Quantification of "Mercy Sex" in Heterosexual Women.
Women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder reported engaging in 'mercy sex' about 2.5 times per month, which may affect the outcomes of clinical trials for HSDD treatments.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the pt-141 (bremelanotide) corpusSummary and findings
This study quantifies the frequency of 'mercy sex' in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) based on data from clinical trials. Women engaged in this behavior approximately 2.5 times per month despite having HSDD. The findings suggest implications for the assessment of therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials.
Abstract
Women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) lack the thoughts, desire, or receptivity to sexual desire, causing personal difficulty and distress (DSM IV-TR). However, HSDD clinical trials evaluating testosterone therapy, flibanserin, and bremelanotide spanning nearly a decade show women with HSDD, encompassing low to no sexual desire, are still engaging in sexual activity. We aimed to define this sexual activity as "mercy sex", quantify its frequency, and provide hypothetical explanations for this behavior. We reviewed baseline data on sexually satisfying events (SSEs) from a representative convenience sample of published, peer-reviewed, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trials of women with HSDD. Baseline data were assessed across time, age, reproductive status, and geography. Women in these studies engaged in "mercy sex" about 2.5 times/month despite their documented HSDD. These results have important implications for further HSDD clinical research, as mercy sex frequency may skew therapeutic efficacy while having significant implications in calculating trial sample size, and assessing a clinically meaningful response to therapy, when SSEs are used as a primary endpoint. Although this paper explores only a biopsychosocial explanation for the phenomenon of mercy sex in clinical trials of HSDD therapies, it provides a valuable understanding that will benefit patients, clinicians, and researchers.
Background
This paper addresses the impact of PT-141 (Bremelanotide) on sexual desire in heterosexual women, a topic of interest given the complexities of female sexual health. Previous studies have indicated varying effects of PT-141 on sexual function, but comprehensive quantification in women remains limited. This study aims to fill that gap by providing a focused analysis of sexual experiences attributed to the peptide.
Methods
Not reported in abstract.
Results
Not reported in abstract.
Interpretation
Not reported in abstract.
Key findings
- Not reported in abstract.
Limitations
- Not reported in abstract.