Sexual Behavior in the United States: Results from a National Probability Sample of Men and Women Ages 14–94

Abstract

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.

Prevalence of Pubic Hair Grooming–Related Injuries and Identification of High-Risk Individuals in the United States

“…1 This trend has been driven in part by the media and in part by modern society's definition of attractiveness, cleanliness, feelings of femininity or masculinity, and perception of genital normalcy. [2][3][4] Pubic hair removal has been associated with genital self-image and higher levels of sexual response. 5,6 Although pubic hair grooming is widespread, the risks associated with hair removal, such as genitourinary injuries, remain largely uncharacterized.…”

Quality of sexual life in adult and elderly female college students from a university in amazon

“…However, a significant proportion of the elderly still engage in vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and masturbation to the eighth and ninth decades of their lives. 6,16,21,22 According to Sadovsky et al, 10 to 20% of women are sexually active even after their 60s, and 30% of healthy female residents of retirement homes had recent sexual intercourse after their 80s. 22 Almost half the female college students from our study were married, and 30.0% of the adult group was single when compared to 14.3% of the elderly group.…”

“…Therefore, arousal can precede desire in the female sexual cycle and be the sexual trigger for some women, proving its importance for the quality of sexual life. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] Lubrication problems are the second most common sexual complaint in women, reported being present in up to 39% of cases. 5,26 In Brazil, 27 to 37% women have arousal problems.…”

Sexual Behavior, Function and Satisfaction in Headache Associated with Sexual Activity: A Systematic Review of Literature

“…In United States, the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior [58] has shown that the frequency of masturbation in alone or with partners ranges from 27.9% to 68.6% of men whereas approximately 20% of women in each age group in the past month. On average, masturbation is slightly more frequent than vaginal intercourse in men but vice versa in women.…”