Sexual health and intimacy

أَئِنَّكُمۡ لَتَأۡتُونَ ٱلرِّجَالَ شَهۡوَةࣰ مِّن دُونِ ٱلنِّسَآءِۚ بَلۡ أَنتُمۡ قَوۡمࣱ تَجۡهَلُونَ

How can you lust after men instead of women? What fools you are!’

إِنَّكُمۡ لَتَأۡتُونَ ٱلرِّجَالَ شَهۡوَةࣰ مِّن دُونِ ٱلنِّسَآءِۚ بَلۡ أَنتُمۡ قَوۡمࣱ مُّسۡرِفُونَ

You lust after men rather than women! You transgress all bounds!’

What! Do you read a-innakum pronouncing both hamzas or by not pronouncing the second and inserting an alif between the two in both cases come unto men in lust instead of women? Nay but you are truly a people in ignorance’ of the consequence of your action.

Do you read a-innakum pronouncing both hamzas or by not pronouncing the second one but in both cases inserting an alif between the two; a variant reading has innakum ‘indeed you … ’ come lustfully to men instead of women? Nay you are a wanton folk’ transgressing the bounds going from what is lawful to what is unlawful.

And (remember) Lut! When he said to his people: "Do you commit immoral sins while you see? (54)"Do you practice your lusts on men instead of women? Nay, but you are a people who behave senselessly. (55)There was no other answer given by his people except that they said: "Drive out the family of Lut from your city. Verily, these are men who want to be clean and pure! (56)So, We saved him and his family, except his wife. We destined her to be of those who remained behind (57)And We rained down on them a rain. So, evil was the rain of those who were warned (58) Lut and His People Allah tells us about His servant and Messenger Lut, peace be upon him, and how he warned his people of Allah's punishment for committing an act of immorality which no human ever committed before them – intercourse with males instead of females. This is a major sin, whereby men are satisfied with men and women are

And (remember) Lut, when he said to his people: "Do you commit lewdness such as none preceding you has committed in all of the nations (80)"Verily, you practice your lusts on men instead of women. Nay, but you are a people transgressing beyond bounds. (81) Allah said, We sent, وَ (And) لُوطًا إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ (Lut, when he said to his people..) Lut (Lot) is the son of Haran the son of Azar (Terah), and he was the nephew of Ibrahim, peace be upon them both. Lut had believed in Ibrahim and migrated with him to the Sham area. Allah then sent Lut to the people of Sadum (Sodom) and the surrounding villages, to call them to Allah, enjoin righteousness and forbid them from their evil practices, their sin, and wickedness. It this area, they did things that none of the children of Adam or any other creatures ever did before them. They used to have sexual intercourse with males instead o

حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مَنِيعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ مِنَ الرَّضَاعِ مَا حَرَّمَ مِنَ النَّسَبِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ وَابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ وَأُمِّ حَبِيبَةَ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ عَلِيٍّ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ ‏.‏

Ali (bin Abi Talib) narrated that The Messenger of Allah said:“Indeed Allah has made unlawful through suckling whatever He made unlawful through lineage.”

حَدَّثَنَا بُنْدَارٌ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الْقَطَّانُ، حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكٌ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مُوسَى الأَنْصَارِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مَعْنٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ مَا حَرَّمَ مِنَ الْوِلاَدَةِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ ‏.‏ وَالْعَمَلُ عَلَى هَذَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَغَيْرِهِمْ لاَ نَعْلَمُ بَيْنَهُمْ فِي ذَلِكَ اخْتِلاَفًا ‏.‏

Aishah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:“Indeed Allah has made unlawful through suckling whatever He made unlawful through birth.”

