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PubMed1994

Actions of sciatic nerve ligature on sexual behavior of sexually experienced and inexperienced male rats: effects of frontal pole decortication.

The action of the hyperalgesia produced by the loose ligature of the sciatic nerve on the sexual behavior of two groups of sexually experienced and inexperienced male rats was studied. The putative changes in the behavior induced by this manipulation were attempted to be counteracted by the removal of the anterior frontal cortex. Independently of the sexual experience, the ligature of the sciatic nerve did not modify any parameter of the sexual behavior, except for a slight prolongation of the intromission latency. Surprisingly, the removal of the cortical frontal pole resulted in drastic changes in the sexual behavior of sexually inexperienced male rats such as an increase in the intromission and ejaculation latencies and the postejaculatory interval. These changes were not observed in the sexually experienced group. Interestingly, the sciatic nerve ligature prevented the changes in the copulatory behavior produced by the frontal cortex removal. These results suggest that the hyperalgesia induced by the sciatic nerve ligature was unable to alter the sexual behavior. By contrast, the frontal cortex removal produced important changes in the sexual behavior that depend upon the previous sexual experience. All results are discussed on the bases of the neural control underlying the possible relationships between algesia and male sexual behavior.

Animals↗

PubMed1975

Differential rates of exhaustion and recovery of several parameters of male rat sexual behavior.

Sexual exhaustion of the male rat was studied with respect to several copulatory measures. The ejaculatory latency, intercopulatory interval, and intromission frequency demonstrate a U-shaped curve, exhibiting high values for the initial ejaculatory series, falling to a minimum at an intermediate ejaculatory series, and again increasing at exhaustion. The absolute refractory period of the postejaculatory interval (measured at vocalization termination) increases linerly, whereas the relative refractory period (the remaining portion of the postejaculatory interval) is a postively accelerating function. Partial recovery tests demonstrated that the preejaculatory measures and absolute refractory period have substantially returned to baseline values by Day 6, while the relative refractory period is still extended. The significance of these data to the theoretical modeling of sexual behavior is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Sexual behavior and sexual problems among patients with severe chronic psychoses.

The aim of the present study was to investigate sexual behavior in population of psychiatric patients affected by schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder by means of an ad hoc questionnaire designed to explore the three phases of the sexual response: desire (or interest), arousal, and performance. The study assessed patients' attitude toward sexuality, several aspects of their sexual behavior, including patients' awareness of the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), contraceptive strategy preferred by patients, and sexual effects of psychotropic medication. Patients reported a high frequency of sexual dysfunction, in particular, hyposexuality. Schizophrenia diagnosis and female gender were associated with lower levels of sexual performance. The impact of psychotropic drugs on patients' sexuality was significant, with both positive and negative effects. Although 65.8% of patients reported to be concerned about the risk of contracting infections during sexual intercourse, most of them engaged in sexual behavior at high risk for acquisition and transmission of STD. Patients' compliance with contraceptive measures was poor.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Sexual behavior and sexually transmitted infections in men living in rural Madagascar: implications for HIV transmission.

BACKGROUND: Madagascar is in the midst of a large HIV epidemic. Therefore, it is important to obtain relevant epidemiologic data that can be used to develop a preventive strategy. GOAL: The goal of the study was to assess sexual behavior and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among men living in two coastal villages and one highland village with different levels of endemicity of urogenital schistosomiasis. STUDY DESIGN: Data were obtained from cross-sectional studies on male reproductive health. All men aged 15 to 49 years were offered enrollment. RESULTS: Of 401 men evaluated, 6.5% had used a condom and 45.6% reported having multiple partners in the previous 3 months. Symptoms of urethritis during the previous 7 days were reported by 128 men (31.9%). Urethritis was associated with the youngest age group (15-19 years) and the coastal villages, in which HIV antibodies were found in 0.9% and 2.5%, respectively. The prevalence of Schistosoma hematobium was 31.0% and 55.0% in these two villages, whereas none of the men in the highland village were infected. In bivariate analyses, urogenital schistosomiasis was associated with reported symptoms of urethritis, but it acted as a confounder in multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: Several risk factors for HIV propagation exist in these rural areas in Madagascar. Young men in particular should be targeted for HIV/STI prevention. Treatment of urogenital schistosomiasis could be considered part of the syndromic STI treatment in areas where S hematobium is endemic, for patients seeking primary care for urethritis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Lesions in the medial posterior region of the BST impair sexual behavior in sexually experienced and inexperienced male rats.

