Psychological factors may impact levels of sexual enjoyment

In order to help program developers create more effective prevention initiatives for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and pregnancy, researchers recently investigated how psychological factors such as self-esteem, empathy and autonomy can affect sexual enjoyment in heterosexual couples.

"Sexual health is more than the absence of STDs, unintended pregnancy, violence or other problems. It is the presence of sexual well-being," said lead researcher Adena Galinsky.

The scientists, who published their work in the Journal of Adolescent Health, evaluated the participants in the three developmental areas and then compared these data to subjects' responses to questions about their frequency of orgasms and how much they enjoyed giving or receiving oral sex.

The study's findings showed that self-esteem, empathy and autonomy were positively associated with sexual pleasure in women. The researchers said they suspect that since females face more barriers to sexual expression than men, achieving sexual enjoyment may boost their self-esteem and sense of autonomy.

Conversely, sexual enjoyment in the three areas was associated only with empathy for the men. One reason for this may be that women reciprocate positive sexual experiences more with men who are intune to their partner's needs, the investigators said.