Loading...
Publication
Variabilidade da frequĂȘncia cardĂaca em repouso e orgasmo feminino : resultados preliminares
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
A variabilidade da frequĂȘncia cardĂaca (VFC) Ă© caracterizada pelas variaçÔes dos intervalos entre batimentos cardĂacos que resultam da influĂȘncia exercida pela actividade do sistema nervoso simpĂĄtico (SNS) e do sistema nervoso parassimpĂĄtico (SNP). Maior VFC em repouso tem sido correlacionada com melhor desempenho sexual. O presente estudo teve como objectivo analisar a relação da VFC com o tipo de orgasmo feminino â vaginal (coital sem estimulação directa do clĂtoris) ou coital com estimulação directa do clĂtoris â e a associação dos mesmos com a satisfação sexual feminina. A amostra foi constituĂda por 69 mulheres. A VFC em repouso foi medida com electrocardiograma (ECG), enquanto que os dados referentes Ă consistĂȘncia de orgasmo foram obtidos pelo cĂĄlculo da proporção de orgasmos de cada tipo nas relaçÔes coitais. Adicionalmente, utilizaram-se o Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) e o Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) â Revised. Observou-se que menor VFC se associou a maior consistĂȘncia de orgasmo vaginal e que maior satisfação se associou a maior consistĂȘncia de orgasmo coital com estimulação directa do clĂtoris. Estes resultados sĂŁo contraditĂłrios com a literatura existente, mas espelham os resultados contraditĂłrios que existem relativamente Ă relação entre o funcionamento sexual e a ansiedade (um correlato de baixa VFC). Os resultados sĂŁo discutidos em termos de diferenças individuais na interpretação (appraisal) da activação fisiolĂłgica e da ansiedade com interpretaçÔes positivas levando a melhor função sexual e interpretaçÔes negativas levando a dificuldades sexuais. Ă importante um maior esclarecimento sobre a complexidade da resposta sexual feminina e suas relaçÔes com a VFC.
Heart rate variability (HRV) is characterized by variation in the intervals between heartbeats which derive from the activity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). Higher resting HRV has been correlated with better sexual functioning. The current study examined the relationship between resting HRV and the type of female orgasm â vaginal (coital without clitoral direct stimulation) or coital with clitoral direct stimulation, and explored the association of both types of orgasm with female sexual satisfaction. The sample was composed by 69 women. The resting HRV was measured with an electrocardiogram (ECG), while the data concerning orgasm consistency were obtained by calculating the proportion of orgasms of each type in penile-vaginal intercourse. Additionally, participants completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) â Revised. Results showed that lower HRV was associated with greater consistency of vaginal orgasm. Greater satisfaction was associated with greater consistency of penile-vaginal intercourse orgasm with direct stimulation of the clitoris. These results contradict existing literature, but mirror the contradictory results that exist regarding the relationship between sexual functioning and anxiety (a correlate of low HRV). Results are discussed in terms of individual differences in appraisal of physiological activation and moderate anxiety with positive interpretations leading to better sexual function and negative interpretations leading to sexual difficulties. Vaginal orgasms facilitated by moderate anxiety might be less strongly related to satisfaction. Further clarification on the complexity of the female sexual response and its relationship with HRV is important.
Heart rate variability (HRV) is characterized by variation in the intervals between heartbeats which derive from the activity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). Higher resting HRV has been correlated with better sexual functioning. The current study examined the relationship between resting HRV and the type of female orgasm â vaginal (coital without clitoral direct stimulation) or coital with clitoral direct stimulation, and explored the association of both types of orgasm with female sexual satisfaction. The sample was composed by 69 women. The resting HRV was measured with an electrocardiogram (ECG), while the data concerning orgasm consistency were obtained by calculating the proportion of orgasms of each type in penile-vaginal intercourse. Additionally, participants completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) â Revised. Results showed that lower HRV was associated with greater consistency of vaginal orgasm. Greater satisfaction was associated with greater consistency of penile-vaginal intercourse orgasm with direct stimulation of the clitoris. These results contradict existing literature, but mirror the contradictory results that exist regarding the relationship between sexual functioning and anxiety (a correlate of low HRV). Results are discussed in terms of individual differences in appraisal of physiological activation and moderate anxiety with positive interpretations leading to better sexual function and negative interpretations leading to sexual difficulties. Vaginal orgasms facilitated by moderate anxiety might be less strongly related to satisfaction. Further clarification on the complexity of the female sexual response and its relationship with HRV is important.
Description
Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada no ISPA â Instituto UniversitĂĄrio para obtenção de grau de Mestre em NeurociĂȘncias Cognitivas e Comportamentais
Keywords
Variabilidade da frequĂȘncia cardĂaca Função sexual Orgasmo feminino Sistema nervoso, TĂłnus vago Heart rate variability Sexual function Female orgasm Nervous system Vagal tone