Previous studies have showed that lesions in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis of experienced male rats impair some parameters of sexual behavior. The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of the medial posterior region of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTMP), a sexually dimorphic region of this nucleus that pertains to the vomeronasal system, to the modulation of sexual behavior of the male rat. Small electrolytic bilateral lesions in the BSTMP were made in male heterosexual experienced and inexperienced rats. Sham lesioned animals were also tested as a control of the effects of the general surgical procedures. Behavioral tests were then performed to obtain standard measures of masculine sexual behavior. Our results indicate that the sexually experienced male rats with lesioned BSTMPs showed increases in the number of mounts and the number of intromissions and, consequently, in ejaculation latency. In contrast, the sexually naive male rats showed increases in first mount and intromission latencies and in ejaculation latency, but the latter occurred due to increases in the interintromission intervals. This group also showed low correlations between olfactory investigation of the anogenital area of the female and initiation and maintenance of copulatory behavior. The results suggest that sexual experience obtained in the very artificial conditions of laboratory tests could supply some of the cues provided by the BSTMP in the process of sensorial integration, which we hypothesize modulates the initiation and pacing of copulation. However, sexual experience does not apparently supply any other kinds of cues provided or processed in the BSTMP that are involved in modulating the elicitation of intromissions and ejaculations.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Sexual behavior and sexual orientation of the female rat after hormonal treatment during various stages of development.

The amount of circulating sex steroids during Postnatal Days 30-90 was varied in normally developed and in androgenized female rats. The influence of these manipulations on sexual behavior and sexual orientation was investigated. Normally developed or neonatally androgenized females were ovariectomized and implanted with estradiol through Postnatal Days 30-90 or sham-implanted. The remaining subjects were left intact during that period. The hormonal condition during Postnatal Days 30-90 significantly affected the behavior of normally developed females, but affected the behavior of neonatally androgenized females only to minor extent. Estrogen implants in normally developed females enhanced masculine sexual responses and induced a female-directed sexual orientation. Feminine sexual responses were unaffected by this treatment. Sham-implanted, normally developed females showed a male-directed sexual orientation and fewer masculine sexual responses than subjects which were left intact during Postnatal Days 30-90. Neonatal androgen treatment in general resulted in elevated levels of masculine Neonatal androgen treatment in general resulted in elevated levels of masculine sexual responses, inhibited feminine sexual behavior, and facilitated a female-directed sexual orientation.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Religiosity, sexual behaviors, and sexual attitudes during emerging adulthood.

