Conceptual Frameworks Linking Sexual Health to Physical, Mental, and Interpersonal Well-Being: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Systematic review and meta-analysis of predominantly observational and cross-sectional studies
PubMed 41463979 · doi:10.3390/bs15121636
What was done
Authors conducted a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis across ProQuest, PubMed, and Web of Science (searched through September 2025). They evaluated studies linking sexual satisfaction and components of sexual health (orgasmic functioning, desire, pain, lubrication) with correlates of well-being, distress, physical health, relationship satisfaction, and attachment styles. A total of 228 records (281 independent subsamples, N = 248,021) yielding 1,201 extracted effects were combined into 44 meta-analytic effects, path models, and meta-regressions.
What was found
Path analyses showed dimensions of sexual health (sexual satisfaction, orgasms, sexual desire, lack of sexual pain, vaginal lubrication) uniquely correlated with higher psychological well-being, physical health, and relationship satisfaction, as well as lower psychological distress, attachment anxiety, and attachment avoidance. Meta-regressions showed orgasms had a stronger positive link to sexual satisfaction in women and clinical subsamples, and a stronger link to reduced distress in older participants. Exact numeric effect sizes and confidence intervals were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This review synthesizes a vast literature into unified conceptual frameworks, demonstrating consistent links between specific aspects of sexual functioning and broader physical, psychological, and relational outcomes.
Limits
The abstract reports no numerical correlation coefficients, effect sizes, or confidence intervals. Approximately 96% of included studies were cross-sectional, preventing determination of causal direction.