Does Your Socioeconomic Status Affect Your Sex Life?

How much money you have could have an impact on your sexual wellness. This is according to a new study based on the first Spanish National Sexual Health Survey, which found that wealth and social standing mean a more satisfying love life. Those with a higher socioeconomic (SE) status were more fulfilled by their sex lives and protect their wellbeing by practicing safe sex – but why? Your SE status is based on your income, education and occupation, so how does this influence your sexual health?

 

The new analysis was carried out in 2009 and found that people with a lower economic status claim to be less sexually satisfied, particularly women. The first Spanish National Sexual Health Survey was carried out by the Centre for Sociological Research, but it is investigators at the Barcelona Public Health Agency (ASPB) who have analysed the influence of various socioeconomic factors on sexual health. The results of the survey, for which 9,850 interviews were carried out, revealed that roughly 95% of people were satisfied with the sexual relations they had during the previous year, and 90% claimed to be very satisfied or quite satisfied with their sex life in general. Moreover, while 97% of men and 96% of women claimed to be more satisfied with sexual relations they had with a stable partner, only 88% of men and 80% of women said the same of sex with a casual partner.

 

But what about SE status? Those with a higher socioeconomic status seemed to have a greater capacity for developing their sexuality in a way which is satisfying for them, and a better awareness of their own needs. Dolores Ruiz, the main author of the study, explains, ‘People of a lower socioeconomic status claim to be less satisfied sexually, which especially applies to women, who seem to be more influenced by these factors. People that have a more disadvantaged socioeconomic status tend to have less satisfying and less safe sexual relations, as well as suffering more experiences of sexual abuse. Furthermore, women usually suffer more experiences of sexual abuse than men and they claim to have less sexual gratification during their first sexual intercourse.’

 

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), sexual health ‘is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence’. The research also found that SE status affected how much people practice safe sex, with those at the lower end using less contraception.

 

The study also investigated experiences of sexual abuse. The results revealed that more than 4% of men and 6.5% of women have had some kind of sexual relation against their will during their life, while 1.6% of men and 6.1% of women claimed to have been sexually abused or raped at some time in their life. ‘Once again, it’s particularly women of a lower socioeconomic status who suffer more experiences of sexual abuse,’ says Ruiz. ‘It’s important to bear in mind that these women also might have more problems when it comes to contacting the various organisations that can provide help for them.’ The results of the study lead Ruiz to conclude, ‘There is a need to introduce public policies which aim to reduce socioeconomic and gender inequalities that we have found in sexual satisfaction, in the use of contraceptives and in abusive sexual relations.’

Categories: higher socioeconomic, national sexual, Research, se status, Sexual Abuse, sexual health, sexual relations, sexual satisfaction, socioeconomic status, spanish national, women claimed

Does Your Socioeconomic Status Affect Your Sex Life?

How much money you have could have an impact on your sexual wellness. This is according to a new study based on the first Spanish National Sexual Health Survey, which found that wealth and social standing mean a more satisfying love life. Those with a higher socioeconomic (SE) status were more fulfilled by their sex lives and protect their wellbeing by practicing safe sex – but why? Your SE status is based on your income, education and occupation, so how does this influence your sexual health?

 

The new analysis was carried out in 2009 and found that people with a lower economic status claim to be less sexually satisfied, particularly women. The first Spanish National Sexual Health Survey was carried out by the Centre for Sociological Research, but it is investigators at the Barcelona Public Health Agency (ASPB) who have analysed the influence of various socioeconomic factors on sexual health. The results of the survey, for which 9,850 interviews were carried out, revealed that roughly 95% of people were satisfied with the sexual relations they had during the previous year, and 90% claimed to be very satisfied or quite satisfied with their sex life in general. Moreover, while 97% of men and 96% of women claimed to be more satisfied with sexual relations they had with a stable partner, only 88% of men and 80% of women said the same of sex with a casual partner.

 

But what about SE status? Those with a higher socioeconomic status seemed to have a greater capacity for developing their sexuality in a way which is satisfying for them, and a better awareness of their own needs. Dolores Ruiz, the main author of the study, explains, ‘People of a lower socioeconomic status claim to be less satisfied sexually, which especially applies to women, who seem to be more influenced by these factors. People that have a more disadvantaged socioeconomic status tend to have less satisfying and less safe sexual relations, as well as suffering more experiences of sexual abuse. Furthermore, women usually suffer more experiences of sexual abuse than men and they claim to have less sexual gratification during their first sexual intercourse.’

 

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), sexual health ‘is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence’. The research also found that SE status affected how much people practice safe sex, with those at the lower end using less contraception.

