1,721,207 research outputs found
The DSM diagnostic criteria for Female Sexual Arousal Disorder
No full textThis article reviews and critiques the DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD). An overview of how the diagnostic criteria for FSAD have evolved over previous editions of the DSM is presented and research on prevalence and etiology of FSAD is briefly reviewed. Problems with the essential feature of the DSM-IV-TR diagnosis — “an inability to attain, or to maintain…an adequate lubrication-swelling response of sexual excitement” — are identified. The significant overlap between “arousal” and “desire” disorders is highlighted. Finally, specific recommendations for revision of the criteria for DSM-V are made, including use of a polythetic approach to the diagnosis and the addition of duration and severity criteria
The DSM diagnostic criteria for female orgasmic disorder
No full textThis is the post-print version of the article. The official published version can be found at the link below.This article reviews the DSM diagnostic criteria for Female Orgasmic Disorder (FOD). Following an overview of the concept of female orgasm, research on the prevalence and associated features of FOD is briefly reviewed. Specific aspects of the DSM-IV-TR criteria for FOD are critically reviewed and key issues that should be considered for DSM-V are discussed. The DSM-IV-TR text on FOD focused on the physiological changes that may (or may not) accompany orgasm in women; one of the major recommendations here is that greater emphasis be given to the subjective aspects of the experience of orgasm. Additional specific recommendations are made for revision of diagnostic criteria, including the use of minimum severity and duration criteria, and better acknowledgment of the crucial role of relationship factors in FOD
Menstrual synchrony: an update and review
No full textSeveral studies have now documented menstrual synchrony in human females. There is a broad consensus that the phenomenon mainly occurs in women who spend a significant amount of time together, such as close friends and coworkers, and that social contact rather than a similar environment plays an important role in mediating the effect. However, the mechanisms involved and the adaptive function of menstrual synchrony are not understood. There is some evidence that olfactory cues between females might underlie the effect. More research is needed before the precise mechanisms that regulate menstrual synchrony are elucidate
Reconceptualising women’s sexual desire and arousal in DSM-5
No full textThe publication of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in 2013 was the culmination of more than a decade of work by the APA DSM-5 task force and Work Groups. From 2007 to 2013, I served as a member of the Sexual Dysfunctions subworkgroup, part of the Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders workgroup. In the area of sexual disorders, some of the most significant changes were made in diagnostic categories for female sexual dysfunction. The DSM-IV categories of desire and arousal disorders (Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder and Female Sexual Arousal Disorder) were replaced by a new, much broader diagnosis which included behavioural, subjective and physical aspects of sexual experience (Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder). Other major changes included the addition of more specific and stringent severity and duration criteria and a list of contextual factors, for example, partner factors or cultural/religious factors that should be assessed by clinicians before making a diagnosis. This article reviews the rationale behind these major changes and outlines the process and some of the key challenges faced by the DSM-5 Sexual Dysfunctions subworkgroup in developing their recommendations
Championing condoms
No full textProfessors Cynthia Graham and Roger Ingham of the University ofSouthampton, UK are working to promote the use of condoms amongst youngpeople, who have often expressed a dislike of their use. Negative attitudes toward condoms, often linked to incorrect and inconsistent use, have almost certainly led to an increase in the incidence of sexually transmitted infection
Methods for obtaining menstrual-cycle data in menstrual-synchrony studies: commentary on Schank (2001)
No full textJ. C. Schank claimed to identify 2 categories of error-measurement error and recall biases-in the methodology used in studies of menstrual synchrony. This commentary focuses on the 2nd of these, recall biases, and other errors that he argued may result from "allowing participants to fill out menstrual-cycle-onset calendars" (p. 3). J. C. Schank's detailed discussion of various types of recall biases is inappropriate and misleading given that the majority of menstrual-synchrony studies have used prospective menstrual calendars. The use of menstrual calendars is a well-accepted method in a number of research areas and demands little of participants. J. C. Schank questioned the validity of menstrual calendar data on the basis of assumptions about recall bias for which he had no evidenc
The pill and women's sexuality
No full textSexual side effects have been neglected for far too longOral contraceptives remain the most popular contraceptive method in the United Kingdom, particularly among younger women.1 Yet discontinuation rates are high, and side effects are one of the main reasons why women discontinue the pill.2 Research has focused on side effects such as breakthrough bleeding and breast tenderness.3 Although an association between pill use and impaired sexual functioning has been considered since the pill was first introduced,34 remarkably little research has investigated this possible link.Why have possible pill related adverse sexual effects in women been neglected? Sexual side effects have been deemed “extremely difficult to assess” and described in the literature as “trivial” or a “nuisance.”5 The lack of attention might also reflect a sex bias. Sexuality related side effects have been high on the agenda of research into the development of a hormonal male contraceptive.3 As early as in 1982, the World Health Organization funded a six country study on acceptability of new male contraceptives that evaluated more than 20 aspects of male sexuality.
Condom use in the context of sex research: a commentary
No full textThis commentary highlights some recent trends in sex research that have particular relevance for research on condom use, including studies investigating the meaning of sexual arousal, desire and pleasure; a focus on couple-level investigations; and the relevance of individual differences and personality characteristics to sexual risk-taking. Although historically, sexuality-related issues have received little systematic attention in the field of public health, researchers are now paying more attention to the role of pleasure and sexual arousal in condom use. It is argued that a better integration of findings from the area of sex research into the HIV and sexually transmissible infection (STI) field is needed to develop and improve programs to reduce the risk of STIs and unintended pregnancy
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