Magnetic resonance imaging of sexual intercourse: initial experience

J Sex Marital Ther. 2001 Oct-Dec;27(5):475-82. doi: 10.1080/713846807.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate sexual intercourse with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A volunteer couple (30 year-old male, 27-year-old female) with a normal sex life, had face-to-face sexual intercourse (reversed missionary position) under MRI. Static and dynamic T2-weighted sagittal sequencies were acquired on the midline before and during vaginal penetration. In this position, before penetration, the vagina was parallel to the pubococcygeal line and had normal anterior convexity. After penetration, accentuation of the vaginal convexity was observed, produced by the penile gland reaching the anterior cul-de-sac and contact with the anterior vaginal wall. The posterior bladder wall was pushed forward and upward, the uterus upward and backward. In this initial experience, we observed a preferential contact of the penis in erection with the anterior vaginal wall and the anterior cul-de-sac in the face-to-face sexual position. MRI allows a noninvasive assessment of sexual intercourse.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Coitus / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Penile Erection / physiology
  • Vagina / anatomy & histology*