Posted on 10/24/2002 11:03:01 AM PDT by Pern
Semen may be a natural “upper” and its effect may be addictive, according to a recent study of sexually active college women. The study, conducted at the State University of New York at Albany, found that women having sex without condoms were less depressed than those using them.
Researchers asked 293 undergraduate females how often they had sex, the type of contraception used and the number of days since they last had sex. Results revealed that depression levels increased with the frequency of the subjects’ condom use.
“I wouldn’t use the word ‘addictive,’ but sex without a condom is definitely better,” said Paula, an NYU graduate student who declined to give her last name. “You feel much more connected to the person you’re with emotionally. Skin on skin just feels so much smoother.”
Professor Gordon Gallup, who headed the research project, said that although the exact cause of the antidepressant effect was not clear, it has been proven that semen is absorbed through the vaginal walls. Semen contains testosterone, estrogen and other hormones with the potential to affect mood and sexual behavior, he said.
“If the results could be proven, I suppose some attempt should be made to try to isolate and simulate the antidepressant effect,” Gallup said, but added later that he was not concerned with practical applications of the study.
The study, published in the June issue of the “Archives of Sexual Behavior,” has received mixed reactions.
Dr. Ira Sharlip, a urologist in San Francisco and president of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America, criticized the study in an article published on Salon.com.
“This is the kind of junk science that smears the name of honest science,” Sharlip wrote.
Student critics were quick to point out the dangers of unprotected sex.
“We were raised watching after-school specials informing us about the dangers of AIDS and the importance of wearing a condom, not to mention STDs and unwanted pregnancies,” said Sarah, a performing arts major at NYU who declined to give her last name. “I’m not saying I’ve never done it, but the fact that there are so many students having sex without condoms is scary.”
Gallup said it was not his intention to promote sex without a condom.
“Condom use was the only way we could isolate the effect of semen. I have no control over the media. I just try to represent the facts,” Gallup said. “My general impression is that students today think having unprotected sex is like driving a car. Everybody thinks car accidents happen to other people — until they’re in one.”
Although few NYU students questioned the uplifting effects of sex, some questioned the cause.
“I feel noticeably better about life after having sex, with or without condoms,” Paula said. “I attribute this to the release of sexual tension between my boyfriend and I. And the pleasure of orgasm, of course.”
Gallup said the study did not measure the positive effects of sex, but isolated the presence and effect of semen.
Results of the survey also linked the effects of semen and depression to suicide rates among sexually active females. The study reported that while 28.9 percent of women who “usually” use condoms have attempted suicide, only 7.4 percent who use them “sometimes” and 4.5 percent of sexually active women who never use condoms have attempted suicide.
But only 13.2 percent of those who said they always used condoms said they have attempted suicide.
The authors said the study also provides indirect evidence suggesting that the antidepressant effect of semen may be addictive. Subjects who said they never used condoms reported having sex almost twice as frequently as those who always wore condoms and were likely to have “rebound sex” sooner than women who used condoms.
“Sex is my drug, and it’s definitely addictive,” said an undergraduate student who would identify herself only as Amy. “This [study] just proves it.”
Researchers are currently preparing an intensive follow-up study using a larger group of students.
“I would be troubled and surprised if we received different results after conducting the same study using NYU students,” Gallup said.
[ducking]
Planning an orgy?
Do these numbers seem incredibly high to anyone? Are women constantly trying to kill themselves?
Firm grasp of SOMETHING, anyway.
LoL - you're always thinking! ;)
your dain may be bramaged, but the other parts are compensating for you!
If these college girls are happier without a condom, it must be a result of the drugs or booze they used before sex--or they somehow think that "no condom" means that their partners must "really like" them.
I recall the Reader's Digest had a note about a study of whether more cheerful women had more children than less cheerful women (however they phrased it exactly).The title of the note was,
"Oh, Come On Now!"
Richard Simmons, BTW, always seems pretty happy too.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.