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Healthcare
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Sexual Functioning, Sexual Satisfaction and Health
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Sexual Functioning, Sexual Satisfaction and Health

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2024) | Viewed by 12055

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Juan Carlos Sierra

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Mind, Brain, and Behavioral Research Center, University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain
Interests: sexual satisfaction; sexual functioning; sexual attitudes; sexual psychophysiology; orgasm; sexual diversity; sexual health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Cristóbal Calvillo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
Interests: sexual satisfaction; sexual functioning; sexual attitudes; sexual psychophysiology; orgasm; sexual diversity; sexual health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Health, sexual health, sexual satisfaction, and sexual functioning are closely related concepts. The World Health Organization defines sexual health as a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality, which implies pleasant and safe sexual experiences. Thus, sexual health is closely related to sexual satisfaction. A dimension of sexuality clearly associated with sexual satisfaction is sexual functioning: desire, arousal, and orgasm are concepts linked to the concept of sexual satisfaction. At present, sexual satisfaction is considered a relevant factor in people's quality of life. Improving health and quality of life requires research in fields such as sexual function and satisfaction.

For this Special Issue, we encourage researchers in human sexuality to submit manuscripts on sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction, and the relationships of this factors with health. Studies on sexual desire, sexual arousal, orgasm, and sexual satisfaction are of interest, as are those on sexual diversity or in populations of different ages (young people, adults, or the elderly), as well as studies that present instruments for assessing sexual functioning and satisfaction. Presentations can be in the form of original articles, brief reports, or critical reviews (systematic reviews and meta-analyses).

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Dr. Juan Carlos Sierra
Dr. Cristóbal Calvillo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sexual functioning
  • sexual satisfaction
  • sexual response
  • sexual desire
  • sexual excitation
  • orgasm
  • sexual health

