Bonk

1. The Curious History of Human Sexual Response Research

"It is hard to overestimate the value of a simple anatomical explanation for a frustrated couple's complaint."

Pioneering researchers faced challenges. Early sex researchers like Robert Latou Dickinson, Alfred Kinsey, and William Masters and Virginia Johnson faced significant social and professional obstacles in their quest to understand human sexual response. Their work was often met with skepticism, ridicule, and even accusations of perversion.

Groundbreaking methods and discoveries. These researchers employed a variety of innovative techniques to study human sexuality:

• Dickinson made detailed anatomical drawings and plaster casts of genitalia
• Kinsey conducted extensive interviews and observations
• Masters and Johnson used direct observation and physiological measurements of sexual response

Their findings revolutionized our understanding of human sexuality, debunking many long-held myths and misconceptions about sexual anatomy, function, and behavior.

2. Female Sexual Anatomy: More Complex Than Previously Thought

"The clitoris, like the penis, ends in a sensitive, nerve-dense, pleasure-yielding bulb of tissue called a glans."

The clitoris is more than meets the eye. Modern imaging techniques have revealed that the clitoris is much larger and more complex than previously believed. Only a small portion is visible externally, while the majority of the organ extends internally, surrounding the vagina and urethra.

Anatomical similarities to male genitalia. The clitoris shares many structural and functional similarities with the penis:

• Both organs have corpora cavernosa that fill with blood during arousal
• Both have a glans, shaft, and prepuce (foreskin)
• The clitoris expands during arousal, though not as visibly as the penis

This new understanding of female anatomy has important implications for sexual pleasure and function, challenging long-held assumptions about female sexual response.

3. The Surprising Science of Orgasms and Arousal

"Orgasm appears to be a state not unlike that of the alien abductees one always hears about, coming to with messy hair and a chunk of time unaccounted for."

Orgasms are complex phenomena. Research has shown that orgasms involve multiple physiological systems and can be triggered in various ways:

• Traditional genital stimulation
• Non-genital stimulation (e.g., "knee orgasms")
• Thought alone (in some individuals)

The mind-body connection. Studies have revealed a sometimes surprising disconnect between physical arousal and subjective feelings of arousal, particularly in women. This has led to a greater focus on the role of psychological factors in sexual response and satisfaction.

Unique insights from special populations. Research on individuals with spinal cord injuries has provided valuable information about the neural pathways involved in sexual response and orgasm, demonstrating that orgasm is possible even in the absence of genital sensation.

4. Debunking Myths: Viagra, Sex Toys, and Female Sexual Dysfunction

"Viagra did in fact increase blood volume in the nethers, but most women seemed not to notice it."

Viagra is not a universal solution. While effective for many men with erectile dysfunction, Viagra and similar drugs have not proven to be the "magic bullet" for female sexual dysfunction that many had hoped. This highlights the complex nature of female sexual response and the need for more targeted approaches.

The role of sex toys in research and therapy. Sex toys and devices have played a surprising role in sex research and treatment:

• The vibrator was originally developed as a medical device
• Modern devices like the Eros Clitoral Therapy Device have been FDA-approved for treating female sexual arousal disorder

Rethinking female sexual dysfunction. Research has challenged simplistic notions of female sexual dysfunction, revealing the importance of psychological factors, relationship dynamics, and sociocultural influences in addition to physiological factors.

5. The Impact of Hormones on Sexual Behavior and Desire

"Hormones can act as the invisible puppet strings behind the discomfiting one-night stand, the shameless flirtation with the bellboy, the unexpected and regrettable kiss between friends."

Hormonal influences on libido. Hormones play a crucial role in regulating sexual desire and behavior in both humans and animals. Key hormones include:

• Estrogen
• Testosterone
• Progesterone

Cyclical changes in desire. Women's sexual desire often fluctuates throughout the menstrual cycle, with peaks typically occurring around ovulation. This pattern is influenced by hormonal changes and may have evolutionary origins related to fertility.

Hormonal contraception and libido. Birth control pills and other hormonal contraceptives can affect libido by altering natural hormone levels. This can lead to decreased sexual desire in some women, though the effects vary widely among individuals.

6. Cultural and Religious Influences on Sex Research

"Sex, now, in this country is very secret. The women and the vagina—it's something very criminal."

Cultural taboos and research challenges. Sex researchers face unique challenges in conservative cultures and religious societies, where discussing or studying sexuality may be considered taboo or even illegal. This can lead to creative (and sometimes risky) research methods and participant recruitment strategies.

Ethical considerations. Sex research often raises complex ethical questions, particularly when conducted in societies with strict moral codes or legal restrictions on sexual behavior. Researchers must navigate these issues carefully to protect both their subjects and themselves.

Importance of cross-cultural studies. Despite the challenges, cross-cultural sex research is crucial for understanding the full spectrum of human sexual behavior and challenging ethnocentric assumptions about sexuality.

7. Unconventional Approaches to Studying Human Sexuality

"Ahmed Shafik dressed lab rats in polyester pants."

Creative research methods. Sex researchers have employed a wide range of unconventional techniques to study human sexuality, including:

• Dressing rats in pants to study the effects of fabric on sexual activity
• Using artificial penises and vaginas to study sexual mechanics
• Developing specialized imaging techniques to observe internal sexual responses

Overcoming research limitations. These creative approaches often arise from the need to overcome practical, ethical, or technological limitations in studying human sexual behavior directly.

Serendipitous discoveries. Many important findings in sex research have come from unexpected sources or seemingly unrelated studies, highlighting the importance of curiosity and open-mindedness in scientific inquiry.

8. The Physiology of Erections and Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

"Erections are all about blood. Blood is the backbone of a stiff penis."

The mechanics of erection. Erections involve complex physiological processes:

• Relaxation of smooth muscle tissue in the penis
• Increased blood flow to erectile tissues
• Trapping of blood in the corpora cavernosa

Causes of erectile dysfunction. ED can result from various factors:

• Age-related changes in erectile tissue
• Cardiovascular problems
• Neurological disorders
• Psychological factors

Treatment options. A range of treatments are available for ED:

• Oral medications (e.g., Viagra, Cialis)
• Penile injections
• Vacuum devices
• Surgical implants

Research in this area continues to evolve, with new treatments focusing on regenerative medicine and gene therapy.

9. Animal Models in Sex Research: Insights and Limitations

"Monkeys don't wait until the weekend, or until they've lost two more pounds, or until their roommate is out of town."

Value of animal studies. Animal models, particularly non-human primates, have provided valuable insights into the biological basis of sexual behavior and response. They allow researchers to study aspects of sexuality that would be difficult or impossible to investigate in humans.

Hormonal influences. Studies in animals have revealed the powerful influence of hormones on sexual behavior and desire, helping to elucidate similar processes in humans.

Limitations of animal models. While animal studies have been invaluable, they have limitations:

• Animals lack the complex social and cultural influences that shape human sexuality
• Some aspects of human sexuality, such as subjective arousal and pleasure, are difficult to assess in animals

Researchers must be cautious in extrapolating findings from animal studies to human sexuality, recognizing both the similarities and differences between species.

Last updated: January 22, 2025