The current study examined associations between religiosity and sexual behaviors and attitudes during emerging adulthood. Two hundred and five emerging adults completed surveys about five aspects of their religiosity (group affiliation, attendance at religious services, attitudes, perceptions of negative sanctions, and adherence to sanctions) and their sexual behaviors (abstinence, age of onset, lifetime partners, condom use) and attitudes (conservative attitudes, perceived vulnerability to HIV, and condom-related beliefs). Associations were found between the measures of religiosity and sexuality, although the patterns differed by measures used. Religious behavior was the strongest predictor of sexual behavior. Many aspects of religiosity were associated with general sexual attitudes, which was not the case for perceived vulnerability to HIV and condom-related beliefs. The findings support reference group theory and highlight the importance of considering the specific constructs of religiosity and sexuality assessed in studies of these topics.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Healthcare-seeking behavior and sexual behavior of patients with sexually transmitted diseases in Nairobi, Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Sexual and health-seeking behaviors are important components of sexually transmitted disease (STD) control. GOALS: To generate data for improved STD prevention and care, and to assess sexual behavior and relevant health-seeking behavior. STUDY DESIGN: A questionnaire to elicit social, demographic, healthcare-seeking, and sexual behavior information was administered to 471 patients attending the referral clinic for STDs in Nairobi, Kenya. RESULTS: A large proportion of the patients had sought treatment in public and private sectors before attending the clinic for STDs. Women waited longer than men to seek medical care. In addition, women more than men engaged in sex while symptomatic, mostly with their regular partner. Condoms were used rarely during illness. In their self-reports, 68% of the men admitted to having extramarital affairs, and 30% to paying for sex, yet they blamed their wives for their STDs. CONCLUSION: Health education messages in Kenya need adaptation to improve health-seeking behavior and safe sex practices.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Sexual behaviors and sexual risk in a prospective cohort of HIV-positive men and women in New York City, 1994-2002: implications for prevention.

As an ever-increasing number of people infected with HIV are living longer, healthier lives, concerns about continued transmission are growing along with an awareness of the need to develop "prevention for positives." This study of HIV-positive adults in New York City is the first examination of patterns of sexual behavior in a large, representative cohort of HIV-infected individuals followed over an extended time period. A total of 968 HIV-positive adults were interviewed every 6-12 months between 1994 and 2002 and reported considerable variability in sexual behaviors over time. Many persons were not sexually active at all for months at a time; some continued to have multiple partners. Over one third of the cohort had one or more periods when they had engaged in unprotected sex with a partner who was HIV-negative or status unknown (unsafe sex) and one in five reported exchanging sex. Periods of unsafe sex alternated with periods of safer sex. Predictors of sexual risk varied by gender, and among men who had sex with men, and men sexually active with women only. Contextual factors such as partner relations, housing status, and receipt of HIV services were as important as individual attributes as predictors of unsafe sex and sex exchange. The variability observed in sexual risk behavior reported over time provides new insight into the importance of engaging persons living with HIV in ongoing prevention programs.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

The relation between sexual activity among children during preadolescence and/or early adolescence and sexual behavior and sexual adjustment in young adulthood.

This study examined whether current sexual behavior and sexual adjustment in a sample of 433 college students differed as a function of having engaged in sexual activity with other children during preadolescence (prior to age 13) and/or early adolescence (ages 13-15). Four groups were compared: subjects who only had an early adolescent sexual experience; subjects who had both preadolescent and early adolescent experiences; subjects who had no sexual experience with another child during either preadolescence or early adolescence. There were no significant differences between these groups on measures of incidence of premarital intercourse, age at first intercourse, number of different intercourse partners, sexual satisfaction, sexual arousal, or sexual dysfunctions. It was concluded that in general the simple occurrence or nonoccurrence of sexual activity among children during these developmental periods has little impact, either positive or negative, on later sexual adjustment during young adulthood. Some expections, depending on the specific types of childhood sexual activity involved, were noted.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2000

NPY-leptin: opposing effects on appetitive and consummatory ingestive behavior and sexual behavior.

Many studies have indicated that neuropeptide Y (NPY) stimulates and leptin inhibits food intake. In line with this, intracerebroventricular injection of NPY (10 microg) stimulated and leptin (10 microg) inhibited intake of a sucrose solution when female rats were required to obtain the solution from a bottle. However, NPY inhibited and leptin stimulated intake if the solution was infused intraorally. Thus NPY stimulates the responses used to obtain food but inhibits those used to consume food, and leptin has the opposite effects. To test the specificity of these responses the sexual behavior of male rats was examined. NPY-treated males showed minor deficits in sexual behavior but chose to ingest a sucrose solution rather than copulate with a female if offered the choice. By contrast, leptin-treated males ingested little sucrose and displayed an increase in ejaculatory frequency if given the same choice. It is suggested that NPY is not merely an orexigenic peptide, but one that directs attention toward food. Similarly, leptin may not be an anorexic peptide, but one that diverts attention away from food toward alternate stimuli.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Sexual behavior in sexually transmitted disease research. An overview.

