Debby Herbenick1, Margo Mullinax, Kristen Mark. 1. Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA; Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Sexual desire discrepancy is commonly reported by couples in long-term romantic relationships. Given the idiosyncratic nature of desire, and the lack of a "one size fits all" model approach to address desire concerns, it is useful to understand more about the range of ways that women and their partners modulate sexual desire. AIM: This study aims to assess women's strategies to influence their sexual desire and the self-reported effectiveness of these strategies. METHODS: One hundred seventy-nine women who had been in a relationship with a male partner for 5+ years completed an anonymous Internet-based survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants responded to three open-ended items about the strategies they use to address desire issues and how helpful those strategies are. RESULTS: The most common responses regarding what participants did to get desire back on track included: communication, trying to meet partner's needs, having sex without desire, and having patience/letting time work out the problem. Women also mentioned several specific strategies they had employed: communication, scheduling sex, lingerie, and a date night. However, a large number of women discussed that the issue was not resolved, and they were dissatisfied with attempted strategies. CONCLUSIONS: This research provides valuable insight into the construction of women's sexual desire and the strategies used to navigate sexual desire in long-term relationships.
INTRODUCTION: Sexual desire discrepancy is commonly reported by couples in long-term romantic relationships. Given the idiosyncratic nature of desire, and the lack of a "one size fits all" model approach to address desire concerns, it is useful to understand more about the range of ways that women and their partners modulate sexual desire. AIM: This study aims to assess women's strategies to influence their sexual desire and the self-reported effectiveness of these strategies. METHODS: One hundred seventy-nine women who had been in a relationship with a male partner for 5+ years completed an anonymous Internet-based survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants responded to three open-ended items about the strategies they use to address desire issues and how helpful those strategies are. RESULTS: The most common responses regarding what participants did to get desire back on track included: communication, trying to meet partner's needs, having sex without desire, and having patience/letting time work out the problem. Women also mentioned several specific strategies they had employed: communication, scheduling sex, lingerie, and a date night. However, a large number of women discussed that the issue was not resolved, and they were dissatisfied with attempted strategies. CONCLUSIONS: This research provides valuable insight into the construction of women's sexual desire and the strategies used to navigate sexual desire in long-term relationships.
Authors: Aleksandar Štulhofer; Jasmina Mehulić; Peer Briken; Kateřina Klapilová; Hanneke de Graaf; Ana Alexandra Carvalheira; Charlotta Löfgren-Mårtenson; Pedro Nobre; Marie Chollier; Özlem Köse; Eva Elmerstig; Christophe Lançon; Leona Plášilová; Johanna Schröder Journal: Arch Sex Behav Date: 2022-01-17