 

The study also investigated experiences of sexual abuse. The results revealed that more than 4% of men and 6.5% of women have had some kind of sexual relation against their will during their life, while 1.6% of men and 6.1% of women claimed to have been sexually abused or raped at some time in their life. ‘Once again, it’s particularly women of a lower socioeconomic status who suffer more experiences of sexual abuse,’ says Ruiz. ‘It’s important to bear in mind that these women also might have more problems when it comes to contacting the various organisations that can provide help for them.’ The results of the study lead Ruiz to conclude, ‘There is a need to introduce public policies which aim to reduce socioeconomic and gender inequalities that we have found in sexual satisfaction, in the use of contraceptives and in abusive sexual relations.’

Categories: higher socioeconomic, national sexual, Research, se status, Sexual Abuse, sexual health, sexual relations, sexual satisfaction, socioeconomic status, spanish national, women claimed

Does Your Socioeconomic Status Affect Your Sex Life?

How much money you have could have an impact on your sexual wellness. This is according to a new study based on the first Spanish National Sexual Health Survey, which found that wealth and social standing mean a more satisfying love life. Those with a higher socioeconomic (SE) status were more fulfilled by their sex lives and protect their wellbeing by practicing safe sex – but why? Your SE status is based on your income, education and occupation, so how does this influence your sexual health?

 

The new analysis was carried out in 2009 and found that people with a lower economic status claim to be less sexually satisfied, particularly women. The first Spanish National Sexual Health Survey was carried out by the Centre for Sociological Research, but it is investigators at the Barcelona Public Health Agency (ASPB) who have analysed the influence of various socioeconomic factors on sexual health. The results of the survey, for which 9,850 interviews were carried out, revealed that roughly 95% of people were satisfied with the sexual relations they had during the previous year, and 90% claimed to be very satisfied or quite satisfied with their sex life in general. Moreover, while 97% of men and 96% of women claimed to be more satisfied with sexual relations they had with a stable partner, only 88% of men and 80% of women said the same of sex with a casual partner.

 

But what about SE status? Those with a higher socioeconomic status seemed to have a greater capacity for developing their sexuality in a way which is satisfying for them, and a better awareness of their own needs. Dolores Ruiz, the main author of the study, explains, ‘People of a lower socioeconomic status claim to be less satisfied sexually, which especially applies to women, who seem to be more influenced by these factors. People that have a more disadvantaged socioeconomic status tend to have less satisfying and less safe sexual relations, as well as suffering more experiences of sexual abuse. Furthermore, women usually suffer more experiences of sexual abuse than men and they claim to have less sexual gratification during their first sexual intercourse.’

 

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), sexual health ‘is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence’. The research also found that SE status affected how much people practice safe sex, with those at the lower end using less contraception.

 

The study also investigated experiences of sexual abuse. The results revealed that more than 4% of men and 6.5% of women have had some kind of sexual relation against their will during their life, while 1.6% of men and 6.1% of women claimed to have been sexually abused or raped at some time in their life. ‘Once again, it’s particularly women of a lower socioeconomic status who suffer more experiences of sexual abuse,’ says Ruiz. ‘It’s important to bear in mind that these women also might have more problems when it comes to contacting the various organisations that can provide help for them.’ The results of the study lead Ruiz to conclude, ‘There is a need to introduce public policies which aim to reduce socioeconomic and gender inequalities that we have found in sexual satisfaction, in the use of contraceptives and in abusive sexual relations.’

Categories: higher socioeconomic, national sexual, Research, se status, Sexual Abuse, sexual health, sexual relations, sexual satisfaction, socioeconomic status, spanish national, women claimed

How Are Sex and Love Linked in Your Brain Chemistry?

As well as being a fun activity, sex is good for your physical health. According to award-winning wellness writer Hope Gillette, ‘The act of engaging in sexual contact with a partner can lead to the production of a number of hormonal and other biological changes, which can in turn ease pain, boost immunity, offset menopausal symptoms, and even reduce the risk for certain cancers.’ However, beyond this, there is a link between your sexual health and a number of mental health benefits.

 

Laurie Mintz, Professor of Psychology at the University of Florida and the author of the self-help book A Tired Woman’s Guide to Passionate Sex, explains, ‘Sex has very potent emotional health benefits. Sex has important mood boosting properties and it also enhances relationship health and satisfaction, which itself is related to mental wellbeing.’ Sex helps you to sleep better, connect more deeply with your partner, develop a more positive outlook and zest for life and be more serene, patient and happy.

