Vanessa Schick

Genital Appearance Dissatisfaction: Implications for Women's Genital Image Self-Consciousness, Sexual Esteem, Sexual Satisfaction, and Sexual Risk

Findings regarding the link between body image and sexuality have been equivocal, possibly because of the insensitivity of many body image measures to potential variability across sensory aspects of the body (e.g., appearance versus odor), individual body parts (e.g., genitalia versus thighs), and social settings (e.g., public versus intimate). The current study refined existing methods of evaluating womens body image in the context of sexuality by focusing upon two highly specified dimensions: satisfaction with the visual appearance of the genitalia and self-consciousness about the genitalia during a sexual encounter. Genital appearance dissatisfaction, genital image self-consciousness, and multiple facets of sexuality were examined among a sample of 217 undergraduate women using an online survey. Path analysis revealed that greater dissatisfaction with genital appearance was associated with higher genital image self-consciousness during physical intimacy, which, in turn, was associated with lower sexual esteem, sexual satisfaction, and motivation to avoid risky sexual behavior. These findings underscore the detrimental impact of negative genital perceptions on young womens sexual well-being, which is of particular concern given their vulnerability at this stage of sexual development as well as the high rates of sexually transmitted infections within this age group. Interventions that enhance satisfaction with the natural appearance of their genitalia could facilitate the development of a healthy sexual self-concept and provide long-term benefits in terms of sexual safety and satisfaction.

Evulvalution: The Portrayal of Women's External Genitalia and Physique across Time and the Current Barbie Doll Ideals

Media images of the female body commonly represent reigning appearance ideals of the era in which they are published. To date, limited documentation of the genital appearance ideals in mainstream media exists. Analysis 1 sought to describe genital appearance ideals (i.e., mons pubis and labia majora visibility, labia minora size and color, and pubic hair style) and general physique ideals (i.e., hip, waist, and bust size, height, weight, and body mass index [BMI]) across time based on 647 Playboy Magazine centerfolds published between 1953 and 2007. Analysis 2 focused exclusively on the genital appearance ideals embodied by models in 185 Playboy photographs published between 2007 and 2008. Taken together, results suggest the perpetuation of a “Barbie Doll” ideal characterized by a low BMI, narrow hips, a prominent bust, and hairless, undefined genitalia resembling those of a prepubescent female.

Condom Use During Most Recent Vaginal Intercourse Event Among a Probability Sample of Adults in the United States

INTRODUCTIONnCorrect and consistent condom use remains the most effective way to reduce sexually transmissible infection/HIV transmission during sex and is a highly effective contraceptive method. Understanding correlates of condom use is vital to public health programs.nnnAIMnTo explore sociodemographic, event characteristics, and experiential correlates of condom use at last penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI).nnnMETHODSnSurvey data were collected from a nationally representative probability sample of adults in the United States as part of the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior.nnnMAIN OUTCOME MEASURESnCondom use/non-use at most recent PVI was the main outcome. Logistic regression analyses predicted condom use from sociodemographic variables (i.e., age, education, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, health status, type of relationship with sexual partner) and event characteristics (i.e., location of sexual encounter, prior intercourse experience with partner, whether partner had other sex partners in the 6 months prior to sex with the participant; other contraceptive use, alcohol use, marijuana use, and for men, erection medication use). Logistic regression analyses examined evaluations of the sexual aspects of the experience (pleasure, arousal, erection/lubrication difficulty, participant orgasm, partner orgasm) in light of condom use.nnnRESULTSnCondom-protected PVI was significantly greater among younger people, blacks and Hispanics, and those having PVI with a nonrelationship partner. Statistically adjusting for these differences, condom use was significantly associated with fewer previous intercourse experiences with the partner and not using other forms of contraception. The sexual aspects of experience were evaluated similarly regardless of whether or not a condom was used.nnnCONCLUSIONnPublic health programs among youths and minorities may underlie higher condom use rates among these groups. Condom use may be further improved by continuing such programs and also expanding outreach to older persons and whites, suggesting prolonging use as relationships develop, and highlighting that condom use does not necessarily interfere with the sexual experience.

Safer, Better Sex Through Feminism: The Role of Feminist Ideology in Women's Sexual Well-Being

Feminists have argued that traditional gender norms can obstruct womens sexual well-being (Amaro, 1995; Morokoff, 2000; Tolman, 2006; Walker, 1997). Therefore, we expected feminist ideology, by virtue of this critique, to be associated with womens sexual subjectivity and sexual well-being. To test this model, we analyzed data from a survey of college-age women (N = 424) using structural equation modeling. As hypothesized, feminist ideology was indirectly related to condom-use self-efficacy and sexual satisfaction via sexual subjectivity, and sexual motivation was directly related to sexual satisfaction. In an alternative model, feminist ideology was directly related to sexual motivation. This research indicates that feminist ideology may play a role in the promotion of womens sexual well-being.

Sex Toy Use by Gay and Bisexual Men in the United States

Recent studies have documented that vibrators are an important part of the sexual repertoires of both men and women and have demonstrated positive sexual health outcomes among individuals who use such products. However, little is known about the use of other sexual enhancement products, particularly among gay and bisexually identified men. This study sought to document the extent to which gay and bisexually identified men report using sex toys and the sexual and relational situations within which they used them. Data were collected via an internet-based survey from 25,294 gay and bisexually identified men throughout the U.S. recruited from an Internet site popular among men seeking social or sexual interactions with other men. A majority (78.5%) of gay and bisexually identified men reported having used at least one type of sex toy, including dildos (62.1%), non-vibrating cock rings (51.9%), vibrators (49.6%), butt plugs (34.0%), masturbation sleeves (27.9%), and anal beads or balls (19.3%). Among users, toys such as dildos or butt plugs were commonly inserted into one’s own anus during masturbation (95.7%, nxa0=xa011,781) and insertion into their partners anus (72.0% nxa0=xa04,197) during partnered sexual activities. These data suggest that sex toy use is common among gay and bisexual men during both solo and partnered sexual activities and considered by these men as enhancing the quality of their sexual experiences.

T03-P-06 Evulvalution: portrayals of female genitalia across time and the current prepubescent ideal presented in mainstream men's magazines in the USA

Introduction Media depictions of the female body often inform womens conceptions of the societal ideal, serving as the gold standard for self-evaluation. Given the taboo surrounding display or discussion of female genitalia, these published images may be one of few sources of information regarding genital appearance that women encounter; consequently, any perceived physical deviation may be particularly disconcerting and compromise sexual satisfaction. The current study examined the portrayal of female genitalia within a mainstream mens magazine to characterize the prototype and its evolution across time. Design and Method Two independent raters conducted a content analysis of the centerfold pictorials (N=647) of a popular mens magazine featuring images of nude women for all monthly issues published between December 1953 and October 2007. The appearance of each centerfold models external genitalia, including the color and visibility of her labia minora, as well as other physical and demographic characteristics were coded and analyzed. Results Despite medical evidence of wide variation in genital appearance within the general population, specific ideals were identifiable per era because of the homogeneity among images presented during each. An emerging trend towards nonexistent pubic hair and minimal visibility of the labia minora was found in recent photos that exposed the external genitalia. Conclusions Findings suggest that the genital ideal may be shifting farther away from the natural female form in favor of a prepubescent appearance. Accordingly, womens physical deviation from the prototype may become increasingly salient to them, which may have detrimental implications for their self-image and sexual satisfaction.