Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy最新文献

The aim of this qualitative study is to describe the experiences of Turkish women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). The study was conducted with 15 women with AUB. The experiences of the women with AUB were categorized into four themes: physical effects, psychological effects, effects on daily life, and effects on marriage relationships and sexual life. It was determined that the women participating the study faced numerous physical, psychological, social issues. The findings highlight the need for treatment and care to go beyond physical symptoms, adopting a holistic approach that considers all aspects of a woman's life affected by AUB.

The Cass Review's final report, published in April 2024, made recommendations to the UK's National Health Service regarding structuring of services for minors with gender-related distress. It recommended cautious use of hormonal interventions in this population and use of research protocols. Some clinician-researchers disagree with the Cass Review's recommendations and have written critiques. A critique of the Cass Review posted on Yale Law School's website in July 2024 has received extensive media coverage. Its references identified three other critiques. In these papers, there were multiple claims that were incorrect or that lacked essential clarification/contextualization. These claims involved (1) the Cass Review's contents and processes; (2) the pediatric transgender healthcare evidence base; (3) existing clinical practice guidelines, including claims that there is international medical consensus; (4) evidence-based medical practice and guideline development; and (5) conclusions regarding the validity of the Cass Review's findings. The Cass Review's careful, balanced investigations and judgments were a comprehensive, evidence-based response to the controversies in this pediatric clinical arena. Recently-published critiques of the Review have contained incorrect or inadequately contextualized claims. Because accurate information about medical interventions is essential to informed consent, it is important to correct errors in potentially influential publications.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in cases of gender dysphoria among children and adolescents. Iatrogenesis, as a result of early social and medical transitions in the gender-affirming care model, has contributed to this rise, leading to a group of cases that could be described as 'iatrogenic gender dysphoria.' Iatrogenesis also causes potential harm in the medical and surgical treatments of these cases. Thus, gender dysphoria cases are effectively encircled by an iatrogenic harm cycle, from development to treatment. Pressures that restrict academic freedom in the field of gender medicine, political influences, issues of 'spin' in publications related to the gender-affirming care model, and misleading or exaggerated statements made by some clinicians to the public also contribute to this harm cycle. This article discusses the role of iatrogenesis in the increase of gender dysphoria cases and its effects within the harmful cycle surrounding these cases.

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of people with post-SSRI sexual dysfunction (PSSD). Ten participants were recruited through a patient advocacy group to participate in individual, semi-structured interviews. The results were analyzed using descriptive phenomenological analysis. Eight themes emerged to describe participants' experiences with PSSD. Findings indicate that people with PSSD can undergo psychological, physical and sexual effects of withdrawal that cause suffering, hopelessness and alienation. In addition, findings suggest that there was a lack of understanding, awareness, informed consent or acceptance among healthcare providers about PSSD, which (1) compounded the suffering, trauma, hopelessness and alienation that people with PSSD experience about their condition and (2) contributed to an overall lack of trust in physicians and/or medicine in general and therefore reliance on oneself to find relief from the symptoms of PSSD.

The aim of this study was to show the effect of positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment on sexuality that has been negatively affected in female patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The study included 26 females diagnosed with OSAS. Analyses were made of the sociodemographic data and polysomnography (PSG) and PAP titration data. Before and after 2 months of PAP treatment, the patients were evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). There was determined to be a 2.67 ± 5.19 unit increase in the total FSFI measurements (p = 0.015, p < 0.05) post-PAP compared to before PAP treatment, and of the FSFI subscale measurements, a 0.65 ± 0.97 unit increase in desire (p = 0.002, p < 0.01) and a 0.75 ± 1.80 unit increase in satisfaction (p = 0.042, p < 0.05). These increases were determined to be statistically significant. The ESS measurements showed a statistically significant decrease of 2.04 ± 4.69 units from pre to post-PAP (p = 0.036, p < 0.05) and there was a 3.04 ± 6.27 unit decrease in the BDI measurements (p = 0.021, p < 0.05). Correction of oxygen saturation with PAP treatment and a decrease in depressive complaints in female patients with sleep apnea may significantly improve sexual functions.

