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PubMed2000

Effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormones, corticotropin-releasing hormone, and vasopressin on female sexual behavior.

The effects of intracerebroventricular (icv) infusion of four neuropeptides on female sexual behavior were examined in the female musk shrew (Suncus murinus). In the first experiment, (icv) infusion of 100 ng of the mammalian form of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (mGnRH) facilitated rapid display of receptivity. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone-infused females had shorter latencies to rump present and tail wag, compared with controls. In a second experiment, icv administration of the other form of GnRH present in musk shrew brain, the chicken GnRH-II form, produced no changes in female behavior relative to the control condition. In Experiment 3, icv delivery of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) facilitated female sexual behavior, relative to vasopressin and controls. The females treated with CRH had shorter latencies to display rump present, tail wag, and for the receipt of the first missed intromission compared with females in the other treatment groups. Vasopressin increased female scent marking relative to that of CRH-treated females. These data indicate that neurohormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes can facilitate reproductive behavior in S. murinus.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Religiosity and risky sexual behavior in African-American adolescent females.

PURPOSE: To examine the association between religiosity (defined by frequency of engaging in religious/spiritual activities) and African-American adolescent females' sexual behaviors, attitudes toward sex, and ability to negotiate safer sex. METHODS: Between December 1996 and April 1999, 1130 female adolescents were screened for eligibility in a sexually transmitted disease (STD)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention trial. Data collection was achieved through a confidential self-administered questionnaire that examined religiosity and a structured interview regarding sexual behavior. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sociodemographics of the sample and logistic regression was used to measure the association between religiosity and the outcome variables. RESULTS: In the study sample (n = 522), 64% of the adolescents had higher religiosity scores based on a 4-item scale (alpha =.68). Results indicate that adolescents who had higher religiosity scores were significantly more likely to have higher self-efficacy in communicating with new, as well as steady male partners about sex; about STDs, HIV, and pregnancy prevention; and in refusing an unsafe sexual encounter. These adolescents were also more likely to have initiated sex at a later age, used a condom in the past 6 months, and possess more positive attitudes toward condom use. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study indicate a relationship between religiosity and sexual behaviors, attitudes toward sex, and ability to negotiate safer sex.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Ethnic differences in sexual decisions and sexual behavior.

Previous investigators have reported ethnic differences in the expression of sexual decision making and sexual behaviors in women. In a sample of women of low socioeconomic status between ages 18 and 45, we examined the influence of ethnicity and other variables (age, education, marital status, and comfort in discussing sex) on (i) who makes decisions on the timing and type of sex, (ii) whether a woman engages in vaginal, oral, and anal sex, (iii) the frequencies of each type of sex, and (iv) whether or not a woman has multiple partners. Multivariate analyses showed that, independent of other independent variables, ethnicity had little direct effect on most variables. The notable exception was that ethnicity influenced joint decision making regarding the timing and type of sexual activities for Hispanic but not for African American women. We conclude that ethnicity contributes to differences in sexual behaviors but that other variables are equally important.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Projection of the sexually dimorphic area of the gerbil hypothalamus to the retrorubral field is essential for male sexual behavior: role of A8 and other cells.

To determine if the sexually dimorphic area (SDA) of the gerbil hypothalamus affects male sexual behavior through its projections to the retrorubral field (RRF) or ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (PAGvl), these pathways were lesioned asymmetrically. Unilateral radio frequency lesions of the lateral SDA (ISDA), the major source of the pathways, impaired mating when combined with contralateral RRF, but not PAGvl, lesions. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) lesions of the medial SDA, ISDA, and the area between them (the total pathway source) eliminated mating when combined with contralateral, but not ipsilateral, NMDA lesions of the RRF. To determine if A8 cells contributed to these effects, males received NMDA in the SDA and NMDA or 6-hydroxydopamine in the contralateral RRF. When combined with large SDA lesions, A8 lesions impaired but did not eliminate mating. Thus the SDA-RRF pathway, but not an SDA-A8 pathway, is essential for sexual behavior in male gerbils.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A comparison of the effects of lumpectomy versus mastectomy on sexual behaviors.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lumpectomy and mastectomy on female sexual behaviors. It is assumed frequently that lumpectomy causes fewer sexual sequelae for the patient. Although review of the literature indicated consensus regarding the advantage of lumpectomy in preserving body image, no such consensus exists regarding preservation of female sexuality. The literature also was unclear regarding treatment and demographic factors that may be useful in identifying patients at risk for sexual difficulties. A convenience sample of 165 women participated in the study. Data were collected using the Sexual Behaviors Questionnaire and the Watts' Sexual Functioning Questionnaire. Findings indicate that no significant difference existed in sexuality between women treated by lumpectomy and those treated by mastectomy. Other factors with a significant positive effect on sexuality included a history of minimal alcohol use, absence of chemotherapy treatment, and tamoxifen use. Counseling women and their partners about the sexual side effects of cancer treatments is an important part of the health professional's role.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Psychological adjustment, substance use, HIV knowledge, and risky sexual behavior in at-risk minority females: developmental differences during adolescence.

