The focus of this research database is on how stress affects women's health,

and options for treatment using mind-body therapies. 

If you are not a health care professional, see new "Medical Glossary" below.  

To obtain full summaries of the articles, see "How to Get Abstracts" below. 

11534968 R,T

Review of sex differences in brain anatomy and function in reproduction, gender identity, sexual orientation, aging and neurologic disease.

2001 Horm Behav 40;2:93-8

Swaab, D. F., Chung, W. C., Kruijver, F. P., Hofman, M. A., and Ishunina, T. A.

11074867 JA

Article reviews the neurobiology of sexual function, encompassing endocrine factors of androgens, estrogens, progesterone, prolactin, oxytocin, cortisol and pheromones, plus neurotransmitters and the neuropeptides nitric oxide, serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, opioids, acetylcholine, histamine and GABA.

2000 Arch Gen Psychiatry 57;11:1012-30

Meston, C. M. and Frohlich, P. F.

10859437 R,T

 The sexual response cycle is initiated by neurotransmitter-mediated vascular and non-vascular smooth muscle relaxation, resulting in increased pelvic blood flow, genital engorgement and vaginal lubrication. When this physiological response is impaired (by drugs, mood, hormone levels, etc.), there is associated diminished sexual arousal, libido, vaginal lubrication, genital sensation, and ability to achieve orgasm.

2000 Eur Urol 38;1:20-9

Berman, J. R., Adhikari, S. P., and Goldstein, I.

10899275 R,T

An increase in sympathetic nervous system activation via exercise or ephedrine facilitated the early stages of sexual arousal in sexually functional women as well as those with low sexual desire.

2000 Am J Cardiol 86;2A:30F-34F

Meston, C. M.

7654157 JA

Exercising for 20 minutes significantly increased vaginal pulse amplitude responses to an erotic stimulus, although women did not perceive any difference in arousal. This suggests sympathetic activation can facilitate female sexual arousal.

1995 Behav Res Ther 33;6:651-64

Meston, C. M. and Gorzalka, B. B.

2266216 JA

Anxiety increased genital arousal for both sexually dysfunctional and functional women, but both groups reported less subjective sexual arousal.

1990 J Abnorm Psychol 99;4:403-11

Palace, E. M. and Gorzalka, B. B.

11937111 JA

Consensus statement of an international conference. “Female androgen insufficiency” was defined as a pattern of clinical symptoms in the presence of decreased bioavailable testosterone and normal estrogen. Classification, diagnosis, replacement therapy and potential risks are discussed.

2002 Fertil Steril 77;4:660-5

Bachmann, G., Bancroft, J., Braunstein, G., Burger, H., Davis, S., Dennerstein, L., Goldstein, I., Guay, A., Leiblum, S., Lobo, R., Notelovitz, M., Rosen, R., Sarrel, P., Sherwin, B., Simon, J., Simpson, E., Shifren, J., Spark, R., and Traish, A.

11304877 R,T

Testosterone deficiency can be characterized by diminished motivation, persistent fatigue, decreased sense of personal well-being, and low libido.

2001 J Reprod Med 46;3 Suppl:291-6

Davis, S.

11150571 R,T

Serotonin has been found in several regions of the female genital tract, involved with vasocongestion and contraction of the smooth muscles. [This may be why serotonin-related anti-depressant medications can have sexual side-effects, and why  depression due to low serotonin can inhibit sexual response.]

2000 Physiol Behav 71;3-4:383-93

Frohlich, P. F. and Meston, C. M.

11799397 JA

Women are attracted to the odors of men who are similar to, but not too similar, to their father's genetic structure.

2002 Nat Genet 30;2:175-9

Jacob, S., McClintock, M. K., Zelano, B., and Ober, C.

11600881 R,T

Review of chemical signals of physical attraction, including the vomeronasal organ, a small structure on the nasal septum that contains odor-related receptors and has a direct connection to the olfactory bulb and hypothalamus.

2001 Neuroendocrinol Lett 22;5:309-21

Kohl, J. V., Atzmueller, M., Fink, B., and Grammer, K.

11975863 RCT

In a double-blind trial of 16 postmenopausal women, DHEA administration led to significant increases in sexual response, measured by mental and physical arousal, vaginal pulse amplitude and vaginal blood volume.

2002 J Womens Health Gend Based Med 11;2:155-62

Hackbert, L. and Heiman, J. R.

11856662 R,T

Review of women's sexuality with case histories in situations of pregnancy, lesbian relationships, PMS, infertility, midlife, perimenopausal, menopause, after abuse, eating disorders and depression.

2002 Prim Care 29;1:113-24, vii

Kaplan, M. J.

Article explores, with case examples, the importance of a family systems overview of sexual legacies: religious training, messages about sexuality from immediate family, messages from society about femininity, and existence of family “secrets” regarding sexuality and intimacy.

2001 J Sex Marital Ther 27;5:603-6

Schwartz, L. B.

11444715 JA

Of 237 patients with chronic pain (mostly musculoskeletal/orthopedic), 73% reported difficulties with sexual arousal, position, low confidence, performance worries, and relationship problems, leading to significantly decreased frequency of sexual activities.

2001 Clin J Pain 17;2:138-45

Ambler, N., Williams, A. C., Hill, P., Gunary, R., and Cratchley, G.

11442697 JA

Midlife women with chronic illness discussed three issues relating to changed ideas about sexuality: the changing body, meeting the needs of others, and communicating sexually. “The medicalization of the body may mean that health professionals may not view midlife women with illness and disability as sexual beings. This negative stereotyping may deny women the assistance and support they need to stay in touch with their sexuality alongside chronic illness.”