 

Another mental health benefit of sex is that it can boost your self-esteem. Sex, marriage, and family therapist, Gina Ogden, notes, ‘One of the reasons people say they have sex is to feel good about themselves. Great sex begins with self-esteem. If the sex is loving, connected, and what you want, it raises it.’ Sex also enhances the trust and intimacy you have with your partner, giving you a special way to express love and create shared memories and special secrets. However, that is not to say that you and your partner approach sex in the same way.

 

Gillette details, ‘Research indicates that men have stronger sex drives when compared to women, and they also have more straight-forward inclinations. Men are driven by the physical desire to have sex whereas women tend to have sex to increase relationship status and the emotions which go along with it.’ Mintz agrees, ‘Research consistently shows that women’s sexuality is strongly linked to a close relationship, with an important goal of sex being intimacy and the best context for pleasurable sex being in a committed relationship. This is less true for men.’

 

However, regardless of the reason for it, both men and women experience mental health rewards due to the chemical release of dopamine and oxytocin during sex, which are the same chemicals responsible for linking two people in “love.” Deborah Anapol, PhD, a seminar leader and relationship coach who offers training in Pelvic Heart Integration, clarifies, ‘The physiology of love depends upon what kind of love we’re talking about. When we first “fall in love” with a romantic partner our brains release endorphins – natural opiates that create a feeling of euphoria. What exactly triggers this response is a bit of a mystery but theories range from detecting a match with the personality of parental figures to identifying someone carrying DNA, which would combine with ours to make the best babies.’

 

Gillette points out, ‘A 2012 study reported by The Atlantic found men experiencing frequent oxytocin release were more likely to remain monogamous during a relationship. What’s more, oxytocin boosts feelings of generosity toward a significant other, another relationship-strengthening benefit of sex. Overall, past research links sexual satisfaction in a relationship to that of general happiness, suggesting that people with healthy sex lives feel more fulfilled in other areas of their lives as well.’ Debby Herbenick, PhD, MPH, sexual health educator at the Kinsey Institute and author of Because It Feels Good: A Woman’s Guide to Sexual Pleasure and Satisfaction, adds, ‘Sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction are closely linked. When people feel happy and satisfied in their relationships, that may in some ways protect them from depression, anxiety or other health risks.’

Categories: endorphins, health, Health Benefits, love, Mental Health, nbsp, nbsp gillette, relationship, sexual, sexual health, sexual satisfaction

Why Are Rich People Having Better Sex?

Money, it seems, can’t buy you love but it might be able to buy you great sex – recent research suggests that socioeconomic factors correlate directly with a higher level of sexual satisfaction. This amazing result comes from research by the Spanish National Sexual Health Survey, from the Barcelona Public Health Agency who surveyed 9850 participants to determine the results. After analysing the data they found that sex actually better when you have money. People of lower socioeconomic status claim to be less sexually satisfied, particularly women who seem to be more influenced by these factors. The study looked at the level of education and where the participants grew up to reveal potentially critical differences. Over 92 per cent of women with a university education, for example, said that they were satisfied with their sex life, whereas only 81 per cent of women with less than a primary education agreed. This gap widens when it comes to contraception, where 62 per cent of women with less than a primary education used contraception within the past year, but this jumps to 81 per cent for women who had attended university.

Contraception may not be initially related to sexual enjoyment levels, but for many women, the use of contraception can lead to a less stressful experience with sex, because it reduces the risk of pregnancy and STDs. In fact, authors of the study noted that women of a higher socioeconomic standing tended to use contraception more frequently could also indicate a greater awareness of their needs in the bedroom, and a great ability to develop their sexuality with control. This is an interesting factor and one which is often overlooked in terms of sexual satisfaction – the ability to control your own needs and desires, rather than relying on other people to fulfil your sexual needs.

 

With regards to sex in your own life, isn’t it more enjoyable when you aren’t worried about an unwanted pregnancy or the health risks you could be putting yourself under? Removing these concerns from your sexual experience immediately makes it more enjoyable, something practically everyone can attest to. But there are other factors to remember too, not just our stress levels when we enter the bedroom. For example, the rates of sexual abuse were greatly different, with 4 per cent of women with a university education reporting sexual abuse, compared to 13 per cent of women with less than a primary education. It’s no shock that what may have happened previously can also impact what’s happening currently. And stress greatly differs the figures too. It’s no surprise that alleviating the worry of finances and debts lowers your stress levels overall, making the enjoyment of sex far easier.