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1239 KiB  
Article
Cardiovascular Disease and All-Cause Mortality Among Individuals with Low Sexual Frequency
by W. Sumner Davis, Peter Anderson and Sri Banerjee
Healthcare 2025, 13(5), 461; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13050461 - 21 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1038
Abstract
Introduction: Sexual frequency is an important indicator of overall health and plays a vital role in various health conditions. There is a wide array of physical and mental health benefits that are associated with sexual activity. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most [...] Read more.
Introduction: Sexual frequency is an important indicator of overall health and plays a vital role in various health conditions. There is a wide array of physical and mental health benefits that are associated with sexual activity. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of mortality each year. The purpose of this study was to explore a connection between CVD and all-cause mortality and if sexual frequency modified this effect. Methods: For this study, we utilized the 2005–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the NDI-linked all-cause mortality data of US adults aged between 20–59 years. Low sexual frequency was determined by individuals who had sexual intercourse less than once a month. Survival curves showed the combined effect of sexual frequency and all-cause mortality, using the Kaplan–Meier product-limit method to estimate the percent survival of the subject at each point in time. Results: For all-cause mortality, the unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) for CVD to no CVD was HR = 5.1. The adjusted HR was elevated HR = 2.3 among individuals who had CVD and low sexual frequency but close to 1.0 among individuals who had a history of CVD but reported moderate-to-high/high sexual frequency after adjusting for demographic and health variables. Conclusions: From a nationally representative sample, our study was the first to demonstrate, in unadjusted and adjusted models, that CVD and low sexual frequency combined have worse outcomes than CVD alone. This finding indicates the need to conduct a sexual history among individuals with CVD or other chronic diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Functioning, Sexual Satisfaction and Health)
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14 pages, 1358 KiB  
Article
Comparing the Effectiveness of Cognitive Rehabilitation and Binaural Beats on Craving and Comorbidities of Sexual Hyperactivity: A Pilot, Exploratory Quasi-Experimental Study
by Zeinab Mousavi, Mohammad Hossein Samanipour, Hamed Zarei, Payman Hassani Abharian, Halil İbrahim Ceylan and Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
Healthcare 2024, 12(11), 1116; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12111116 - 30 May 2024
Viewed by 1732
Abstract
Sexual hyperactivity, often linked with substantial psychological and social disturbances, remains under-researched, particularly in contexts like Iran where cultural and social norms may influence the reporting and treatment of such conditions. This study explores the therapeutic potential of cognitive rehabilitation (CR) and binaural [...] Read more.
Sexual hyperactivity, often linked with substantial psychological and social disturbances, remains under-researched, particularly in contexts like Iran where cultural and social norms may influence the reporting and treatment of such conditions. This study explores the therapeutic potential of cognitive rehabilitation (CR) and binaural beats (BB) in addressing this issue. The primary objective was to compare the effectiveness of CR and BB in reducing symptoms of sexual hyperactivity and associated comorbid conditions, with a focus on fluctuations in sexual desire and overall mental health. Utilizing a quasi-experimental design, the study involved pretest, posttest, and follow-up assessments to evaluate the interventions’ impacts. Recruitment through social media yielded 45 participants from a larger pool, who were then assigned to either the CR group, the BB group, or a control group. The CR and BB interventions were administered over a period of 10 sessions, each lasting 20 min, 3 times a week. Significant improvements were observed in both intervention groups compared to the control group. The CR group showed a marked reduction in Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST) scores from an initial average of 24.87 to 6.80 at follow-up, indicating a reduction in symptoms of sexual hyperactivity. The BB group also showed improvement, with SAST scores decreasing from 19.93 to 9.57. In terms of mental health comorbidities, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) scores decreased notably in the CR group from a baseline of 8.53 to 3.07 post-intervention, and in the BB group from 10.33 to 5.80. Both interventions showed similar effectiveness in reducing anxiety and stress, with no statistically significant differences between the groups for most of the outcomes studied, affirming their potential for clinical application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Functioning, Sexual Satisfaction and Health)
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15 pages, 289 KiB  
Article
The Role of Healthcare Professionals in the Transition Process: A Qualitative Study of Families of Trans Children and Adolescents
by Lucía González-Mendiondo, Aingeru Mayor and Nieves Moyano
Healthcare 2024, 12(10), 974; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12100974 - 9 May 2024
Viewed by 1767
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the role that healthcare professionals, such as pediatricians, psychologists, psychiatrists and sexologists, play in supporting trans children and adolescents in their transition processes. To this end, 22 life stories written by parents of trans children [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to explore the role that healthcare professionals, such as pediatricians, psychologists, psychiatrists and sexologists, play in supporting trans children and adolescents in their transition processes. To this end, 22 life stories written by parents of trans children and adolescents who had undergone social transition were collected, and a qualitative analysis was carried out using MAXQDA software. For this purpose, three key periods were considered in the stories: before, during and after the transition. Among other aspects, the stories highlight a major lack of understanding on the part of the professionals who should support trans children and adolescents, and their families, in their transition processes. Parents described the attitude of those professionals who actively listened to their children’s needs and were cooperative as positive, even if they do not have the necessary training. The need for specific training in diversity is one of the main conclusions of this study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Functioning, Sexual Satisfaction and Health)
