The prevalence of excision is estimated to be 20% in Senegal. The objective of the study is to analyse the use of erotic and aphrodisiac products of women who practice excision and how they enhance and raise their husbands’ sexual pleasure. This is a qualitative study analysing the relationship between femininity, excision and the use of erotic and aphrodisiac products. All in all 114 individual interviews were undertaken amongst 62 Laobe women, 62 Torrodo women and 19 husbands of Laobe women.
The results have shown that sexual pleasure with an excised woman are experienced and appreciated in different ways. Aphrodisiac and erotic products raise sexual desire and increase sexual pleasure. For excised Laobe and Torrodo women these products represent an embodiment of their femininity and increase the man’s sexual pleasure.
The display of ‘femininity’ enhances the psychological and affective attachment of the husband towards his wife and facilitates her access to resources she might be interested in. These erotic products are constituted of chains of beads, traditional erotic loin-cloths and a variety of incenses that stimulate all senses - the eyes and the sense of smell – and raise sexual desire. Aphrodisiac products are substances that put into the vagina to enhance the man’s sexual pleasure but very few women accept to use these products due to sentiments of humiliation related to taboos about their sexuality.
The aim is to explore the multiples aspects of sexual pleasure and between couples and the diminution of sexual desire through excision.
Conflict of Interest: None disclosed
Financial Support/Funding: Financement OMS/HRP.
The 19th WAS World Congress for Sexual Health - Sexual Health & Rights: A Global Challenge - Goteberg, Sweden, June 21-25, 2009
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