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ كُنْتُ أُرَجِّلُ رَأْسَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَنَا حَائِضٌ‏.‏

Narrated `Aisha:While in menses, I used to comb the hair of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)

حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ مُوسَى، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَنَّ ابْنَ جُرَيْجٍ، أَخْبَرَهُمْ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي هِشَامٌ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، أَنَّهُ سُئِلَ أَتَخْدُمُنِي الْحَائِضُ أَوْ تَدْنُو مِنِّي الْمَرْأَةُ وَهْىَ جُنُبٌ فَقَالَ عُرْوَةُ كُلُّ ذَلِكَ عَلَىَّ هَيِّنٌ، وَكُلُّ ذَلِكَ تَخْدُمُنِي، وَلَيْسَ عَلَى أَحَدٍ فِي ذَلِكَ بَأْسٌ، أَخْبَرَتْنِي عَائِشَةُ أَنَّهَا كَانَتْ تُرَجِّلُ ـ تَعْنِي ـ رَأْسَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهِيَ حَائِضٌ، وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حِينَئِذٍ مُجَاوِرٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ، يُدْنِي لَهَا رَأْسَهُ وَهْىَ فِي حُجْرَتِهَا، فَتُرَجِّلُهُ وَهْىَ حَائِضٌ‏.‏

Narrated `Urwa:A person asked me, "Can a woman in menses serve me? And can a Junub woman come close to me?" I replied, "All this is easy for me. All of them can serve me, and there is no harm for any other person to do the same. `Aisha told me that she used to comb the hair of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) while she was in her menses, and he was in I`tikaf (in the mosque). He would bring his head near her in her room and she would comb his hair, while she used to be in her menses

أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقِ، - رضى الله عنه - عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ خَرَجْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لاَ نُرَى إِلاَّ الْحَجَّ فَلَمَّا كُنَّا بِسَرِفَ حِضْتُ فَدَخَلَ عَلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَنَا أَبْكِي فَقَالَ ‏"‏ مَا لَكِ أَنَفِسْتِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ هَذَا أَمْرٌ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَى بَنَاتِ آدَمَ فَاقْضِي مَا يَقْضِي الْحَاجُّ غَيْرَ أَنْ لاَ تَطُوفِي بِالْبَيْتِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated that 'Aishah said:"We went out with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) with no intention other than Hajj. When he was in Sarif I began menstruating. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) entered upon me and I was weeping. He said: 'What is the matter with you? Has you Nifas begun?' I said: 'Yes.' He said: 'This is something that Allah the Mighty and Sublime has decreed for the daughters of Adam. Do what the pilgrims do but do not perform Tawaf around the House

أَخْبَرَنَا عِمْرَانُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ سَمَاعَةَ - قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الأَوْزَاعِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي هِشَامُ بْنُ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، أَنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ قَيْسٍ، مِنْ بَنِي أَسَدِ قُرَيْشٍ أَنَّهَا أَتَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرَتْ أَنَّهَا تُسْتَحَاضُ فَزَعَمَتْ أَنَّهُ قَالَ لَهَا ‏ "‏ إِنَّمَا ذَلِكِ عِرْقٌ فَإِذَا أَقْبَلَتِ الْحَيْضَةُ فَدَعِي الصَّلاَةَ وَإِذَا أَدْبَرَتْ فَاغْتَسِلِي وَاغْسِلِي عَنْكِ الدَّمَ ثُمَّ صَلِّي ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated from Fatimah bint Qais from Banu Asad Quraish that she came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and mentioned that she suffered from Istihadah. She said that he said to her:"That is a vein, so when the time of menstruation comes, stop praying, and when it goes, take your bath and wash the blood from yourself then pray

ونضرب لك مثالا، فنقول: إذا افتقر الإنسان إلى الصبر عن شهوة الجماع، وقد غلبت عليه بحيث لا يملك فرجه ولا عينه ولا قلبه، فعلاج ذلك بثلاثة أشياء:

وقصر بقوم في خلطة الناس حتى اعتزلوهم في الطاعات كالجمعة والجماعات والجهاد وتعلم العلم وتجاوز بقوم حتى خالطوهم في الظلم والمعاصي والآثام

وقال أيضا : من ترك قراءة القرآن ولزوم الجماعات وحضور الجنائز وعيادة المرضى وادعى بهذا الشأن فهو مدع

