Skip to main content

Positive sexuality and its impact on overall well-being

Positive Sexualität und ihre Auswirkungen auf das allgemeine Wohlbefinden

Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz volume 56, pages 208–214 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Historically, the issue of sexual health has been largely considered with respect to the associated negative health outcomes. The dangers of sexual activity such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV/AIDS, unintended pregnancy, sexual coercion, and sexual violence have dominated the attention of those working in the field. Over the last 20 years, and particularly in the last decade, an increasing number of people from a variety disciplines that address issues of sexual health have developed a new discourse concerning the positive aspects of sexuality. This review of the literature explores this emerging discourse. The results indicate that sexual health, physical health, mental health, and overall well-being are all positively associated with sexual satisfaction, sexual self-esteem, and sexual pleasure. The beneficial effects of sexual satisfaction should be integrated into programs that seek to improve these diverse health outcomes through service delivery, prevention, and sexuality education.

Zusammenfassung

In der Vergangenheit wurde das Thema sexuelle Gesundheit vor allem mit Blick auf die möglichen negativen Folgen für die Gesundheit gesehen. Die Gefahren sexueller Aktivitäten wie sexuell übertragbare Infektionen („sexually transmitted infections“, STIs), HIV/Aids, ungewollte Schwangerschaft, sexuelle Nötigung und sexuelle Gewalt standen im Zentrum der Aufmerksamkeit. In den letzten 20 Jahren, vor allem aber im letzten Jahrzehnt, entwickelte sich jedoch in verschiedenen, mit den Themen der sexuellen Gesundheit befassten Disziplinen ein neuer Diskurs, der stärker die positiven Aspekte in den Fokus rückt. Die vorliegende Übersicht über die dazu veröffentlichte Literatur geht diesem neuen Diskurs auf den Grund. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass sexuelle Gesundheit, körperliche Gesundheit, mentale Gesundheit und allgemeines Wohlbefinden positiv mit sexueller Befriedigung, sexuellem Selbstwertgefühl und sexueller Lust assoziiert sind. Die positiven Auswirkungen einer sexuellen Befriedigung sollten in Programmen, die darauf abzielen, die gesundheitliche Situation durch Angebote, Prävention und sexuelle Aufklärung zu verbessern, berücksichtigt werden.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1

References

  1. Carpenter LM (2010) Toward a social science of sexual satisfaction: commentary on “virginity lost, satisfaction gained? physiological and psychological sexual satisfaction at heterosexual debut”. J Sex Res 47(4):395–398

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Dixon-Mueller R (1994) The sexuality connection in reproductive health. Stud Family Plann 24(5):269–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Higgins JA, Hirsch JS (2007) The pleasure deficit: revisiting the “sexuality connection” in reproductive health. Int Fam Plan Perspec 33(3):133–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Philpott A, Knerr W, Boydell V (2006) Pleasure and prevention: when good sex is safer sex. Reprod Health Matters 14(28):23–31.d

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Pick S, Givaudan M, Kline K (2005) Sexual pleasure as a key component of integral sexual health. Fem Psychol 15(1):44–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Schwartz P, Young L (2009) Sexual satisfaction in committed relationships. Sex Res Social Policy 6(1):1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Knerr W, Philpott A (2009) Promoting safer sex through pleasure: lessons from 15 countries. Development 52(1):95–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. World Health Organization, Topics, Sexual Health. Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/topics/sexual_health/en/on. Accessed 14 April 2012

  9. Gagnon J, Simon W (1973) Sexual conduct: the social origins of human sexuality, Aldine, Chicago

  10. Galinksy A, Sonenstein F (2011) The association between development assets and sexual enjoyment among emerging adults. J Adolescent Health 48:610–615

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Young M, Denny G, Young T (2000) Sexual satisfaction among married women age 50 and older. Psychol Rep 86:1107–1122

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Young M, Denny G, Luquis R, Young T (1998) Correlates of sexual satisfaction in marriage. CDHS 7(2):115–127

    Google Scholar 

  13. Lawrance K, Byers ES (1995) Sexual satisfaction in heterosexual long-term relationships; the interpersonal exchange model of sexual satisfaction. Pers Relationship 2:267–285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Boul L, Hallam-Jones R, Wylie KR (2009) Sexual pleasure and motivation. J Sex Marital Ther 35:25–29

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Ott MA, Millstein SG, Ofner S, Halpern-Felsher BL (2006) Greater expectations: adolescents’ positive motivations for sex. Perspect Sex Repro H 38(2):84–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Pinkerton SA, Cecil H, Bogart LM, Abramson PR (2003) The pleasures of sex: an empirical investigation. Cognition Emotion 17:341–353

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Higgins JA, Hirsch JS (2008) Pleasure, power and inequality: incorporating sexuality into research on contraceptive use. Am J Public Health 98(10):1803–1813

