Sexual life in Pharaonic Egypt: towards a urological view

Fantasy Made Flesh - A Network Analysis of the Reciprocal Relationship between Sexual Fantasies, Pornography Usage, and Sexual Behavior

Based on different theories in media research (3AM, catalyst model of violent crime, reinforcing spirals model), we further explore the relationship between pornography use, sexual fantasy, and behavior. We suggest that pornography use appears so persistent across time and culture because it is related to a human universal, the ability to fantasize. Consequently, pornography use seems to be an opportunity to acquire media-mediated sexual fantasies, and we believe that pornography use interacts with sexual fantasies and, to a much weaker extent, with sexual behavior. To assess our assumptions, we conducted a network analysis with a large and diverse sample of N = 1338 hetero- and bisexual participants from Germany. Analyses were done separately for men and women. Our network analysis clustered parts of the psychological processes around the interaction of sexual fantasies, pornography use, and behavior into communities of especially strong interacting items. We detected meaningful communities (orgasm-centered intercourse, BDSM) consisting of sexual fantasies and behavior, with some containing pornography. However, pornography use was not part of communities we perceive to account for mainstream/everyday sexuality. Instead, our results show that non-mainstream behavior (e.g., BDSM) is affected by pornography use. Our study highlights the interaction between sexual fantasies, sexual behavior, and (parts of) pornography use. It advocates for a more interactionist view of human sexuality and media use.

Congenital penile curvature presenting as unconsummated marriage. Repair by 16-dot plication with subjectively reported patient and partner satisfaction

Objective

To evaluate self-reported patient and partner satisfaction in cases of unconsummated marriage due to congenital penile curvature that was treated by the 16-dot plication procedure.

Patients and methods

From March 2008 to March 2012, 24 couples presented to our institute with an unconsummated marriage due to congenital penile curvature. All patients were treated using the 16-dot plication operation. Patients were followed up for 3 months and were asked, with their partners, to complete a specific questionnaire to evaluate their satisfaction with the outcome of the operation.

Results

The duration of unconsummated marriage was 2–12 weeks. The mean (SD, range) angle of penile curvature was 57.4 (20.3, 30–110)°. All patients were able to consummate their marriage within a mean (SD, range) of 5.3 (1.3, 4–8) weeks after surgery. The overall satisfaction rate with the outcome of the operation among patients was nearly 100% for ‘moderately satisfied’ or greater, and among their partners was nearly 96% for ‘moderately satisfied’ or greater, at 3 months.

Conclusion

The 16-dot plication technique is an easy procedure for the emergent correction of congenital penile curvature presenting as an unconsummated marriage. Most patients and their partners were pleased with the outcome of the procedure.

Erectile dysfunction in Arab countries. Part I: Prevalence and correlates

OBJECTIVE

To review the contemporary knowledge of local investigations in the Arab countries that were conducted to identify the magnitude of erectile dysfunction (ED) and its correlates among men in this region.

METHODS

MEDLINE was reviewed for English-language reports from 2000 to 2011 for Arab countries, using the terms 'erectile dysfunction' and 'prevalence'.

RESULTS

In all, 102 articles were found to be relevant to the review. Unfortunately only a few had a high level of evidence and the remaining studies were not controlled in their design. Several local studies showed that the prevalence of ED was >40% among Arab men. Risk factors and medical comorbidities that negatively affect the cardiovascular system, endothelial function and ultimately erectile function were common in men in Arab countries. For instance, at least five Arab countries are included in the top 10 countries worldwide with a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus. The global statistics showed that other risk factors such as obesity, smoking, hypertension and dyslipidaemia are also very prevalent in Arab countries. This fact can explain the high incidence of both cardiovascular disease and ED among Arab men.

CONCLUSION

ED is very prevalent among Arab men. Arab countries are among those with the highest prevalence of endothelial dysfunction risk factors, which could explain this high prevalence of ED.