Scientists have revealed what men really think about female genitalia by asking them to rank the importance of 24 specific features.
Men reported physical pleasure as the main attribute, as aroma and sensitivity, while aesthetic attributes such as symmetry or lip size occupied a lower place.
This suggests that men’s feelings toward women’s genitals are determined primarily by functionality and feel, not physical appearance, the researchers concluded.
More than 200 heterosexual men between the ages of 19 and 77 participated in the survey.
They were also asked to rate their agreement with several statements such as “Women’s genitals are beautiful” and “Women should be proud of their genitals.”
The findings revealed that while men’s attitudes toward female genitalia were generally positive, their opinions varied greatly from person to person.
About a fifth of participants expressed negative opinions, suggesting that a sizeable minority of men do not find female genitalia attractive.
Previous research has shown that a woman’s self-perception is influenced by her partner’s attitudes and opinions.
Scientists have revealed what men really think about female genitalia and have discovered that while most view them favorably, some don’t at all.
“We conducted qualitative research with women about their genital self-image and found that even casual negative comments from their male partners could have a big impact on women,” said study author E. Sandra Byers, professor emeritus at the University of New Brunswick (UNB).
Those impacts can even affect a woman’s health. Feeling bad or self-conscious about one’s genitals has been linked to lower sexual satisfaction, poorer sexual health, and a greater likelihood of considering cosmetic surgery.
“Hence the need to investigate men’s attitudes toward female genitalia, as well as the link between those attitudes and genital feedback toward their partners,” Byers said. PsyPost.
Byers and her colleague, UNB clinical psychologist Miranda Fudge, published their findings in the journal International Journal of Sexual Health on November 8.
The 24 features that participants were asked to rate were divided into three categories: appearance/physical characteristics, odor/taste, and function.
Those in the Appearance category included clitoral size, shape, and pubic hair.
The Smell/Flavor category included only two options: aroma and flavor.
And in the Function category, the researchers listed attributes about the feel of female genitalia, including warmth and sensitivity.
Previous research with women on their genital self-image found that even casual negative comments from their male partners could have a big impact, Byers said.
The results suggest that when it comes to what shapes men’s perceptions of female genitalia, functional and sensory aspects matter more than aesthetics, the researchers found.
This conflicts with social messages that emphasize perfect genital appearance, especially in the media and pornography.
But that does not mean that men do not have aesthetic preferences or that sociocultural factors do not influence them.
The study also revealed a significant subgroup that has negative opinions about female genitalia.
“Holding negative views likely reflects social messages about female genitalia and may influence not only men’s sexual well-being but also that of their female partners,” Byers said.
The study found that men’s attitudes toward female genitalia impact their own sex lives in several ways.
On the one hand, the study found that men with more positive views reported having a greater number of female sexual partners throughout their lives.
But surprisingly, the researchers found no link between their perceptions and the frequency of specific sexual activities, such as oral sex.
Men with positive views were also more likely to engage in behaviors that foster intimacy and instill confidence in their female partners, such as giving compliments or positive statements about their genitals.
However, those with negative attitudes were more likely to make critical comments. But the study found that the overall frequency of negative feedback was low.
However, the study’s conclusions may not reflect more diverse populations.
Participants were predominantly white and educated and therefore it would be beneficial for future studies to survey a more varied group.
Additionally, the authors note that respondents may have been hesitant to be completely honest about their negative attitudes or behaviors, and therefore the minority group may actually be larger.
The study also relied on self-reported data on the men’s sexual orientation and history, which may have been influenced by “social desirability bias,” or the tendency of respondents to answer questions in a way that others view favorably.