The impact of brief exposure to sexually explicit video clips on partnered female clitoral self-stimulation, orgasm and sexual satisfaction

Abstract

Inconsistent coital orgasm is a common complaint among women presenting with sexual function concerns. While sex therapy interventions incorporating explicit instructions and specific models of direct clitoral stimulation have been used to improve coital orgasm consistency among women, it is unclear whether simple exposure to sexually explicit models without specific instructional focus can stimulate such change. The purpose of this study was to determine if exposure to models of clitoral stimulation can induce imitative behaviour and enhance sexual functioning in a nonclinical sample of women. Female undergraduate students (N=64) were randomly assigned to view humourous media, or erotic media, or erotic media featuring explicit models of clitoral self-stimulation during partnered sexual behaviour. One week later, participants reported on their sexual behaviours, including frequency of clitoral self-stimulation (over the previous seven days), consistency of orgasm, and sexual satisfaction. The results indicated partial support for the hypothesized effect of exposure to clitoral stimulation models. Women who viewed explicit models of clitoral self-stimulation subsequently engaged in clitoral self-stimulation 3.51 times more often during subsequent partnered sexual behaviour than women exposed to humorous media, and engaged in clitoral self-stimulation in a greater proportion of their partnered sexual behaviours (Mdn=29%) than did women who viewed erotic media (Mdn=0%), or humorous media (Mdn=0%). However, no differences were found in reported consistency of orgasm or sexual satisfaction among the groups. These preliminary results provide evidence for a specific imitative effect following exposure to sexual media.