achievement when their partner had an orgasm from a vibrator, as compared to intercourse or oral/manual stimulation. Despite this recent finding, research has shown that a woman's sexual satisfaction is highly correlated with a male partner's acceptance of vibrator use (Herbenick et al., 2011). Therefore, this bibliotherapy chapter, or similar interventions, may in fact result in greater acceptance of vibrator use. ...
Article
Full-text available
The original article unfortunately contained mistakes. In the table, “95% usually always orgasm2” was not changed to “95% usually-always orgasmb”.
... However, it is unclear whether these concerns are also confirmed by men themselves, as to our knowledge, only one study has provided statistics on men's acceptance of their female partners' use of phallusshaped sex toys. In the study, 30% of the 1047 men (aged 18-60 years) indicated that it would be intimidating if their partner used a vibrator [31]. Another -but closely related -aspect of why the human-like appearance of sex robots might play a less important role for the jealousy-related discomfort evoked by sex robots is that sexuality is driven by fantasy in any case [32]. ...
Article
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While first empirical studies on sexual aspects of human-robot interaction mostly focus on male users’ acceptance, there is no empirical research on how females react to robotic replications of women. To empirically investigate whether robots can evoke the same kind of jealousy-related discomfort as do other women, we conducted an online study in which 848 heterosexual female participants from Germany reacted to the idea that their partner had sexual intercourse with either another woman, a human-like female-looking robot, or a machinelike female-looking robot. The results revealed dimensions in which the jealousy-related discomfort was higher for female competitors compared to the robotic ones (e.g., discomfort caused by the idea of sexual intercourse),whereas in others the robots evoked the same or higher levels of jealousy-related discomfort (e.g., discomfort caused by feelings of inadequacy, discomfort caused by shared emotional and time resources). The variance in the discomfort regarding sexual interactions between one’s partner and robotic competitors could not be explained by personal characteristics (such as self-esteem, subjective physical attractiveness) but rather by technology-related variables (e.g., negative attitude towards robots, a tendency towards anthropomorphism) and the attitude towards sexual nonexclusivity in relationships. The study provides first empirical insights into a question which is of relevance for a responsible handling of sexualized technologies.
... 143 Vaginal vibrators, external and internal: May be associated with improved sexual function, data controversial. 144,145 Possibility that use of vibrators for self-stimulation may negatively impact sexual function with partner related activity. 146 Vaginal exercising devices: Pelvic muscle strengthening tools in form of balls, inserts or biofeedback monitors. ...
Article
Introduction and hypothesis: The terminology in current use for sexual function and dysfunction in women with pelvic floor disorders lacks uniformity, which leads to uncertainty, confusion, and unintended ambiguity. The terminology for the sexual health of women with pelvic floor dysfunction needs to be collated in a clinically-based consensus report. Methods: This report combines the input of members of the Standardization and Terminology Committees of two International Organizations, the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA), and the International Continence Society (ICS), assisted at intervals by many external referees. Internal and external review was developed to exhaustively examine each definition, with decision-making by collective opinion (consensus). Importantly, this report is not meant to replace, but rather complement current terminology used in other fields for female sexual health and to clarify terms specific to women with pelvic floor dysfunction. Results: A clinically based terminology report for sexual health in women with pelvic floor dysfunction encompassing over 100 separate definitions, has been developed. Key aims have been to make the terminology interpretable by practitioners, trainees, and researchers in female pelvic floor dysfunction. Interval review (5-10 years) is anticipated to keep the document updated and as widely acceptable as possible. Conclusions: A consensus-based terminology report for female sexual health in women with pelvic floor dysfunction has been produced aimed at being a significant aid to clinical practice and a stimulus for research.
... 143 Vaginal vibrators, external and internal: May be associated with improved sexual function, data controversial. 144,145 Possibility that use of vibrators for self-stimulation may negatively impact sexual function with partner related activity. 146 Vaginal exercising devices: Pelvic muscle strengthening tools in form of balls, inserts or biofeedback monitors. ...
