News
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Sexual Well-Being
Sexual dysfunction is a common problem affecting men and women around the world, causing distress and impacting relationships. Generally, a sexual problem is complex in nature and can have biological,...
Young People’s Barriers to Talking About Sexual Health With Their Parents and Providers
Discussions between young people and their parents, health care providers, or other influential figures about sexual health can have many positive effects. These conversations can help educate young p...
Difficulties With Emotion Regulation and Loneliness May Be Predictors of Problematic Pornography Use
These days, watching pornography has become more common, and many individuals do so on occasion. Recreational pornography use is usually not detrimental to a person’s health or relationships. However,...
History of Sexual Abuse Increases the Risk of Sexual Pain in Women
Experiencing pain during penetrative sexual activity is thought to be an underreported problem for women around the world. Nevertheless, it can be a distressing issue that negatively impacts other are...
Sex and Multiple Sclerosis: Barriers Between Patients and Providers
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that causes damage to the body’s nerve fibers and can greatly impact one’s quality of life. With symptoms that affect day-to-day activities such as weak, numb, or ...
Personality Type Is Associated With BDSM Role, Says Recent Study
According to a new online study, a person’s BDSM role preference (dominant, submissive, or switch) may also be reflected in his or her personality and interpersonal style, but empathy does not differ ...
Benefits of Sexual Activity During COVID-19 Lockdown
For many, 2020 was a year of becoming familiar or reacquainted with home activities such as reading, making puzzles, playing boardgames, and cooking. Now, researchers have found compelling reasons to ...
Overweight/Obese Women Likely to Have Sexual Difficulties
Women who are overweight or obese are less likely to be sexually active, report the authors of a recent Journal of Sexual Medicine study.
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Peyronie’s Disease Impacts Both Partners and Patients
Peyronie’s disease is distressing for men, but it can affect their female partners, too, researchers have found.
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Sexual Effects of ADHD Different in Men and Women
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could affect the severity of hypersexuality in both men and women, but a link with problematic pornography use appears to be stronger in men, new resear...
Women with Colorectal and Anal Cancer Need Sexual Support
Understanding the sexual impact of treatment is important for women with colorectal and anal cancer, and support is essential, experts report in a recent Sexual Medicine Reviews study.
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Stigma, Body Image Concerns May Affect Sexuality in People With Focal Dystonia
Sexual dysfunction is a common problem for people with some forms of focal dystonia, scientists report.
Dystonia is a movement disorder that causes a person’s muscles to contract. A person with dysto...
Counseling Cancer Survivors With Vaginal Pain
Nurses are encouraged to consider a counseling model when treating female cancer survivors with sexual pain, according to a paper published last year in Nursing2017.
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Study: Antidepressant Lurasidone Has Fewer Sexual Side Effects
People with a certain form of depression might benefit from a drug called lurasidone, which has fewer sexual side effects than other depression medications, according to a recent clinical trial.
Depr...
For Women, Placebo Effect Might Explain Improvement in Sexual Function
Treatments for female sexual dysfunction are “minimally superior to placebo,” according to new research in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Researchers reached this conclusion after analyz...
Childhood Sexual Abuse Linked to Sexual Problems in Women
Women who have been sexually abused as children develop more sexual problems than their non-abused peers, according to a recent review of medical literature by American scientists.
In an effort to un...
Inhibition May Hinder Women’s Orgasms
Sexual inhibition can lead to orgasm issues in women, new research suggests.
Problems with orgasms are common in women, with an estimated 10% to 40% of women reporting difficulty. Some women never re...
Special Therapy Addresses Body Image in Breast Cancer Survivors
Researchers in Canada have developed a promising program that aims to help breast cancer survivors with body image.
Restoring Body Image After Cancer (ReBIC) is a group therapy approach that combines...
Sexual Problems Continue for Young Cancer Survivors
Cancer and its treatment can lead to a number of sexual problems for patients and survivors, including painful intercourse, erectile dysfunction (ED), and trouble with orgasm. Now, new research sugges...
PTSD Linked to Sexual Problems in Midlife Women
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a history of personal violence is linked to menopause-related sexual dysfunction in midlife women, according to recent research.
While these factors do affect...
Low Desire Common in Midlife Women
Many women lose interest in sex at midlife, and doctors should consider addressing the problem, experts say.
In a recent study of 2,020 Australian women between the ages of 40 and 65, almost 70% had ...
For Breast Cancer Survivors, Sexual Concerns May Last Years
For breast cancer survivors, sexual problems related to treatment may last for several years, according to a recent study in BMC Cancer.
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Poor Health and Lack of Communication Related to Low Sexual Interest, Study Says
Why might people lose interest in sex? Recently, scientists provided their insights in the journal BMJ Open, and their findings differed somewhat for British men and women.
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Breast Cancer Has Sexual Impact on Both Survivors and Partners
Scientists estimate that between 45% and 77% of breast cancer survivors develop sexual problems after treatment, from low desire and poor lubrication to painful intercourse. However, new research sugg...
Study Addresses Psychological Aspects of Female Sexual Problems
When treating sexual problems in women, healthcare providers should consider mental health, according to new research in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Women’s sexual response can be quite complex. ...