 

People who are stressed tend to produce higher amounts of the hormone cortisol and when this is produced in large amounts, it can lower one’s libido. So it seems that those sensationalist headlines which claim that the rich have better sex lives in addition to better lives overall could actually be right, but in a different way. What this study shows us is that socioeconomic privilege can extend into more aspects of a person’s life than we first thought, and it’s those changes which actually influence our sex lives rather than being rich itself. but great sex should be a luxury we all enjoy, and aspects like stress, worry and contraception are all things which can be alleviated with a little planning and lifestyle changes, not just through how much money you have in the bank.

Categories: Education, primary education, Relationships, Sex, sex lives, sexual, Sexual Abuse, sexual satisfaction, Stress Levels, university education, wealth, Women

How to Stop Your High Blood Pressure Ruining Your Sex Life

While high blood pressure doesn’t often effect your wellness with any major symptoms, you may be able to quite clearly see the impact it has on your sexual health. Although having sex or engaging in any sexual activity isn’t likely to pose an immediate threat to your wellbeing – such as a heart attack – having high blood pressure can make sex less enjoyable, especially in men. Studies have proven a link between high blood pressure and sexual problems in men, but for women who have decreased sexual satisfaction, it’s not yet proved that high blood pressure is to blame. Nonetheless, treatment for high blood pressure and satisfaction with sex can go hand in hand — but only if you’re open about the problem and work closely with your doctor.

 

The reason why high blood pressure affects men’s sex lives is because, over time, it damages the lining of your blood vessels, causing your arteries to narrow and harden. This is a condition known as atherosclerosis and it limits your blood flow. As a result of atherosclerosis, blood cannot flow to your penis as easily, making it more difficult for you to achieve and maintain erections. This is otherwise known as the fairly common problem of erectile dysfunction (ED). Every time this happens to you, you can feel anxious that it will happen again. This means that men can try to avoid sex, which, in turn, has a negative impact on your relationship. Moreover, high blood pressure can reduce your sexual desire and interfere with ejaculation.

 

For women, high blood pressure’s effect on sexual problems still isn’t well understood, but it is possible that high blood pressure could affect your sex life. As with men, high blood pressure reduces blood flow, meaning that the blood cannot get to your vagina as easily. While women don’t necessarily need blood flow to be able to have sex, decreased blood flow to the genitals can lower your sexual desire or arousal, make it more difficult for you to achieve an orgasm, and contribute to vaginal dryness. However, lubrication and taking steps to improve your arousal can help. Still, the anxiety these problems cause – as with men – can mean you’re reluctant to have sex, which contributes to relationship problems.

 

Therefore, if you’re a man or a woman who experiences such difficulties, you should talk to a doctor about ways to make things better. The more your doctor knows about you, the better he or she can treat your high blood pressure — and help you maintain a satisfying sex life – so be open and honest, and prepared to answer questions your doctor may ask. Go to your consultation equipped with the following information:

• Any medications you are taking


• Whether your relationship with your sexual partner has changed recently


• Any recent feelings of depression


• Any stresses you are currently facing, and whether or not that’s more than usual

 

Your doctor will most likely recommend lifestyle changes that promote overall health, and boost your sexual satisfaction as a result. By eating healthy foods, reducing the amount of salt in your diet, losing weight, exercising regularly and not smoking, you can lower your blood pressure and potentially improve your sex life. Moreover, this healthy lifestyle will give you a leaner body, which will boost your confidence and help you feel more attractive – and that’s a plus to anyone’s sex life. Remember, you also need to communicate with your partner, as this will help to alleviate both of your worries and give you ways of moving forward. One thing you might try is initiating intimacy in a different, more relaxing way, such as through massage or getting in the bath together.

Categories: Blood, blood flow, blood pressure, high blood, high blood pressure, Lifestyle Changes, pressure, reduced blood flow, sex life, sexual desire, sexual problems, sexual satisfaction

The Facts Of Sexual Satisfaction For Older Women

We often consider that our youth is the right time to feel satisfied with our sex lives. Indeed perhaps it is common to believe that when we are young it is the only time that we are going to feel satisfaction sexually. But this does not necessarily need to be the case in fact there is increasing evidence that a healthy love life is very beneficial to us as we get older and it is something that can be a part of all of our lives. It is even true that a healthy sex life is beneficial to us as we get older and can get us cope better with aging. We only need to look at celebrities such as Jane Fonda and Joan Collins to see examples of women doing this.

 

Apparently this holds true even as the amount of sex you have decreases. This all comes from a report that was published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society; the researchers looked at 1,235 women between the ages of 60 and 89. One of the major finding from the study was that older women had sex a lot less frequently than younger women – this might not seem like anything especially ground breaking, but what is perhaps more so is the suggestion that older women still reported being at least moderately or very sexually satisfied. It was also true that this had a massive effect on overall quality of life.

