Reproductive and Sexual Health Handbook

Female sexual function will vary depending on age, stage of relationship, gender, cultural or religious background and degree of personal comfort. Often normality in relation to female sexual function is defined in terms of sexual frequency per week, but ‘normal’ can also encompass the type of activity that individuals feel is acceptable. For example, in the past, masturbation was considered to be abnormal or ‘sinful’, whereas we now consider masturbation to be a ‘normal’ activity within the range of sexual activities that a person or couple might utilise. Sometimes there may be external pressure to conform to a ‘normal’ sexual frequency or to agree to an activity that makes an individual uncomfortable. Saying ‘no’ to something does not mean that person is not ‘normal’.