قال وربما شغله بوسواسه حتى تفوته الجماعة وربما فاته الوقت ويشغله بوسوسته في النية حتى تفوته التكبيرة الأولى وربما فوت عليه ركعة أو أكثر ومنهم من يحلف أنه لا يزيد على هذا ثم يكذب

وكذلك عزمه على تحريق المتخلفين عن الصلاة معه في الجماعة ولم يقل لو قضى لهم الصلاة لكانت

وأعمال الجوارح كالصلاة والجهاد ونقل الأقدام إلى الجمعة والجماعات ومساعدة العاجز والإحسان إلى الخلق ونحو ذلك

Gender differences in pornography use and sexual health outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.: Background: Pornography consumption is increasingly prevalent worldwide, yet its gender-specific associations with sexual health outcomes remain poorly understood. Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate gender differences in pornography use and its associations with sexual function, sexual satisfaction, masturbation frequency, and psychological parameters among adult men and women. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 statement, systematic searches were conducted across PubMed

Couple-Based Psychosexual Support Following Prostate Cancer Surgery: Results of a Feasibility Pilot Randomized Control Trial.: Introduction: Surgery for prostate cancer can result in distressing side effects such as sexual difficulties, which are associated with lower levels of dyadic functioning. The study developed and tested an intervention to address sexual, relational, and emotional aspects of the relationship after prostate cancer by incorporating elements of family systems theory and sex therapy. Aims: To develop and test the feasibility and acceptability of relational psychosexual treatment for couples with pros

INFERTILITY AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTIONS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW.: This study aimed to investigate whether infertility and its treatment affect couple sexuality. A systematic literature review was performed, focusing on female and male sexual dysfunctions due to infertility. The method was descriptive, using a meta-synthesis of scientific research published between 2012 and 2017 in the English language. The search for suitable studies was carried out with the research databases Medline, CINAHL, PubMed and ScienceDirect using the following keywords: infertility,

Sexual dysfunction related to psychiatric disorders: a systematic review.: Background: Sexual dysfunction is thought to be highly prevalent in patients with psychiatric disorders. Factors such as the use of psychotropic substances (ie, psychopharmaceuticals and drugs), age, or somatic diseases may contribute to sexual problems, but the extent to which psychopathology itself affects sexual functioning is not well understood. Aim: The study sought to provide an overview of the literature on the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in psychotropic-free and somatic disease-fre

Psychological and Interpersonal Dimensions of Sexual Function and Dysfunction.: Introduction: Psychological, interpersonal, and sociocultural factors play a significant role in making one vulnerable to developing a sexual concern, in triggering the onset of a sexual difficulty, and in maintaining sexual dysfunction in the long term. Aim: To focus on psychological and interpersonal aspects of sexual functioning in women and men after a critical review of the literature from 2010 to the present. Methods: This report is part 1 of 2 of our collaborative work during the 2015 Int

Meta-analysis of Results of Testosterone Therapy on Sexual Function Based on International Index of Erectile Function Scores.: Context: The interpretation of available clinical evidence related to the effect of testosterone (T) treatment (TTh) on sexual function has been inconsistent, in part due to the use of different and self-reported measures to assess outcomes. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) is the most frequently used validated tool to assess male sexual function. Objective: To perform a meta-analysis of available data evaluating the effect of TTh on male sexual function using IIEF as the prim

Effects of Angry Rumination and Distraction in Intimate Partner Violent Men.

Although the tendency to ruminate is related to the frequency of intimate partner violent (IPV) perpetration, it is unclear how IPV men react emotionally and physiologically during angry rumination. This study is the first to experimentally manipulate rumination and distraction with violent men. Using the rumination and distraction paradigm developed by Nolen-Hoeksema and Morrow, IPV (N = 87) and nonviolent (NV; N = 30) men underwent an anger induction and then were randomly assigned to either ruminate or distract. IPV men were hypothesized to experience increased effects of rumination compared to NV men. As predicted, the results demonstrate an increase in heart rate from baseline to postrumination. No change in physiological arousal was observed in the distraction condition over time. Surprisingly, no difference state anger was found between IPV and NV men, and both conditions resulted…

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh), Sexual Partners (mesh)

Predictors and Moderators of Provoked Vestibulodynia Treatment Outcome Following a Randomized Trial Comparing Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy to Overnight Lidocaine.

