A Rapid Review of Sexual Pleasure in First Sexual Experience(s)

Abstract

While researchers have thoroughly studied the who, what, and when of first sexual experiences, we know much less about how people construct, experience, and proceed (or not) with sexual pleasure in these experiences and beyond. To address this knowledge gap, the Global Advisory Board for Sexual Health and Wellbeing (GAB) coordinated a rapid review of published peer-reviewed research to determine what is currently known about sexual pleasure in first sexual experiences. We found 23 papers exploring this subject and its intersections with sexual health and sexual rights. The results reveal significant gaps in erotic education, gender equity, vulnerability and connection, and communication efficacy; and highlight important domains to consider in future research. Our findings draw out the key features of pleasurable first sexual experience(s), namely that individuals with the agency to formulate their definition and context of what pleasure means to them are more likely to experience pleasure at first sex. This finding points to promising ways to improve first sexual experiences through erotic skills building and through addressing knowledge gaps about having sex for the first time among disadvantaged groups.

In Pursuit of Pleasure: A Biopsychosocial Perspective on Sexual Pleasure and Gender

“…These deep-rooted ideas that uncurbed sexuality is dangerous probably reinforce many caretakers’ and parents’ fears that a positive approach to sexual health and sex education will entice innocent children and adolescents into engaging in sex that they are not yet able to consent to. Yet, a recent review of 23 studies that looked at determinants of sexual pleasure at first partnered sexual experiences (defined as penile-vaginal penetration in three-quarters of the studies) found that young people with the agency to consider what a pleasurable first sexual experience may mean to them, experienced more pleasurable sexual debuts (Boydell et al, 2021 ). Also, there is substantial and convincing evidence that comprehensive sex education, even the kind that stays clear of anything remotely associated with sexual pleasure, is associated with heterosexual adolescents engaging in penile-vaginal intercourse at a later age, with more consistent condom and contraception use, and lower unwanted pregnancy rates in both developed and developing countries (Kirby et al, 2007 ; Kohler et al, 2008 ; Mueller et al, 2008 ; Russell et al, 2012 ).…”

A critical review of sociological research on sexual pleasure

“…By limiting the spaces in which pleasure is permitted to exist—typically married, heterosexual (White) penetrative penis‐in‐vagina intercourse (Rubin, 1984)—individuals who have sex in ways outside these boundaries are excluded from sexual discourse. Sexuality is a domain in which individuals feel great pressure to enact social roles, particularly those associated with gender (Bonell et al., 2022; Boydell et al., 2021; Fahs, 2014; Fahs & Swank, 2011; Harvey et al., 2023; Haus & Thompson, 2020; Leistner & Mark, 2023; Lentz & Zaikman, 2021; Miller, 2021; Missari, 2021; Pilcher, 2023; Thorpe & Kuperberg, 2021; Waling, 2023; Waskul & Anklan, 2020). This serves to reinforce existing inequalities stemming from such roles, especially the notion that women exist primarily in service to men (Burke, 2016).…”

“…The connection between sexuality and overall well-being is not exclusively limited to partnered sexuality, however; there are also positive benefits to psychological and physical well-being from masturbation and perhaps even non-sexual practices (e.g., Fahs & Swank, 2011;Haus & Thompson, 2020;Hensel et al, 2022;Pilcher, 2023;Thorpe et al, 2023;Waskul & Anklan, 2020). The experience and benefits of pleasure separate from relationship status, especially for women, have also received greater attention in recent years (Bonell et al, 2022;Boydell et al, 2021;Hensel et al, 2023;Missari, 2021;Shen & Liu, 2023;Thorpe et al, 2022;Walker & Lutmer, 2023).…”

Exploring the association between sexual motivation and quality of life in China and the United Kingdom

“…Secondly, sexual pleasure is important for most people and understanding it is essential for sexual well-being [ 23 , 24 ]. Sexual pleasure during sex is well established to lead to higher sexual satisfaction and may also be associated with improved quality of life [ 25 , 26 ].…”