sexual satisfaction

Half of individuals living with HIV experience a decline in their quality of life due to sexual issues. This study aimed to determine the effect of group counseling based on ACT on sexual satisfaction among women with HIV or women with HIV-positive partners.

This parallel-randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out on 32 women with HIV or women with HIV-positive attended the Behavioral Disease Counseling Center in Yazd and Meybod, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups. One group comprised 16 participants who attended ten weekly 2-hours sessions, while the other group underwent routine counseling at the center. The study used Demographic information and sexual satisfaction questionnaires, which completed 2018   September. Data analyzed using Chi-square, independent t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS software Version 16. 

The demographic variables between the two groups did not show any significant difference. The intervention group demonstrated significant differences in average sexual satisfaction scores before, after, and one month after the intervention (90.87±13.3, 96.31±12.94, and 97.81±12.52), respectively. However, the control group did not exhibit significant differences in sexual satisfaction scores (83.93±18.07, 84.87±17.49, and 85.06±16.70).

The study reveals that ACT can increase sexual satisfaction among women with HIV or women with HIV-positive partners.  By empowering affected women exposed to HIV through the use of ACT, patients’ sexual satisfaction can be significantly improved.

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological condition affecting approximately 10% of women of reproductive age. Chronic pelvic pain is a common symptom of endometriosis which significantly impacts on a woman's quality of life, including sexual satisfaction. Botulinum toxin injection has been used as a treatment for chronic pelvic pain in endometriosis, but its effect on sexual satisfaction is not well understood. The present study was conducted with aim to investigate the effect of botulinum on chronic pelvic pain and sexual satisfaction in women with endometriosis.

This randomized controlled trial study was conducted on 32 women with endometriosis who were randomly assigned to receive either botulinum toxin injection or placebo. The primary outcome was a change in chronic pelvic pain assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) at one month after treatment. Secondary outcome included changes in sexual satisfaction assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) at one month after treatment.

The botulinum toxin injection significantly reduced chronic pelvic pain compared to placebo at one month after treatment (P<0.001). There was also a significant improvement in sexual satisfaction in the botulinum toxin group compared to placebo at one month after treatment (P=0.001).

Botulinum toxin injection in women with endometriosis may be an effective treatment option for chronic pelvic pain and improving sexual satisfaction.

The present study was conducted with the objective of investigating the role of attachment style, sexual satisfaction and narcissism in marital infidelity of social network.

The research method was descriptive-correlational. Sample size included all couples aged 18-50, lived in Ardabil province which were using social networks in 2019. The sample size according to convenience sampling method was considered 200 people. Data collection were based on infidelity in social networks, sexual satisfaction, adult attachment style, and narcissistic questionnaires.

The results showed a significant positive relationship between attachment style, sexual satisfaction and narcissism with marital infidelity. The results in multivariate regression in Table 3 shows the formative predictor variables could predict social network user`s infidelity (p<0.05). Also squared multiple correlation indicates that predictors could predict 27% of infidelity changes.Standardized regression coefficients for anxious attachment style (p<0.01), avoidant attachment style (p<0.01), sexual satisfaction (p<0.05),significantly and positively predict marital infidelity of network users.

The present research identifies the role of personality characteristics and attachment styles in marital infidelity of social networking users and their importance in predicting this problem.The importance of attachment styles and sexual satisfaction in the intimate relationships of adults and especially the marital infidelity of users was explained.

This research aimed to predict the level of emotional and sexual satisfaction in romantic relationships based on the attachment style to parents, considering the mediating role of guilt in romantic relationships.

The statistical population of the present study included all married individuals living in Mashhad, Iran, in 2023-2024. So, 400 people were selected using the multi-stage cluster sampling method. The research tools included Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (LSSQ), Marital Intimacy Scale (MIS), Hazan and Shaver Attachment Styles Questionnaire, Interpersonal Guilt Questionnaire (IGQ-67). We analyzed the data using LISREL 8.80 software and a path analysis model.

The general indicators indicated the fitness of model. The path coefficient from secure and ambivalent attachment style to guilt was statistically significant. Also, the path coefficient from guilt to emotionality was negative and significant (P< 0.01). The results of the indirect coefficients of attachment style on emotional and sexual satisfaction with the mediation of guilt were not significant; in other words, guilt did not play a mediating role in the relationship between attachment styles and emotional and sexual satisfaction in romantic relationships.

