Sansone Andrea, Mollaioli Daniele, Colonnello Elena, Bandini Camilla, Morello Martina, Marinelli Ginevra, Ciocca Giacomo, Limoncin Erika, Jannini Emmanuele A
Chair of Endocrinology and Medical Sexology (ENDOSEX), Department of System Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 00133, Italy.
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina 98124, Italy.
J Sex Med. 2025 Apr 8;22(3):397-403. doi: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdaf004.
Sex devices are tools that can improve the sexual health of users, but their effects on sexual outcomes in partnered intercourse have rarely been evaluated.
The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between partnered and solitary use of sex devices and different sexual health outcomes among sexually active women aged 18-35 in a heterosexual relationship.
The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 361 participants between May and June 2023 recruited through a social media campaign. Female sexual function was measured with the Female Sexual Function Index and the Orgasmometer-F. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire and the Dark Future Scale were used to investigate psychological health. Statistical analysis was performed with the statistical software R; the significance level for statistical analyses was set as P < 0.05.
The outcomes of the study include female sexual function and orgasmic intensity, as well as measures of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and uncertainty for the future.
Compared to those who only used sex devices for solitary masturbation, women using sex devices in the context of partnered intercourse had higher arousal and satisfaction scores (P = 0.042 and P = 0.004, respectively), as well as higher subjective perception of orgasmic intensity over the last 6 months (P = 0.005) and in partnered sexual intercourse in the last 4 weeks (P = 0.002). Conversely, orgasmic intensity during masturbation in the last 4 weeks was higher among solitary users (P < 0.001). No significant difference was found between the two study groups for all other outcome measures.
The use of sex devices in the context of partnered intercourse is associated with increased sexual function and more intense orgasmic experience.
STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: The study investigates a novel topic, on a large sample size, by using several validated instruments to measure sexual functioning of participants. However, a definite cause-effect relationship cannot be established due to the study design. Self-report bias and lack of clinical data on study participants are further limitations. Additionally, being a study limited to heterosexual, sexually active women involved in a relationship, results cannot be generalized to all women.
The study found an association between better sexual functioning and use of sex devices in partnered intercourse.
性器具是能够改善使用者性健康的工具，但其对伴侣性交中性结果的影响鲜有评估。
本研究旨在评估18至35岁处于异性恋关系的性活跃女性在伴侣性交和单独使用性器具与不同性健康结果之间的关系。
2023年5月至6月，通过社交媒体活动招募了361名参与者进行横断面描述性研究。使用女性性功能指数和F型性高潮测量仪测量女性性功能。使用广泛性焦虑障碍量表、患者健康问卷和黑暗未来量表调查心理健康状况。使用统计软件R进行统计分析；统计分析的显著性水平设定为P < 0.05。
与仅将性器具用于单独自慰的女性相比，在伴侣性交中使用性器具的女性具有更高的性唤起和满意度得分（分别为P = 0.042和P = 0.004），以及在过去6个月中对性高潮强度更高的主观感受（P = 0.005）和在过去4周的伴侣性交中（P = 0.002）。相反，在过去4周单独使用者自慰时的性高潮强度更高（P < 0.001）。在所有其他结果测量中，两个研究组之间未发现显著差异。
在伴侣性交中使用性器具与性功能增强和更强烈的性高潮体验相关。
本研究通过使用多种经过验证的工具来测量参与者的性功能，对一个新颖的主题进行了大样本量的调查。然而，由于研究设计，无法确定明确的因果关系。自我报告偏差以及缺乏研究参与者的临床数据是进一步的局限性。此外，作为一项仅限于处于恋爱关系中的异性恋性活跃女性的研究，结果不能推广到所有女性。
该研究发现伴侣性交中更好的性功能与使用性器具有关。