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Higgins JA, Hirsch JS, Trussell J (2008) Pleasure, prophylaxis and procreation: a qualitative analysis of intermittent contraceptive use and unintended pregnancy. Perspect Sex Repro H 40(3):130–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Higgins JA, Hoffman S, Graham CA, Sanders SA (2008) Relationships between condoms, hormonal methods, and sexual pleasure and satisfaction: an exploratory analysis from the women’s well-being and sexuality study. Sex Health 5(4):321–330

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Grady WR, Klepinger DH, Nelson-Wally A (1993) Contraceptive characteristics: the perceptions and priorities of men and women. Fam Plann Perspect 31(4):168–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Philpott A, Knerr W, Maher D (2006) Promoting protection and pleasure: amplifying the effectiveness of barriers against sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy. Lancet 368(9551):2028–2031

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Knerr W, Philpott A (2006) Putting the sexy back into safer sex: the pleasure project. IDS Bull 37(5):105–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Harper GW, Hosek SG, Contreras R, Doll, M (2003) Psychosocial factors impacting condom use among adolescents: a review and theoretical integration. J HIV/AIDS Prev Edu Adol Child 5(3/4):33–69

    Google Scholar 

  24. Hoffman S, Morrow KM, Mantell JE et al (2010) Covert use, vaginal lubrication and sexual pleasure: a qualitative study of urban U.S. women in a vaginal microbicide clinical trial. Arch Sex Behav 39:748–760

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Herbenick D, Reece MR, Hensel D et al (2011) Association of lubricant use with women’s sexual pleasure, sexual satisfaction, and genital symptoms: a prospective daily diary study. J Sex Med 8(1):202–212

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Herbenick D, Reece MR, Dodge B et al (2010) Women’s vibrator use in sexual partnerships: results from a nationally representative survey. J Sex Marital Ther 36:49–65

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Galinksy A, Sonenstein FL (2011) The association between developmental assets and sexual enjoyment among emerging adults. J Adolescent Health 48:610–615

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Menard D, Offman A (2009) The interrelationships between sexual self-esteem, sexual assertiveness and sexual satisfaction. CJHS 18(1/2):35–45 (J Adolescent Health 34:675–684)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Higgins J, Mullinax M, Trussell J et al (2011) Sexual satisfaction and sexual health among university students in the united states. Am J Pub Health 101(9):1643–1654

    Google Scholar 

  30. Gagong K, Larson E (2011) Intimacy and belonging: the association between sexual activity and depression among older adults. Society Mental Health 1:153–172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Hensel D, Fortenberry J, O’Sullivan, Orr D (2011) The developmental association of sexual self-concept with sexual behavior among adolescent women

  32. Rostosky S, Dekhtyar O, Cupp P, Anderman E (2008) Sexual self-concept and sexual self-efficacy in adolescents: a possible clue to promoting sexual health. J Sex Res 45(3):277–286

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Lewis LJ (2004) Examining sexual health discourses in a racial/ethnic context. Arch Sex Behav 33(3):223–234

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Hull T (2010) Sexual pleasure and wellbeing. Int J Sex Health 20(1–2):133–145

    Google Scholar 

  35. Diamond LM, Huebner DM (2012) Is good sex good for you? rethinking sexuality and health. SPPC 6/1:54–69

    Google Scholar 

  36. Woloski-Wruble A, Oliel Y, Leefsma M, Hocher-Celnikier D (2010) Sexual activities, sexual and life satisfaction, and successful aging in women. J Sex Med 7:2401–2410

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Brody S, Costa RM (2009) Satisfaction (sexual, life, relationship, and mental health) is associated directly with penile-vaginal intercourse but inversely with other sexual behavior frequencies. J Sex Med 6(7):1947–1954

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Schick V, Herbenick D, Reece M et al (2010) Sexual behaviors, condom use and sexual health of americans over 50: implications for sexual health promotion for older adults. J Sex Med 7:315–329

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Dennerstein L, Hayes R, Sand M, Lehert P (2009) Attitudes toward and frequency of partner interactions among women reporting decreased sexual desire. J Sex Med 6:1668–1673

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Haavio-Mannila E, Kontula O (1997) Correlates of increased satisfaction. Arch Sex Behav 26(4):399–419

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

The author states that there are no conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Guttmacher Institute, 125 Maiden Lane, 7th Floor, 10038, New York, USA

    R.M. Anderson MPH

Authors
  1. R.M. Anderson MPH
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R.M. Anderson MPH.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Anderson, R. Positive sexuality and its impact on overall well-being. Bundesgesundheitsbl. 56, 208–214 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-012-1607-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-012-1607-z

Keywords

  • Sexual health
  • Sexual satisfaction
  • Sexual self-esteem
  • Sexual pleasure
  • Overall well-being

Schlüsselwörter

  • Sexuelle Gesundheit
  • Sexuelle Befriedigung
  • Sexuelles Selbstwertgefühl
  • Sexuelle Lust
  • Allgemeines Wohlbefinden