According to the results, we suggest that couple-therapists and family counselors pay more attention to attachment styles and guilt as influencing variables to better understand the problems of couples.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most prevalent postpartum complication, significantly diminishing sexual function in marital life. It may result in visible developmental delays, social and interactive challenges in infants, and marital stress leading to divorce. The present study aimed to examine the effect of organic selenium (Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast enriched with sodium selenite) and sodium selenite on PPD and sexual satisfaction.

A triple-blind controlled clinical trial was conducted on 108 women after childbirth. Participants were randomly assigned into two intervention groups and one placebo group in a 1:1:1 ratio. Participants were given single, identical 250 mg oral capsule containing 200 µg of organically derived selenium or 200 µg of sodium selenite or placebo daily for 8 weeks. They completed Beck’s depression inventory and the sexual satisfaction questionnaire before and after the intervention white one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) tests. The mean score of PPD and sexual satisfaction were assessed.

All three groups exhibited identical personal and social profiles. PPD scores were significantly reduced in the intervention groups of organically derived selenium (adjusted mean difference [AMD]=-2.77; 95% CI: -0.97 to -4.57; P=0.003) and organic selenium (AMD=-1.77; 95% CI: -0.00 to -3.53; P=0.04) compared to control group by adjusting the baseline values. No significant difference was observed in the sexual satisfaction of intervention groups compared to the placebo at the end of intervention (P=0.19).

Both organically derived and inorganic selenium could improve PPD. However, the decline rate was greater in the group receiving yeast-derived selenium. No statistically significant changes were observed in sexual satisfaction following supplementation.

Context: Sexual satisfaction is crucial for women's overall well-being; however, traditional interventions often face challenges such as high costs, limited access, inadequate specialized care, and discomfort during counseling sessions. Telemedicine presents a promising solution to these issues.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the efficacy of telemedicine interventions in improving sexual function and satisfaction among women. Evidence Acquisition: We searched SCOPUS, Web of Science, and PubMed for relevant articles published up to January 2024. The search strategy and keywords were crafted using the PICO approach to align with the study's objectives and ensure a comprehensive and structured review. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Jadad scale. The primary outcome measures were sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, pain, satisfaction, and overall Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores. A random-effects model was employed for the meta-analysis, and the I-square index was used to assess heterogeneity.

The systematic review identified six studies from an initial pool of 4,174 that demonstrated a positive effect of telemedicine interventions on all domains of the FSFI questionnaire, except for the pain domain and overall sexual function scores in women. The effects of telemedicine on sexual desire [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.51, 1.32], sexual arousal (SMD = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.42, 1.53), vaginal lubrication (SMD = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.23, 0.59), orgasm (SMD = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.21, 0.58), sexual satisfaction (SMD = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.48, 1), and total FSFI (SMD = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.49, 1.58) were found to be significant. However, the effect on pain was not statistically significant (SMD = 0.15, 95% CI = -0.10, 0.40).

This study supports the effectiveness of telemedicine in improving women's sexual satisfaction and function. However, due to limitations in the included studies, such as small sample sizes, lack of randomization, and lack of blinding in some cases, more comprehensive studies are recommended. Future research should address these methodological limitations to provide stronger evidence on the effectiveness of telemedicine interventions for women's sexual health.

Sexual assertiveness is defined as a psychosocial feeling about an individual’s interpretation of how to express her/her feelings in marital relationships. The present study aimed at investigating the effect of sexual assertiveness training on marital satisfaction and happiness of women referring to Tabriz health centers in 2021.

This semi-experimental study was conducted on 66 women of reproductive age, referring to the health centers in Tabriz, Iran. The participants who obtained a Hulbert sexual assertiveness score of less than 33 were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. The data were collected using an eligibility checklist (inclusion/exclusion criteria), a demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Halbert Index of Sexual Assertiveness (HISA), the Larson Sexual Satisfaction (LSS) scale, and the Marital Happiness Scale (MHS). The educational intervention of HISA was held in three sessions lasting 60-90 minutes. Eventually, the participants completed HISA, LSS, and MHS questionnaires before and after the intervention.

The findings of the present study indicated a significant difference between the mean scores of HISA, LSS, and MHS in the post-intervention stage between the two groups (P=0.001).

Given the positive effect of sexual assertiveness training on women’s sexual satisfaction and marital happiness, it is recommended that these simple and low-cost educational interventions be considered to improve the mental and sexual status of women.

