The lives and voices of highly sexual women
Abstract
American women who experience very strong and frequent sexual desire have often been either ignored or stigmatized. This exploratory study of 44 highly sexual women ages 20 to 82, which used a convenience sample and a semi-structured in-depth interview method, allowed participants to describe their lives and how their sexuality has affected them. Highly sexual women reported that their lives have been strongly affected by their sexuality. First, the participants internally sensed demand for sexual excitement and satisfaction is too intense to be ignored. For some it was a major organizing principle of their time and energy. Second, their lives are lived in a society that often defines highly sexual women in pejorative ways. Women reported experiencing struggles and challenges in almost every area of their lives because of their sexuality, including feelings about themselves and their relationships with partners, female friends, and acquaintances.
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The women studied by Blumberg reported being happy with their situation and did not seek help to correct it.
“However, they reported being happy with their situation and did not seek help to correct it.”
From A motivation model of sex addiction – Relevance to the controversy over the concept (2022) · cites this paper as Blumberg (2003)
The women studied by Blumberg reported intense desires for sex, which they acted upon, with some social rejection of their behavior.
“They reported intense desires for sex, which they acted upon, with some social rejection of their behavior.”
From A motivation model of sex addiction – Relevance to the controversy over the concept (2022) · cites this paper as Blumberg (2003)
Blumberg rejected the label of 'addicted' to describe the women in his sample.
“Blumberg rejected the label of 'addicted' to describe them.”
From A motivation model of sex addiction – Relevance to the controversy over the concept (2022) · cites this paper as Blumberg (2003)
The definition of 'hypersexuality' rather than 'addictive' would fit the sample of women studied by Blumberg (2003).
“The definition of 'hypersexuality' rather than 'addictive' would fit the sample of women studied by Blumberg (2003).”
From A motivation model of sex addiction – Relevance to the controversy over the concept (2022) · cites this paper as Blumberg (2003)
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A motivation model of sex addiction – Relevance to the controversy over the concept
Toates, F. (2022) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104872 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“The definition of ‘hypersexuality ’ rather than ‘addictive ’ would fit the sample of women studied by Blumberg (2003).”
BackgroundIs high sexual desire a risk for women’s relationship and sexual well-being?
Štulhofer, A., Bergeron, S., & Jurin, T. (2016) · The Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224499.2015.1084984 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
- Authors
- Blumberg, E. S.
- Affiliations
- a 915 Leroy Street, Ferndale, MI, 48220 E-mail:
- Corresponding author
- Blumberg, Eric S.
- Venue
- The Journal of Sex Research
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2003-05
- Volume
- 40
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 146-157
- ISSN
- 0022-4499 (ISSN-L)
- 1559-8519
- OpenAlex
- W2166864205
- Cited by
- 33
- References
- 42
- Citations by year
- 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 0.61
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Sex Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender and Feminist Studies
- Keywords
- sexual desire, female sexuality, sexual identity, self-perception, romantic relationships, female friendship, sexual satisfaction, women's lives
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Personal Satisfaction, Women, Sexuality
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