OBJECTIVE: To assess developmental differences in the psychological functioning, substance use, coping style, social support, HIV knowledge, and risky sexual behavior of at-risk, minority adolescent girls; to assess developmental differences in psychosocial correlates of risky sexual behavior in older and younger adolescents. METHOD: Participants included 164 minority teens, ages 12-19, who were receiving medical care in an adolescent primary care clinic. Teens completed measures of psychological adjustment, substance use, coping style, social support, religious involvement, and HIV knowledge and attitudes. In addition, they answered questions regarding their sexual history, family situation, school status, and psychiatric and legal history. RESULTS: Younger teens (ages 12-15) reported more symptoms of depression and earlier sexual debuts than older teens (ages 16-19). However, older teens reported significantly more substance use and were more likely to have been pregnant and to have contracted a sexually transmitted disease (STD) than younger teens. Older teens also reported more religious involvement and using more adaptive coping strategies than younger teens. Developmental differences in the correlates of risky behaviors were also found between younger and older teens. Specifically, conduct problems and substance use were significantly associated with risky sexual behavior for younger teens, but not for older teens. Similarly, younger teens whose peers were engaging in risky behaviors reported engaging in more risky sexual behaviors; however, these same relations were not found for older teens. CONCLUSIONS: Young minority adolescents exhibiting conduct problems and using substances seem to be at highest risk for contracting HIV and STDs as a result of risky sexual behavior. Prevention interventions should target teens in high-risk environments during late elementary school or early middle school to encourage teens to delay intercourse, practice safer sex, and avoid drug and alcohol use. An interdisciplinary model of care in primary care settings is clearly indicated to provide these services to at-risk youths.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1995

The impact of Magic Johnson's HIV serostatus disclosure on unmarried college students' HIV knowledge, attitudes, risk perception, and sexual behavior.

Unmarried heterosexual college students' HIV knowledge, attitudes, risk perception, and sexual behavior were assessed before and after "Magic" Johnson revealed his HIV-positive serostatus. Students examined after the disclosure showed a small, though statistically significant, increase in scores on HIV knowledge. Analyses did not reveal any other differences between the pre- and postdisclosure samples. Several differences between men's and women's scores were found, however. In addition, participants in both groups demonstrated generally positive attitudes toward HIV and people with HIV disease; rated their risk of future HIV infection as none to minimal; and reported frequently engaging in vaginal, oral, and anal intercourse without the use of condoms. These results suggest that Magic's disclosure did not significantly affect these students' attitudes, risk perception, or sexual behavior and that such students continue to engage in behaviors that may put them at risk for HIV infection.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

[Empirical studies of sexual behavior of psychotic patients--a review].

The review is based upon the observation that the topic of sexuality so far seems to be underrepresented in psychiatric research and practice. The present empirical studies concerning aspects of sexual behavior and experiences of patients with affective and schizophrenic psychoses are summarized in this paper. First, studies related on characteristics of the premorbid sexual behavior of the patient groups are considered. A summary of investigations concerning changes in the sexual life due to the psychiatric illness is divided into results on the changes in the frequency of sexual activities and changes in sexual appetence, results on sexual deviant acts, on sexual activities of psychiatric inpatients, and results on sexual orientation, especially for patients with paranoid symptoms. The review ends with a report of the most important results concerning characteristics of the sexuality specific for the disease and results on the frequency of sexual dysfunctions in different groups of patients. As the review shows, our knowledge about the sexual life of psychiatric patients so far seems very incomplete. More thoroughly performed empirical studies will help to counteract the distribution of stereotypic beliefs.

