Master’s Degree in psychology at the Sapienza University of Rome with honours (110/110 cum laude). Ph.D. at the Sapienza University of Rome (Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology) with the mention of “Doctor Europaeus” with mark of Excellence, with a thesis entitled “Exploring the Psychosocial Predictors of Male Sexual Desire. Testing an Integrated Model”. Interested in Sexology, Sexual Medicine, Clinical Psychology, Research Methodology and Statistics (SPSS, AMOS, Pro-Meta2). Now he holds a one-year Postdoctoral Researcher position in Sapienza University of Rome (Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology) on the project “Towards a biopsychosocial protocol of diagnosis and treatment of women’s genital pain”.
Trained Psychologist (single, couple and group therapy), EFS&ESSM Certified Psycho-Sexologist (ECPS), Sex-Educator, Lecturer and Researcher at the Institute of Clinical Sexology of Rome. Chairman of the Youth Committee of the European Federation of Sexology (EFS) from 2014. Personal Assistant to Professor Chiara Simonelli (ex-president of EFS) and to Kevan Wylie (actual president of EFS).
Six months of research project in collaboration with Prof. Pedro Nobre, Laboratório de Investigação em Sexualidade Humana (SexLab), Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação Universidade do Porto, Portugal. I worked also in other research projects (national and multicultural) on different topics such as Male Sexual Desire, Female Genito-Pelvic Pain, LGBTIQ+ issues, Psychometrics, Sexual Behaviours, HIV/AIDS relates, BDSM, and Sexuality in chronic diseases. Main research interests: 1) Sexual response models, in particular sexual desire; 2) Sexual health and sexual education; 3) New trends in sexual behaviour and risk taking (e.g., chemsex).
Author of scientific papers in psychology and sexology. Attendee and speaker in several national and international meetings in psychology, sexology, sexual medicine, andrology, and gynaecology, such as the congresses of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS), the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM), the European Federation of Sexology (EFS), the European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM), the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA), Italian Federation of Scientific Sexology (FISS), Italian Association of Psychology (AIP, Clinical and Dynamic Psychology section). In 2018 has been tutor at the “European Summer School 2018” organized by the European Federation of Psychology Students’ Association (EFPSA).
Supervisors: Chiara Simonelli, Pedro Nobre, Roberto Baiocco, and Kevan Wylie
Phone: +39 3405006643
Address: Rome (Italy)
Trained Psychologist (single, couple and group therapy), EFS&ESSM Certified Psycho-Sexologist (ECPS), Sex-Educator, Lecturer and Researcher at the Institute of Clinical Sexology of Rome. Chairman of the Youth Committee of the European Federation of Sexology (EFS) from 2014. Personal Assistant to Professor Chiara Simonelli (ex-president of EFS) and to Kevan Wylie (actual president of EFS).
Six months of research project in collaboration with Prof. Pedro Nobre, Laboratório de Investigação em Sexualidade Humana (SexLab), Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação Universidade do Porto, Portugal. I worked also in other research projects (national and multicultural) on different topics such as Male Sexual Desire, Female Genito-Pelvic Pain, LGBTIQ+ issues, Psychometrics, Sexual Behaviours, HIV/AIDS relates, BDSM, and Sexuality in chronic diseases. Main research interests: 1) Sexual response models, in particular sexual desire; 2) Sexual health and sexual education; 3) New trends in sexual behaviour and risk taking (e.g., chemsex).
Author of scientific papers in psychology and sexology. Attendee and speaker in several national and international meetings in psychology, sexology, sexual medicine, andrology, and gynaecology, such as the congresses of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS), the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM), the European Federation of Sexology (EFS), the European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM), the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA), Italian Federation of Scientific Sexology (FISS), Italian Association of Psychology (AIP, Clinical and Dynamic Psychology section). In 2018 has been tutor at the “European Summer School 2018” organized by the European Federation of Psychology Students’ Association (EFPSA).
Supervisors: Chiara Simonelli, Pedro Nobre, Roberto Baiocco, and Kevan Wylie
Phone: +39 3405006643
Address: Rome (Italy)
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dominance-submission, and sadism-masochism (BDSM) activities; nevertheless, there are few studies on
characteristics related to gender, role in the BDSM scene, sexual functioning, and satisfaction among BDSM
practitioners.
Aim: The aim of this study was to explore gender and role differences, prevalence of sexual complaints, related
distress, and sexual satisfaction in BDSM participants compared with the general population.