Sexual assertiveness education program improved sexual satisfaction and marital happiness. It is recommended to apply these simple and low-cost educational interventions to improve the mental and sexual status of women.

Self-awareness and sexual satisfaction can be affected by the fear following the spread of disease. The study was done to compare self-awareness and sexual satisfaction scores before and during the COVID-19 period in married women covered by health service centers.

Descriptive-analytical research was conducted on 60 reproductive-age women who participated in an intervention study before COVID-19 (2017). The Persian self-awareness and sexual satisfaction tools of the first study were provided online to the participants. Data analysis was done through Spss-16 and Shapiro-Wilk, Machelli, repeated analysis of variance, Bonferroni, and Tukey with a confidence factor of 0.95.

The results indicated, except for general self-awareness, in other variables; sexual satisfaction (P=0.007), private self-awareness (P=0.001), and social anxiety (P=0.02), the interaction effect of time and intervention is significant. Therefore, the changes in behavior in the two groups were not the same over time, so the assessed variables examined in the control group did not have changes significantly at any time. In the intervention group, the average score of sexual satisfaction (101.77±10.59) at times one (before the intervention in the first study), two (After the intervention in the first study) (110.51± 8.37), and times one and three (COVID-19 period) (107.06±9.21), there was a statistically significant change. These changes in other variables were significant only in times one and two, but not in other times. Despite the lack of statistical difference between the two groups during the COVID-19 period, the scores of all variables, even the social anxiety of the intervention group, were higher than the control group.

In the intervention group, despite the increase in the social anxiety score during COVID-19, the sexual satisfaction score is still higher than the control group. Even though there is no statistically significant difference, this difference is clinically valuable and can be taken into consideration for future interventions.

Context: 

Women’s sexual health is a vital component of reproductive health, and sexual satisfaction is considered a fundamental human right. Cell phone programs have emerged as tools to augment sexual knowledge, hygiene, health, and even sexually transmitted infection prevention.

This study aimed to determine the challenges and opportunities of telemedicine in improving women’s sexual satisfaction.

This systematic review was conducted using the newest version of the PRISMA (2020) guideline. The search was comprehensive and included Scopus,Web of Science (WOS), and PubMed databases, with no time limit until January 1, 2023. Manual reference list searches were also performed. The search strategy followed the PICO framework and included all English RCTs and quasi-experimental studies published electronically in peer-reviewed journals, which focused on using telemedicine techniques to enhance sexual satisfaction.

Among the selected studies, seven focused on women with various types of cancers experiencing sexual issues post-treatment. Two studies centered on women with sexual dysfunction, while one study included women without specific health concerns. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness therapy were predominant as intervention methods. These studies identified 38 opportunities and advantages of non-attendance methods, categorized into 14 themes. Additionally, nine challenges were classified, encompassing factors such as lack of spouse participation, inadequate patient behavior follow-up, technical skill requirements, internet access, device dependency, lengthy exercises, work interference, and exercise-related embarrassment.

This systematic review found that telemedicine’s opportunity to increase access, affordability, andconvenience, along with reducing stigma, has encouraged more couples to participate. However, there are challenges, including the need for digital skills and access to technology, along with potential user discomfort with recommended exercises. Eliminating barriers is effective in optimizing telemedicine methods to increase sexual health and satisfaction.

Context: 

Sexual dysfunction (SDF) is one of the negative outcomes of cancer, especially breast cancer in women. Therefore, this review aimed to evaluate the effect of cancer disease and its treatment on SDF in women with cancer.

Evidence Acquisition:

 This narrative review was conducted by searching past studies in reliable international databases, including Web of Science, Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC), Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, over the last three decades. In the first step of the search, 189 studies were found. In the second step, 16 studies were selected to present the study after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

 The results showed that SDF is one of the essential consequences of cancer, especially breast cancer in women, and the SDF incidence increases after cancer treatment, especially after chemotherapy. Based on previous similar studies, the SDF level in the cancer patients’ group was significantly higher than that of healthy individuals.

 Based on the results, SDF is one of the critical consequences of cancer and its treatment, which requires taking relevant measures to reduce this complication. In this regard, the physicians of these patients should provide the necessary recommendations as they refer them to psychiatrists. In addition, it is suggested that a part of the activities of psychiatric clinics be devoted to counseling about SDF treatment of breast cancer patients.