Sexual boredom in women is associated with various levels and dimensions of sexual desire, as well as lower sexual and relationship satisfaction. However, the directionality of these relationships remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether sexual boredom mediates the relationship between partner and attractive-other sexual desire and sexual and relationship satisfaction in a sample of 1155 Portuguese women in long-term monogamous relationships. Participants, aged 18-66 years (M = 31.60, SD = 5.65), were involved in cohabiting relationships of 1 year or more. Linear regression analysis and Structural Equation Modeling were conducted, revealing that sexual boredom emerged as a stronger predictor of sexual and relationship satisfaction compared to dimensions of sexual desire. Additionally, sexual boredom partially mediated the relationship between partnered sexual desire and satisfaction and fully mediated the relationship between attractive other-related sexual desire and satisfaction variables. Notably, sexual boredom explained up to one-third of sexual satisfaction (32%) and slightly less of relationship satisfaction (27%). These findings underscore the importance of addressing sexual boredom in long-term relationships to promote women's sexual health. Furthermore, they suggest that experiencing sexual desire for attractive non-partners is not indicative of sexual and relationship dissatisfaction unless accompanied by sexual boredom.

Sexual dysfunction is frequent problem among women during the postpartum period, which is a sensitive period of life. Body image and genital self-image, which is an aspect of body image, are significant issues. Women with a heightened focus on their physical appearance and negative body image are at an increased risk of experiencing sexual dysfunction linked to their body image. The aim of this research was to examine the relationships among sexual dysfunction, genital self-image, and body perception during sexual intercourse in the postpartum period and to explore the causes of sexual dysfunction. To accomplish these aims, a consecutive, mixed-methods study was performed, consisting of a survey (N = 379) and follow-up interviews (n = 24) with women up to 1 year postpartum in Turkey. Having a vaginal birth, being multipara, and desiring genital plastic surgery are associated with a negative genital self-image and sexual dysfunction in women postpartum. Negative genital self-image was also found to be associated with sexual dysfunction. When examined in-depth, complications during birth and the postpartum period (e.g., perineal trauma, episiotomy, lacerations, stitches), combined with preexisting problems, contributed to sexual dysfunction in women postpartum. The postpartum period is often a very sensitive time, during which women's lives may change completely. Birth complications that may affect their sexual lives and women's perceptions about their genital organs may be related to sexual dysfunction. Genital self-image needs to be addressed when providing postpartum care.

This study investigates the moderating role of war-time stress on the associations between sexual distress with sexual and psychological well-being. The study focuses on individuals affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict during 2023-2024, using a retrospective design to assess pre-war levels of sexual distress together with current levels of well-being. Participants' exposure to direct stressors, media-related stressors, and acute stress symptoms were evaluated alongside their sexual and psychological well-being. The results indicate significant associations between sexual distress and measures of well-being, with war-time stress moderating these relationships. Higher levels of stress exposure attenuated the negative associations between sexual distress and well-being, suggesting a buffering effect. This counterintuitive finding may be explained by the prioritization of immediate survival concerns and the activation of resilience mechanisms under extreme stress. The findings have important implications for clinicians and policymakers in conflict-affected regions, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive, trauma-informed healthcare frameworks. By advancing the understanding of these dynamics, the study aims to contribute to the development of effective strategies to promote the well-being of individuals and communities impacted by armed conflicts. Future research should explore the proposed mechanisms through longitudinal studies and diverse data sources to further elucidate these relationships.

People hold various attitudes toward sex in pregnancy and holding more positive attitudes toward sex in pregnancy is linked with feeling more sexually and relationally satisfied and less sexually distressed. To address current gaps in the literature, the present study employed longitudinal methods to examine how both couple members' attitudes toward sex in pregnancy, as well as whether similarity between partner attitudes toward sex in pregnancy within couples, predicts their own and their partner's sexual desire throughout pregnancy and 3-months postpartum. First-time parent couples completed surveys at 20-weeks, 32-weeks, and 3-months postpartum. When couples reported more positive attitudes toward sex early in pregnancy, they reported higher dyadic desire later in pregnancy but not in the postpartum period. No effects were observed for similarity in attitudes and desire. Findings support the importance of overall more positive attitudes, rather than similarity in attitudes, for couples' dyadic sexual desire in pregnancy. Targeting attitudes about sex through psychoeducation may be therapeutic for expectant couples.