Methods: A group of 266 Italian consensual BDSM participants (141 men and 125 women) were recruited with
a snowball sampling technique. An anonymous protocol, including self-reported ad hoc and validated questionnaires,
was used. The control group was composed of 100 men and 100 women who were not significantly
different from the BDSM group for the sociodemographic data and were randomly extracted from an Italian
database on sexual functioning of the general population.
Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported demographic factors, including favorite and most frequent BDSM
practices, the Sexual Complaint Screener, and the Sexual Satisfaction Scale, were completed by the participants.
Results: The mean age of the BDSM group was 41.42 ± 9.61 years old (range 18e74). Data showed a varied
outlook of practices, fantasies, rules, and roles. With regard to concerns about BDSM activities (fantasies and
behaviors), participants reported a very low self-declared degree of distress. The dominant and switch groups appear
to be more satisfied and less concerned about sexuality than the general population and the submissive group. Role
in the BDSM scene was the only significant predictor of sexual satisfaction, showing a medium effect size.
Clinical Implications: Results from this study could be helpful to inform sexual health care professionals and to
reduce the stigma related to the BDSM population.
Strengths & Limitations: In general, this study may help to describe better some characteristics related to
gender, role, sexual preferences, function, and satisfaction. The main limitation regards the sampling method,
which does not allow us to consider the group as representative of BDSM participants in general.
Conclusion: Data showed a varied outlook of practices, fantasies, rules, and roles in both BDSM men and
women. BDSM participants (especially dominant and switch groups) appear to be more satisfied and less
concerned about sexuality than the general population. This is an attempt to increase the attention of researchers
and health care professionals to this important topic and to improve the care provided to people with specific
preferences and behaviors.
psychosocial variables such as quality of life, sexual function, distress, sexual satisfaction, psychological symptoms,
emotions, alexithymia, couple adjustment, sexism, dysfunctional beliefs, cognitive schemas, and modes. A self-administered
survey reached 450 heterosexual Italian men (age 31.36 ± 10.73). Results showed “orgasmic function”, “lack of erotic
thoughts”, “erection concerns thoughts”, “hostile sexism”, and “positive affect” as the main sexual desire predictors.
“Depression”, “premature ejaculation severity”, “sexual distress”, “sexual conservatism”, and “helpless” predicted in minor
manner sexual desire levels. Analyzed variables could represent key factors in the assessment and therapy of sexual desire
problems.
può transitare attraverso prassi e tecniche mediche che
includono la procreazione medicalmente assistita (PMA) o
la gravidanza surrogata (surrogacy). Il presente lavoro ha lo
scopo di riportare, attraverso una breve rassegna della letteratura,
i principali articoli riguardanti l’omogenitorialità e le
biotecnologie della riproduzione. Le significative differenze
riscontrate tra le pubblicazioni esaminate riguardano le
norme di legge che variano tra Stati, evidenziando l’attuale
contrarietà legislativa dell’Europa alla surrogacy.
densi di novità e l’interesse per gli aspetti clinici ha trovato
un nuovo slancio a partire dai numerosi studi empirici e
dalle efficaci proposte farmacologiche. Si sono moltiplicate
le riviste, le società e i congressi scientifici, si sono
aggiunti al Viagra® altri prodotti efficaci per il trattamento delle disfunzioni
sessuali, si è ampliato il dibattito sui modelli e sulla “normalità” della
risposta sessuale, così come sulla nosografia dei disturbi sessuali (soprattutto
dopo la pubblicazione del DSM-5). L’interesse clinico si è concentrato
di più sulla dimensione della soddisfazione che su quella tradizionale
della prestazione, considerando come fondamentali gli aspetti qualitativi
del vissuto personale e di coppia sia nella diagnosi che nel trattamento
(Tripodi e Silvaggi, 2013; Tripodi et al., 2015). Si è imposto all’attenzione
scientifica internazionale un nuovo panorama, più complesso e stimolante.
dalla presenza e dalla crescita di tessuto endometriale al di fuori dalla
cavità uterina. Le cisti sono solitamente localizzate nell’area
addominale e nelle zone circostanti (Denny, Mann, 2007a, 2007b;
Eriksen et al., 2008; Rogers et al., 2009; Montanari et al., 2013). La
condizione è estrogeno-dipendente e colpisce circa il 15% delle
donne in età fertile e il 30% delle giovani donne con ridotta fertilità
(Gazvani, Templeton, 2002; Petrelluzzi et al., 2012).
L’eziopatogenesi rimane controversa: si ipotizza il
coinvolgimento di cause immunologiche, ormonali, genetiche e
ambientali (Busacca et al., 2006; Minici et al., 2007; Galandrini et
al., 2008; García Manero et al., 2009; Porpora et al., 2009; Kajihara
et al., 2011; Ballester et al., 2012; Vichi et al., 2012; Begum,
Chowdhury, 2013).
sexual desire disorder in coupled heterosexual men, highlighting some of the main related biological, psychological,
and social factors.
