Researchers from the University of Michigan have explored how electrical impulses directed at the clitoris may influence sexual desire in women. The findings appear in a medRxiv preprint and are considered preliminary until they undergo peer review and formal publication in a scholarly journal.
The study involved five women experiencing sexual dysfunction, including two with spinal cord injuries. Before the stimulation session began, participants were asked to rate their level of sexual arousal on a five point scale to establish a baseline for comparison.
At the clinical session, two small, round electrodes were placed on the clitoris and gentle electrical pulses were applied for a total of 30 minutes. The goal was to stimulate the sensory networks associated with sexual arousal and to observe any immediate changes in arousal levels.
Results showed that among the three participants without spinal cord injury, arousal scores rose by one to two points on the five point scale after stimulation. Among the two participants with spinal injuries, arousal increased by two to three points, suggesting that the intervention might have a notable impact even in cases where neural pathways are altered by injury.
During the procedure, researchers targeted the dorsal genital nerve, which runs along either side of the clitoral body and plays a key role in signaling sexual sensation. Importantly, none of the participants reported adverse effects during the treatment, indicating a favorable short term safety profile in this small, preliminary study. In forthcoming work, researchers plan to examine how additional stimuli, such as visual or sensory cues, might modulate the effects of electrical stimulation on arousal.
Low libido is a common concern, affecting a substantial portion of the population at various life stages. While factors such as stress, pregnancy, and childbirth can influence sexual desire, the persistence of low arousal beyond those contexts or when other causes are ruled out may warrant medical evaluation and discussion with a healthcare professional about available options and potential therapies. This line of inquiry is part of an ongoing effort to understand how neural and sensory pathways contribute to sexual function and how targeted interventions might complement existing treatments for sexual health concerns.