Abstract
Introduction: There has been limited investigation of the sexuality and sexual dysfunction in non-heterosexual subjects by the sexual medicine community. Additional research in these populations is needed. Aims: To investigate and compare sexuality and sexual function in students of varying sexual orientations. Methods: An internet-based survey on sexuality was administered to medical students in North American between the months of February and July of 2008. Main Outcome Measures: All subjects provided information on their ethnodemographic characteristics, sexual orientation, and sexual history. Subjects also completed a series of widely-utilized instruments for the assessment of human sexuality (International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF], Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI], Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool [PEDT], Index of Sex Life [ISL]). Results: There were 2,276 completed responses to the question on sexual orientation. 13.2% of male respondents and 4.7% of female respondents reported a homosexual orientation; 2.5% of male and 5.7% of female respondents reported a bisexual orientation. Many heterosexual males and females reported same-sex sexual experiences (4% and 10%, respectively). Opposite-sex experiences were very common in the male and female homosexual population (37% and 44%, respectively). The prevalence of premature ejaculation (PEDT > 8) was similar among heterosexual and homosexual men (16% and 17%, P = 0.7, respectively). Erectile dysfunction (IIEF-EF < 26) was more common in homosexual men relative to heterosexual men (24% vs. 12%, P = 0.02). High risk for female sexual dysfunction (FSFI < 26.55) was more common in heterosexual and bisexual women compared with lesbians (51%, 45%, and 29%, respectively, P = 0.005). Conclusion: In this survey of highly educated young professionals, numerous similarities and some important differences in sexuality and sexual function were noted based on sexual orientation. It is unclear whether the dissimilarities represent differing relative prevalence of sexual problems or discrepancies in patterns of sex behavior and interpretation of the survey questions.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2391-2400 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Journal of Sexual Medicine |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jul 2010 |
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Keywords
- Bisexual
- Female Sexual Function
- Heterosexual
- Homosexual
- Male Sexual Function
- Medical Student
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Urology
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Reproductive Medicine
Cite this
The Impact of Sexual Orientation on Sexuality and Sexual Practices in North American Medical Students. / Breyer, Benjamin N.; Smith, James F.; Eisenberg, Michael L.; Ando, Kathryn A.; Rowen, Tami S.; Shindel, Alan W.
In: Journal of Sexual Medicine, Vol. 7, No. 7, 07.2010, p. 2391-2400.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The Impact of Sexual Orientation on Sexuality and Sexual Practices in North American Medical Students
AU - Breyer, Benjamin N.
AU - Smith, James F.
AU - Eisenberg, Michael L.
AU - Ando, Kathryn A.
AU - Rowen, Tami S.
AU - Shindel, Alan W.
PY - 2010/7
Y1 - 2010/7
N2 - Introduction: There has been limited investigation of the sexuality and sexual dysfunction in non-heterosexual subjects by the sexual medicine community. Additional research in these populations is needed. Aims: To investigate and compare sexuality and sexual function in students of varying sexual orientations. Methods: An internet-based survey on sexuality was administered to medical students in North American between the months of February and July of 2008. Main Outcome Measures: All subjects provided information on their ethnodemographic characteristics, sexual orientation, and sexual history. Subjects also completed a series of widely-utilized instruments for the assessment of human sexuality (International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF], Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI], Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool [PEDT], Index of Sex Life [ISL]). Results: There were 2,276 completed responses to the question on sexual orientation. 13.2% of male respondents and 4.7% of female respondents reported a homosexual orientation; 2.5% of male and 5.7% of female respondents reported a bisexual orientation. Many heterosexual males and females reported same-sex sexual experiences (4% and 10%, respectively). Opposite-sex experiences were very common in the male and female homosexual population (37% and 44%, respectively). The prevalence of premature ejaculation (PEDT > 8) was similar among heterosexual and homosexual men (16% and 17%, P = 0.7, respectively). Erectile dysfunction (IIEF-EF < 26) was more common in homosexual men relative to heterosexual men (24% vs. 12%, P = 0.02). High risk for female sexual dysfunction (FSFI < 26.55) was more common in heterosexual and bisexual women compared with lesbians (51%, 45%, and 29%, respectively, P = 0.005). Conclusion: In this survey of highly educated young professionals, numerous similarities and some important differences in sexuality and sexual function were noted based on sexual orientation. It is unclear whether the dissimilarities represent differing relative prevalence of sexual problems or discrepancies in patterns of sex behavior and interpretation of the survey questions.
AB - Introduction: There has been limited investigation of the sexuality and sexual dysfunction in non-heterosexual subjects by the sexual medicine community. Additional research in these populations is needed. Aims: To investigate and compare sexuality and sexual function in students of varying sexual orientations. Methods: An internet-based survey on sexuality was administered to medical students in North American between the months of February and July of 2008. Main Outcome Measures: All subjects provided information on their ethnodemographic characteristics, sexual orientation, and sexual history. Subjects also completed a series of widely-utilized instruments for the assessment of human sexuality (International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF], Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI], Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool [PEDT], Index of Sex Life [ISL]). Results: There were 2,276 completed responses to the question on sexual orientation. 13.2% of male respondents and 4.7% of female respondents reported a homosexual orientation; 2.5% of male and 5.7% of female respondents reported a bisexual orientation. Many heterosexual males and females reported same-sex sexual experiences (4% and 10%, respectively). Opposite-sex experiences were very common in the male and female homosexual population (37% and 44%, respectively). The prevalence of premature ejaculation (PEDT > 8) was similar among heterosexual and homosexual men (16% and 17%, P = 0.7, respectively). Erectile dysfunction (IIEF-EF < 26) was more common in homosexual men relative to heterosexual men (24% vs. 12%, P = 0.02). High risk for female sexual dysfunction (FSFI < 26.55) was more common in heterosexual and bisexual women compared with lesbians (51%, 45%, and 29%, respectively, P = 0.005). Conclusion: In this survey of highly educated young professionals, numerous similarities and some important differences in sexuality and sexual function were noted based on sexual orientation. It is unclear whether the dissimilarities represent differing relative prevalence of sexual problems or discrepancies in patterns of sex behavior and interpretation of the survey questions.
KW - Bisexual
KW - Female Sexual Function
KW - Heterosexual
KW - Homosexual
KW - Male Sexual Function
KW - Medical Student
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77955169415&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77955169415&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01794.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01794.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 20384941
AN - SCOPUS:77955169415
VL - 7
SP - 2391
EP - 2400
JO - Journal of Sexual Medicine
JF - Journal of Sexual Medicine
SN - 1743-6095
IS - 7
ER -