Sexual Activity Research Articles

Understanding Peer Sexual Norms, Attitudes, and Pressure: Correlates of Risky Sexual Behaviours among Secondary School Adolescents in Anambra State, Nigeria

Aims: Sexual behaviour initiation often takes place throughout adolescence and is typically linked to engaging in unprotected sexual practices and other high-risk sexual behaviours. This research investigated the correlation between peer sexual behaviour, sexual attitudes, pressure to engage in sexual activity, and sexual risk behaviours among secondary school adolescents in Anambra State. Methodology: The study was carried out with a correlational research approach. The research included 1,200 individuals from a population of 19,048 SS2 teenagers in public secondary schools. Cronbach's Alpha statistics were used to evaluate the internal consistency of three scales: the Brief Sexual Attitudes Scale (BSAS), the Pressure to Have Sex Questionnaire (PTHSQ), and the modified Sexual Risk Behaviour Scale (SRBS). The reliability coefficients for the Adolescent Sexual Behaviour Index (ASBI) were 0.86, 0.96, and 0.80, respectively. The reliability index of the ASBI was determined using Kuder Richardson statistics, resulting in a coefficient of 0.86. The data was obtained by directly administering the instruments and processed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Pearson Product Moment Correlation is a statistical measure that quantifies the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two variables. Coefficients were used to address the research enquiries, while the null hypotheses were examined using a t-test to determine significant association. Results: The results indicated a weak positive association between the sexual conduct of peers, sexual attitudes, and pressure to engage in sexual activity, and sexual risk behaviours among secondary school teenagers in Anambra State. Furthermore, the findings demonstrated a notable association between these variables and the sexual risk behaviours of secondary school adolescents in Anambra State. Conclusion: Based on these data, it was determined that there is a weak positive link between peer sexual behaviour, sexual attitude, peer pressure to engage in sexual activity, and unsafe sexual behaviours among secondary school teenagers in Anambra State. Given this information, it is advisable for school administrators to establish health initiatives aimed at assisting young people in adopting enduring sexual habits that promote their overall health and well-being. These practices should also aim to minimise their susceptibility to HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Efficacy of Pericoccygeal Local Injection with Rectal Manipulation in the Treatment of Chronic Coccygodynia

Introduction: Coccygodynia, predominantly affecting women, involves pain around the coccyx, exacerbated by sitting, sexual activity, defecation, or transitioning from sitting to standing. Despite various conservative treatments like NSAIDs, ice packs, and physical therapy, some patients do not experience relief. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of rectal manipulation combined with paracoccygeal steroid injections in patients with chronic coccygodynia unresponsive to conservative treatments. Methods: This retrospective study included 24 patients (20 females, 4 males) with chronic coccygodynia unresponsive to over 3 months of conservative treatment. All patients received a combination of steroid-local anesthetic injections and rectal manipulation. VAS scores were recorded before intervention, on the 10th day post-intervention, at one year, and at the last follow-up visit. Patients were assessed for trauma history, BMI, coccyx type, and dynamic radiographic findings. Results: The mean VAS score significantly decreased from 7.9 pre-treatment to 2.2 on the 10th day post-treatment (p

Sexual Excitation in Young Women with Different Levels of Sexual Satisfaction in Relationships: A Laboratory Study

Sexual satisfaction is an important dimension of sexual health. Despite there being evidence about its relations with sexual arousal, this association has not been addressed considering arousal as a trait and as a state. Therefore, the goal of this laboratory study was to examine, in young women with different levels of sexual satisfaction in their relationships, sexual arousal as a trait (i.e., propensity for sexual excitation/inhibition) and as a state (i.e., genital response and self-reported sexual arousal to a video with explicit sexual content). The sample was composed of 45 Spanish heterosexual women with a partner, from 18 to 25 years old. In the first phase, we evaluated the propensity for sexual inhibition/excitation and sexual satisfaction of the participants. In the second phase—in the context of a sexuality laboratory—the vaginal pulse amplitude, the rating of sexual arousal, and the rating of genital sensations were evaluated. The participants, distributed in three groups with different levels of sexual satisfaction (p < 0.001), were compared based on the different measures of sexual arousal. The results indicated that the group with lower sexual satisfaction, compared to the group with higher sexual satisfaction, reported more sexual inhibition due to the threat of performance failure (p = 0.011) and due to the threat of performance consequences (p = 0.038). However, no significant differences in sexual arousal status were found between the three groups. In conclusion, the negative association between sexual satisfaction and propensity for sexual inhibition in young women with a partner is supported, but not the positive association between trait/state sexual arousal and sexual satisfaction.

