Pekka Santtila

DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN SEXUAL DESIRE AND SEXUAL ACTIVITY: GENDER DIFFERENCES AND ASSOCIATIONS WITH RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION

The nature of sexual satisfaction and its relationship with relationship satisfaction was examined in a population-based Finnish sample of men and women between 33 and 43 years. Both men and women wished to experience kissing and petting, sexual fantasies, oral sex, and vaginal intercourse more often. Sexual satisfaction, defined as no discrepancy between desired frequency and actual frequency of sexual behaviors, was associated with relationship satisfaction. In both sexes, sexual satisfaction with vaginal intercourse as well as kissing and petting was positively associated with relationship satisfaction, whereas higher desired and actual frequency of masturbation were negatively associated with relationship satisfaction.

Evaluation of the Female Sexual Function Index in a Population Based Sample from Finland

The factor structure and reliability of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was evaluated in a Finnish population based sample of 2,081 women, age 33–43xa0years. In addition, associations between female sexual function and age, psychological distress, alcohol use, hormone based contraceptives, child sexual abuse (CSA), and adult sexual abuse were examined. The results supported a six factor solution for the FSFI with high internal consistencies, in line with earlier research in clinical populations. Psychological distress was positively associated with every dimension of the FSFI except desire problems. Age was associated with fewer pain problems. Alcohol use was associated with every dimension of the FSFI, but the direction of the association depended on if it was drinking in general or in connection to intercourse. More drinking in general was related to fewer sexual function problems while drinking in connection to intercourse was related to more sexual function problems. No significant correlation was found between adult sexual abuse and sexual function but between CSA and lubrication, satisfaction, and pain problems. Usage of oral contraceptive pill was not significantly associated with sexual function. The use of hormone based intrauterine systems was significantly associated with less pain and more desire, arousal, and satisfaction. In conclusion, the study supports use of the FSFI for assessing sexual function not only in clinical samples but also in population based samples. The associations found between sexual function and other important variables showed the complexity of sexual function.

Female Sexual Function and Its Associations with Number of Children, Pregnancy, and Relationship Satisfaction

Associations between number of children, pregnancy, and overall relationship satisfaction were explored in a population-based sample of 2081 women, aged 33–43 years. Multiparous women had less orgasm problems compared to nulliparous women. Nulliparous women had more pain problems and were sexually less satisfied compared to women with children, regardless of the number. Women pregnant with the first child had fewer pain problems compared to a matched nonpregnant control and were sexually more satisfied. Being more satisfied with the overall relationship was related to higher sexual satisfaction and less sexual function problems.

Evidence for a genetic etiology to ejaculatory dysfunction

A number of theoretical approaches to understanding the etiology of ejaculatory dysfunction have been proposed, but no study has yet found conclusive evidence that premature (PE) or delayed (DE) ejaculation is under genetic control. We conducted twin model fitting analyses on different indicator variables of ejaculatory function on a population-based sample of 3946 twins and their siblings (age 18–48; mean=29.9 years) to investigate genetic, shared environmental and unique environmental effects on PE and DE. A significant moderate genetic effect (28%) was found for PE. No clear-cut familial effect could be detected for DE. Significant associations between ejaculatory function and age were detected, but effects of age were generally very weak. The findings from the present study provide useful information regarding the etiology and understanding of ejaculatory dysfunction.

The Dopamine Transporter Gene (DAT1) Polymorphism is Associated with Premature Ejaculation

INTRODUCTIONnPrevious research has suggested brain dopamine (DA) neurotransmission to be involved in the control of ejaculation. Furthermore, previous studies indicate a partly hereditary background to premature ejaculation.nnnAIMnTo investigate whether the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) polymorphism is associated with premature ejaculation.nnnMETHODSnRetrospective self-reports of four indicators reflecting ejaculatory function-anteportal ejaculation, number of penile thrusts, ejaculation latency time, and feeling of control over ejaculation-and saliva samples for DNA analysis were obtained from 1,290 men (M = 26.9, standard deviation = 4.7 years; range 18-45) with sexual experience. Main Outcome Measures. Calculations of allelic effects were computed using the Generalized Estimating Equations module of SPSS 17.nnnRESULTSnCarriers of the 10R10R genotype had scores indicating a lower threshold to ejaculate on each of the indicators compared to the combined 9R9R/9R10R carrier group. The differences were significant both for the composite score and for anteportal ejaculation, number of thrusts, and feeling of control over ejaculation, but not for ejaculation latency time. The effect of the polymorphism remained significant after controlling for age, homosexual experience, having a regular sexual partner, level of sexual desire, and frequency of sexual activity, hence suggesting that it is not secondary to an association between the studied polymorphism and some other aspect of sexual behavior, but due to a specific influence of DA on ejaculation.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe findings of the present study support results of previous studies indicating involvement of dopaminergic neurotransmission in ejaculation.

