In Pursuit of Pleasure: A Biopsychosocial Perspective on Sexual Pleasure and Gender.

Various sources of evidence suggest that men and women differ in their experience of sexual pleasure. Such gender differences have been attributed to men's higher innate sex drive, supported by evolutionary psychology perspectives and gender differences in reproductive strategies. This paper presents biopsychosocial evidence for gender similarities in the capacity to experience pleasure, and for substantial gender differences in opportunities for sexual pleasure.

Testosterone Insufficiency in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Now that HIV infection has become a chronic disease, optimizing health status is an important goal of care for HIV-infected patients. Testosterone insufficiency (TI) can compromise health status, but little is known about the prevalence of TI and possible related factors in HIV-infected women.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of TI among HIV-infected women attending our HIV outpatient clinic, and to study the relationship between TI and sexual function, fatigue, health status, and depression.

[Sexual and psychological well-being after female genital mutilation: a narrative systematic review].

Objective: A literature analysis on the effects of female genital mutilation (FGM) on sexual and psychological well-being.

Design: Narrative systematic review.

Method: In March 2016 we performed a search for relevant literature in the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO and CINAHL.

HIV-1 status is independently associated with decreased erectile function among middle-aged MSM in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy.

Introduction: HIV-1-infected MSM more often experience sexual dysfunctions than the general population. We assessed associations between HIV-1 status and decreased sexual functioning among MSM.

Methods: We used cross-sectional data from 399 HIV-1-infected MSM mostly on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and 366 HIV-1-uninfected MSM aged at least 45 years participating in the AGEhIV Cohort Study.

Maintaining physiologic testosterone levels during combined oral contraceptives by adding dehydroepiandrosterone: II. Effects on sexual function. A phase II randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the effect of combined oral contraceptives (OCs) on sexual function, either alone or together with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).

Study Design: An exploratory randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, comparative, crossover study was conducted in 81 OC users. Subjects discontinued their OC for one cycle before being randomized for 10cycles to a 30-mcg ethinyl estradiol (EE)/levonorgestrel (LNG) OC or a 30-mcg EE/drospirenone (DRSP) OC, along with daily use of 50mg dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) or placebo during five OC cycles before crossing over from DHEA to placebo or the reverse for another fivecycles.

Women's experiences with vaginal examinations during labor in the Netherlands.

Introduction: Vaginal digital examination (VE) is a routine medical procedure during labor to assess the start and progression of labor. This study explores women's experiences with VE's during labor in the Netherlands.

Methods: An exploratory anonymous online survey was distributed among Dutch women who underwent a trial of labor and gave birth to a living term child in the previous six months.

Young women's genital self-image and effects of exposure to pictures of natural vulvas.

Introduction: Many women have doubts about the normality of the physical appearance of their vulvas. This study measured genital self-image in a convenience sample of college-educated women, and assessed whether exposure to pictures of natural vulvas influenced their genital self-image.

Method: Forty-three women were either shown pictures of natural vulvas (N = 29) or pictures of neutral objects (N = 14).

Maintaining physiological testosterone levels by adding dehydroepiandrosterone to combined oral contraceptives: I. Endocrine effects.

Objective: To determine whether adding dehydroepiandrosterone to combined oral contraceptives (COCs) maintains physiological levels of free testosterone.

Study Design: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover study conducted in 81 healthy women (age range: 20-35 years; Body mass index (BMI) range: 18-35 kg/m) using oral contraceptives. Androgens, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1) were measured, and free testosterone and the free testosterone index were calculated.

A Qualitative Study on Experiences After Vulvar Surgery in Women With Lichen Sclerosus and Sexual Pain.

Introduction: Lichen sclerosus (LS) of the vulva can profoundly affect sexual interaction because of painful fissures and narrowing of the vaginal introitus. Successful surgical treatment is usually defined as restoration of (pain-free) penetrative sexual activity.

Aims: To evaluate the impact of surgery on (dyadic) sexual functioning and pleasure and psychological well-being.

Motives for Vulvar Surgery of Women with Lichen Sclerosus.

Introduction: Women with lichen sclerosus (LS) may experience (superficial) dyspareunia or the inability to have vaginal intercourse due to painful fissures and narrowing of the vaginal introitus. A surgical procedure may contribute to the relief of these sexual pain problems. It is unknown what motives women have to undergo surgery in order to regain the ability to have sexual intercourse.

Predictors of task-persistent and fear-avoiding behaviors in women with sexual pain disorders.

Introduction: Dyspareunia and vaginismus are the most common sexual pain disorders (SPDs). Literature suggests that many women with dyspareunia continue with intercourse despite pain (task persistence), whereas many women with vaginismus avoid penetrative activities that may cause pain (fear avoidance). Both forms of sexual pain behavior may maintain or aggravate complaints.

Induced abortion is not associated with a higher likelihood of depression in Curaçao women.

Objective: To investigate the risk of developing a depression after induced abortion.