Self-Esteem among Men Who Have Sex with Men Living with HIV: A Qualitative Study

Background: HIV transmission in males, particularly in Indonesia, is increasing due to increased sexual activity among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) groups. This is largely due to diminished self-esteem and reluctance to disclose their status, influenced by factors like power, virtue, relevance, and competence. Aims: The study investigates the self-esteem of MSM living with HIV and explores the factors that may influence their self-esteem. Methods: This study employs a descriptive qualitative study. The study used interviews and content analysis techniques to gather data on HIV individuals at the Public Health Center, specifically focusing on MSM. Results: The interview data revealed six themes: individualism, body image dissatisfaction, lack of motivation, lack of peer support, aspiration to be useful, and self-esteem needs. Conclusion: The study reveals that self-esteem in HIV-positive men is influenced by coping strategies, body image dissatisfaction, motivation, and peer support. It suggests helping others and enhancing library resources, regular investigations, and a specialized counseling program to improve self-esteem.

Primary Headache Associated with Sexual Activity Presenting with Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder: A Case Report

Primary Headache Associated with Sexual Activity Presenting with Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder: A Case Report

Male sexual disorder in coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

Background At the end of 2019, a new coronavirus infection disease, named COVID-19, emerged in China. In this context, couples’ sexual lives could have been significantly altered. Fear of the COVID-19 pandemic implications affects their lives, or the lives of friends and relatives might produce feelings of anxiety and panic. Sometimes, these feelings can degenerate into further negative psychological reactions, including adjustment disorder and depression. Aim To find the relation between COVID-19 pandemic and occurrence of male sexual disorders. Patients and methods In this retrospective study 300 cases with past history of COVID-19 virus infection were included in this study. They were recruited from the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic of Al-Azhar University (Assiut) Hospital. Results There was a statistically significant difference between the prepandemic and postpandemic erectile dysfunction scores (P=0.043). There was a statistically significant difference between prepandemic and postpandemic scores according to premature ejaculation (P=0.022). There was a significant difference among erectile dysfunction and both depression degree (χ 2=90.706, P<0.001) and anxiety degree (χ 2=263.652, P<0.001) likewise, it has been found that there was a significant difference among premature ejaculation and both depression degree (χ 2=109.542, P<0.001) and anxiety degree (χ 2=165.382, P<0.001). Conclusion Significant difference between prepandemic and postpandemic scores according to erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Among erectile dysfunction and both depression degree and anxiety degree likewise, it has been found that there was a significant difference among premature ejaculation and both depression degree and anxiety degree.

Do inflammation and relational motivation coordinate having better sex? The interplay between C-reactive protein and relational motivation on sexual well-being

Much evidence on heightened inflammation and social behavior focuses on social withdrawal. Building on recent theory (Muscatell and Inagaki, 2021), we focused instead on the socially affiliative experience of sex. We investigated the interplay between immunology and motivation on sexual well-being among 158 individuals in romantic relationships. Inflammation, indexed by C-reactive protein (CRP), and sexual well-being were measured multiple times over a month. Relational approach motivation (i.e., motivation toward rewards in relationships) was measured at study entry. Results revealed significant associations between CRP and sexual satisfaction and partnered orgasms frequency for those most motivated to approach rewards with their partner. Interaction effects were replicated with relationship-focused psychological correlates of sexual well-being (e.g., touch, shared laughter, social support), but not with individual-focused outcomes (e.g., adapting to change, goal progress). This is one of the first human studies to demonstrate the body and mind coordinating to promote satisfying sexual experiences within romantic relationships.

