Jeroen Gerritsen1, Flip Van Der Made2, Jos Bloemers1, Diana Van Ham1, Gunilla Kleiverda3, Walter Everaerd4, Berend Olivier5, Roy Levin6, Adriaan Tuiten7. 1. Emotional Brain BV-R&D FSD, Almere, the Netherlands. 2. Emotional Brain BV-R&D FSD, Almere, the Netherlands; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Flevoziekenhuis, Almere, the Netherlands. 3. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Flevoziekenhuis, Almere, the Netherlands. 4. Department of Social Sciences, Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 5. Department of Psychopharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. 6. Sexual Physiology Laboratory, Porterbrook Clinic, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. 7. Emotional Brain BV-R&D FSD, Almere, the Netherlands; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Flevoziekenhuis, Almere, the Netherlands; Department of Psychopharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: a.tuiten@emotionalbrain.nl.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: In the present study, we introduce clitoral photoplethysmography as an instrument to assess clitoral blood volume (CBV). In research on female sexual functioning, vaginal pulse amplitude (VPA), as measured using vaginal photoplethysmography, has been used extensively as a measure of vaginal vasocongestion. Measurement of clitoral blood flow has thus far been problematic, mainly because of methodological constraints. AIM: To demonstrate that CBV is a valuable, easy to use complementary measure for the female sexual response, offering additional information to the VPA. METHODS:Thirty women with and without female sexual dysfunction (FSD) watched neutral and erotic film clips. At the end of the erotic clip, the session was interrupted to induce inhibition of the sexual response. Another neutral clip followed the interruption. VPA and CBV were measured simultaneously, as well as skin conductance levels (SCLs), to assess the amount of sympathetic activity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: VPA, CBV, SCL. RESULTS: For both FSD and non-FSD women, VPA and CBV increased when sexually explicit material was presented. Changes in skin conductance significantly predicted changes in CBV (b = -0.61, t[27] = -3.88, P < 0.001), but not in VPA. A large increase in sympathetic activity was accompanied by a large decrease in CBV. Furthermore, a large increase in CBV at the end of the erotic film clip presentation, as compared with the neutral clip, was accompanied by a relatively small increase in VPA (b = -0.39, t[29] = -2.25, P < 0.033). CONCLUSION:CBV is a valid and sensitive tool to measure the female genital response. In the present study, it was particularly useful in investigating sexual inhibition, when used in combination with SCL. Furthermore, high CBV appeared to inhibit VPA, suggesting that VPA reflects an automatic preparatory response rather than genital arousal per se.
RCT Entities:
INTRODUCTION: In the present study, we introduce clitoral photoplethysmography as an instrument to assess clitoral blood volume (CBV). In research on female sexual functioning, vaginal pulse amplitude (VPA), as measured using vaginal photoplethysmography, has been used extensively as a measure of vaginal vasocongestion. Measurement of clitoral blood flow has thus far been problematic, mainly because of methodological constraints. AIM: To demonstrate that CBV is a valuable, easy to use complementary measure for the female sexual response, offering additional information to the VPA. METHODS: Thirty women with and without female sexual dysfunction (FSD) watched neutral and erotic film clips. At the end of the erotic clip, the session was interrupted to induce inhibition of the sexual response. Another neutral clip followed the interruption. VPA and CBV were measured simultaneously, as well as skin conductance levels (SCLs), to assess the amount of sympathetic activity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: VPA, CBV, SCL. RESULTS: For both FSD and non-FSD women, VPA and CBV increased when sexually explicit material was presented. Changes in skin conductance significantly predicted changes in CBV (b = -0.61, t[27] = -3.88, P < 0.001), but not in VPA. A large increase in sympathetic activity was accompanied by a large decrease in CBV. Furthermore, a large increase in CBV at the end of the erotic film clip presentation, as compared with the neutral clip, was accompanied by a relatively small increase in VPA (b = -0.39, t[29] = -2.25, P < 0.033). CONCLUSION:CBV is a valid and sensitive tool to measure the female genital response. In the present study, it was particularly useful in investigating sexual inhibition, when used in combination with SCL. Furthermore, high CBV appeared to inhibit VPA, suggesting that VPA reflects an automatic preparatory response rather than genital arousal per se.
Authors: Jos Bloemers; Kim van Rooij; Leo de Leede; Henderik W Frijlink; Hans P F Koppeschaar; Berend Olivier; Adriaan Tuiten Journal: Br J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2016-03-07 Impact factor: 4.335
Authors: Daisy J Mechelmans; Wendelin L Sachtler; Thomas E von Wiegand; David Goodrich; Julia R Heiman; Erick Janssen Journal: J Sex Med Date: 2020-03-29 Impact factor: 3.802
Authors: Adriaan Tuiten; Frits Michiels; Koen Be Böcker; Daniël Höhle; Jack van Honk; Robert Pj de Lange; Kim van Rooij; Rob Kessels; Jos Bloemers; Jeroen Gerritsen; Paddy Janssen; Leo de Leede; John-Jules Meyer; Walter Everaerd; Henderik W Frijlink; Hans Pf Koppeschaar; Berend Olivier; James G Pfaus Journal: Womens Health (Lond) Date: 2018 Jan-Dec