Provoked vestibulodynia is a vulvar pain condition causing sexual dysfunction, affecting 8% to 10% of women. Our recently published randomized clinical trial (N = 108 couples) found that cognitive behavioral couple therapy (CBCT) and topical lidocaine reduced women's pain and associated sexual symptoms, with CBCT showing more benefits. Little is known about pretreatment predictors of treatment outcomes in couples sex therapy. In the current study, we examined women and their partners' pretreatment demographic (age, relationship length), clinical (pain duration, anxiety) and interpersonal (partner responses to pain, sexual goals) predictors/moderators of women's pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, and sexual function at posttreatment and 6-month follow-up. Longer relationship duration, lower anxiety in women, partner higher solicitousness and partner higher approach sexual goals predicte…

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh), Sexual Partners (mesh)

Intranasal oxytocin may help maintain romantic bonds by decreasing jealousy evoked by either imagined or real partner infidelity.

Background: While romantic jealousy may help to maintain relationships, following partner infidelity and an irretrievable loss of trust it can also promote break-ups. The neuropeptide oxytocin can enhance the maintenance of social bonds and reduce couple conflict, although its influence on jealousy evoked by imagined or real infidelity is unclear. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effects of intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) on romantic jealousy in both males and females in imagined and real contexts. Methods: Seventy heterosexual couples participated in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, between-subject design study. Jealousy was firstly quantified in the context of subjects imagining partner infidelity and secondly in a Cyberball game where their partner interacted preferentially with an opposite-sexed rival stranger to simulate partner exclusion, or rejected a neutral stranger b…

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh), Sexual Partners (mesh)

Changing sex risk behaviors, gender norms, and relationship dynamics among couples in Cape Town, South Africa: Efficacy of an intervention on the dyad.

Rationale: South Africa continues to experience new HIV infections, with the highest risk among Black Africans living in poor communities. Most HIV prevention interventions target women or men separately and only a small number target couples jointly. Objective: This study examines varying strategies to engage women and men around HIV prevention and improved couple interactions. Methods: The study comprises three arms: (1) a couple-based intervention delivered to women and men jointly; (2) women and men both offered a gender-focused intervention that is delivered to them separately; and (3) an intervention offered to women only and their male partners receive standard HIV testing and counseling (comparison arm). Between June 2010 and April 2012, men were identified in and around drinking establishments in a large disadvantaged community in Cape Town and asked to participate in the study …

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh), Sexual Partners (mesh)

The Spear and Shield intervention to increase the availability and acceptability of voluntary medical male circumcision in Zambia: a cluster randomised controlled trial.

Background: Widespread voluntary medical male circumcision in Africa could avert an estimated 3·436 million HIV infections and 300,000 deaths over the next 10 years. Most Zambian men have expressed little interest in the procedure. We tested the effect of the Spear and Shield intervention designed to increase demand for voluntary medical male circumcision among these hard-to-reach men. Methods: This cluster randomised controlled trial was done between Feb 1, 2012, and Oct 31, 2014, in Lusaka, Zambia, where HIV prevalence is 20·8%. 13 community health centres were stratified by HIV voluntary counselling and testing rates and patient census, and randomly assigned (5:5:3) to experimental (the intervention), control, or observation-only conditions. Community health centre health-care providers at all 13 sites received training in voluntary medical male circumcision. Eligible participants wer…

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh), Sexual Partners (mesh)

Adolescents' Communication with Parents, Other Adult Family Members and Teachers on Sexuality: Effects of School-Based Interventions in South Africa and Tanzania.