Aim: To evaluate the role of selected psychological and social variables affecting male sexual desire such as quality
of life, sexual function, distress, satisfaction, psychological symptoms, emotions, alexithymia, couple adjustment,
sexism, cognitive schemas activated in a sexual context, sexual dysfunctional beliefs, and different classes of
cognitions triggered during sexual activity about failure anticipation, erection concerns, age- and body-related
thoughts, erotic fantasies, and negative attitudes toward sexuality.
Methods: A wide self-administered survey used snowball sampling to reach 298 heterosexual Italian men (age ¼
32.66 ± 11.52 years) from the general population.
Outcomes: 13 questionnaires exploring psychological and social elements involved in sexual response were
administrated: International Index of Erectile Function, Short Form 36 for Quality of Life, Beck Depression
InventoryeII, Symptom Check Liste90eRevised, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Premature Ejaculation Severity
Index, Sexual Distress Scale, Sexual Satisfaction Scale, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Ambivalent Sexism Inventory,
Sexual Modes Questionnaire, Sexual Dysfunctional Belief Questionnaire, and Questionnaire of Cognitive
Schema Activation in Sexual Context.
Results: Results showed lack of erotic thoughts (b ¼ 0.328), fear (b ¼ 0.259) and desire to have a baby
(b ¼ 0.259) as the main predictors of the level of sexual desire in this group. Energy-fatigue, depression,
premature ejaculation severity, sexual distress, compatibility, subjective sexual response, and sexual conservatism
had a weaker effect on sexual desire. Sexual functioning (13.80%), emotional response (12.70%), dysfunctional
sexual beliefs (12.10%), and negative automatic thoughts (12.00%) had more variable effects on sexual drive.
Clinical Translation: Analyzed variables could represent important factors that should be considered in the
assessment of desire concerns and discussed in therapy.
Strengths and Limitations: The strength of this study is the analysis of novel psychological and social factors
on male sexual desire. Recruitment and sample size do not allow generalization of the results, but some crucial
points for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
Conclusion: Our findings showed that male sexual desire could be affected by many psychological and social
elements. Other factors remain to be explored, in their direct and interactive effects, aiming to better explain male
sexual desire functioning. Nimbi FM, Tripodi F, Rossi R, Simonelli C. Expanding the Analysis of
Psychosocial Factors of Sexual Desire in Men. J Sex Med 2017;XX:XXXeXXX.
l’aumento del numero di coppie con stato sierologico discordante (Gisselquist,
2011; Rispel et al., 2012; Sullivan et al., 2012). L’infezione da
HIV è frequentemente trasmessa mediante rapporti sessuali all’interno di
una relazione stabile, con un tasso di trasmissione tra le 5 e le 17 volte più
alto in coppie discordanti rispetto alle coppie negativamente sieroconcordanti
(CDCP, 2008; Burton et al., 2010). La positività per l’HIV di uno
dei due partner non costituisce un elemento in grado di ostacolare rapporti
di coppia duraturi, soprattutto se la coppia si è formata già da tempo.
Questo è dovuto sia dalla mutata percezione dell’infezione da HIV nella
popolazione generale, sia dai progressi compiuti con la terapia antiretrovirale
(Shan et al., 2011).
In ogni caso non è possibile negare che tale evento alteri gli equilibri
della coppia, costringendo a profonde riorganizzazioni relazionali e
strutturali (Marinello et al., 2003).
Lo scopo di questo contributo è quello di analizzare attraverso la letteratura
di riferimento gli aspetti psicosessuologici nelle coppie sierodiscordanti
e il ruolo che il counselling di coppia può avere, sia come strategia
di prevenzione dell’HIV che come strumento di promozione del
benessere relazionale e psicologico.
La cultura dominante sembra essere segnata dall’eterocentrismo, che considera l’eterosessualità come dimensione fondante del sociale, e dall’eterosessismo, che nega e squalifica i comportamenti e le relazioni non eterosessuali (Lingiardi, 2007).
dominance-submission, and sadism-masochism (BDSM) activities; nevertheless, there are few studies on
characteristics related to gender, role in the BDSM scene, sexual functioning, and satisfaction among BDSM
practitioners.
Aim: The aim of this study was to explore gender and role differences, prevalence of sexual complaints, related
distress, and sexual satisfaction in BDSM participants compared with the general population.
