The Awkward Science of Sex Research: A Conversation with Mary Roach
The Science of Sex and Scientific Exploration
Exploring human sexuality through a scientific lens has historically been fraught with taboos and awkward methodologies. Science writer Mary Roach, author of the book Bonk, discusses her experiences covering the often absurd, yet essential, history of sexual research.
Breaking Taboos and Early Research
• Early researchers like Alfred Kinsey and Masters and Johnson faced significant societal resistance but were remarkably creative in their attempts to quantify sexual behavior.
• Notable examples include Kinsey using an attic as a makeshift laboratory to study physiological responses, and Masters and Johnson using early forms of penis cameras to visualize internal mechanics.
• Many scientific figures historically avoided the topic entirely, leading to gaps in medical knowledge that negatively impacted patient health and understanding of human anatomy.
The Mystery of the Female Orgasm
• A central question in sex research is the evolutionary and physiological purpose of the female orgasm.
• Researchers have long explored theories regarding "upsuck," the idea that uterine contractions might aid in conception by pulling sperm upward; however, experimental findings remain mixed and contested.
• Studies involving artificial insemination in pigs have shown that sexual stimulation can marginally improve fertility, sparking further debate on whether similar mechanisms translate to humans.
Bizarre Experimental Methods
• Mary Roach details her own hands-on experiences as a research subject. This includes an ultrasound study conducted in London, where she and her husband were asked to participate in a clinical setting while being observed by a researcher.
• Another fascinating topic mentioned is the use of the vaginal photoplethysmograph, a device sometimes referred to as 'Cinderella’s tampon,' used to measure blood flow and arousal levels.
The Future and Cultural Perspectives
• While scientific understanding has progressed, sexual health research remains difficult to fund and often faces institutional biases.
• Understanding human sexuality is not only about biological mechanics but also about dismantling medical taboos to improve overall health and patient well-being.
"The human body is kind of a foreign planet that is fun to play around on."
— Mary Roach