Cluster-randomized controlled trials were carried out to examine effects on sexual practices of school-based interventions among adolescents in three sites in sub-Saharan Africa. In this publication, effects on communication about sexuality with significant adults (including parents) and such communication as a mediator of other outcomes were examined. Belonging to the intervention group was significantly associated with fewer reported sexual debuts in Dar es Salaam only (OR 0.648). Effects on communication with adults about sexuality issues were stronger for Dar es Salaam than for the other sites. In Dar, increase in communication with adults proved to partially mediate associations between intervention and a number of social cognition outcomes. The hypothesized mediational effect of communication on sexual debut was not confirmed. Promoting intergenerational communication on sexuality …

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh), Sexuality (mesh)

Adherence to Early Antiretroviral Therapy: Results From HPTN 052, a Phase III, Multinational Randomized Trial of ART to Prevent HIV-1 Sexual Transmission in Serodiscordant Couples.

Background: Combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-1-infected individuals prevents sexual transmission if viral load is suppressed. Methods: Participants were HIV-1-infected partners randomized to early ART (CD4 350-550) in HPTN052 (n = 886, median follow-up = 2.1 years), a clinical trial of early ART to prevent sexual transmission of HIV-1 in serodiscordant couples at 13 sites in 9 countries. Adherence was assessed through pill count (dichotomized at <95%) and through self-report items. Predictors of adherence were mental health and general health perceptions, substance use, binge drinking, social support, sexual behaviors, and demographics. Viral suppression was defined as HIV plasma viral load <400 copies per milliliter. Adherence counseling and couples' counseling about safer sex were provided. Logistic and linear regression models using generalized estimating equation for …

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh), Sexual Partners (mesh)

The impact of substance use, sexual trauma, and intimate partner violence on sexual risk intervention outcomes in couples: a randomized trial.

Background: Few HIV prevention interventions focus on sexual risk reduction as mutual process determined by couple members, though risk behaviors are inter-dependent. Purpose: This trial examined the impact of substance use, history of sexual trauma, and intimate partner violence on sexual risk associated with participation in a risk reduction intervention. Methods: HIV seroconcordant and serodiscordant multicultural couples in Miami, Florida (n = 216) were randomized to group (n = 112) or individual (n = 104) couple-based interventions. Results: Group intervention participants increased condom use in couples in which women had a history of sexual trauma [F(2,221) = 3.39, p = 0.036] and by partners of alcohol users. History of sexual trauma was a determinant of conflict resolution, predicting negative communication and intimate partner violence. Conclusions: Results emphasize the need fo…

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh), Sexual Partners (mesh)

Addressing intimacy and partner communication after breast cancer: a randomized controlled group intervention.

While quality of life for most breast cancer survivors (BCS) returns to normal by 1 year post-treatment, problems in sexual function and intimacy often persist. The present study tested the efficacy of a 6-week psycho-educational group intervention in improving BCS's sexual well-being. We conducted a mailed survey of BCS 1-5 years post-diagnosis to identify a sample of women who reported moderately severe problems in body image, sexual function or partner communication, and were deemed eligible for the randomized intervention trial. Using a pre-randomized design, 70% (n = 284) were assigned to a 6-week psycho-educational group intervention and 30% (n = 127) were assigned to a control condition (print material only); however, only 83 BCS agreed to participate in the intervention. Four months post-intervention, the intervention and control groups were not significantly different on the pri…

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh), Sexual Partners (mesh)

Neural response to visual sexual cues in dopamine treatment-linked hypersexuality in Parkinson's disease.