Determinants of sexually transmitted disease (STD) incidence have been described at the individual and the population level of analysis. Some issues of measurement remain unresolved in the assessment of risk and preventive behaviors. In general, risk behaviors (sexual, substance abuse, health) and contextual determinants of risk tend to occur together. Population prevalence of many STD risk behaviors is higher among minority populations of lower socioeconomic status. The major issues related to the choice of target groups involve lack of adequate data. Different behavioral interventions may be more appropriate for specific STD. The most important unresolved issue in the context of intervention research may be that interventions to change sexual behaviors are not supported by conclusive empirical evidence. In the past, in most countries, policy instruments have not been used effectively to achieve risk-reducing changes in sexual behavior. Elaboration of these points provides a description of the state of behavioral issues in STD research.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Pathogenesis of Urinary Tract Infection: the Role of Sexual Behavior and Sexual Transmission.

Acute urinary tract infection (UTI) is an extremely common clinical entity that affects almost half of all women in the United States, and accounts for more than 7 million physician visits, annually, in this country. Sexual behavior and UTI history are the most important predictors of UTI risk among sexually active young women. Whether sexual behavior has similar impact on UTI risk in older women is unknown. Postcoital prophylaxis has been investigated as a strategy for the prevention of recurrent UTI in sexually active women. There are conflicting data regarding the role of voiding habits in relation to sexual intercourse and the risk of UTI. Finally, there are interesting epidemiologic studies suggesting that uropathogenic Escherichia coli may be transmitted between sex partners. We review the recent literature regarding these different areas, and comment on the potential role of sexual transmission in UTI.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Pregnant adolescents at risk: sexual behaviors and sexually transmitted disease prevalence.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of high-risk sexual behaviors and the prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhea among pregnant adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: These analyses used data from 203 pregnant and 209 nonpregnant adolescents who were recruited from public health clinics. Data sources included interviewer-administered questionnaires, ligase chain reaction tests for chlamydia/gonorrhea in the third trimester of pregnancy, and state health department reports of chlamydia/gonorrhea. Statistical analyses included logistic regression. RESULTS: Pregnant adolescents were significantly more likely to have not used condoms during sexual intercourse in the past 30 days compared with nonpregnant adolescents, although other sexual risk behaviors were reduced. Nineteen percent of pregnant adolescents had chlamydia or gonorrhea diagnosed during the pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Pregnant adolescents have high levels of sexually transmitted diseases during pregnancy, and many adolescents use condoms inconsistently. Prenatal care providers may be in a unique position to decrease sexually transmitted diseases among pregnant adolescents by encouraging the reduction of risk behaviors and aggressively screening for sexually transmitted diseases as part of routine prenatal care.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Sexual behavior and sexually transmitted diseases among Swedish university students.

Students at Uppsala University, Sweden, were interviewed about their sexual behavior, their knowledge of and attitudes to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and related issues. The purpose of the study was to ascertain trends in behavior and attitudes as an indication of the likely risk of the spread of STDs, in particular AIDS, among students. Results revealed that change of partner was commonplace. A significant number of students had suffered from an STD. Students' claims that their own sexual practices, and those of others, had changed as a result of the AIDS epidemic, proved to be unsubstantiated in their behavior. Although contraceptive use was high, condom use with change of partner was infrequent. Alcohol played a significant role in impairing judgement. Despite a reasonably sound knowledge of STDs, the students exhibited a high degree of risk-taking behavior. The study has highlighted the dichotomy between knowledge and practice in student sexual behavior. Notable was the lack of perception among university students of their own risk of contracting STDs.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1991

AIDS knowledge and beliefs, and sexual behavior of sexually delinquent and non-delinquent (runaway) adolescents.