Article
Aims: The terminology in current use for sexual function and dysfunction in women with pelvic floor disorders lacks uniformity, which leads to uncertainty, confusion, and unintended ambiguity. The terminology for the sexual health of women with pelvic floor dysfunction needs to be collated in a clinically-based consensus report. Methods: This report combines the input of members of the Standardization and Terminology Committees of two International Organizations, the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA), and the International Continence Society (ICS), assisted at intervals by many external referees. Internal and external review was developed to exhaustively examine each definition, with decision-making by collective opinion (consensus). Importantly, this report is not meant to replace, but rather complement current terminology used in other fields for female sexual health and to clarify terms specific to women with pelvic floor dysfunction. Results: A clinically based terminology report for sexual health in women with pelvic floor dysfunction encompassing over 100 separate definitions, has been developed. Key aims have been to make the terminology interpretable by practitioners, trainees, and researchers in female pelvic floor dysfunction. Interval review (5-10 years) is anticipated to keep the document updated and as widely acceptable as possible. Conclusion: A consensus-based terminology report for female sexual health in women with pelvic floor dysfunction has been produced aimed at being a significant aid to clinical practice and a stimulus for research.
... Further, those who used them described greater likelihood of engaging in other health behaviors like getting regular gynecological exams and performing genital selfexaminations during the previous month and described little negative side effects associated with using vibrators. Also, women's vibrator positively linked with many other aspects of women's sexual lives, including increased sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, absence of sexual pain, and overall sexual functioning ( Herbenick et al. 2009aHerbenick et al. , 2011Richters et al. 2006). Women used vibrators primarily to stimulate the clitoris and to enhance sexual pleasure ( Davis et al. 1996). ...
Article
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While previous studies have addressed symbolic implications of lesbian dildo usage and quantitative findings about women’s vibrator use, little research has assessed women’s subjective feelings about using sex toys. This study draws upon qualitative interviews with twenty women from diverse ages and backgrounds to illuminate six themes in women’s narratives about sex toys: (1) emphasis on non-penetrative use of phallic sex toys; (2) embarrassment about disclosing use to partner(s); (3) personifying vibrators and dildos as male; (4) coercion and lack of power when using sex toys; (5) embracing sex toys as campy, fun, and subversive; and (6) resistance to sex toys as impersonal or artificial. Emerging patterns revealed that queer women more often constructed sex toys as subversive, fun, and free of shame while heterosexual women more often believed most women self-penetrate with sex toys, that sex toys threatened male partners, and they described more coercion involving sex toys. This article explores implications for sexual identity and sex toys, along with women’s negotiation of the “masculine” presence of sex toys in their narratives about using sex toys.
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Attitudes among couples about women's solo masturbation are not well understood. The primary aim of this study was to assess (dis)similarities in attitudes between partners about women's solo masturbation and associations of each partner's attitudes with women's and their partners' sexual satisfaction. One hundred and four mixed-sex couples (M = 27.43 years), recruited through social networking websites and Prolific (an online research participant platform), completed an online survey about demographics, their experiences of solo masturbation, and validated measures of attitudes about women's masturbation and sexual satisfaction. Dyadic data were analyzed using correlational methods and the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model. Women and their partners reported similar and positive attitudes about women's solo masturbation. For women, reports of positive attitudes toward women's solo masturbation were associated with both their own and their partner's sexual satisfaction; there were no associations for men. The role of solo masturbation within romantic relationships is complex but our results support the idea that women's masturbation is now less stigmatized than commonly thought. Normalizing and including masturbation in the sexual script for individuals in relationships may help maximize their, and their partners,' sexual satisfaction.