Methods: A group of 266 Italian consensual BDSM participants (141 men and 125 women) were recruited with
a snowball sampling technique. An anonymous protocol, including self-reported ad hoc and validated questionnaires,
was used. The control group was composed of 100 men and 100 women who were not significantly
different from the BDSM group for the sociodemographic data and were randomly extracted from an Italian
database on sexual functioning of the general population.
Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported demographic factors, including favorite and most frequent BDSM
practices, the Sexual Complaint Screener, and the Sexual Satisfaction Scale, were completed by the participants.
Results: The mean age of the BDSM group was 41.42 ± 9.61 years old (range 18e74). Data showed a varied
outlook of practices, fantasies, rules, and roles. With regard to concerns about BDSM activities (fantasies and
behaviors), participants reported a very low self-declared degree of distress. The dominant and switch groups appear
to be more satisfied and less concerned about sexuality than the general population and the submissive group. Role
in the BDSM scene was the only significant predictor of sexual satisfaction, showing a medium effect size.
Clinical Implications: Results from this study could be helpful to inform sexual health care professionals and to
reduce the stigma related to the BDSM population.
Strengths & Limitations: In general, this study may help to describe better some characteristics related to
gender, role, sexual preferences, function, and satisfaction. The main limitation regards the sampling method,
which does not allow us to consider the group as representative of BDSM participants in general.
Conclusion: Data showed a varied outlook of practices, fantasies, rules, and roles in both BDSM men and
women. BDSM participants (especially dominant and switch groups) appear to be more satisfied and less
concerned about sexuality than the general population. This is an attempt to increase the attention of researchers
and health care professionals to this important topic and to improve the care provided to people with specific
preferences and behaviors.
psychosocial variables such as quality of life, sexual function, distress, sexual satisfaction, psychological symptoms,
emotions, alexithymia, couple adjustment, sexism, dysfunctional beliefs, cognitive schemas, and modes. A self-administered
survey reached 450 heterosexual Italian men (age 31.36 ± 10.73). Results showed “orgasmic function”, “lack of erotic
thoughts”, “erection concerns thoughts”, “hostile sexism”, and “positive affect” as the main sexual desire predictors.
“Depression”, “premature ejaculation severity”, “sexual distress”, “sexual conservatism”, and “helpless” predicted in minor
manner sexual desire levels. Analyzed variables could represent key factors in the assessment and therapy of sexual desire
problems.
può transitare attraverso prassi e tecniche mediche che
includono la procreazione medicalmente assistita (PMA) o
la gravidanza surrogata (surrogacy). Il presente lavoro ha lo
scopo di riportare, attraverso una breve rassegna della letteratura,
i principali articoli riguardanti l’omogenitorialità e le
biotecnologie della riproduzione. Le significative differenze
riscontrate tra le pubblicazioni esaminate riguardano le
norme di legge che variano tra Stati, evidenziando l’attuale
contrarietà legislativa dell’Europa alla surrogacy.
densi di novità e l’interesse per gli aspetti clinici ha trovato
un nuovo slancio a partire dai numerosi studi empirici e
dalle efficaci proposte farmacologiche. Si sono moltiplicate
le riviste, le società e i congressi scientifici, si sono
aggiunti al Viagra® altri prodotti efficaci per il trattamento delle disfunzioni
sessuali, si è ampliato il dibattito sui modelli e sulla “normalità” della
risposta sessuale, così come sulla nosografia dei disturbi sessuali (soprattutto
dopo la pubblicazione del DSM-5). L’interesse clinico si è concentrato
di più sulla dimensione della soddisfazione che su quella tradizionale
della prestazione, considerando come fondamentali gli aspetti qualitativi
del vissuto personale e di coppia sia nella diagnosi che nel trattamento
(Tripodi e Silvaggi, 2013; Tripodi et al., 2015). Si è imposto all’attenzione
scientifica internazionale un nuovo panorama, più complesso e stimolante.
dalla presenza e dalla crescita di tessuto endometriale al di fuori dalla
cavità uterina. Le cisti sono solitamente localizzate nell’area
addominale e nelle zone circostanti (Denny, Mann, 2007a, 2007b;
Eriksen et al., 2008; Rogers et al., 2009; Montanari et al., 2013). La
condizione è estrogeno-dipendente e colpisce circa il 15% delle
donne in età fertile e il 30% delle giovani donne con ridotta fertilità
(Gazvani, Templeton, 2002; Petrelluzzi et al., 2012).