Hypersexuality with compulsive sexual behaviour is a significant source of morbidity for patients with Parkinson's disease receiving dopamine replacement therapies. We know relatively little about the pathophysiology of hypersexuality in Parkinson's disease, and it is unknown how visual sexual stimuli, similar to the portrayals of sexuality in the mainstream mass media may affect the brain and behaviour in such susceptible individuals. Here, we have studied a group of 12 patients with Parkinson's disease with hypersexuality using a functional magnetic resonance imaging block design exposing participants to both sexual, other reward-related and neutral visual cues. We hypothesized that exposure to visual sexual cues would trigger increased sexual desire in patients with Parkinson's disease with hypersexuality that would correspond to changes in brain activity in regions linked to dopamine…

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh), sexual desire (text)

Prevalence of female genital mutilation and associated factors among women and girls in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) has zero health benefits. It can lead to short- and long-term risks and complications, including physical, sexual, and mental health and well-being of girls and women. It is a worldwide public health issue with more than 80% prevalence in Africa. It is a global imperative to strengthen work for the elimination, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) strives to eliminate FGM and monitor the progress made. However, one of a challenge in tracking progress is establishing baseline prevalence data within regions and countries. Therefore, this review aimed to pool the prevalence of FGM in Africa and identify the promoting factors among women and girls. Methods: This review was conducted according to the PRISMA checklist guideline. Both published and unpublished studies conducted from 2012 onwards were eligible. Studies written in n…

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh)

Romantic attachment style and borderline personality pathology: A meta-analysis.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) implies profound impairment in interpersonal relationships, particularly romantic relationships (Daley, Burge, & Hammen, 2000). Insecure attachment bears striking resemblance to BPD traits in both empirical and theoretical work (Levy, Johnson, Clouthier, Scala, & Temes, 2015) and may be particularly suited for understanding the BPD-related deficits in romantic functioning. Despite several qualitative reviews concluding that secure attachment is disrupted in those with BPD traits, no consensus has emerged regarding the form of this disruption (Levy et al., 2015), with most reviews focusing on whether BPD is best captured as high levels of attachment anxiety or attachment avoidance. The purpose of the current review is to provide a quantitative synthesis of the strength and direction of the associations between attachment insecurity and BPD traits. Sea…

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh)

Treatments for internet addiction, sex addiction and compulsive buying: A meta-analysis.

Background and aims: Internet addiction, sex addiction and compulsive buying are common behavioral problems, which share similarities with gambling disorder and substance use disorders. However, little is known about the efficacy of their treatments. The objective of this meta-analysis was to examine the efficacy of the treatments of such problem behaviors, and to draw parallels to gambling disorder and substance use disorders in terms of treatment response. Methods: Literature search yielded 91 studies totaling 3,531 participants to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the short-term and long-term efficacy of psychological, pharmacological and combined treatments for internet addiction, sex addiction, and compulsive buying. Results: Psychological, pharmacological, and combined treatments were associated with robust pre-post improvements in the global severity of internet addiction (Hed…

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh)

Sexual orientation concealment and mental health: A conceptual and meta-analytic review.

Identity concealment affects all sexual minority individuals, with potentially complex mental health implications. Concealing a sexual minority identity can simultaneously generate the stress of hiding, protect against the stress of discrimination, and keep one apart from sexual minority communities and their norms and supports. Not surprisingly, existing studies of the association between sexual orientation concealment and mental health problems show contradictory associations-from positive to negative to null. This meta-analysis attempts to resolve these contradictions. Across 193 studies (n = 92,236) we find a small positive association between sexual orientation concealment and internalizing mental health problems (i.e., depression, anxiety, distress, problematic eating; ESr = 0.126; 95% CI [0.102, 0.151]) and a small negative association between concealment and substance use problem…

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh)

Largely overlapping neuronal substrates of reactivity to drug, gambling, food and sexual cues: A comprehensive meta-analysis.

Cue reactivity to natural and social rewards is essential for motivational behavior. However, cue reactivity to drug rewards can also elicit craving in addicted subjects. The degree to which drug and natural rewards share neural substrates is not known. The objective of this study is to conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies on drug, gambling and natural stimuli (food and sex) to identify the common and distinct neural substrates of cue reactivity to drug and natural rewards. Neural cue reactivity studies were selected for the meta-analysis by means of activation likelihood estimations, followed by sensitivity and clustering analyses of averaged neuronal response patterns. Data from 176 studies (5573 individuals) suggests largely overlapping neural response patterns towards all tested reward modalities. Common cue reactivity to natural and drug rewards was expresse…

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh)

Registered Replication Report: Study 1 From Finkel, Rusbult, Kumashiro, & Hannon (2002).