Methods: A prospective cohort study conducted in Curaçao which involved 92 women having an induced abortion and 37 women delivering after an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, who served as controls. All participants completed the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale before and two to three weeks after the abortion or delivery.

A new device for simultaneous measurement of pelvic floor muscle activity and vaginal blood flow: a test in a nonclinical sample.

Introduction: Dyspareunia in women, defined as persistent or recurrent genital pain associated with sexual intercourse, is hypothesized to be related to (fear associated) pelvic floor hyperactivity and to diminished sexual arousal. Psychophysiological research to support these hypotheses is scarce and concentrates mostly on the role of either pelvic floor activity or sexual arousal. To investigate both factors, a measurement device that enables simultaneous assessment of pelvic floor muscle activity and genital sexual arousal would be most optimal.

Backgrounds of women applying for hymen reconstruction, the effects of counselling on myths and misunderstandings about virginity, and the results of hymen reconstruction.

ABSTRACT Objective To study the backgrounds of women requesting hymen 'repair', to assess the effects of extensive counselling, and the effects of hymen reconstruction. Methods A two-centre qualitative study, consisting of a semi-structured interview, education, discussion of alternatives, and instructions for self-examination (first visit), educational examination (second visit), decision on operation or alternative (third visit), and follow-up (fourth visit). Results Eighty-two women were interviewed at first visit.

Cutoff score of the sexual interest and desire inventory-female for diagnosis of hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

Objective: To determine the most appropriate cutoff value for the Sexual Interest and Desire Inventory-Female (SIDI-F) score to discriminate between women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) and those with no female sexual dysfunction (FSD). The SIDI-F is a clinician-rated instrument consisting of 13 items designed to assess HSDD severity in women. The total score ranges from 0 to 51, with higher scores indicating better sexual function.

Genital and subjective sexual response in women after restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis--a prospective clinical trial.

Introduction: Sexual dysfunction after ileo pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is common. The most systematic physical reaction to sexual stimulation is an increase in vaginal vasocongestion. Genital response can be assessed by vaginal pulse amplitude (VPA) using vaginal photoplethysmography.

[Bleeding patterns important factor in choosing an IUD].

Recently the Dutch College of General Practitioners issued a revised practice guideline 'The intrauterine device' (IUD). This should help women considering intrauterine contraception to choose between a conventional copper IUD and a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS). This guideline states that two aspects of these IUDs are important determinants of the decision, namely reliability and expected bleeding patterns.

Genital responsiveness in healthy women with and without sexual arousal disorder.

Introduction: Most pharmacological treatments that are currently being developed for women with sexual arousal disorder are aimed at remedying a vasculogenic deficit.

Aim: This study investigated whether pre- and postmenopausal women with sexual arousal disorder are less genitally responsive to visual sexual stimuli than pre- and postmenopausal women without sexual problems.

Method: Twenty-nine medically healthy women with sexual arousal disorder (15 premenopausal and 14 postmenopausal), diagnosed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) criteria, and 30 age-matched women without sexual problems (16 premenopausal and 14 postmenopausal) were shown sexual stimuli depicting cunnilingus and intercourse.

Tibolone and transdermal E2/NETA for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction in naturally menopausal women: results of a randomized active-controlled trial.

Introduction: There are some data to suggest that tibolone improves sexual function in postmenopausal women. However, evidence about the effects of tibolone on female sexual dysfunction is lacking.

Aim: To compare the efficacy on sexual function of tibolone 2.

Effects of a preovulatory single low dose of mifepristone on ovarian function.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of a single low dose of mifepristone on ovarian function, when administered in the preovulatory period.

Methods: Healthy women with regular menstrual cycles were studied during two consecutive menstrual cycles. Either mifepristone or placebo was given in a randomized double-blind order when the leading follicle reached a diameter between 15 and 17 mm.

Efficacy and safety of a testosterone patch for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in surgically menopausal women: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: Evaluation of the use of testosterone therapy for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) after oophorectomy has mostly involved women treated with oral estrogen preparations. We investigated the efficacy and safety of a testosterone patch in surgically menopausal women receiving concurrent transdermal estrogen.

Design: Women with HSDD after oophorectomy, for whom this was a concern, who were using transdermal estrogen, were recruited to a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Europe and Australia.

Genital vascular responsiveness and sexual feelings in midlife women: psychophysiologic, brain, and genital imaging studies.

The incidence of women's experiences of lack of sexual arousal increases in the years around the natural menopause transition. This raises the questions to what extent are sexual complaints in postmenopausal women related to hormonal changes, and what is the contribution of psychologic and contextual factors to sexual function in this transitional phase of life. This article reviews all published evidence regarding (1) the relation between menopausal status and sexual arousal symptoms, (2) the extent to which these sexual symptoms relate to measured genital vascular responses to sexual stimuli, and (3) the correlation between women's genital vascular response and their experience of subjective sexual arousal.