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Importance Urogynecology patients often present with sexual dysfunction; limited information on vibrator utilization to improve sexual function in this population exists. Objective The aim of this study was to assess patient knowledge of and receptivity to vibrator use. Study Design We conducted a cross-sectional, survey-based cohort study. The survey included patient characteristics, Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20), Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire Short Form 12, and vibrator use questions. Our primary outcome was vibrator utilization rates comparing younger (<65) and older (≥65 years) urogynecology patients. Results Of 213 distributed, 165 (78%) surveys were analyzed. Of these, 104 participants (63%) were aged <65 years and 61 (37%) were ≥65 years. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups (all P 's > 0.05). Older patients reported less vibrator utilization than younger patients (30% vs 64%, P ≤ 0.001) and were less likely to be sexually active with a partner (36% vs 62%, P = 0.002) or masturbate (23% vs 51%, P ≤ 0.001). Most patients (76%) thought physicians should discuss vibrators with patients who would like to improve their sexual function with no differences between age groups (71% vs 80%, P = 0.17). Among women receptive to vibrator use, in a multivariable analysis, patients who reported masturbation (odds ratio [OR], 13.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.80–67.71), vibrator use in the past (OR, 24.4; 95% CI, 6.65–89.53), or who believed physicians should discuss vibrators in a clinical setting (OR, 11.66; 95% CI, 2.9–46.81) were more receptive to vibrator use to improve sexual function. Age did not influence receptivity. Conclusions Vibrator utilization is greater among younger than older patients. Most urogynecologic patients think health care providers should discuss vibrator use with patients who wish to improve sexual function.
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Background The relationship between factors related to masturbation, sexual function, and genital self-image among women has not been fully explored in the literature. Aim The study sought to investigate the association between masturbation frequency, feelings, and behaviors with sexual function and genital self-image in young women. Methods A cross-sectional survey among 110 undergraduate female students was conducted. Online self-administered questionnaires to assess sociodemographic characteristics, masturbatory frequency, feelings, and behavior were completed. Participants also answered the Brazilian version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS). Outcomes The outcome includes masturbation frequency and behaviors associated, as well as scores on the FSFI and FGSIS. Results Women showed higher scores in FSFI subdomains when masturbation was considered important for them, along with reported feelings of empowerment and satisfaction during this activity. However, those who experienced negative emotions during masturbation, such as shame or guilt, demonstrated a significant association with lower scores in both FSFI and FGSIS. Masturbation frequency was found to correlate with better sexual function specifically in the desire domain among women who engaged in daily masturbation. Additionally, an association was observed between higher scores in the FGSIS and increased scores in the domains of satisfaction, arousal, and orgasm within the FSFI. There was an association in the domain’s satisfaction, arousal, and orgasm of the FSFI with greater scores in FGSIS. Clinical Implications The clinical implications encompass the augmentation of understanding pertaining to female sexual function. Strengths and Limitations The study provides valuable insights into the sexual behavior of undergraduate female students, and its methodology improves openness in responses, as it provides anonymity given the sensitive nature of the topic studied. Study limitations include the unsuitability of the FSFI questionnaire for sexually inactive women in the past 4 weeks; the participation bias and reporting bias in sexuality searches; and the unknown validity of the investigator-derived questionnaire about masturbation, as it has not been previously validated. Conclusion Masturbation frequency has minimal to no impact on female sexual function, whereas harboring positive feelings toward it and maintaining a positive genital self-image may exert a positive influence on sexual function.
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Although historically stigmatized, women’s participation in the sex toy industry is significantly linked to their sexual autonomy, and women’s use of sex toys for sexual pleasure is prevalent. In this analysis, we consider how these important market practices are built upon practices established outside the erotic market in early life. More specifically, we reveal how women’s and AFAB (Assigned-Female-At-Birth) individuals’ early-life encounters with household objects prefigure their adult consumption of sex toys. Using the theory of affordances, we demonstrate that the pursuit of sexual pleasure is a perceptual learning process, beginning long before individuals enter the erotic industry as consumers, and continuing throughout their lifecourse with both “erotic” and “non-erotic” objects. This study draws from life history narrative data collected in 2019–2020 from 30 participants, with 26 out of 30 participants identifying as LGBTQIA+. These data permit a “follow-the-body” analytical approach that highlights the ways sexual discovery is perceptual, embodied, improvisational, and cumulative.
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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.
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In this paper, systematic design schemes of fractional order proportional integral (FOPI) controller and fractional order [proportional integral] (FO[PI]) controller for the first order plus time delay (FOPTD) system are presented, respectively. For comparison between the fractional order and the integer order controllers, the integer order proportional integral derivative (IOPID) controller is also designed following the same proposed tuning specifications to achieve the robustness requirement. It is found that the three controllers designed by the proposed tuning methods not only make the system stable, but also improve the performance and robustness for the first order plus time delay (FOPTD) systems. Simulation results are presented to validate the proposed tuning schemes. Furthermore, from the simulation results, it can be seen that the FOPI controller outperforms the other two controllers.
