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Let’s talk about sex, baby! In this episode, we dive into the fascinating and often complex world of human sexuality by exploring the evolution of the sexual response cycle. From Freud’s early psychoanalytic theories to Masters and Johnson’s groundbreaking physiological studies and beyond to modern models, we trace the history of how sex has been studied, categorized, and understood. We also examine the balance between understanding sexuality through a medical lens and the potential pitfalls of over-medicalization. As OB/GYN residents, we discuss how this history shapes our approach to patient care and what it means to navigate the intersection of biology, psychology, and cultural norms in the clinic. Let’s break down these frameworks and open the door for deeper, more nuanced conversations about sexuality in medicine! Plus, who doesn’t love to get it on.

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Show Notes:

– Sigmund Freud & Alfred Kinsey: Early pioneers who took a scientific approach to human sexuality. Freud introduced the concept of libido, while Kinsey’s groundbreaking **Kinsey Reports** explored human sexual behavior, revealing surprising statistics about sexual orientation and extramarital affairs.

Masters & Johnson’s Four-Phase Model:

  – William Masters and Virginia Johnson were the first to study the physiological aspects of sex. They observed over 600 participants through two-way mirrors to identify the four phases of sexual response: Excitement, Plateau, Orgasm, and Resolution.

  – Their findings, like the capacity for multiple orgasms in women and the persistence of sexual desire in older age, challenged societal norms but were also criticized for their sampling methods.

Helen Singer Kaplan’s Three-Stage Model (1979):

  – Kaplan introduced Desire as the first stage, focusing on the psychological motivation for sex, followed by Excitement and Orgasm. Her model addressed the limitations of Masters & Johnson by incorporating psychological factors into understanding sexual dysfunction.

Dual Control Model (Bancroft & Janssen, 1998):

  – This model highlights the balance between Sexual Excitation and Sexual Inhibition, explaining variations in sexual behavior and desire.

Rosemary Basson’s “New View” Model:

  – A more holistic approach, emphasizing that women’s sexual response is often influenced by emotional intimacy, relationship satisfaction, and contextual factors.

– The medicalization of sexuality and how models like these influence the way we diagnose and treat sexual dysfunctions.

– The challenges of balancing the psychological, emotional, and physical aspects of sexual health.

– How medicine shapes societal sexual norms and values—raising questions about where these norms come from and how they impact our patients’ sense of sexual wellness.

Sources:

Tiefer, L. (1996). The medicalization of sexuality: Conceptual, normative, and professional issues. *Annual Review of Sex Research*, 7, 252.

Masters and Johnson. *Sexual Response Cycle*. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Masters-and-Johnson

Szanton, A. (2018). *The swinging sex experts: Masters and Johnson*. Medium. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@andrewszanton/the-swinging-sex-experts-masters-and-johnson-9a9374d82211

American Psychological Association (2019). *Cover CE Corner: Understanding human sexuality*. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/02/cover-ce-corner

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