The scientific community has systematically ignored the needs of women who have sex with women (WSW). The invisibilization of romantic and sexual relationships between women has caused a profound lack of knowledge about the impact of HIV and other STIs on this population subgroup. This study aims to analyze the frequency of dental dam and condom use in WSW and identify the variables that explain the use of these two preventive methods. The sample is composed of 327 women aged between 18 and 60 years (M = 27.82; SD = 8.10). The results indicate that only 4.7% of those who practice cunnilingus and 5.2% of those who practice anilingus report “always” using dental dam (systematic use). Condoms are used systematically by 37.1% of those who practice vaginal penetration and 37.8% of those who practice anal penetration. Age, high perceived self-efficacy, and adequate assertive communication skills are variables significantly related to preventive behavior. The severity attributed to HIV and the perceived risk of infection are protective factors regarding dental dam use. For condom use, high levels of internalized homophobia and drug use are risk factors. Future preventive strategies should provide information on preventive strategies to WSW who, for different reasons, are not involved in LGBT contexts or associations and, therefore, do not have access to training activities and mistakenly believe that they are invulnerable as they do not have sexual relations with men.

Sexuality has been censored by Spanish culture, where legal progress in the form of new policies about sexual diversity rights has not been followed by lower levels of social discrimination. This has affected sexual development across the lifespan for both sexual minorities and heterosexual people who experience their sexuality outside of heteronormativity. However, the literature has regularly excluded the possible consequences of the experience of sexuality within prescriptive categories, particularly in heterosexual people. This study delves deeper into the same-sex experiences of heterosexual women and men and the discomfort they may feel toward such experiences in Spain. A total of 2900 young Spanish people who self-identified as heterosexual completed a questionnaire on sexual diversity and experiences related to sexual orientation. The mean age was 24.22 years (SD = 5.71), 71.1% were women, and 28.9% were men. More heterosexual women than heterosexual men reported having had same-sex attraction, fantasies, desires, and behavioral intentions. However, these men and women reported having similar levels of same-sex sexual intercourse. The discomfort level experienced was higher among heterosexual men and younger people, suggesting the possibility that traditional norms restrict behavioral expression of sexuality among these individuals. At least in the Spanish context, these gender differences should be taken into account to adjust all psychological and educational interventions in the future to improve inclusive sexual attitudes and the treatment of discomfort with sexual orientation. Following these results, research on sexual diversity should focus on young heterosexual people who have different same-sex experiences according to gender differences.

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic is becoming a major hazard to public health worldwide. This is causing a significant impact on life and physical health, as well as on the psychological well-being of the general population. Since the emotional distress and the social restrictions caused by this epidemic, it must be expected that its impact will also extend to sexual health. The purpose of this study, the first including a large sample of the Spanish general population, was to analyze sexual behavior during the 99 days of confinement in Spain (INSIDE Project). Method. 1,448 Spanish people, between 18 and 60 years old, were evaluated through an online survey during April 2020. The variables analyzed were the physical and social environment during confinement, sexual desire, type of sexual activity, masturbation, sexual intercourse, online sexual activity, general sexual frequency, sexual fantasies, degree of self-control over sexual drive, sexual abuse, general impact of confinement on sexuality and emotional mood. Results. Confinement has affected the sexual life of half of the Spanish population (47.7%), especially women. Those who reported a worsening of their sexual life are almost three times more (37.9%) than those who reported an improvement (14.4%). Conclusions. Different factors have been significant predictors of the positive or negative valoration about the impact of this confinement on sexual life, such as gender, couple life, privacy, stress level and the perception of confinement as unbearable. Policy Implications. These results have important implications for the public health and more especially sexual health of the Spanish population.

Introduction: The proactive role of women in sexuality has been socially invisible, especially in regard to pornography use. For this reason, this study aims to explore Spanish women’s sexual experiences regarding viewing, arousal, and discomfort as perceived by different types of pornography and based on the women’s sexual orientation. Methods: Between January and March 2019, 2730 Spanish women between 18 and 44 years old (M = 24.16; SD = 6.04) completed a questionnaire about the consumption of heterosexual, gay, and lesbian pornography and the discomfort they felt when they were aroused by this type of material. Regarding their sexual orientation, 78.1% were heterosexual, 15.4% were bisexual, and 6.5% were lesbian. Results: In general, more lesbian and bisexual women consume pornography than heterosexual women do. In any case, all of them consume and are aroused by pornographic content based on a sexual orientation that differs from their reported sexual orientation. Women experience discomfort when viewing pornography, regardless of their sexual orientation and the type of content. Particularly, the youngest women are associated with discomfort when viewing heterosexual pornography, although the discomfort of older bisexual women is associated with gay and lesbian pornography. Conclusions: Regardless of their reported sexual orientation, women view and feel aroused by different types of pornographic content. In addition, this study reveals their associated discomfort, which could interfere with their sexual health. Policy Implications: Sexual health strategies should include a more active role of women in sexuality, as well as a more flexible conception of their sexual orientation to prevent stigmatizing them.