Finkel, Rusbult, Kumashiro, and Hannon (2002, Study 1) demonstrated a causal link between subjective commitment to a relationship and how people responded to hypothetical betrayals of that relationship. Participants primed to think about their commitment to their partner (high commitment) reacted to the betrayals with reduced exit and neglect responses relative to those primed to think about their independence from their partner (low commitment). The priming manipulation did not affect constructive voice and loyalty responses. Although other studies have demonstrated a correlation between subjective commitment and responses to betrayal, this study provides the only experimental evidence that inducing changes to subjective commitment can causally affect forgiveness responses. This Registered Replication Report (RRR) meta-analytically combines the results of 16 new direct replications of t…

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh)

Examining the associations between HIV-related stigma and health outcomes in people living with HIV/AIDS: a series of meta-analyses.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review and series of meta-analyses on the association between HIV-related stigma and health among people living with HIV. Data sources: A structured search was conducted on 6 electronic databases for journal articles reporting associations between HIV-related stigma and health-related outcomes published between 1996 and 2013. Study eligibility criteria: Controlled studies, cohort studies, case-control studies and cross-sectional studies in people living with HIV were considered for inclusion. Outcome measures: Mental health (depressive symptoms, emotional and mental distress, anxiety), quality of life, physical health, social support, adherence to antiretroviral therapy, access to and usage of health/social services and risk behaviours. Results: 64 studies were included in our meta-analyses. We found significant associations between HIV-related stigma a…

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh)

Effect of preoperative radio(chemo)therapy on long-term functional outcome in rectal cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Preoperative radio(chemo)therapy (pR(C)T) significantly reduces the local recurrence risk and is therefore recommended in stage II/III rectal cancer. However, this multimodal treatment approach may be associated with late adverse effects. To determine the impact of pR(C)T on long-term anorectal, sexual, and urinary function, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for studies reporting on long-term functional outcome after rectal cancer resection with pR(C)T. Only studies that reported anorectal, sexual, and/or urinary function after rectal cancer resection in TME-technique with pR(C)T were eligible for inclusion. Results: Twenty-five studies, including 6,548 patients, were identified. Methodological quality of the eligible studies was low. The majority of studies reported higher rates …

matched on Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological (mesh)

Neuroimaging of love: fMRI meta-analysis evidence toward new perspectives in sexual medicine.

Introduction: Brain imaging is becoming a powerful tool in the study of human cerebral functions related to close personal relationships. Outside of subcortical structures traditionally thought to be involved in reward-related systems, a wide range of neuroimaging studies in relationship science indicate a prominent role for different cortical networks and cognitive factors. Thus, the field needs a better anatomical/network/whole-brain model to help translate scientific knowledge from lab bench to clinical models and ultimately to the patients suffering from disorders associated with love and couple relationships. Aim: The aim of the present review is to provide a review across wide range of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies to critically identify the cortical networks associated with passionate love, and to compare and contrast it with other types of love (such as mat…

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh)

Interventions for psychosexual dysfunction in women treated for gynaecological malignancy.

Background: Psychosexual dysfunction (sexual difficulties not directly due to physical factors) is known to be a common complication of treatment for gynaecological cancer. It has a considerable impact on quality of life (QoL) for the increasing number of women who are survivors of gynaecological cancer. Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of interventions for psychosexual dysfunction in women who have been treated for gynaecological malignancy (cancer of uterine cervix, uterine corpus, ovary, vulva). Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, up to October 2008), MEDLINE (1950 to October 2008), EMBASE (1982 to October 2008), CINAHL (1980 to October 2008) and PsycINFO (1806 to October 2008). We hand searched reference lists from eligible trials. Selection criteria: We selected all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of a medical or ps…

matched on Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological (mesh)

Male circumcision for the prevention of heterosexually acquired HIV infection: a meta-analysis of randomized trials involving 11,050 men.