L’eziopatogenesi rimane controversa: si ipotizza il
coinvolgimento di cause immunologiche, ormonali, genetiche e
ambientali (Busacca et al., 2006; Minici et al., 2007; Galandrini et
al., 2008; García Manero et al., 2009; Porpora et al., 2009; Kajihara
et al., 2011; Ballester et al., 2012; Vichi et al., 2012; Begum,
Chowdhury, 2013).
sexual desire disorder in coupled heterosexual men, highlighting some of the main related biological, psychological,
and social factors.
Aim: To evaluate the role of selected psychological and social variables affecting male sexual desire such as quality
of life, sexual function, distress, satisfaction, psychological symptoms, emotions, alexithymia, couple adjustment,
sexism, cognitive schemas activated in a sexual context, sexual dysfunctional beliefs, and different classes of
cognitions triggered during sexual activity about failure anticipation, erection concerns, age- and body-related
thoughts, erotic fantasies, and negative attitudes toward sexuality.
Methods: A wide self-administered survey used snowball sampling to reach 298 heterosexual Italian men (age ¼
32.66 ± 11.52 years) from the general population.
Outcomes: 13 questionnaires exploring psychological and social elements involved in sexual response were
administrated: International Index of Erectile Function, Short Form 36 for Quality of Life, Beck Depression
InventoryeII, Symptom Check Liste90eRevised, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Premature Ejaculation Severity
Index, Sexual Distress Scale, Sexual Satisfaction Scale, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Ambivalent Sexism Inventory,
Sexual Modes Questionnaire, Sexual Dysfunctional Belief Questionnaire, and Questionnaire of Cognitive
Schema Activation in Sexual Context.
Results: Results showed lack of erotic thoughts (b ¼ 0.328), fear (b ¼ 0.259) and desire to have a baby
(b ¼ 0.259) as the main predictors of the level of sexual desire in this group. Energy-fatigue, depression,
premature ejaculation severity, sexual distress, compatibility, subjective sexual response, and sexual conservatism
had a weaker effect on sexual desire. Sexual functioning (13.80%), emotional response (12.70%), dysfunctional
sexual beliefs (12.10%), and negative automatic thoughts (12.00%) had more variable effects on sexual drive.
Clinical Translation: Analyzed variables could represent important factors that should be considered in the
assessment of desire concerns and discussed in therapy.
Strengths and Limitations: The strength of this study is the analysis of novel psychological and social factors
on male sexual desire. Recruitment and sample size do not allow generalization of the results, but some crucial
points for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
Conclusion: Our findings showed that male sexual desire could be affected by many psychological and social
elements. Other factors remain to be explored, in their direct and interactive effects, aiming to better explain male
sexual desire functioning. Nimbi FM, Tripodi F, Rossi R, Simonelli C. Expanding the Analysis of
Psychosocial Factors of Sexual Desire in Men. J Sex Med 2017;XX:XXXeXXX.
l’aumento del numero di coppie con stato sierologico discordante (Gisselquist,
2011; Rispel et al., 2012; Sullivan et al., 2012). L’infezione da
HIV è frequentemente trasmessa mediante rapporti sessuali all’interno di
una relazione stabile, con un tasso di trasmissione tra le 5 e le 17 volte più
alto in coppie discordanti rispetto alle coppie negativamente sieroconcordanti
(CDCP, 2008; Burton et al., 2010). La positività per l’HIV di uno
dei due partner non costituisce un elemento in grado di ostacolare rapporti
di coppia duraturi, soprattutto se la coppia si è formata già da tempo.
Questo è dovuto sia dalla mutata percezione dell’infezione da HIV nella
popolazione generale, sia dai progressi compiuti con la terapia antiretrovirale
(Shan et al., 2011).
In ogni caso non è possibile negare che tale evento alteri gli equilibri
della coppia, costringendo a profonde riorganizzazioni relazionali e
strutturali (Marinello et al., 2003).
Lo scopo di questo contributo è quello di analizzare attraverso la letteratura
di riferimento gli aspetti psicosessuologici nelle coppie sierodiscordanti
e il ruolo che il counselling di coppia può avere, sia come strategia
di prevenzione dell’HIV che come strumento di promozione del
benessere relazionale e psicologico.
La cultura dominante sembra essere segnata dall’eterocentrismo, che considera l’eterosessualità come dimensione fondante del sociale, e dall’eterosessismo, che nega e squalifica i comportamenti e le relazioni non eterosessuali (Lingiardi, 2007).
arousal on female side, emphasized by DSM-5. On the contrary, male sexual response
has historically been considered more simple and mechanistic. Aim of this study was to
evaluate the role of some biopsychosocial variables affecting male sexual desire such as
Quality of Life (QoL), psychological symptoms, emotions, alexithymia, sexual function,
distress, satisfaction, couple adjustment, sexism, cognitive schema, beliefs, and
scripts.
