Sexual dysfunctions -- an evolutionary perspective | Menelaos Apostolou | TEDxUniversityofNicosia

Summary

This script delves into sexual dysfunctions, highlighting their prevalence and the societal implications. It explores the evolutionary perspective, suggesting that variation in sexual functioning is due to weak selection pressures in ancestral societies where mate choice was regulated. The speaker argues that what is now considered dysfunction is often a normal variation, exacerbated by modern societal changes. The talk concludes by encouraging individuals to address sexual issues if they cause personal distress, framing it as a common and normal aspect of human diversity.

Takeaways

• 🔎 A sexual dysfunction is defined as a difficulty experienced by an individual or couple during any stage of normal sexual activity, such as pain or inability to achieve orgasm.
• 👤 Approximately 30% of adult men and 40% of women suffer from at least one type of sexual dysfunction, with men most commonly experiencing premature ejaculation and women most often reporting low sexual desire.
• 🤔 The high prevalence of sexual dysfunctions raises questions about their causes, which may include poor mental and physical health, but these factors do not fully explain the issue.
• 🧬 An evolutionary perspective suggests that our bodies have mechanisms that regulate sexual functioning, and that there has been considerable variation in these mechanisms due to weak selection pressures during human evolutionary time.
• 👃 Just as there is variation in physical traits like nose size, there is variation in sexual functioning, and this variation has been maintained in the population due to weak selection pressures.
• 🌐 Anthropological and historical records indicate that in ancestral societies, mate choice was regulated, and individual preferences for sexual satisfaction were less important.
• 🚫 In pre-industrial societies, a woman's sexual satisfaction was not a primary concern, which may explain why there is variation in men's ejaculation latency times.
• 🔄 The shift to modern societies where mate choice is not regulated has led to new challenges, as men now need to provide sexual satisfaction to maintain relationships, potentially leading to issues like premature ejaculation being labeled as dysfunctions.
• 💔 Low sexual desire in women can cause friction in relationships in modern contexts where consent is required for sexual activity, which was not the case in regulated mate choice societies.
• 💡 While sexual dysfunctions may be a normal variation, they can cause significant problems in modern relationships, suggesting that individuals should seek help if they are dissatisfied with their sexual functioning.

Q & A

What is the definition of sexual dysfunction according to the script?

Sexual dysfunction is defined as a difficulty that an individual or a couple experiences during any stage of normal sexual activity, such as feeling pain or being unable to experience orgasm.

What are the most common sexual dysfunctions in men and women?

For men, the most common sexual dysfunction is premature ejaculation, followed by erectile difficulties and lack of interest in sex. For women, the most common ones are lack of interest in sex, difficulties experiencing orgasm, and pain during intercourse.

What percentage of adult men and women suffer from sexual dysfunctions?

Approximately 30% of adult men and about 40% of women suffer from or have at least one manifested sexual dysfunction.

Why might poor mental and physical health be associated with sexual dysfunctions?

Poor mental health, such as depression, can lead to a lack of interest in sex, and physical health issues, like cardiovascular problems, might affect erectile functioning, which can contribute to sexual dysfunctions.

How does the evolutionary perspective explain the prevalence of sexual dysfunctions?

The evolutionary perspective suggests that our bodies have mechanisms that regulate sexual functioning, and that there may have been weak selection pressures during human evolutionary time, leading to considerable variation in sexual functioning.

What is the role of anthropological and historical records in understanding sexual dysfunctions?

Anthropological and historical records provide evidence that in ancestral societies, mate choice was regulated, and this context of regulated choice might have led to the variation in sexual functioning that we see today, which can cause problems in modern societies where mate choice is not regulated.

Why might a man who ejaculates quickly not have been at a disadvantage in ancestral societies?

In ancestral societies, women did not have a choice of mate, and men did not need to provide sexual satisfaction for their partners. Therefore, a man who ejaculated quickly would not be at a disadvantage in terms of reproductive success.

How does the concept of 'mate choice' relate to the prevalence of sexual dysfunctions today?

In modern societies, where mate choice is not regulated and individuals can choose their partners, there is an expectation for sexual satisfaction. This can lead to the labeling of certain variations in sexual functioning, like premature ejaculation or low sexual desire, as dysfunctions because they may cause friction in relationships.

What does the speaker suggest for individuals experiencing sexual dysfunctions?

The speaker suggests that while sexual dysfunctions are common and often a normal variation, if they cause problems or dissatisfaction, individuals should consider seeking help or working on improving their sexual functioning.

How does the speaker use the analogy of nose size to explain the concept of normal variation?

The speaker uses the analogy of nose size to illustrate that normal variation exists in human characteristics, and just because a characteristic varies and is normal, it doesn't mean it can't cause problems. If the variation causes issues, like a large nose affecting self-esteem, one might consider altering it, similar to addressing sexual dysfunctions.