Potential for homosexual response is prevalent and genetic

We investigated the potential to engage in homosexual behavior in 6001 female and 3152 male twins and their siblings finding that 32.8% of the men and 65.4% of the women reported such potential (p<0.001). 91.5% of these men and 98.3% of these women reported no overt homosexual behavior during the preceding 12 months. The potential to engage in homosexual behavior was influenced by genetic effects for both men (37.4%) and women (46.4%) and these overlapped only partly with those for overt homosexual behavior.

Indicators of premature ejaculation and their associations with sexual distress in a population-based sample of young twins and their siblings.

INTRODUCTIONnRecently, in anticipation of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V, much consideration has been given to the diagnostic criteria for premature ejaculation (PE). The scientific community is yet to agree not only on the etiology of PE, but also on the most suitable diagnosis and forms of treatment. It has been suggested that the diagnostic criteria of PE should be strictly empirical and rely on intravaginal latency time alone, whereas others stress the need to also include psychological and personal factors.nnnAIMnTo examine different indicators of PE and their relationship with and ability to predict sexual distress.nnnMAIN OUTCOME MEASURESnStatistical analyses of data on sexual distress and different measures of ejaculatory function on a population-based sample of 3,332 Finnish men.nnnMETHODSnThe present study involved a population-based sample of 3,332 males, of which 2,328 were twins aged 18-33, and 1,004 were over 18-year-old siblings to the aforementioned (M = 26.17 years of age). The individual contributions of different PE-indicator variables to experienced sexual distress were investigated by calculating correlations and performing a regression analysis.nnnRESULTSnAll included indicators of PE were significantly associated with sexual distress, and significant and logical differences in sexual distress were found between intravariable levels for several of the indicator variables. Only variables relating to subjective experience (e.g., worrying about PE) were uniquely related to sexual distress when other indicators were controlled for.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe results suggest that variables measuring subjective experience may be useful when considering diagnostic criteria if indicators that are related to sexual distress are considered useful. However, overall, the association between PE and sexual distress is not especially strong, emphasizing the fact that more objective indicators of PE may not necessarily be associated with significant distress.

Genetic and Environmental Effects on Sexual Excitation and Sexual Inhibition in Men

The Sexual Inhibition and Sexual Excitation Scales (SIS/SES) measure the propensity for sexual inhibition and excitation in men. According to the theoretical model underlying the SIS/SES, sexual response and associated behavior depend on dual control mechanisms in the brain involving the balance of excitatory and inhibitory systems which impinge on sexual response. Previous research with the SIS/SES has indicated one higher-order excitatory factor and two higher-order inhibitory factors affecting sexual response. The present study analyzed the item structure and the psychometric properties of the instrument in a population based sample of Finnish male twins (N = 1,289), and, including 37 out of 45 items of the original scales, estimated the heritability of and the environmental influences on the excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms. The twin correlations and the structural equation modeling suggested modest heritability for both inhibitory mechanisms. Sexual excitation, in contrast, was not influenced by genetic effects and similarities between twins for this mechanism seemed to be caused by the common environment of the twins.

Is There an Association Between Same-Sex Sexual Experience and Ejaculatory Dysfunction?

Potential effects of sexual orientation on ejaculatory function have been overlooked in the literature. In anticipation of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), attempts have been made to formulate universally suitable definitions for different subtypes of premature ejaculation. However, the proposed definitions are centered around intravaginal ejaculation latency time, and little consideration has been given to whether such definitions are applicable to gay or bisexual men. The present study aimed to investigate effects of sexual orientation on premature and delayed ejaculation. When differences in frequencies and patterns of sexual activities were controlled for, there remained no significant effects of sexual orientation on ejaculatory dysfunction.

Prevalence and Determinants of Male Sexual Dysfunctions During First Intercourse

We explored the balance of genetic and environmental factors on sexual dysfunctions during first intercourse experience in young men. Gender role conflict theory predicts that young males should show high levels of such dysfunctions coupled with mixed affective reactions. Three thousand one hundred eighty six male twins and their siblings (M = 26.17 years, SD = 4.77) completed items on erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE), contextual factors, and affective reactions during first intercourse, as well as parental attitudes towards nudity and sexuality. Twin modeling revealed a significant genetic effects for PE, but not for ED. Experiences of sexual dysfunction and both negative and positive affects during first intercourse were common among the participants. More positive parental attitudes were associated with less dysfunction and more positive affect during first intercourse. Having the first sexual intercourse with an unknown partner and while strongly intoxicated were, together with group pressure and reluctance to engage in intercourse, related to more negative and less positive affects. Erectile dysfunction during the first intercourse was related to more negative and less positive affects.