Women's Sexuality Isn't 'Complicated' | Sarah Barmak | TEDxToronto

Summary

The video discusses the misconceptions and historical ignorance surrounding female sexuality, particularly in relation to women's anatomy and sexual desire. It highlights the struggles women face in understanding their bodies, including the clitoris, and how male-dominated science has shaped flawed views of female pleasure. Despite advances like Flibanserin, a drug for low sexual desire, female sexuality can't be 'fixed' with pills. Instead, women are redefining their sexuality by exploring new models of pleasure and self-awareness. The talk emphasizes the importance of sexual education, empowerment, and acceptance for both women and society.

Takeaways

• 💊 A new drug, Flibanserin, was introduced to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder, affecting 1 in 10 women, but it had significant drawbacks like no alcohol consumption and side effects.
• ❌ Female sexuality is often misunderstood and not something that can be 'fixed' with medication, as evidenced by the lack of success with previous treatments like testosterone creams.
• 🧠 Female sexuality has been viewed through a male-dominated, skewed lens for centuries, with scientists historically ignoring women's actual experiences.
• 🔍 The anatomy of female sexuality, particularly the clitoris, has been widely misunderstood, with its full structure only being mapped in 2009.
• 📚 Medical ignorance about female anatomy continues, with structures like the clitoris still absent from medical textbooks, risking injuries during surgeries.
• 🚺 Many women aren't familiar with their own genital anatomy, partly due to poor sex education and cultural views that deem their bodies as confusing or inadequate.
• 💬 The concept of female sexuality is evolving, with women exploring new ways to define sex for themselves, emphasizing connection, self-awareness, and wholeness rather than just orgasms.
• 🔄 Women's sexual experiences are often circular and less linear than men's, with a new model suggesting multiple reasons for sexual encounters, not just desire.
• 🧘‍♀️ Women are embracing practices like spiritual sex classes and body-positive porn that celebrate diverse, real bodies and emphasize a richer, more personal definition of sexuality.
• 🎯 Empowering women to understand their bodies and define pleasure on their own terms is key for overall well-being, consent, and equality.

Q & A

What is Flibanserin, and what condition is it designed to treat?

Flibanserin is a drug designed to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in women, a condition where women experience less sexual desire than they want to.

What are some of the drawbacks of Flibanserin?

Flibanserin requires women to give up alcohol, carries risks of side effects such as dizziness, tiredness, and nausea, and only marginally improves sexual satisfaction, leading to just one more sexually satisfying event per month compared to placebo.

How does society traditionally view female sexuality compared to male sexuality?

Society traditionally views sex as more important for men than women, and many women feel shame discussing sexual issues. However, this view is not accurate, as over half of women experience some form of sexual dysfunction.

What is the 'orgasm gap,' and how does it relate to gender?

The 'orgasm gap' refers to the difference in climax frequency between men and women. Men reach orgasm 90% of the time they have sex, while women only reach orgasm about 60% of the time during heterosexual encounters.

Why can't female sexuality be 'fixed' with a pill, according to the speaker?

Female sexuality cannot be 'fixed' with a pill because it is not broken. It is misunderstood, and centuries of skewed, male-dominated medical science have failed to accurately understand how women's bodies and sexual desire work.

How did early anatomists misunderstand the female body, particularly the clitoris?

Early anatomists, mostly male, misunderstood the clitoris, often dismissing it as an abnormal growth. Some even recommended clitoral removal in cases where it was deemed too large, a practice akin to female genital mutilation.

What did Dr. Helen O'Connell discover about the clitoris, and why is this important?

Dr. Helen O'Connell discovered that the full structure of the clitoris is much larger than previously thought, containing as much erectile tissue as the penis. This information is crucial for medical procedures, as a lack of understanding about the clitoris can lead to increased risks of injury during surgery.

What is Dr. Rosemary Basson's model of women's arousal and desire, and how does it differ from traditional models?

Dr. Rosemary Basson's model suggests that women's arousal and desire are less linear and more circular than men's. Women may start an encounter for reasons other than desire, such as curiosity, and can experience satisfaction without climax. This model accounts for a more complex and varied experience of sexual desire and fulfillment.

Why is redefining female sexuality important for women's health and well-being?

Redefining female sexuality is important because it empowers women to understand their bodies, define pleasure on their own terms, and make informed decisions about consent and sexual health. It contributes to overall well-being and a sense of wholeness.

What broader societal impact does the speaker believe redefining sexuality could have?

The speaker believes that empowering women to fully own their sexuality could lead to a more equal and inclusive society, improving not only women's lives but also contributing to a better world for everyone.