Sexual Satisfaction and Distress in Sexual Functioning in a Sample of the BDSM Community: A Comparison Study Between BDSM and Non-BDSM Contexts

Abstract

Introduction Little attention has been paid to distress in sexual functioning or the sexual satisfaction of people who practice BDSM (Bondage and Discipline, Domination and Submission, Sadism and Masochism). Aim The purpose of this study was to describe sociodemographic characteristics and BDSM practices and compare BDSM practitioners' sexual outcomes (in BDSM and non-BDSM contexts). Methods A convenience sample of 68 respondents completed an online survey that used a participatory research framework. Cronbach's alpha and average inter-item correlations assessed scale reliability, and the Wilcoxon paired samples test compared the total scores between BDSM and non-BDSM contexts separately for men and women. Open-ended questions about BDSM sexual practices were coded using a preexisting thematic tree. Main Outcome Measures We used self-reported demographic factors, including age at the onset of BDSM interest, age at first BDSM experience, and favorite and most frequent BDSM practices. The Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction measured the amount of sexual distress, including low desire, arousal, maintaining arousal, premature orgasm, and anorgasmia. Results The participants had an average age of 33.15 years old and were highly educated and waited 6 years after becoming interested in BDSM to act on their interests. The practices in which the participants most frequently engaged did not coincide with the practices in which they were most interested and were overwhelmingly conducted at home. Comparisons between genders in terms of distress in sexual functioning in BDSM and non-BDSM contexts demonstrate that, with the exception of maintaining arousal, we found distress in sexual functioning to be statistically the same in BDSM and non-BDSM contexts for women. For men, we found that distress in sexual functioning, with the exception of premature orgasm and anorgasmia, was statistically significantly lower in the BDSM context. There were no differences in sexual satisfaction between BDSM and non-BDSM contexts for men or women. Conclusion Our findings suggest that BDSM sexual activity should be addressed in clinical settings that account for BDSM identities, practices, relationships, preferences, sexual satisfaction, and distress in sexual function for men and women. Additional research needs are identified, such as the need to define distressful sexual functioning experiences and expand our understanding of the development of BDSM sexual identities.

Bondage-Discipline, Dominance-Submission and Sadomasochism (BDSM) From an Integrative Biopsychosocial Perspective: A Systematic Review

“…A recent interview-based study 83 showed that a small sample (n = 32) of practitioners indicated that their sexual BDSM experiences were primarily emotional and psychological in nature and that these were preferred over mainstream (“vanilla”) sexual interactions. In contrast, Pascoal’s small-scale survey study (n = 68) 84 revealed that BDSM and non-BDSM sexual activities were experienced as equally satisfying and that most practitioners did not exclusively engage in BDSM-oriented sexual practices. Nevertheless, they accentuate how BDSM-themed sexual interactions deepen the interpersonal connection more than non-BDSM sexuality.…”

Sexual Behavior in Modern Societies: An Interdisciplinary Analysis

“…A similar argument can be made in the case of submission and bondage. In fact, bondage forms of sex may be as satisfying as a more regular practice (Pascoal et al, 2015). Another point is that women may appreciate (mock) rape because it offers an experience of being considered particularly attractive (Hazen, 1983).…”

Sexual Medicine in the Social Media

“…For example, discussions over pain with sexual intercourse [1] and the role of testosterone in female sexual desire [2] have received special interest in scientific circles. Meanwhile a study on real life “Bondage and Discipline, Domination and Submission, Sadism and Masochism” gained wide popular interest after the release of blockbuster movie Fifty Shades of Grey and recently a study an women's perception of penile appearance has caught the attention of the public [3,4]. As of September 2015, @JSexMed has 905 “likes” on Facebook and more than 1,500 followers on Twitter.…”