21 pages, 687 KiB  
Article
Sexual Self Discrepancies, Sexual Satisfaction, and Relationship Satisfaction in a Cross-Sectional Sample of Women Who Experience Chronic Vaginal Pain during Sexual Intercourse
by Elizabeth Moore and Justin Sitron
Healthcare 2024, 12(7), 798; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12070798 - 6 Apr 2024
Viewed by 2092
Abstract
One out of three women may suffer from chronic vaginal pain during intercourse, a complex health issue that leads to lasting psychological, sexual, emotional, and relational difficulties even after initial relief. Women who experience this pain condition may compare their sexual selves to [...] Read more.
One out of three women may suffer from chronic vaginal pain during intercourse, a complex health issue that leads to lasting psychological, sexual, emotional, and relational difficulties even after initial relief. Women who experience this pain condition may compare their sexual selves to the societal norm of being pain-free. Comparisons that do not align with one’s actual sexual self result in sexual self-discrepancies and may cause emotional distress. Sexual self-discrepancies may hinder sexual and relationship satisfaction for women who experience chronic vaginal pain during sexual intercourse. This mixed-method study examined the sexual self-discrepancies women reported and the degree to which their sexual self-discrepancies were related to their sexual and relationship satisfaction. Results from this cross-sectional study showed that the majority of participants experienced sexual self-discrepancies and that they experienced a significant inverse correlation between sexual self-discrepancies and sexual satisfaction. In multivariate models, sex frequency was the strongest predictor of sexual satisfaction. There were no correlations between sexual self-discrepancies and relationship satisfaction. Future measurement research should examine the role of sex frequency in the experience of sexual satisfaction. Education on maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain may aid women to cope with the negative impact of pain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Functioning, Sexual Satisfaction and Health)
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13 pages, 1495 KiB  
Article
Using Myofascial Therapy to Improve Psychological Outcomes, Quality of Life, and Sexual Function in Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain—A Case Series
by Esther Diaz-Mohedo, Fidel Hita-Contreras, Eduardo Castro-Martin, Andrzej Pilat, Borja Perez-Dominguez and Geraldine Valenza-Peña
Healthcare 2024, 12(3), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12030304 - 24 Jan 2024
Viewed by 2115
Abstract
(1) Background: Chronic pelvic pain represents a prevalent condition afflicting women. Research has highlighted the presence of psychological distress and sexual dysfunction in these individuals. Regrettably, myofascial pelvic pain often goes unnoticed and untreated despite its integral role in chronic pelvic pain. (2) [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Chronic pelvic pain represents a prevalent condition afflicting women. Research has highlighted the presence of psychological distress and sexual dysfunction in these individuals. Regrettably, myofascial pelvic pain often goes unnoticed and untreated despite its integral role in chronic pelvic pain. (2) Methods: By employing a longitudinal case series design, we studied eighteen women afflicted with chronic pelvic pain. Over a 12-week period, these participants underwent 15 sessions of myofascial therapy. Data encompassing sociodemographic particulars, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12 questionnaire, and the Female Sexual Function Index were collected at baseline, 12 weeks post-intervention, and again at the 24-week mark. (3) Results: After a span of 12 weeks subsequent to the intervention, the participants demonstrated noteworthy enhancements (p < 0.001) in their depression and anxiety scores, their overall Mental Component scores in the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12, as well as sexual function. Importantly, these gains were sustained at the 24-week juncture post-therapy. (4) Conclusions: The findings stemming from our prospective case study underscore the potential utility of myofascial therapy for women grappling with chronic pelvic pain. This form of intervention yields significant advancements in alleviating anxiety, depression, health-related quality of life, and sexual function. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Functioning, Sexual Satisfaction and Health)
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20 pages, 299 KiB  
Article
Sexual Rewards and Costs in Heterosexual and Gay Hispanic Adults
by Cristobal Calvillo, Juan Carlos Sierra, María del Mar Sánchez-Fuentes and Reina Granados
Healthcare 2024, 12(2), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12020170 - 11 Jan 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1785
Abstract
The Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction proposes that sexual satisfaction can be explained by the balance of sexual rewards or costs exchange. The Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (IEMSSQ) was developed from this model. The IEMSSQ includes the Reward/Costs Checklist [...] Read more.
The Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction proposes that sexual satisfaction can be explained by the balance of sexual rewards or costs exchange. The Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (IEMSSQ) was developed from this model. The IEMSSQ includes the Reward/Costs Checklist (RCC). The RCC assesses different sexual exchanges that are categorized into sexual rewards and/or costs. Analyses and comparisons of sexual rewards and costs in the Hispanic cisgender population based on gender (man or woman) and sexual orientation (heterosexual and homosexual) with this measure have not been conducted. The main goal was to analyze and rank the sexual rewards, costs, and both, indicated by a sample of 1996 Hispanic partnered participants (heterosexual men, gay men, heterosexual women, and lesbians). The predominant sexual exchanges that were reported involved emotional aspects, both as rewards and costs. When participants indicated that the exchange was both a reward and a cost, they were referring to aspects specifically related to the sexual relationship itself. Heterosexual men and women had greater rewards and higher costs, respectively. Gay men obtained a greater number of items reported as rewards and costs. The results provide further insight into sexual satisfaction related to gender and sexual orientation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Functioning, Sexual Satisfaction and Health)
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