Drive↗

PubMed1999

The experience of relapse to unsafe sexual behavior among HIV-positive, heterosexual, minority men.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the phenomenon of relapse to unsafe sexual behavior in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive, heterosexual, minority men. In-depth interviews were conducted by using a purposive sample of 18 HIV-positive, heterosexual, minority men who were recruited from an outpatient acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) clinic in upstate New York and a community-based HIV/AIDS service organization in New York City. All participants expressed concern about the seriousness and health threat of unsafe sexual behaviors. The perceived benefits and barriers to unsafe sexual practices were identified. Content analysis revealed the following themes related to relapse to unsafe sexual behavior: drug and alcohol use, state of mind, "looking good" and "helping" fallacies, male-female relationship issues, influence of friends, weighing the risks, sexual preparation, uncontrollable sexual urges, and the symbolic meaning of condoms. Clinical implications related to health assessment, interventions, and health education and prevention programs for HIV-positive heterosexual, minority men and their sexual partners are presented.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Female sexual behavior: fluctuations during the menstrual cycle.

This longitudinal prospective study was designed to examine the influence of menstrual cycle phase on female sexuality. Sixty-nine normally cycling women monitored their sexual behavior including both heterosexual and autosexual activities and their basal body temperature daily over two or three consecutive menstrual cycles. Temperature charts were used to ascertain five cycle phases (menstrual, postmenstrual, ovulatory, luteal and premenstrual) and data were analyzed using analyses of variance with repeated measures. The results supported a significant cyclic fluctuation in sexual behavior with both female-initiated and male-initiated sexual activities peaking in the ovulatory phase. Moreover, the findings indicated that women experienced increased sexual arousal and sexual pleasure as they progressed from the menses to the premenstruum. These data suggest that human sexual behavior may be influenced by hormonal fluctuations and cognitive factors associated with the menstrual cycle.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Does male sexual behavior require progesterone?

In this article, we provide a concise review of the past and current literature on the neglected influence of progesterone on male sexual behavior. Although there has been increased interest in all aspects of male sexual function, and the importance of androgens in the regulation of male copulatory behavior has long been well documented, knowledge of the role of progesterone on male sexual behavior is still patchy. Very little human data exist on this theme, and most of the literature concerns animal research, in particular reptiles and rodents. This review attempts to outline specific progesterone mechanisms involved in male sexual behavior, showing that this hormone plays a more relevant role in the control of male sexual behavior than commonly assumed. Exploring the neuroendocrine mechanisms of progesterone in the sexual behavior of males may provide insights into the regulation of sexuality in this gender.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

The effects of lesions in the mesencephalic raphe systems on male rat sexual behavior and locomotor activity.

Lesions were produced in the median and the dorsal raphe nuclei of the rat, and the effects of these injuries on various behaviors were studied. The median raphe lesions had facilitatory effects on the male rat sexual behavior, as evidenced by a decrease in the number of intromissions prior to ejaculation, as well as shortening of the ejaculation latency and the postejaculatory interval. No effects were seen on the masculine sexual behavior after lesions in the dorsal raphe nucleus. The median raphe lesions drastically increased the locomotory activity whereas the dorsal raphe lesions did not. Treatment with FG5893, a 5-HT1A agonist/5-HT2A receptor antagonist, increased the locomotor activity of the dorsal-raphe-lesioned rats but did not affect the median-raphe-lesioned animals. These results suggest that the dorsal and the median raphe nuclei play different roles in the neural regulation of the sexual behavior and locomotor activity of the male rat. The median raphe nucleus appears to exert a modulatory influence upon these behaviors, which probably is mediated by serotonergic neural pathways.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

The sexual behavior of US adults: results from a national survey.

OBJECTIVES: One consequence of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic has been to highlight the need for population-based estimates of the number of individuals engaging in sexual behaviors that place them at risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This paper describes the prevalence of various sexual behaviors in a nationally representative sample of adults in the United States. METHODS: Data were collected as part of a household probability survey of adults (n = 2058) in the United States. Data collected on sexual behavior included sexual orientation, frequency of intercourse, condom use, and number of sexual partners. RESULTS: Nearly all respondents were sexually experienced. Of those who were currently sexually active, 13% (1% of married respondents) had had sex with more than one partner in the previous year. Of those reporting having intercourse with more than one partner in the previous year, 7% used condoms consistently and 23% used condoms consistently with their casual partners. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of individuals were found to have intercourse with multiple partners without using condoms. A minority of these respondents acknowledged that their behavior may place them at risk for HIV transmission.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2001

[Sexual behavior risk in Spanish international travelers].