 

“Sexual satisfaction was not significantly associated with age,” according to one of the researchers, Professor Thompson of the University of California San Diego “although the levels of sexual activity and functioning did vary significantly, depending on the woman’s age, their perceived quality of life, successful ageing and sexual satisfaction remained positive.

 

“What this study tells us is that many older adults retain their ability to enjoy sex well into old age. This is especially true of older adults who maintain a higher level of physical and mental health as they grow older. Furthermore, feeling satisfied with your sex life – whatever your levels of sexual activity – is closely related to your perceived quality of life”

 

One interesting fact about sexual satisfaction among older people is the fact that sex among older people is still a taboo subject. For a huge number of reasons both younger and older people seem to strongly dislike talking about sex among the older generation. This can lead us to believe that older people never have sex and that therefore they feel that sexual satisfaction must naturally diminish as we get older.

 

But clearly this is not the case in fact many people as they become more mature with age are more able to have excellent sexual experiences. What’s more, having sex can also have a number of genuine health benefits that can really make a difference for us as we get older. For example it is well known that having sex can reduce stress. Stress can be a real problem as we get older and it is good to relieve it as it is linked with a greater risk in a huge number of illnesses.

 

Sex is also known for a number of other benefits including the fact that it can improve the health of your heart, help you to get more sleep and even to burn off calories. So clearly we can see that even as we get older sex has a role to play in our lives and even if you are having it less often it does not mean that you cannot get satisfaction from it.

Categories: life nbsp, older, older adults, older people, older women, perceived quality, satisfaction, Sex, sex life, sexual activity, sexual satisfaction

Are Vibrators Useful For Sexual Satisfaction?

Rihanna hit the headlines recently when she visited Paris and went on a $1,500 spending spree – and she spent her money on sex toys. Of course maybe this isn’t a big surprise; you’d struggle to put the words ‘Rihanna’ and ‘sex toys’ in the same sentence and avoid making the headlines. However, it does actually speak to a larger point about the increased interest in this area of sex, and the limits people are willing to go to get the right kinds of toys. Rihanna’s spending only highlighted that some people are very much into sex toys and vibrators. And it seems that she is not alone.

 

According to a new national survey in the United States that took into account the thoughts and opinions of more than 3,000 Americans, the majority of people feel positively about women using vibrators. And going even further than that, the study was able to associate positive beliefs about vibrators, and having used them recently, with increased levels of sexual satisfaction and other measures of sexual enjoyment and function. This suggests that on the whole, vibrators are considered to be a very good thing for people.

 

The survey was conducted looking at men and women ages 18 to 60 is the first to examine beliefs about vibrators, said Debra Herbenick, who was the lead researcher in the study and is an associate director at Indiana University’s Center for Sexual Health Promotion. The participants were found from an existing research panel and were then invited to take part in a study about sexual enhancement products throughout the year of 2008. There were 2,056 women and 1,047 men who took part in the survey online and consented to participate. They were mostly middle aged, white and educated.

 

The participants in the study were asked whether they agreed or not with positive beliefs (defined in the study with statements such as a vibrator “makes it easier for a woman to have an orgasm,” and “is a healthy part of many women’s sex lives”) and negative beliefs (defined in the study with statements such as, a vibrator “makes women too dependent on them for pleasure” and “is intimidating to women’s partners.”) Roughly half of the participants either agreed or strongly agreed with all positive statements about vibrators and sex toys, while fewer than 10 per cent of the participants chose the negative statements as those that they strongly agreed with.

 

Women that announced in the study that they had positive beliefs and who had used vibrators in the past 30 days also suggested that they had higher levels of arousal, lubrication, orgasm and sexual satisfaction, and lower levels of pain during sex, than those with positive beliefs but who hadn’t used the sex toys as recently. This suggests that not only are sex toys and vibrators becoming more popular but that they can actually improve your sexual experience if you use them.

 

So it is no longer appropriate for us to characterise people who use sex toys as being unable to find sex in normal ways. In fact many women in happy and sexually healthy relationships use sex toys. This survey shows that using sex toys can even help to make your sex in a relationship better. And it also seems that men don’t have a problem with women using sex toys. The majority of men don’t feel intimidated or consider sex toys to be wrong for women to use. This suggests that we could see an increasing promotion of the use of sexual toys for both single people and those who are in a relationship.

Categories: beliefs defined, men, men don, positive beliefs, rihanna, Sex Toys, sexual satisfaction, strongly agreed, Toys, vibrators, Women