2001 J Adv Nurs 35;2:180-7

Kralik, D., Koch, T., and Telford, K.

11380865 JA

Article describes a course for health care professionals on how to overcome their embarrassment and take a sexual history. The course, which included interactive tutorial-style teaching, video dramatizations and role play with subsequent discussion, was highly regarded by participants.

2001 Med Educ 35;6:603-8

Skelton, J. R. and Matthews, P. M.

11995601 JA

A recommended list of books, videotapes and internet sites were accumulated via a survey of the members of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research.

2002 J Sex Marital Ther 28;3:219-28

Kingsberg, S., Althof, S. E., and Leiblum, S.

8246273 JA

Of 329 American women aged 18-73, 38.1% reported anxiety or inhibition during sexual activity, 16.3% lack of sexual pleasure, and 15.4% difficulty in achieving orgasm. Lack of lubrication 13.6% and painful intercourse 11.3% were significantly more prevalent in the postmenopausal group. There were no differences with education level, religious affiliation or employment status.

1993 J Sex Marital Ther 19;3:171-88

Rosen, R. C., Taylor, J. F., Leiblum, S. R., and Bachmann, G. A.

11116282 R,T

“Female sexual dysfunction is age-related, progressive and highly prevalent, affecting 30-50% of American women.” Article reviews emotional, relational and organic elements of the problem.

2001 Expert Opin Investig Drugs 10;1:85-95

Berman, L. A., Berman, J. R., Chhabra, S., and Goldstein, I.

11898699 JA

A new model of women's sexual response begins with intimacy-based sexual motivation.

2002 J Sex Marital Ther 28 Suppl 1;17-28

Basson, R.

11554199 JA

Insufficient emotional intimacy was a factor in 50% of 47 Canadian couples seen for women's low sexual desire. The most common needs expressed by these women were those outside of the bedroom--an appropriate atmosphere, partner's consideration, respect, warmth and physical affection such that sexual interaction is a continuation of nonsexual intimacy.

2001 J Sex Marital Ther 27;5:395-403

Basson, R.

10688001 R

Results of an international consensus panel on sexual function. Categories center on physiological, psychological and personal distress issues with desire, arousal, orgasm and sexual pain.

2000 J Urol 163;3:888-93

Basson, R., Berman, J., Burnett, A., Derogatis, L., Ferguson, D., Fourcroy, J., Goldstein, I., Graziottin, A., Heiman, J., Laan, E., Leiblum, S., Padma-Nathan, H., Rosen, R., Segraves, K., Segraves, R. T., Shabsigh, R., Sipski, M., Wagner, G., and Whipple, B.

12007901 JA

Of 226 Australian women, the percentage of women with sexual dysfunction increased from early to late menopausal transition 42% to 88%. This was associated more with estrogen than androgen levels.

2002 Fertil Steril 77 Suppl 4;42-8

Dennerstein, L., Randolph, J., Taffe, J., Dudley, E., and Burger, H.

11910659 JA

Besides physical symptoms, other factors affecting sexual functioning in menopausal transition women were feelings for the partner, the partner's sexual problems, and social variables such as work, interpersonal stress and daily hassles.

1999 Climacteric 2;4:254-62

Dennerstein, L., Lehert, P., Burger, H., and Dudley, E.

11461026 R,T

Article discusses the many facets of women's perimenopausal sexuality, and suggests a model that incorporates physiology, psychosocial issues, and culture.

2001 J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 30;4:421-8

Berg, J. A.

In a prospective study of Danish women followed from age 40 to 51, 70% did not experience a change in sexual desire. At age 51, sexual desire was not related to menopausal status, but was correlated with health status, former sexual activity, partner availability and social status. Women who anticipated declining sexual desire as a consequence of menopause actually predicted a decrease.

1993 Maturitas 16;1:49-60

Koster, A. and Garde, K.

8878326 JA

141 British women 40-60 were extensively analyzed with regard to well-being, sexuality and hormones. None of the hormonal parameters significantly predicted measures of sexuality; the most important predictors were aspects of the relationship, sexual attitudes and measures of well-being. The best predictor of both well-being and depression was tiredness. The only hormone positively related to well-being was DHEA.

1996 Psychol Med 26;5:925-36

Cawood, E. H. and Bancroft, J.

11253244 R,T

Review of studies on sexuality and aging. For men, health and medications were more of a factor, and for women, health was less of a factor than psychosocial issues (having a functioning partner) and conflicting information about menopause.

2000 J Gend Specif Med 3;2:37-41

Avis, N. E.

Thorough physiologic evaluation of sexual dysfunction complaints are described. Measurements include genital blood peak systolic velocity, vaginal pH, intravaginal pressure-volume changes of compliance, and genital vibratory perception thresholds. Significantly lower physiologic responses were recorded for women 55-71 and menopausal women not on hormone replacement.

1999 Int J Impot Res 11 Suppl 1;S31-8

Berman, J. R., Berman, L. A., Werbin, T. J., Flaherty, E. E., Leahy, N. M., and Goldstein, I.

Women followed prospectively through the menopausal transition had significantly decreased weekly rates of intercourse, fewer sexual thoughts, decreased vaginal lubrication during sex, and were less satisfied with their partners as lovers. Estradiol and testosterone levels significantly declined, and testosterone level was most consistently associated with coital frequency.

1985 Maturitas 7;3:203-10

McCoy, N. L. and Davidson, J. M.

8654628 JA

In this small study of 14 women, the midcycle rise in free testosterone and androstenedione seen in women 19-37 years old was consistently and significantly absent in women 43-47.

1996 Fertil Steril 65;4:721-3

Mushayandebvu, T., Castracane, V. D., Gimpel, T., Adel, T., and Santoro, N.