Emotional Aspects of Sex Important for Midlife Women
When it comes to sex, what do midlife women value most? And how do they think sexual problems should be treated?
A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Utah rec...
Body Image, Binge Eating, and Sexual Dysfunction in Women
Poor body image esteem and binge-eating tendencies in women are linked to sexual distress and dysfunction, according to new research in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Body esteem and dissociation du...
Range of Priorities Found in Individuals Seeking Female-to-Male Transition
When people with gender dysphoria decide to undergo a female-to-male transition, there is a large variation in their priorities, according to new research in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
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Americans Are Having Less Sex Nowadays
A new study in the Archives of Sexual Behavior has found that Americans are having less sex than they did two decades ago. And partnered people – those who are married or living together - have seen a...
Past Childhood Experiences Could Influence Sexual Satisfaction in Adulthood
When someone has a sexual problem, it’s not unusual for there to be lots of factors involved. There could be a medical issue, relationship strain, or miscommunication between partners. Sometimes, even...
Study Examines Body Esteem in Female Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Body esteem tends to be lower in women who have been sexually abused as children, experts say. And this lower esteem can lead to more inhibited sexual responses.
Similar to self-esteem, body esteem r...
Can Disclosing a Sexual Assault Help a Woman’s Sexual Functioning?
It’s not uncommon for women to have sexual problems after a sexual assault. However, new research suggests disclosing the assault to someone might alleviate those problems to some extent.
Experts est...
Women’s Sexuality Affected by Body Image and Relationship Quality, Study Says
A woman’s acceptance of her body and the quality of her relationship with her sex partner may influence her overall sexual function, according to a new study.
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For Couples Coping with Provoked Vestibulodynia, Sexual Goals are Important
The pain of provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) makes sex difficult for many couples. But focusing on the type of sexual goals they share could improve satisfaction for both partners.
PVD refers to pain in...
PTSD and Sexual Problems are Linked, Study Says
Sexual problems are often found in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A recent study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine has examined the reasons why.
PTSD is a mental health condition...
Love, Sex, and Antidepressants
Antidepressants seem to affect men and women differently in terms of love and sex, Italian researchers have found.
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Couples, Communication, and Provoked Vestibulodynia
Comfort with expressing emotions could help couples facing provoked vestibulodynia (PVD), researchers suggest.
Women with PVD experience pain when an area of their genitals called the vestibule is to...
Sex, Psychological & Physical Health, and Marital Quality
Regular sexual activity might help older couples manage physical and psychological health problems and keep their relationship strong, research suggests.
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Exercise Helps Women With Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Side Effects
Exercising, especially right before sexual activity, seems to help women with sexual side effects caused by antidepressants, American scientists report.
Past research has shown that 96% of women taki...
Poor Mental Health and Casual Sexual Relationships
Poor mental health may lead to more casual sex – and vice versa – in teens and young adults, according to researchers from the Ohio State University.
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Sex Health Blog
Managing Mental Health and Sexual Health Simultaneously
Managing mental health and sexual health simultaneously is important because both aspects are closely intertwined. Taking care of both can enhance your overall quality of life. The following will expl...
How Can One Navigate Intimacy After Experiencing Trauma?
Intimacy, both physical and emotional, is a cornerstone of human connection. However, for individuals who have experienced trauma, navigating intimacy can be a complex and challenging journey. Trauma ...
Common Reasons Why People Seek Sex Therapy
Sex therapy is a specialized form of counseling aimed at addressing sexual concerns and improving intimacy for individuals or couples. It provides a safe and confidential space for people to discuss t...
How Can Psychiatric Disorders Impact a Person’s Sexual Health?
Mental health and sexual health are closely tied to one another, so perhaps it is not surprising that psychiatric disorders can have an impact on a person’s sexual health. Multiple studies that have a...
How Can Sex Therapy Help With Sexual Dysfunction?
Sex therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy aimed at helping individuals and couples overcome their sexual difficulties utilizing behavioral, cognitive, and psychodynamic principles. Sexual dys...
Did You Know?
What Is the Typical Recovery Process After Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Surgery?
Inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) surgery is a common treatment option for men with erectile dysfunction (ED) who haven’t found success with other treatments like medication or injections, or who des...
What Does “Erotic Intelligence” Mean?
The SMSNA periodically receives and publishes ‘guest editorials.’ The current article was submitted by Mia Barnes, a freelance writer and researcher who specializes in women's health, wellness, and he...
The Effects of Anabolic Steroid Use on Sexual Health
Anabolic steroids, also known as anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), are synthetic substances that are similar to the male hormone testosterone. They are used medically to treat hormonal issues but ca...
How Does Porn Exposure Affect Body Image?
The SMSNA periodically receives and publishes ‘guest editorials.’ The current article was submitted by Mia Barnes, a freelance writer and researcher who specializes in women's health, wellness, and he...
How Might Sex Affect a Person’s Migraines?
Migraines are debilitating headaches that affect approximately 14% of the global population annually. These intense headaches, often accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light and so...