CARNAL NATION

Women who feel good about their genitals are more likely to have orgasms and practice sexual health-promoting behaviors. These behaviors include performing self-examinations of their vulvas and visiting the doctor for gynecological exams. A study out of Indiana University used a newly-developed scale for measuring men’s and women’s attitudes toward genitals and revealed a connection between attitude and experience of sexual pleasure.

"Our culture often portrays women's genitals as dirty and in need of cleaning and grooming. Some women may have had greater exposure to such negative messages or may be more susceptible to their impact," says researcher Debby Herbenick. These negative messages impact both pleasure and health.

Herbenick’s measurement scale included elicitation questions like “When you think of female genitals (e.g., vulva, vagina, clitoris), what are the first three things that you think about?” and fill-in-the-blank items including, “The best thing about a woman’s vagina is ______.” Participants were also asked to rank characteristics of genitals (e.g. smell, taste, appearance) and respond to vignettes about genital-related scenarios like performing oral sex.

The study revealed that men generally have a positive attitude toward women’s genitals with regard to look, smell and taste. This information challenges inaccurate myths and stereotypes about women’s genitals and empowers women to have better sex and make healthy decisions with regard to sexual health.

The results of this research have important implications for parents raising young women. "Rather than saying, 'don't touch down there -- it's dirty,’ parents might let their children know that it's OK for them to touch their genitals, but in private spaces such as their own bedroom or the bathroom," Herbenick explains.

The findings of this research, which involved 362 women and 241 men between the ages of 18 and 23, are published in the International Journal of Sexual Health.