Sexual differetiation of Rhodiola rosea L. populations in the high-mountain zone of the Ukrainian Carpathians

Background. Individual (morphological) and group parameters (the number of male and female individuals, their sex ratio, and the range of sex ratio displacement) are an important indicator of sexual differentiation of Rhodiola rosea L. populations. To date, indicators of these parameters in natural plant populations have not been studied sufficiently. Therefore, for the analysis of the state of the populations of the species, it is important to study the parameters of their sexual differentiation and the main trends of changes that affect the ability to recover in high-mountain conditions. Methods. In order to obtain data, conventional stationary and route-based research methods were used. To record individuals of different sexes, long-term monitoring plots were used, which were laid in the characteristic habitats of the species’ populations in 2000–2022. The ratio of male and female individuals is determined based on their quantitative distribution per unit area. The sexual potential index that determines the proportion of females and their participation in generative reproduction was used. Results. The main differences in the morphological and quantitative parameters of male and female individuals in high-mountain conditions were determined. It was found that a characteristic feature during long-term research is a decrease in the number of generative individuals of both male and female sexes. In the studied populations, there is a shift in the sex ratio towards males (73 %) and this trend has been maintained over the last dozen of years. Therefore, the number of females compared to males is very small, which affects the sexual potential of populations. Conclusions. The ratio of male and female individuals, the range of its displacement and potential participation in the realization of sexual potential in R. rosea was determined. The present study showed that the general trend in the populations of the species is a decrease in the number of female individuals. Male biased sex ratio has an impact on sexual potential and ability to generative reproduction.

Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among first time visitors at STIs clinic in Hangzhou, China: Assessing the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study assesses the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in first time visitors to the STIs clinic in Hangzhou, China, considering different genders, ages and symptoms. And also explores howthe COVID-19 pandemic has affected on STIs. From 2019 to 2023, 27,283 first time visitors were tested for nine distinct STIs, including Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), syphilis, Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2), Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), and vaginal Candida. Symptomatic male and female visitors showed overall STI-positive rates of 39.27% and 59.20%, respectively(p < .001). The top three pathogens in both genders were HPV (47.56% and 56.71%), UU (29.21% and 56.47%), and HSV-2 (22.41% and 52.94%). Among asymptomatic visitors, the total STI-positive rate was 36.63% in males and 52.03% in females. Age-stratified analysis revealed higher STI rates in visitors ≤ 20 or >50 years, regardless of gender and symptoms. During the COVID-19 pandemic, symptomatic visitors showed lower positive rates for HPV, HIV, syphilis, and HSV-2, while Candida, UU, CT, NG, and multiple infections increased. Among asymptomatic visitors, HPV had the lowest positive rate, while NG and multiple infections increased during the pandemic. STI prevalence is notably high, particularly in those aged ≤ 20 and >50 years. It emphasizes the need for enhanced health education, condom use, and vaccination. The COVID-19 pandemic impacting STIs through varied factors, such as reduced sexual activity and clinical service interruption.

Trajectories of sexual well-being and links with grief after a recent pregnancy loss: a dyadic longitudinal study.

Pregnancy loss affects 1 in 4 women and is linked with poorer overall health and relationship outcomes. Despite sexual well-being's importance to health, how sexual well-being changes across time after a pregnancy loss and what might predict such changes, like perinatal grief, have never been examined, leaving practitioners and couples without knowledge of what to expect. We aimed to examine (1) how sexual satisfaction, sexual desire, sexual distress, and perinatal grief change from 10 to 25weeks postloss for both couple members; and (2) if perinatal grief levels at 10weeks postloss predict sexual well-being trajectories. Women and gender-diverse individuals who were pregnant when a pregnancy loss occurred (within the last 4months) and men, women, and gender-diverse partners who were not pregnant (N = 132 couples) independently completed 4 monthly assessments of sexual well-being and perinatal grief. Outcomes included sexual satisfaction (Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction), sexual desire (Sexual Desire Inventory), sexual distress (Sexual Distress Scale-Short Form), perinatal grief (Perinatal Grief Scale). Dyadic growth curve modeling indicated that, from 10 to 25weeks postloss, both couple members' sexual satisfaction increased, and their sexual desire remained stable; sexual distress decreased for partners but remained stable for individuals who were pregnant; and both couple members' perinatal grief decreased. Perinatal grief levels at 10weeks postloss did not predict sexual well-being trajectories over time. Given sexual well-being's dynamic nature, clinicians should regularly discuss sexuality with both couple members after pregnancy loss. During such discussions, clinicians could reassure couples about their sexual relationship's recovery by sharing that, on average, sexual satisfaction, sexual desire, and sexual distress tend to improve or stay the same (rather than worsen) from 10 to 25weeks postloss. They can also share that perinatal grief tends to decrease during this time and is unrelated to trajectories of sexual satisfaction, sexual desire, and sexual distress. This is the first study, to our knowledge, to examine how sexual well-being changes across time after a pregnancy loss and perinatal grief's role in such changes. The results may not generalize broadly, as most couples were in mixed-gender/sex relationships, identified as White, and were relatively affluent. From 10 to 25weeks postloss, both couple members tend to experience improvements in their overall sexual well-being and declines in their perinatal grief. Early perinatal grief levels and subsequent sexual well-being trajectories are seemingly unrelated.