BACKGROUND: To know the sexual behavior of Spanish international travelers and its association with geographical destinations and sexually transmitted disease acquisition. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 1,008 consecutive patients who attended a tropical out-patient clinic during 26 months were surveyed by means of a previously designed clinical questionnaire that included specific questions regarding sexual practices during the trip. RESULTS: 19% of travelers had sexual intercourse; 53.6% of them having employed a condom. There were no differences regarding gender or destination. 3.4% of travelers who had unprotected sexual intercourse acquired HIV. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of travelers have unprotected, risk sexual contacts. A low but alarm

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Genomic regulation of sexual behavior.

Estrogen receptors are distributed in discrete areas of the hypothalamus, preoptic area and amygdala of the rat brain, and in some of these areas estrogens induce progestin receptor sites. Estradiol (E), followed by progesterone (P), induce feminine sexual behavior in female, but not in male, rats. This induction takes time (on the order of hours, not minutes, so that the hormone may be cleared from the body) and is dependent on RNA and protein synthesis. Within the hypothalamic ventromedial nuclei (VMN), E and P induce changes in RNA and protein synthesis and also induce morphological changes indicative of cellular growth, genomic activation, and either new synapse formation or morphological rearrangement of existing synapses. Neurochemically, a number of neurotransmitter systems are implicated in the control of feminine sexual behavior, including acetylcholine, serotonin, GABA, and the neuropeptides, oxytocin and CCK. One of the means by which E and P may exert their influence on sexual behavior, aside from the morphological alterations, is by regulating levels of receptors for certain of these neurotransmitters. The critical differences which underlie the inability of male rats to display high levels of feminine sexual behavior after E plus P priming may depend on sex differences in the ability of E to induce particular neurochemical products as well as P receptors and upon differences in neural circuitry in the VMN.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Differences between actual and perceived student norms: an examination of alcohol use, drug use, and sexual behavior.

Researchers in the social norms area have previously focused primarily on alcohol consumption, paying comparatively less attention to drug use and sexual behavior. The major purposes of this study were to (1) compare perceptions of peer norms in the areas of alcohol use, drug use, and sexual behavior with actual behavior and (2) determine if a relationship existed between a student's perceptions of normative behavior and a student's actual behavior. Participants were 833 college students at a large, public university in the Northeast. Study participants overestimated alcohol use, drug use, and sexual behavior among their peers. There was also a positive relationship between actual behavior and perceived peer norms, although the effect sizes for all behaviors were small to moderate. The authors provide further support for the tenets of social norms theory and suggest that social norms interventions are appropriate both campus-wide and to targeted high-risk groups.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Reduction of high-risk sexual behavior among heterosexuals undergoing HIV antibody testing: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the effect of HIV antibody testing on sexual behavior and communication with sexual partners about AIDS risk among heterosexual adults at a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. METHODS: We randomized 186 subjects to receive either AIDS education alone (the control group) or AIDS education, an HIV antibody test, and the test results (the intervention group). These subjects were then followed up 8 weeks later. RESULTS: At follow-up, mean number of sexual partners decreased, but not differently between groups. However, compared with controls, HIV antibody test intervention subjects, all of whom tested negative, questioned their most recent sexual partner more about HIV antibody status (P less than 0.01), worried more about getting AIDS (P less than 0.03), and tended to use a condom more often with their last sexual partner (P = 0.05): 40% of intervention subjects vs 20% of controls used condoms, avoided genital intercourse, or knew their last partner had a negative HIV antibody test (P less than 0.005). CONCLUSION: HIV antibody testing combined with AIDS education increases concern about HIV and, at least in the short term, may promote safer sexual behaviors. Additional strategies will be necessary if behaviors risky for HIV transmission are to be further reduced.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

PubMed1994

Sexual behavior of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): male versus female regulation.

We investigated the sexual behavior of 13 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in 2 types of pair test in order to clarify the interaction of social variables with female hormonal state. The frequency of copulation in tests in which the partners were freely accessible to each other was related to the male's dominance over the female; copulation was less frequent and was related to social compatibility in tests in which the female controlled access. Copulation was related to female hormonal state in both types of test. The results demonstrate (a) an association between female hormonal state and sexual activity of chimpanzees, (b) the influence of social relationships on sexual interactions, and (c) the importance of focusing on female sexual behavior before copulation, rather than copulation per se, in research on sexual arousability of female primates.

Animals↗