Sex satisfaction – science? Or fathomed?

Abstract

This issue has a focus on sexual satisfaction, broadly speaking. Many of the articles focus on positive and negative influences on sexual satisfaction and expression – and then we have a few “spicy” articles in here that are sure to spark thoughtful debate. As an academic-clinician I am always interested in what is new and emerging in the field, while trying to keep an open mind to the results that others have found (unique as they may be). This issue has many reads on the interplay between satisfaction enhancers and detractors, biomedical influences on satisfaction and self, fantasy and imagery, and includes a new scale for use in considering how sexual experiences and partnership work hand-in-hand. There are three articles that focus on sexual satisfaction (Cetin & Aslan, 2020; Hadizadeh-Talasaz et al., 2019) and self-love (Weitkamp et al., 2019) as connected to functioning for female-identified (sample of cisgender) women. These articles highlight new information uncovered about the positive impact therapeutic intervention can have on biomedical illness that a woman faces (Hadizadeh-Talasaz et al., 2019; Weitkamp et al., 2019). Specifically, these articles shed light in the areas of knowledge/awareness, education, and mindfulness. Cetin and Aslan (2020) article provides guidance and insight into how hormonal levels impact a woman’s mental health well-being in conjunction with sexual satisfaction and functioning, based on menstrual phase. While their study did not find statistically significant differences, it was determined that women in the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle did report higher levels of sexual satisfaction and functioning. Hadizadeh-Talasaz et al. (2019) examine and report on the lived experiences of women who are struggling with pelvic organ prolapse; specifically finding that those with this condition will experience discomfort, lower genital self-image, have lower rates of well-being, and several women reported conflicting relational reactions. This research has implications for the relational or systemic therapist; don’t forget that even though the person in front of you may be experiencing the biomedical difficulty, their relationships will have been impacted as well. Finally, Weitkamp et al. (2019) interviewed participants from an online educational program entitled, “Self:Cervix,” which is an educational outlet with the goal to release pain and decrease numbness in the female genital region through learning about sexual anatomy, massage, integrating mindfulness, and discussing consent. Their work highlights the importance of education and self-exploration, providing examples of how massage and mindfulness can have a substantial impact on feelings of pain and numbness in the cervix. All three of these articles integrated together speak to the relationship between women, their body, and the impact that acceptance of self