Mercy Sex: How Much Is “Normal” Depends Upon The Country Where You Live

Mercy Sex: How Much Is “Normal” Depends Upon Where You Live. R. Pollycove, J. Simon. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, Volume 15, Issue 6, Supplement 2, June 2018, Pages S113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.03.052

Objective: Women engage in sexual relations despite the absence of personal sexual interest. Such sexual activity has been termed: duty sex, obligatory sex, mercy sex, etc. Medical treatments (testosterone [Intrinsa®; Libigel®], flibanserin [Addyi®], bremelanotide [RekyndaTM], lasofoxifene [Fablyn®)]) for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD; DSM-IV-TR) have investigated thousands of women. Women enrolled in HSDD trials continue to have sexual relations with their partners despite their absence of desire. We have previously reported that the “normal” frequency of sexual activity (without interest), aka “mercy sex” in these trials (a worldwide convenience sample) is 2.57 times/28 days. (n 4483). Here we examine the differences in “mercy sex” frequency among 13 European countries  to assess the impact, if any, of geographical and cultural diversity.

Materials and Methods: We analyzed baseline sexual activity data from the Orchid Trial (511.77; NCT00491829), a 24 week, randomized, doubleblind, placebo controlled, trial of flibanserin in premenopausal European women with HSDD conducted between June 2007 and March 2009 at 86 clinical trial sites in 13 European countries. All subjects used contraception. The baseline frequency of sexual activity without interest, aka “mercy sex” in these trial participants was compared by country with the norms established above.

Results: The mean number of sexual events per 28 days in the Orchid trial was: AUS 2.66, BEL 2.57, CZE 4.19, DEU 1.72, ESP 3.80, FIN 2.42, FRA 2.31, GBR 1.76, HUN 1.78, ITA 1.12, NLD 2.42; NOR 2.28, SWE 2.32.

Conclusion: Monogamous, heterosexual couples engage in sexual activity 2.57 times/28 days (n 4483) even when the female partner has HSDD. Such “mercy sex” is remarkably consistent in frequency. In certain Orchid trial countries, the frequency of “mercy sex” was inconsistent with these “norms.” These outlier results, both greater than the “norm” CZE 4.19, and ESP 3.80 events/28d; and less than the “norm” DEU 1.72, GBR 1.76, HUN 1.78, ITA 1.12, suggest significant cultural and/or social differences between countries, and provide a rich opportunity for hypothesis development and testing as to why such differences exist?

Disclosure: Work supported by industry: yes, by Boehringer Ingelheim (no industry support in study design or execution). The presenter or any of the authors act as a consultant, employee (part time or full time) or shareholder of an industry.