"It happens to everyone" vs. "You're not a real man": The relationship between intimate communication and men's sexual difficulties

J Sex Marital Ther. 2023;49(8):869-885. doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2023.2214544. Epub 2023 May 23.

Abstract

Sexual difficulties can have negative intrapersonal and interpersonal consequences on both members of a couple, but little is known about how communication in a relationship relates to men's experience of sexual difficulties. We explored the associations among components of intimate communication, men's sexual difficulties, relationship satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction in a sample of men in mixed-gender and same-gender relationships (n = 341). Among all components of intimate communication, sexual communication was most consistently related to indicators of sexual difficulties, relationship satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction. Results generally remained consistent across mixed-gender and same-gender couples, with some exceptions relevant to sexual difficulties.

MeSH terms

  • Communication
  • Gender Identity
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Men
  • Sexual Behavior*
  • Sexual Partners*