Population sample: A self-administered survey reached 238 heterosexual male subjects
(age 32.01±10.27).
Method(s): It was composed by 14 questionnaires exploring biopsychosocial elements
involved in sexual response: SF36, BDI II, STAI-Y, SCL-90-R, TAS-20, IIEF, PESI,
SSS-M, SDS-M, DAS, SMQ, SDBQ, and QCSASC.
Results: Results of this preliminary study showed “Lack of erotic thoughts” as main
predictor of low level of sexual desire in men (b¼-.28). “Desire of having a baby”,
“Energy/fatigue”, “Depression”, “Premature ejaculation severity”, “Sexual Distress”,
“Subjective sexual response”, and “Sexual conservativism” are strictly connected to level
of sexual desire.
Conclusion & recommendations: Male sexual desire is characterized by a complex
interaction between biological, psychological, and social elements. At the current state
of art, the analysis of these predictors seems to suggest that current models are not
sufficient to explain the complexity of male sexual desire.
Keywords: sexual desire, male sexuality, sexual interest
Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Statement: None.
stated that homosexuals are used to report higher levels of sexual desire and compulsive
sexual behaviors. Literature showed a lack of comparisons between perceived level of
desire in hetero and gay population. This study aims to analyze some variables which
could predict levels of sexual desire in both heterosexual and homosexual men such as
sexual satisfaction, distress, sexism and dysfunctional sexual beliefs.
Population sample: 312 male subjects (239 heterosexuals and 73 homosexuals) were
recruited on internet. The average age was 31.95 (SD ¼ 9.62), ranged between 18 and
72 years.
Method(s): A self-administered online survey was available from March 2015 to April
2016. It was composed of 13 questionnaires exploring biopsychosocial elements
involved in sexual response: IIEF, SSS-M, SDS-M, ASI, and SDBQ.
Results: No significant difference was found between sexual orientation and self-reported
level of sexual desire. Independently from their orientation, subjects with high
level of desire reported less distress (F(2,287)¼3.11, p<.05) and more satisfaction with
their sex life (F(2,287)¼9.54, p<.001). Gay reported lower levels of sexism and
dysfunctional sexual beliefs, especially to stereotypical beliefs about male
(F(1,283)¼15.72, p<.001). Dysfunctional sexual beliefs predicted lower desire level on
heterosexual men, but not on homosexuals.
Conclusion & recommendations: This study highlighted how sexual orientation
had no direct effect on sexual desire level. Differences between heterosexuals and
homosexuals, if any, should be search in frequency of sexual activity, easier accessibility
to sex, meaning of sex for male and gay identities, and the secondary benefit which sex
could lead to (physical contact, pleasure, temporary filling of “emptiness” feelings,
sense of belonging to a minority) more than directly to sexual desire level. Moreover,
homosexual people reported to be more free from some stereotypes which, in heterosexuals,
are strictly connected with sexual dysfunctions.
Keywords: sexual desire, homosexuality, stereotypes
Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Statement: None.
alexithymia, sexual dysfunctional beliefs, body image and quality of life (QoL) in a
group of obese women, in order to improve general taking care, QoL and sexual health.
Population sample: Data were collected on 143 heterosexual women asking for
bariatric surgery at “Sapienza” University of Rome (Dept. of General Surgery).
Method(s): A self-administered questionnaire was given during the psychological
screening for surgery composed by sociodemographic questionnaire, SCL-90-R, BDIII,
STAI-Y, TAS-20, FSFI, SDBQ-W, BUT and TSD-OC.
Results: Women asking for surgery reported high levels of BMI and low levels of
education. More than half (n¼79) did not use any contraceptive tool even if they were
fertile and they did not want to have a child. Multiple regressions showed a relationship
between BMI and Hostility scale of SCL90-R (r¼-,184). Results revealed a damaged
sexuality due to a severe presence of sexual symptoms (FSFI score 23). Women who used a contraceptive method (e.g., condoms, pills, etc.), reported better scores in
arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, sexual pain scales and less suffering from
physical obesity-related pain during everyday life.
Conclusion & recommendations: This study showed a complex scenery in which
sexual symptoms were extremely represented. Sexuality is often forgotten in obesity
condition, even if a protective role of sexuality in chronic diseases is demonstrated in
the literature. For instance, the use of contraceptives seems to improve sexual health
and QoL. These results have important implications in both clinical and research
fields, showing the need for a deeper understanding and speaking about sexuality for
comprehensive taking care taking.