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This nationally representative study documents that vibrator use among heterosexually identified men in the United States is common, with 43.8% reporting use of a vibrator at some point in their lives, with most vibrator use by heterosexual men occurring within the context of sexual interactions with a female partner. Approximately 94% of male vibrator users reported that they had used a vibrator during sexual play with a partner, and 82% reported that they had used a vibrator during sexual intercourse. These data support the work of therapists and educators who often make recommendations for the incorporation of vibrators into partnered relationships.
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Little is known about women's use of vibrators within sexual partnerships. Data were collected from a population-based, cross-sectional survey of 2056 women aged 18-60 years in the United States. Partnered vibrator use was common among heterosexual-, lesbian-, and bisexual-identified women. Most vibrator users indicated comfort using them with a partner and vibrator use was related to positive sexual function as measured by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). In addition, partner knowledge and perceived liking of vibrator use was a significant predictor of sexual satisfaction for heterosexual women (p < .01). Clinical and research implications are discussed.
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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.
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In this paper we review the problem of defining and estimating intrarater, interrater and test-retest reliability of continuous measurements. We argue that the usual notion of product-moment correlation is well adapted in a test-retest situation, whereas the concept of intraclass correlation should be used for intrarater and interrater reliability. The key difference between these two approaches is the treatment of systematic error, which is often due to a learning effect for test-retest data. We also consider the reliability of a sum and a difference of variables and illustrate the effects on components. Further, we compare these approaches of reliability with the concept of limits of agreement proposed by Bland and Altman (for evaluating the agreement between two methods of clinical measurements) and show how product-moment correlation is related to it. We then propose new kinds of limits of agreement which are related to intraclass correlation. A test battery to study the development of neuro-motor functions in children and adolescents illustrates our purpose throughout the paper.
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Qualitative content analysis as described in published literature shows conflicting opinions and unsolved issues regarding meaning and use of concepts, procedures and interpretation. This paper provides an overview of important concepts (manifest and latent content, unit of analysis, meaning unit, condensation, abstraction, content area, code, category and theme) related to qualitative content analysis; illustrates the use of concepts related to the research procedure; and proposes measures to achieve trustworthiness (credibility, dependability and transferability) throughout the steps of the research procedure. Interpretation in qualitative content analysis is discussed in light of Watzlawick et al.'s [Pragmatics of Human Communication. A Study of Interactional Patterns, Pathologies and Paradoxes. W.W. Norton & Company, New York, London] theory of communication.
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Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common gynecological problem that is also associated with sexual dysfunction. The purpose of this research was to investigate the validity and reliability of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in women with CPP. One hundred women with CPP and 100 age-matched subjects without CPP were compared in the study. Sexual function was assessed by FSFI. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha values = 0.91-0.97) was high for all scales. There were significant differences between women with and without CPP for each of the FSFI domain and total scores with very large effect sizes (1.29-2.56) (P < 0.0001, for all). Interdomain correlations of FSFI in the CPP group corresponded well to each other (P < 0.0001, for all). Moreover, test-retest reliability (r = 0.79-0.90) was also within acceptable ranges for this population. We concluded that the FSFI showed good ability to discriminate between women with and without sexual dysfunctions in the CPP population.
Proposals for fractional μ λ D PI -tuning. presented at the 1st IFAC Symp
  • C A Monje
  • B M Vinagre
  • Y Q Chen
C. A. Monje, B. M. Vinagre, Y. Q. Chen. Proposals for fractional μ λ D PI -tuning. presented at the 1st IFAC Symp. Fractional Differentiation Its Appl. (FDA), Bordeaux, France, 2004.
Lecture note on fractional calculus applications in automatic control and robotics
  • Vinagre
  • M Blas
  • Yangquan Chen
Vinagre, Blas M. and YangQuan Chen(2002). Lecture note on fractional calculus applications in automatic control and robotics. Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. pp. 1–310.