Why don't you share your satisfaction with me?

BACKGROUND: Healthy spousal communication of marital and sexual expectations is one of the most important factors to improve the quality of sexual relations in marriage.

OBJECTIVES: This paper has attempted to explore women's expectations of men for having pleasurable sex in a monogamous and steady sexual relationship within the context of Iran.

METHODS: In this qualitative study, 20 interviews were conducted in Tehran from December 2013 to May 2014. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling, face-to-face, in-depth, and semistructured interviews. The collected data were analyzed using qualitative conventional content analysis. The research was designed with regard to Lincoln and Guba's four major rigor criteria in qualitative investigation.

RESULTS: Women's expectations for having enjoyable sex were classified in two areas: (1) marital components and (2) sexual components. Marital components included romantic relationships, attention, respect and admiration, appreciation, man's loyalty, and having compatibility. Sexual components included enough sexual skills, good sexual function, and commitment to equity in sex.

CONCLUSIONS: This research helps to identify women's expectations for having a gratifying sexual relationship and thus contributes to enhanced sexual satisfaction, as well as marital stability and continuity.