Psychosocial and Behavioral Aspects of Women’s Sexual Pleasure: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Objectives To clarify the psychosocial and behavioral factors related to women’s sexual pleasure. Methods A search was conducted on EBSCO and Web of Science databases using the key terms “female sexual pleasure” and “women sexual pleasure” and following PRISMA guidelines. Results 76 articles were identified, referring to sexual practices, individual factors, interpersonal factors, societal factors, and ways of enhancing sexual pleasure. Conclusions Age, sexual experience, arousability, body-esteem, sexual autonomy, and sexual assertiveness seem to benefit women’s sexual pleasure, while sexual compliance and a gender power imbalance seem to compromise it. Additional research regarding non-western and non-heterosexual women is still required.