Are Role and Gender Related to Sexual Function and Satisfaction in Men and Women Practicing BDSM?

Abstract

Background Published studies show good psychological health of people involved in bondage-discipline, dominance-submission, and sadism-masochism (BDSM) activities; nevertheless, there are few studies on characteristics related to gender, role in the BDSM scene, sexual functioning, and satisfaction among BDSM practitioners. Aim The aim of this study was to explore gender and role differences, prevalence of sexual complaints, related distress, and sexual satisfaction in BDSM participants compared with the general population. Methods A group of 266 Italian consensual BDSM participants (141 men and 125 women) were recruited with a snowball sampling technique. An anonymous protocol, including self-reported ad hoc and validated questionnaires, was used. The control group was composed of 100 men and 100 women who were not significantly different from the BDSM group for the sociodemographic data and were randomly extracted from an Italian database on sexual functioning of the general population. Main Outcome Measures Self-reported demographic factors, including favorite and most frequent BDSM practices, the Sexual Complaint Screener, and the Sexual Satisfaction Scale, were completed by the participants. Results The mean age of the BDSM group was 41.42 ± 9.61 years old (range 18–74). Data showed a varied outlook of practices, fantasies, rules, and roles. With regard to concerns about BDSM activities (fantasies and behaviors), participants reported a very low self-declared degree of distress. The dominant and switch groups appear to be more satisfied and less concerned about sexuality than the general population and the submissive group. Role in the BDSM scene was the only significant predictor of sexual satisfaction, showing a medium effect size. Clinical Implications Results from this study could be helpful to inform sexual health care professionals and to reduce the stigma related to the BDSM population. Strengths & Limitations In general, this study may help to describe better some characteristics related to gender, role, sexual preferences, function, and satisfaction. The main limitation regards the sampling method, which does not allow us to consider the group as representative of BDSM participants in general. Conclusion Data showed a varied outlook of practices, fantasies, rules, and roles in both BDSM men and women. BDSM participants (especially dominant and switch groups) appear to be more satisfied and less concerned about sexuality than the general population. This is an attempt to increase the attention of researchers and health care professionals to this important topic and to improve the care provided to people with specific preferences and behaviors.

Sexual Desire and Fantasies in the LGBT+ Community: Focus on Lesbian Women and Gay Men

“…BDSMers seem to be more satisfied and less concerned about sexuality than the general population [97]. Overall, it should be recognized how giving space to personal erotic fantasies, sharing and exploring them in a safe environment might have a positive outcome on sexual satisfaction and quality of life [96,97].…”

“…Gay men in the BDSM community showed a high frequency of fantasies including leather outfits, wrestling, special equipment and uniform scenes, rimming, anal intercourse, and dildos [96]. BDSMers seem to be more satisfied and less concerned about sexuality than the general population [97]. Overall, it should be recognized how giving space to personal erotic fantasies, sharing and exploring them in a safe environment might have a positive outcome on sexual satisfaction and quality of life [96,97].…”

Sexual Desire and Fantasies in the LGBT+ Community: a Focus on Bisexuals, Transgender, and Other Shades of the Rainbow

“…Kinky activities and BDSM (a variety of behaviors involving bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadomasochism, and other practices) could be good opportunities for exploring gender identity and sexual orientation. The BDSM community has been historically respectful of diversities and expressions [20]. Moreover, being inside a community can be an important supportive factor to contrast minority stress consequences such as shame, isolation, grief, and loss.…”

“…Asexual BDSM practitioners seem to form non-sexual relationships based on affection and domination rather than fulfillment of sexual desire. For example, these people adapt BDSM practice to generate trust, courage, insight, self-discipline, power, and attunement in their relationships rather than sexual desire or pleasure [20,41].…”

A queer boundary: How sex and BDSM interact for people who identify as kinky

“…A few studies have systematically examined the relationship between kink behaviors and sexual behaviors. Most of these studies attempted to describe activities that people do as part of a kink scene 33 by using lengthy checklists of BDSM/kink/ fetish behaviors (Botta et al, 2019;Moser and Levitt, 1987;Nordling et al, 2007;Rehor, 2015;Sandnabba et al, 2002). These included inventories of lifetime or past-year prevalence of engagement in sexual acts; it is unclear whether many of these surveys specifically asked about sexual behaviors within the context of kink scenes.…”