This study assessed general knowledge of AIDS, beliefs about preventing AIDS, and sexual behavior among two groups of male adolescents at high risk of HIV/AIDS: 60 sexually delinquent males and 57 non-delinquent runaway males. Significantly fewer sexually delinquent than non-delinquent (runaway) males had experienced sexual intercourse with a consenting female partner (45 vs. 89 per cent). Sexually delinquent youths scored significantly lower than non-delinquent youths in general knowledge of AIDS (65 vs. 73 per cent) and were not able to discriminate safer behaviors from those which were less safe (42 vs. 71 per cent). Both groups reported moderate support for beliefs about preventing AIDS. These results suggest HIV/AIDS prevention programs that attempt to increase knowledge are needed by these youths, particularly for sexually delinquent youths.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1989

Differences in biologic maturation, sexual behavior, and sexually transmitted disease between adolescents with and without cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Because several cofactors may influence the development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in young women, we compared differences in behaviors (sexual activity, contraception, and cigarette use), sexually transmitted disease (STD) infection rates (Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and herpes simplex virus), and cervical maturation (age of menarche and percentage of cervical ectopy) in groups of sexually active female adolescents with and without CIN. Those with CIN were compared with three non-CIN groups: (1) teenagers who were referred to a teen colposcopy clinic but had no evidence of CIN (high-risk group), (2) teenagers seen at a gynecology clinic without STD symptoms (asymptomatic group), and (3) teenagers seen at the gynecology clinic with STD symptoms (symptomatic group). The percentage of cervical ectopy was measured by colpophotography. Subjects with CIN had more lifetime sexual partners than the asymptomatic group (p less than 0.001) and were more likely to smoke cigarettes than either gynecology clinic group (p less than 0.01). No differences in behaviors existed between the CIN and high-risk groups. The mean age of menarche in those with CIN was 1 year older than all three non-CIN groups (p less than 0.05), and those with CIN had a greater area of ectopy than those without CIN (p less than 0.02). Those with CIN were more likely to have a past or present history of C. trachomatis infection than the two gynecology clinic groups; no difference was found between the CIN and high-risk groups. We conclude that cofactors such as smoking, sexual promiscuity, and C. trachomatis infection may influence cervical vulnerability. However, cervical biologic immaturity is an important risk factor for development of CIN in adolescent girls.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Sexual behavior and sexual dysfunctions after age 40: the global study of sexual attitudes and behaviors.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the importance of sex and the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among middle-aged and older adults throughout the world. Increasing life expectancy has been accompanied by improvements in the health of the middle-aged and elderly, but little is known about how this has affected their sexual experience. METHODS: Data were collected in 29 countries from 27,500 men and women aged 40 to 80 years using a standardized questionnaire (self-completed or by interview). Sexual dysfunction was defined as frequent and persistent problems. They included early ejaculation and erectile difficulties in men, lubrication difficulties and pain during intercourse in women, and a lack of sexual interest, an inability to achieve orgasm, and a feeling of unpleasurable sex in both. RESULTS: More than 80% of the men and 65% of the women had had sexual intercourse during the past year. Of these subjects, the most common dysfunctions were early ejaculation (14%) and erectile difficulties (10%) among the men and a lack of sexual interest (21%), inability to reach orgasm (16%), and lubrication difficulties (16%) among the women. Overall, 28% of the men and 39% of the women said that they were affected by at least one sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study indicate that sexual desire and activity are widespread among middle-aged and elderly men and women worldwide and persist into old age. The prevalence of sexual dysfunctions was quite high and tended to increase with age, especially in men. Although major between-country differences were noted, this global study revealed some clear and consistent patterns.

Adult↗