Eva Elmerstig

Prioritizing the partner’s enjoyment: a population-based study on young Swedish women with experience of pain during vaginal intercourse

Abstract The present study examines the prevalence of women who continue to have vaginal intercourse (VIC) despite pain, avoid telling the partner, and feign enjoyment. It also considers the reasons for this behavior. A sample of 1566 female senior high school students (aged 18–22 years) completed a questionnaire concerning their experiences and attitudes toward their body and sexuality. Forty-seven percent (270/576) of those women who reported pain during VIC continued to have VIC despite the pain. The most common reasons were that they did not want to spoil sex for or hurt the partner by interrupting VIC. Feigning enjoyment and not telling the partner about their pain were reported by 22 and 33%, respectively. Continuing to have VIC despite pain was associated with feelings of being inferior to the partner during sex, dissatisfaction with their own sex lives and feigning enjoyment while having pain. Pain during VIC is reported by every third young Swedish woman, and almost half of those still continue to have VIC. The major reason given is noteworthy – prioritizing the partner’s enjoyment before their own – and indicates that young women who continue to have VIC despite pain take a subordinate position in sexual interactions.

‘Did they think I would understand all that on my own?’ : a questionnaire study about sexuality with Swedish cancer patients

This study investigates information about the sexual effects of cancer on patients, irrespective of age or diagnosis, in terms of fertility, sexual desire and sexual function. A quantitative study was conducted and the results are based on responses from 106 questionnaires. The results show that 48% of respondents had not received any information in the areas of inquiry. There was a difference between information wished for and provided, and the largest difference was in the question of whether sexual activity should be avoided. A significantly higher number of men than women received information about effects on fertility and sexual desire. The results also showed that information about sexuality needs to be taken into account to a greater extent than is presently being done.

Sexual pleasure on equal terms: young women's ideal sexual situations

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify young women’s ideal images of sexual situations and expectations on themselves in sexual situations. Study design: We conducted audio-taped qualitative individual interviews with 14 women aged 14 to 20 years, visiting two youth centers in Sweden. Data were analysed with constant comparative analysis, the basis of grounded theory methodology. Results: The women’s ideal sexual situations in heterosexual practice were characterized by sexual pleasure on equal terms, implying that no one dominates and both partners get pleasure. There were obstacles to reaching this ideal, such as influences from social norms and demands, and experiences of the partner’s “own run”. An incentive to reach the ideal sexual situation was the wish to experience the well of pleasure. Conclusions: Our research further accentuates the importance of finding ways to focus on the complexity of unequal gender norms in youth heterosexuality. A better understanding of these cognitions is essential and useful among professionals working with youths’ sexual health.

Masturbation Experiences of Swedish Senior High School Students: Gender Differences and Similarities

Research about masturbation tends to be limited to the assessment of masturbation incidence and frequency. Consequently, little is known about what people experience connected to masturbation. This might be one reason why theoretical approaches that specifically address the persistent gender gap in masturbation frequency are lacking. The aim of the current study was to explore several aspects of masturbation in young men and women, and to examine possible associations with their social backgrounds and sexual histories. Data from 1,566 women and 1,452 men (ages 18 to 22) from 52 Swedish senior high schools were analyzed. Comparisons between men and women were made regarding incidence of and age at first masturbation, the use of objects (e.g., sex toys), fantasies, and sexual functioning during masturbation, as well as about their attitudes toward masturbation and sexual fantasies. Cluster analysis was carried out to identify similarities between and differences within the gender groups. While overall more men than women reported experience with several of the investigated aspects, cluster analyses revealed that a large proportion of men and women reported similar experiences and that fewer experiences are not necessarily associated with negative attitudes toward masturbation. Implications of these findings are discussed in consideration of particular social backgrounds.

Vulvar Pain—Associations Between First-Time Vaginal Intercourse, Tampon Insertion, and Later Experiences of Pain

This study examines associations between the first experience of vaginal intercourse/tampon insertion and later experiences of vulvar pain. The study is based on questionnaire data from 1,259 Swedish female senior high-school students, aged 18 to 22 years old. Of these, 592 women reported present vulvar pain. Present vulvar pain was associated with first-time experiences of vaginal intercourse (pain, negative experience, against will) and with pain at tampon insertion. First-time experiences were also related to temporal aspects of present vulvar pain during vaginal intercourse (at the beginning, after a while during, and after). Implications of first-time experiences of vaginal intercourse for future symptoms of vulvar pain are discussed.

Being “good in bed” : Body concerns, self-perceptions and gender expectations among Swedish heterosexual female and male senior high school students

We investigated gender differences regarding body perceptions, self-perceptions, values and expectations in sexual situations, and factors associated with expectations, among Swedish heterosexual female and male high-school students. A total of 2,765 students (aged 18 to 22) completed questionnaires. Women reported lower satisfaction with themselves and their body appearance (p < 0.001), and felt more inferior to their partner (p < 0.001). Men felt more superior to their partner, and felt higher expectations (p < 0.001). Male sex, difficulty saying no to sex, dissatisfaction with the body, feeling inferior or superior to partner, and considering partners satisfaction as more important, were all associated with feeling expectations during sex.