Keywords: obesity, female sexuality, contraception
Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Statement: None.
aetiology and is characterized by pain during intercourse. GPPD has
been shown to have a negative impact on the psychological well-being and
quality of life of affected women. Many cognitive and affective variables may
influence the experience of pain and associated psychosexual concerns.
However, the consequences on sexual function and satisfaction have been
studied very little. The goal of this study is to provide a comprehensive
assessment of the sexual sphere of women who report this condition.
Methods: Data were collected on 377 women (131 with sexual pain in
the last 6 months and 246 without sexual pain), aged between 18 and 59
(M ¼ 29.23; SD ¼ 8.10). Participants completed: a socio-demographic
questionnaire, FSFI, FSDS, SSS-W, SMQ-W, SDBQ-W, QCSASC-W and
McGill Pain Questionnaire. Participants were recruited through snowballs
technique.
Results: Women with sexual pain totalized worse scores in: sexual
functioning (F(1,333)¼ 23.35; p < .001) and sexual satisfaction (F(1,333)¼
6.38; p < .05). They obtained higher scores in personal distress (F(1,333)¼
6.38; p < .01) compared to controls. Moreover, they reported a higher
frequency of: failure/disengagement (F(1,324)¼ 9.85; p < .01) and low self
body image (F(1,324)¼ 5.49; p < .05) thoughts, feelings of guilt (F(1,329)¼
4.27; p < .05), incompetence (F(1,333)¼ 6.38; p < .01), difference/loneliness
(F(1,327)¼ 9.03; p < .01) and helpless (F(1,327)¼ 4.05; p < .05) concerning
sexual activity, than women without sexual pain.
Conclusion: Data suggest that GPPD have a negative influence on women’s
sexuality. Therefore, this study suggests the need of psychosexual counselling
during the medical treatment of the disease, in order to achieve a good
sexuality. In this sense, we consider that GPPD evaluation and treatment are
performed through a comprehensive somato-psychological multimodal
approach.
Policy of full disclosure: None
This very accurate meta-analysis summarizes the main points about the use of this drug and concludes that 100mg daily-use flibanserin appears to provide a good balance between efficacy and side effects. From a neuroscientific point of view, these results confirm that serotonin receptors are also important regulators of sexual desire {4}.
We would like to underline that these results are important both as a scientific starting point and for the everyday clinical practice of physicians and psycho-sexologists. Even if the study is very accurate, the number of studies included was not high; more high-quality trials with larger samples are needed to learn more about the efficacy and safety of HSDD therapy in women. Future research should focus on the evaluation of the psychological effects of using flibanserin and the consequences for sexology treatments.
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Anti-anhedonic actions of the novel serotonergic agent flibanserin, a potential rapidly-acting antidepressant.
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Flibanserin, a potential antidepressant drug, lowers 5-HT and raises dopamine and noradrenaline in the rat prefrontal cortex dialysate: role of 5-HT(1A) receptors.
Invernizzi RW, Sacchetti G, Parini S, Acconcia S, Samanin R. Br J Pharmacol. 2003 Aug; 139(7):1281-8
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Hypoactive sexual desire disorder: inventing a disease to sell low libido.
Meixel A, Yanchar E, Fugh-Berman A. J Med Ethics. 2015 Oct; 41(10):859-62
PMID: 26124287 DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2014-102596
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Mechanism of action of flibanserin, a multifunctional serotonin agonist and antagonist (MSAA), in hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
Stahl SM. CNS Spectr. 2015 Feb; 20(1):1-6
PMID: 25659981 DOI: 10.1017/S1092852914000832
This research aims to analyze the presence of sexual dysfunctions in association with different adult attachment styles (secure, insecure/avoidant, insecure/dismissing, insecure/fearful-preoccupied and insecure/anxious-ambivalent). The role of attachment in sexuality is not much studied as for other clinical conditions. Despite the small number of the sample (44 with sexual dysfunction and 41 controls), a good choice of questionnaires (IIEF-15, FSFI and ASQ) and very interesting results were reported.
As shown in other studies {3}, people with sexual dysfunction appear, more than controls, to have an insecure attachment style. This evidence is stronger in the female sample, characterized by a miscellany of different attachment styles. This could be caused by the choice to include every kind of female sexual dysfunction, instead of a specific one, such as for males (for which the authors selected just men with erectile dysfunction [ED]). It could be interesting to analyze with a bigger and more varied sample the correlation between attachment styles and every sexual dysfunction according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5. An important consideration by the authors is that the relationship seems to play a leading role in female sexuality {4}. In male sexuality, the importance of self-esteem and confidence is underlined.
The authors' considerations are very close to the leading opinion in sexology clinical practice {5}, but these data need to be confirmed in a larger and representative sample.
