| Abstract: | The purpose of this investigation was to determine how sexually dysfunctional and normal women differ in their physiological responsivity during, and subjective responsivity shortly after, exposure to an erotic stimulus. Utilizing analysis of covariance, subjects were equated on physiological basal measures as well as other relevant demographic and sexual activity measures. Normal subjects showed increases in diastolic blood pressure and vaginal capillary engorgement, but the groups did not differ on electrodermal activity, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and subjective ratings of sexual or anxiety arousal. There were significant positive correlations for the combined groups between vaginal capillary engorgement and Sexual Arousability Inventory scores, awareness of physiological changes during sexual activity, day in menstrual cycle, and frequency of intercourse. |
