041 The Relationship between Physiological Genital Arousal and Genital Sensations in Women

Abstract

Past research has shown that genital arousal as measured via vaginal photoplethysmography (VPA) cannot reliably differentiate women with and without sexual dysfunction. However, little research has assessed the relationship between VPA and women's genital sensations. One study that examined this relationship found that mean VPA was associated with genital sensations in sexually functional, but not dysfunctional, women (Laan et al., 2008). The aim of the current study was to replicate and extend these findings to a large sample of both sexually functional and dysfunctional women, both with and without a history of childhood sexual abuse. Data from three studies totaling 170 women (sexually functional = 78, sexually dysfunctional = 92, history of childhood sexual abuse = 49, no history of abuse = 121) were compiled. The Female Sexual Function Index cutoff score of 26.55 was used in determining sexual function status. In each study, women were presented with a neutral and erotic film while their genital sexual arousal was measured. After the films, participants completed a self-report measure of subjective arousal and perceived genital sensations.