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National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. 2006 Disease Profile.
Department of Health and Humans Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008 Profile (accessed 23 Oct 2014)
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Attachment to parents: the mediating role of inhibition of exploration and individuality on health behaviors.
Paredes AC, Ferreira G, Pereira Mda G. Fam Syst Health 2014 Mar; 32(1):43-52
PMID: 24417653 DOI: 10.1037/a0035365
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Attachment, Sexual Assertiveness, and Sexual Outcomes in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia and Their Partners: A Mediation Model.
Leclerc B, Bergeron S, Brassard A, Bélanger C, Steben M, Lambert B. Arch Sex Behav 2014 Apr 29;
PMID: 24777439 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-014-0295-1
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Assessing predictors of sexual function in mid-aged sexually active women.
Chedraui P, Pérez-López FR, Mezones-Holguin E, San Miguel G, Avila C, Collaborative Group for Research of the Climacteric in Latin America (REDLINC). Maturitas 2011 Apr; 68(4):387-90
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Sexual desire and hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women. Introduction and overview. Standard operating procedure (SOP Part 1).
Bitzer J, Giraldi A, Pfaus J. J Sex Med 2013 Jan; 10(1):36-49
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Clinicians and healthcare providers will find this article to be a useful guide regarding what to ask people with disability, how to conduct a useful conversation to take in useful information, how people deal with their impairments to have a satisfying sexual life, and which methods and which devices would be useful to improve their patients' sexuality and related positive feelings. Another good point of this work is the number of examples given to address clinical practice: props and devices that can assist with positioning for people with functional limitations, medications that can affect sexual function and useful guidelines and materials are reported. A variety of possibilities is also important because implications of and limitations due to physical disability can change over time. So it is useful to be flexible with different methods and approaches. In fact some disabilities might make sexual intercourse difficult or even impossible, but these individuals may benefit from sexual practices that are not penetrative.
This work demonstrates the need for a comprehensive approach to the treatment of sexual dysfunction for people with physical disabilities focusing on different specifics for men and women {3}. More research on this theme is needed: in addition to the paucity of quality data from which providers can access information, the sexual health needs of people with disabilities are often ignored. Healthcare providers should be able to provide accurate and unbiased information and resources.
References
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Clinical sexology: An integrated approach between the psychosomatic and the somatopsychic
Simonelli C, Fabrizi A, Rossi R, Silvaggi C, Tripodi F, Michetti P. Sexologies. 2010 Jan; 19(1):3-7
DOI: 10.1016/j.sexol.2009.03.008
For many reasons (costs, losing naturality, reduced feelings and sensations), men reported greater difficulties with having a hard and satisfying erection with condoms, but this phenomenon has normally been studied in relation to the psychological correlates of the specific patient in MSM (Men who have Sex with Men) and HIV/STDs studies {1,2}. So these results are just indicative of a phenomenon that characterized the population being studied, rather than society in general.
The incorrect use of condoms can affect pleasure and intimacy and is often correlated with sexual difficulties. This study is focused on young heterosexual men (18-24 years old), a period when the exploration of sexuality and sex with different partners is common. The results show that CAEP are more frequent in men who already have a history of erection difficulties. The authors give a double interpretation of these results according to a biopsychosocial model.
The final aim of this article is to focus attention on the importance of sex education about the correct use of condoms and the promotion of sexual health. Other studies underline the importance of improving sex education about general themes such as contraception and prevention, to increase safe and enjoyable intercourse {3,4}.
References
1.
How often do condoms fail? A cross-sectional study exploring incomplete use of condoms, condom failures and other condom problems among black and white MSM in southern U.S.A.
Hernández-Romieu AC, Siegler AJ, Sullivan PS, Crosby R, Rosenberg ES. Sex Transm Infect. 2014 Dec; 90(8):602-7
PMID: 25080511 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2014-051581
2.
Condom use, disclosure, and risk for unprotected sex in HIV-negative midlife and older men who have sex with men.
Jacobs RJ, Kane MN, Ownby RL. Am J Mens Health. 2013 May; 7(3):186-97
PMID: 23093078 DOI: 10.1177/1557988312463417
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Condom use errors and problems in a national sample of young Croatian adults.
Baćak V, Stulhofer A. Arch Sex Behav. 2012 Aug; 41(4):995-1003
PMID: 21882054 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-011-9838-x
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Condom use errors and problems: a global view.
Sanders SA, Yarber WL, Kaufman EL, Crosby RA, Graham CA, Milhausen RR. Sex Health. 2012 Mar; 9(1):81-95
PMID: 22348636 DOI: 10.1071/SH11095