Between Exploration, Pleasure, and Performance: Sexual Enhancement Medication Use among Older Gay and Heterosexual Men

Wallach, Isabelle; Beauchamp, J. A.; Alarie, Milaine; Miller, G R D Linda

doi:10.1080/00224499.2020.1786661

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 37 publications

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“…Furthermore, we found that among the few studies investigating sexual pleasure among plurisexual populations, most articles utilized a qualitative methodology, which allowed the participants to not only self-define what pleasure means but also the contextual factors that allow for more pleasure in their sex life. Unique findings arising from the articles focusing on facilitation of sexual pleasure as an outcome include the use of lubrication (Dodge et al, 2014), the use of sex toys during masturbation (Fahs & Swank, 2013), decreasing use of substances (e.g., poppers, alcohol; Mao et al, 2006), and use of sexual enhancement medications among older gay men to increase experiences of sexual pleasure without experiencing threats toward one’s masculinity (Wallach et al, 2020). Other studies investigated SM women’s experiences of sexual pleasure during menstrual sex (Fahs, 2011) and gay and bisexual men’s experiences of managing their partner’s and their physical pleasure in their identifications as “bottoms” (i.e., being in a receptive position during oral or anal penetration; Kiguwa, 2015; Parchem et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analyzing (pluri)sexual satisfaction and pleasure: A 38-year content analysis.

Vigil¹,

Hargons²,

Savage³

et al. 2023

Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

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Sexual satisfaction (i.e., feeling sexually fulfilled) and sexual pleasure (i.e., positive physical and emotional experiences during sex) are predominantly studied among heterosexual, white, cisgender samples; whereas, sex research using lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer (LGBQ+) samples has often taken a deficit-based approach (e.g., sexually transmitted infection, engagement in risky sex). By studying this population predominantly within a deficit-based approach, the risk of pathologizing them rises, especially among multiply marginalized LGBQ+ individuals. Among the studies that do employ a sex-positive lens with LGBQ+ samples, existing scholarship has not been systematically reviewed to determine the representation of plurisexual individuals (i.e., bisexual and pansexual), how these studies depict their intersecting marginalized racial and gender identities, or the inclusion of LGBQ+-specific variables (i.e., internalized homonegativity [IH], internalized binegativity [IB], identity pride [IP]). To address these questions, we conducted a 38-year (1983-2021) content analysis of literature studying sexual satisfaction and/or sexual pleasure among LGBQ+ individuals. Of 75 articles analyzed, sexual satisfaction was measured more frequently (N = 65) than sexual pleasure (N = 10). While roughly half of the articles (N = 39) included bisexual participants, on average they comprised only 10.58% of the sample. Pansexual (N = 5) or queer (N = 9) identities were significantly less represented within samples. Twelve articles included IH, one article included IB more specifically, and two articles included identity affirmation or pride. Only 12 articles included samples that were not predominately white and 11 articles included transgender or gender-expansive participants. Implications for future research among plurisexual samples will be discussed. Public Significance StatementThis content analysis indicates that plurisexual individuals overall and plurisexual individuals who hold other intersecting marginalized identities are vastly underrepresented in sex-positive research focusing on the LGBTQ+ community. Our findings highlight the need for intentional study design that is specifically catered to the unique experiences of multiply marginalized plurisexual individuals.

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