The Mediating Role of Sexual Satisfaction and Anger in the Relationship Between Partner-Related Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms and Sexual Self-Schema

Aim: The study was conducted to examine the relationship between partner-related obsessive-compulsive symptoms and sexual self-schemas and to determine the indirect effect of sexual satisfaction and anger on this relationship. Method: The research was conducted with 510 volunteer participants aged 18-50. The participants participated on a voluntary basis and the sample was reached randomly. Personal Information Form, Sexual Self-Schema Scale, The Trait Anger Expression Scale, New Sexual Satisfaction Scale and Partner-Related Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom Scale were used to collect the data. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 27 software. Results: The findings of the study revealed that there was a significant negative relationship between obsessive-compulsive symptoms related to the partner and sexual satisfaction and sexual self-schemas, and a significant positive relationship with anger. A positive relationship was found between sexual self-schemas and sexual satisfaction. A significant negative relationship was found between anger and sexual satisfaction and sexual self-schemas. Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was found that there was a significant negative relationship between individuals' having obsessive-compulsive symptoms and their sexual self-schemas, and that anger and sexual satisfaction had a significant indirect effect on this relationship.

Improving Beef Cattle Production: Safety and Effectiveness of New Immunocastration Vaccine

Reproductive control in mammals, particularly in beef production systems, is crucial for managing behaviors driven by sex steroids, which can cause biosecurity issues, reduced weight gain, and decreased meat quality. Additionally, controlling sexual activity in females prevents unwanted pregnancies when both sexes are housed together for fattening. Surgical castration in cattle, commonly performed under field conditions, is associated with significant welfare concerns due to pain and infection risks. Furthermore, castrating female cattle in the field is often impractically expensive. Hence, new reproductive control methods that prioritize animal welfare and are suitable for both sexes are essential. Immunocastration (IC), which involves vaccination against the GnRH-I hormone, has emerged as a promising alternative, demonstrating efficacy and safety in various species. Immunocastration has proven to be an effective alternative to surgical castration in controlling reproduction and promoting animal welfare in several species. This study aims to evaluate the safety, immunogenicity, immunocastration effect, and productive impact of a novel IC vaccine developed in Chile for female cattle. Two consecutive trials were conducted, the first under controlled conditions and the second under field conditions. The results demonstrated that the new vaccine is safe and effective for use in beef cattle, inducing specific immunity against GnRH-I, reducing gonadal functionality, and improving productive parameters. These findings suggest that this new IC vaccine can significantly benefit the beef cattle industry by providing a welfare-friendly and efficient method of reproductive control.

Porn or Partner Arousal? When It Comes to Romantic Relationships, Not All Sexual Arousal Is Equal: A Prospective Study.

Little is known about the role of subjective sexual arousal within romantic relationships. The current paper addresses this limitation using a prospective study design that investigates the direct associations between subjective sexual arousal induced by a romantic partner (partner arousal) and arousal induced by pornography (porn arousal) on changes in relational outcomes. A total of 309 participants who were in a current romantic relationship completed measures of partner and porn arousal as well as relational outcomes (i.e., sexual satisfaction and relationship quality and stability) at baseline (T1) and completed a second assessment of relational outcomes 2months later (T2). Partner arousal was found to have no significant associations with changes in relational outcomes; however, porn arousal was associated with significant declines in sexual satisfaction and relationship quality and stability over a 2-month period. This paper is the first to examine how feeling sexually aroused by porn may impact relational outcomes for those in romantic relationships.