Objectives: Observational studies and a small collection of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that male circumcision may significantly reduce HIV transmission between sero-discordant contacts. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and World Health Organization have recently announced recommendations to scale up male circumcision in countries with generalized epidemics and low levels of male circumcision. However, no meta-analysis has been conducted to determine the effectiveness of this intervention. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of medical literature, and included any RCTs assessing male circumcision to prevent heterosexually acquired HIV infection among males. We used the DerSimonian-Laird random effects method to pool study outcomes. We calculated the relative risk (RR), risk difference, number needed to treat (NNT) and I(2), all with 95% confid…

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh)

Infertility-related distress and female sexual function during assisted reproduction.

Study question: Is infertility-related distress a risk factor for impaired female sexual function in women undergoing assisted reproduction? Summary answer: Infertility-related distress, and especially social, sexual, and relationship concerns, is associated with female sexual dysfunction. What is known already: Women with infertility are more likely to present sexual dysfunction relative to those without infertility. Moreover, assisted reproduction is associated with increased risk for female sexual problems. To date, this higher proportion of sexual impairment in infertile women has been simplistically linked to the stress associated with the condition and investigated risk factors included mainly demographic and clinical variables. Quantitative studies aimed at identifying risk factors for sexual dysfunction that also included the evaluation of infertility-related distress are convers…

matched on Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological (mesh), Coitus (mesh), Sexual Partners (mesh)

The common neural bases between sexual desire and love: a multilevel kernel density fMRI analysis.

Introduction: One of the most difficult dilemmas in relationship science and couple therapy concerns the interaction between sexual desire and love. As two mental states of intense longing for union with others, sexual desire and love are, in fact, often difficult to disentangle from one another. Aim: The present review aims to help understand the differences and similarities between these two mental states using a comprehensive statistical meta-analyses of all functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies on sexual desire and love. Methods: Systematic retrospective review of pertinent neuroimaging literature. Main outcome measures: Review of published literature on fMRI studies illustrating brain regions associated with love and sexual desire to date. Results: Sexual desire and love not only show differences but also recruit a striking common set of brain areas that mediate somat…

matched on Libido (mesh), sexual desire (text)

Development and validation of a 6-item version of the female sexual function index (FSFI) as a diagnostic tool for female sexual dysfunction.

Introduction: A limiting step in the evaluation of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is the availability of a rapid screening procedure. Often, practitioners avoid investigating sexual symptoms due to concerns of insufficient time or lack of proper tools to address FSD. Aim: The purpose of this study was to prepare and validate an abridged form of the most popular psychometric diagnostic test (Female Sexual Function Index, FSFI-19) to provide a fast screener of FSD for easy use in outpatient visits, epidemiological studies, and assessment of treatment response. Methods: We interviewed and administered the FSFI-19 to 200 women attending outpatient clinics for sexual and reproductive medicine. Forty women were excluded because they had no sexual activity or failed to attend the retest visit. Patients were evaluated on two subsequent visits to validate the abridged form of the questionnaire. …

matched on Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological (mesh), Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological (mesh)

Female sexual dysfunction, sexual distress, and compatibility with partner.

Introduction: Few studies have looked at prevalence estimates for female sexual dysfunctions in combination with personal distress, although existing diagnostic criteria for sexual disorders include both aspects. Further, the variation in female sexual function has been shown to be largely explained by unique nongenetic factors. Such factors may include partner sexual function and perception of sexual compatibility with a partner, factors which may also be associated with sexual distress. Aim: We investigated the association between female sexual dysfunction and distress as well as their association with partner compatibility. Methods: In order to assess sexual function and distress, the Female Sexual Function Index and seven items from the Female Sexual Distress Scale were used in a population-based sample of 5,463 women, aged 18-49 years. The women were, based on cutoff points, classif…

matched on Sexual Behavior (mesh), Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological (mesh)