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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Rochelle K. Rosen, PhD and Kathleen Morrow, PhD. Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, One Hoppin Street, Suite 500, Providence, RI 02903, 401-793-8182, rrosen@lifespan.org

This paper considers how vaginal microbicide researchers are taking into account sexual pleasure in determining product acceptability among heterosexual couples.

Research questions: How is sexual pleasure considered during clinical trials of candidate vaginal microbicides and what impact will pleasure have on the acceptability of approved products? Whose pleasure is paramount? What elements in sexual culture are most likely to shape pleasure-specific acceptability? How will having a women-controlled or woman-initiated product affect how pleasure is constructed?

Methods: 1) A review of qualitative and quantitative data from a decade of the authors' involvement in microbicide acceptability research, including domestic and international studies, clinical trials and other work with low- and at-risk women and men; 2) A literature review evaluating the role of pleasure in microbicide acceptability measurement and product development.

Results and discussion: Although the degree to which vaginal microbicides increase or decrease pleasure, both for individuals and for couples, will be essential, it remains an under-considered aspect of their acceptability. Among the elements likely to shape pleasure-specific acceptability: 1) formulation factors, including lubrication and leakage; 2) prior use of vaginal products for sexual pleasure enhancement; 3) cultural preferences that determine what is pleasurable, including preferences for wet or dry sex and who should take pleasure from sex; 4) relationship factors, including partner choice, and the length of the relationship.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session participants will be able to

• Articulate the issues related to the acceptability of vaginal microbicides and sexual pleasure
• Describe the challenges inherent in understanding pleasure-specific acceptability based on clinical trial and other hypothetical data
• Discuss the elements most likely to shape pleasure-specific vaginal microbicide acceptability

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No