Sexual Activity, Function, and Satisfaction in Reproductive-Aged Females Living with Chronic Kidney Disease

Sexual Activity, Function, and Satisfaction in Reproductive-Aged Females Living with Chronic Kidney Disease

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF ACQUIRED SYPHILIS IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF BRAZIL FROM 2011 TO 2021

Sexually transmitted infections are among society&amp;#39;s most recurring public health dilemmas. Syphilis is aninfectious disease exclusive to humans, transmitted through unprepared sexual contact. It is estimated thatannually, 11 million new cases of syphilis occur in adults aged 15 to 49 years worldwide. The objective ofthe research was to identify the epidemiological profile of syphilis acquired in the states of the NorthernRegion of Brazil between the years 2011 and 2021. This is observational research with a quantitative andretrospective approach, with data collection from the SINAN available on DATASUS. Sociodemographicvariables were analyzed: sex, age, race, education level, and diagnostic criteria. It was found that between2011 and 2021, in the states of the Northern Region of Brazil, 50,810 cases of acquired syphilis werereported. The state of Amazonas had the highest notification rate with 18,709 (36.82%) cases, followed bythe state of Pará with 13,102 (25.79%) notifications and Tocantins with 6,728 (13.24%) reported cases. Theyear 2018 presented the highest incidence rate of the period, decreasing from 2019. Thus, the profile ofsyphilis acquired in the North Region was male individuals aged between 20 and 39 years, mixed race, withunknown education, and in relation to the diagnostic criteria, laboratory diagnosis presented the highest rateof notifications. In this way, the need to promote actions with the aim of clarifying sexual health and offeringeffective measures to combat syphilis in the most affected population is evident, as well as it is essential toreevaluate the mandatory fields for filling out the notification and investigation forms of the SINAN, as theyrepresent an essential source for determining health indicators.

Red Fluorescent Copper Nanoclusters for Fluorescence, Smartphone, and Electrochemical Sensor Arrays to Detect the Monkeypox A29 Protein.

An Orthopox zoonotic viral infection called monkeypox (MPXV) is the leading infectious disease globally. MPXV can easily spread from human to human through direct and indirect sexual contact; therefore, accurate and early detection of MPXV is crucial for reducing mortality. Fluorescence-based materials have received significant attention in recent years for biomedical applications. In this study, we synthesized red-fluorescent copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) with a size of less than 10 nm, which was confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and atomic force microscopy (Bio-AFM) analysis. The synthesized CuNCs had a high fluorescence nature and were utilized for the detection of the MPXV (A29P) by an antigen-antibody conjugation using fluorescence, smartphone colorimetric, and electrochemical sensing techniques. The antigen (A29P) and antibody (Ab A29) interaction mechanisms were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) analysis. Furthermore, fluorescence and electrochemical sensing were performed in PBS with detection limits of 0.096 and 0.114 nM, respectively. For real-world applications, the prepared immunosensor array can detect A29P in spiked serum samples, and point-of-care (POC) analysis, a smartphone-integrated sensor array, was used to measure the RGB color changes. The results showed that synthesized CuNCs are potential materials for detecting A29P via fluorescence and smartphone colorimetric and electrochemical sensing techniques.

Impact of Telemedicine on Women's Sexual Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Context: Sexual satisfaction is crucial for women's overall well-being; however, traditional interventions often face challenges such as high costs, limited access, inadequate specialized care, and discomfort during counseling sessions. Telemedicine presents a promising solution to these issues. Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the efficacy of telemedicine interventions in improving sexual function and satisfaction among women. Evidence Acquisition: We searched SCOPUS, Web of Science, and PubMed for relevant articles published up to January 2024. The search strategy and keywords were crafted using the PICO approach to align with the study's objectives and ensure a comprehensive and structured review. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Jadad scale. The primary outcome measures were sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, pain, satisfaction, and overall Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores. A random-effects model was employed for the meta-analysis, and the I-square index was used to assess heterogeneity. Results: The systematic review identified six studies from an initial pool of 4,174 that demonstrated a positive effect of telemedicine interventions on all domains of the FSFI questionnaire, except for the pain domain and overall sexual function scores in women. The effects of telemedicine on sexual desire [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.51, 1.32], sexual arousal (SMD = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.42, 1.53), vaginal lubrication (SMD = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.23, 0.59), orgasm (SMD = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.21, 0.58), sexual satisfaction (SMD = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.48, 1), and total FSFI (SMD = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.49, 1.58) were found to be significant. However, the effect on pain was not statistically significant (SMD = 0.15, 95% CI = -0.10, 0.40). Conclusions: This study supports the effectiveness of telemedicine in improving women's sexual satisfaction and function. However, due to limitations in the included studies, such as small sample sizes, lack of randomization, and lack of blinding in some cases, more comprehensive studies are recommended. Future research should address these methodological limitations to provide stronger evidence on the effectiveness of telemedicine interventions for women's sexual health.

