In an intriguing study, University of British Columbia student Cindy Masaro investigates into the truth behind female sexuality, claiming that female sexual dysfunction is in the head rather than in the bed, reports the Georgia Straight.

'The medicalization of female sexuality' is what is causing all sorts of imaginary troubles for many women in bed, the UBC PhD student observes, explaining that with so many different studies focusing more on sexual culmination than on the quality of interpersonal intimacy that women, especially those who are 25 or above, have started assuming that sex is meaningless unless they reach orgasm during intercourse.

When it comes to physical intimacy between two partners, the journey matters just as much as the destination does, Ms Masaro indicates. In an exclusive interview to the Vancouver-based weekly freesheet, she says "women are led to believe that orgasm must occur during that particular activity (penile-vaginal sex) or something's wrong with them".

Most treatments of female sexual dysfunction are taking advantage of this myth, which is why many of today's women have developed unrealistic expectations out of sex and are also indulging in risk behaviours, Ms Masaro says.

UBC nursing professor and scientific director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's Institute of Gender and Health Joy Johnson agrees with Cindy Masaro, reiterating that many women falsely believe that vaginal penetration is the only route to reach sexual climax. More studies are required to fully understand different aspects of female sexuality, he reckons.

The Georgia Straight learns that Ms Masaro also plans to closely look into the factors that are putting the lives of older women at risk of developing sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Because of the altered perception of sexuality – much of which is fuelled by limited medical research – many mature women do not comply with safe sex practices, Mr Johnson regrets.