Introduction Despite a demonstrated relationship between sexual behaviors and health, including clinical risks, little is known about contemporary sexual behavior. Aims To assess the rates of sexual behavior among adolescents and adults in the United States. Methods We report the recent (past month, past year) and lifetime prevalence of sexual behaviors in a nationally representative probability sample of 5,865 men and women ages 14 to 94 in the United States (2,936 men, 2,929 women). Main Outcome Measures Behaviors assessed included solo masturbation, partnered masturbation, giving and receiving oral sex, vaginal intercourse, and anal intercourse. Results Masturbation was common throughout the lifespan and more common than partnered sexual activities during adolescence and older age (70+). Although uncommon among 14- to 15-year olds, in the past year 18.3% of 16- to 17-year-old males and 22.4% of 16- to 17-year-old females performed oral sex with an other-sex partner. Also in the past year, more than half of women and men ages 18 to 49 engaged in oral sex. The proportion of adults who reported vaginal sex in the past year was highest among men ages 25–39 and for women ages 20–29, then progressively declined among older age groups. More than 20% of men ages 25–49 and women ages 20–39 reported anal sex in the past year. Same-sex sexual behaviors occurring in the past year were uncommonly reported. Conclusions Men and women engage in a diverse range of solo and partnered sexual behaviors throughout the life course. The rates of contemporary sexual behavior provided in this report will be valuable to those who develop, implement, and evaluate programs that seek to improve societal knowledge related to the prevalence of sexual behaviors and to sexual health clinicians whose work to improve sexual health among the population often requires such rates of behavior.

The findings support the view that Americans hold widely divergent opinions about what behaviors do and do not constitute having "had sex."

The Dual Control Model proposes that sexual responses involve an interaction between sexual excitatory and sexual inhibitory processes. The model further postulates that individuals vary in their propensity for both sexual excitation and sexual inhibition, and that such variations help us to understand much of the variability in human sexuality. The development of psychometrically validated instruments for measuring such propensities for men (Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales) and for women (Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women) is described. These measures show close to normal variability in both men and women, supporting the concept that "normal" levels of inhibition proneness are adaptive. The relevance of the model to sexual development, sexual desire, the effects of aging, sexual identity, and the relation between mood and sexuality are discussed, and the available evidence is reviewed. Particular attention is paid to gender differences and similarities in propensities for sexual excitation and inhibition. Research findings related to sexual problems, high-risk sexual behavior, and the relevance of this model to clinical management of such problems are also summarized. Last, ideas for future use and further development of the Dual Control Model are considered.

Introduction In the contemporary U.S., men and women are living longer and healthier lives. As such, many people spend greater portions of their lives as sexually active individuals. Yet, little is known about the myriad of ways that older adults experience their sexual lives. Aim This study sought to assess the context and frequency of sexual behaviors, condom use, sexual pleasure, and sexual experience of men and women over age 50. Methods Information regarding the sexual experiences of a nationally representative sample of men and women over age 50 within the past year was examined. Main Outcome Measures Sexual behavior over the past year was assessed in relation to several situational and contextual characteristics (e.g., event location, type of partner, health status, condom use). Participants were also asked about their experience (i.e., pleasure, arousal, pain, lubrication/erectile difficulties, and orgasm) during their most recent partnered sexual event. Bivariate or ordinal logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship of age, health and partner status to sexual frequency and experience. Results Although sizable proportions (20–30%) of both men and women remained sexually active well into their 80s age was related to a lower likelihood of solo and most partnered sexual behaviors. When controlling for age, relationship status, and health remained significant predictors of select sexual behaviors. The participant’s evaluation of their most recent sexual experience in terms of arousal, erectile difficulty, and orgasm all declined with age. Health status was related to men’s evaluation of the experience. Relationship status was the most consistent predictor of women’s evaluation of the experience. Condom use rates remained low for participants across age groups. Conclusion Many older adults continue be sexually active well into advanced age (80+). Thus, providers need to be attentive to the diverse sexual health needs of older adults.

The aim of this study was to inform the development of a questionnaire to assess a woman's tendency to respond with sexual excitation/inhibition in different situations. Nine focus groups, involving 80 women (M age = 34.3 years; range, 18-84), were conducted. Women described a wide range of physical (genital and nongenital), cognitive/emotional, and behavioral cues to arousal. The relationship between sexual interest (desire) and sexual arousal was complex; sexual interest was reported as sometimes preceding arousal, but at other times following it. Many women did not clearly differentiate between arousal and interest. Qualitative data on the factors that women perceived as "enhancers" and "inhibitors" of sexual arousal are presented, with a focus on the following themes: feelings about one's body; concern about reputation; unwanted pregnancy/contraception; feeling desired versus feeling used by a partner; feeling accepted by a partner; style of approach/initiation; and negative mood. The findings can help inform conceptualizations of sexual arousal in women.