Poweromin X Ten, a polyherbal formulation improves male sexual function: In vivo and network pharmacology study.

Poweromin X Ten (PXT) is a polyherbal formulation, traditionally used to enhance male sexual function. However, the safety and benefits of PXT have not been scientifically evaluated. Therefore, the present study investigated the toxicity and aphrodisiac potential of PXT in male rats and explored its principal mechanisms of action. Male Wistar rats were orally administered PXT (50 or 100 mg/kg) for 28 days, and sexual activity parameters, including latency and frequency of mounting and intromissions, were studied. The reproductive toxicity and spermatogenic potential were also examined. Furthermore, dopamine and serotonin levels in brain regions associated with sexual activity were assessed. Network analysis was used to identify the key bioactive compounds and their core targets involved in their beneficial actions. Treatment with PXT improved sexual activity in male rats, as evidenced by reduced mounting and intromission latency and a significant increase in mount frequency. Moreover, PXT exhibited spermatogenic potential and did not induce reproductive toxicity. Notably, treatment with 50 mg/kg PXT elevated dopamine levels in median preoptic area and hypothalamus. Pathway analysis indicated that PXT primarily modulated the PI3K-Akt, calcium, and MAPK signalling pathways to enhance male sexual function. Network analysis identified macelignan, β-estradiol, testosterone, and paniculatine as key bioactive components of PXT, which likely act through core targets, such as androgen receptor (AR), Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to facilitate the improvement of male sexual function. Study results suggest that PXT is a safer alternative with aphrodisiac and spermatogenic potential. These effects are partly attributed to the enhanced dopamine levels in the brain. Furthermore, this study provides insights into the specific signalling pathways and bioactive compounds that underlie the improvements in male sexual function associated with PXT.

Reasons for premature removal of progestogen implant among women in a community in Pretoria

Background: Implanon is widely used in South Africa and around the world. However, a significant number of users discontinue it prematurely. The current study aims to explore the reasons for women’s early removal of the progestogen implant, known as Implanon, in a Pretoria community.Methods: This was a qualitative study applying a descriptive phenomenological design, with nine one-on-one interviews done at Temba Community Health Centre among women who had their Implanon implants removed sooner than the intended length of time.Results: Four major themes emerged from the data collection: reasons for choosing Implanon, side effects of Implanon, the social impact of Implanon and public attitudes towards Implanon. These four themes were further explored through 13 subthemes.Conclusion: The participants acknowledged and valued the benefits of Implanon, but they also encountered undesirable side effects such headaches, bleeding, breast pain and enlargement, decreased libido, and mood swings. The primary causes of the implant’s early removal were these side effects, among which bleeding was the most frequently reported problem.Contribution: Implanon-induced bleeding has an impact on the economics of households and the sexual lives of women, as it requires the purchasing of sanitary products and other medications.

Are Specific Sexual Activities During Partnered Sex and Masturbation Related to Sexual Problems in Men?

Objectives: To evaluate whether the presence of sexual problems in men (i.e., erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, or delayed ejaculation) is associated with differential sexual behavior during masturbation and partnered sex. Methods: Cisgender participants (n = 2,807) completed an internet-based, cross-sectional questionnaire about sexual interest, behavior, and functioning. Results: Men with premature ejaculation were less likely to engage in foreplay-type behaviors, whereas men with erectile dysfunction or delayed ejaculation were more likely to include self-stimulation and/or other stimulation strategies during partnered sex. Conclusions: Different behavioral patterns among dysfunctional men represent potential strategies for modulating sexual arousal levels.