National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior
Encyclopedia
The National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior is a study of human sexual behavior conducted in the United States by the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University in Bloomington. Articles based on the study were first released in a supplement to the October, 2010 issue of Journal of Sexual Medicine
.
The survey, of about 6,000 subjects between the age of 14 and 94, living in the United States, showed a wide variety of sexual behavior. According to Debby Herbenick
, PhD, of Indiana University in Bloomington, "Adult men and women rarely engage in just one sex act when they have sex."
Significant findings include use of condom
s in about 25% of instances of vaginal sex by adults, about 33% if they were single, with teenagers using condoms 70 to 80% of the time. Only a low level of sexual activity among the approximately 800 teenagers surveyed was found with incidence increasing with age. It was discovered that about one third of women reported pain during intercourse. A discrepancy was discovered between men's perception that their female partner had experienced orgasm
, about 85%, and women's self-reporting of 64%.
The studies were sponsored by Church and Dwight
maker of Trojan condoms
. The sponsor offered input with respect to gathering information regarding use of condoms, settling with a formulation which requested information on whether condoms were used or not during the last 10 sexual encounters of each respondent.
With respect to condom use results were encouraging especially with respect to teenagers. Ethnic populations impacted by HIV/AIDS
showed a higher rate of use than then general population as did dating adults. Discrepancies remain between the level of use optimal for public health and reported rate of use particularly by people over 40.
Women reported less satisfaction with sexual activity than men with less pleasure, less arousal, and fewer orgasms. This was hypothesized by one of the researchers as being related to the greater incidence of pain also reported by women.
Journal of Sexual Medicine
The Journal of Sexual Medicine is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Wiley-Blackwell. It is the official journal for the International Society for Sexual Medicine and for the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health...
.
The survey, of about 6,000 subjects between the age of 14 and 94, living in the United States, showed a wide variety of sexual behavior. According to Debby Herbenick
Debby Herbenick
Debby Herbenick M.P.H., Ph.D. is an American author, blogger, research scientist, sex advice columnist and human sexuality expert in the media....
, PhD, of Indiana University in Bloomington, "Adult men and women rarely engage in just one sex act when they have sex."
Significant findings include use of condom
Condom
A condom is a barrier device most commonly used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy and spreading sexually transmitted diseases . It is put on a man's erect penis and physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner...
s in about 25% of instances of vaginal sex by adults, about 33% if they were single, with teenagers using condoms 70 to 80% of the time. Only a low level of sexual activity among the approximately 800 teenagers surveyed was found with incidence increasing with age. It was discovered that about one third of women reported pain during intercourse. A discrepancy was discovered between men's perception that their female partner had experienced orgasm
Orgasm
Orgasm is the peak of the plateau phase of the sexual response cycle, characterized by an intense sensation of pleasure...
, about 85%, and women's self-reporting of 64%.
The studies were sponsored by Church and Dwight
Church and Dwight
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. is a minor U.S. manufacturer of household products that is based in Princeton, New Jersey. While it manufactures many items, it is by far best known for its Arm & Hammer line which includes baking soda and many other items made with it. The company was founded in 1896 to...
maker of Trojan condoms
Trojan (condoms)
Trojan is a brand name of condoms manufactured by the Church & Dwight Company. 70.5 percent of condoms purchased in United States drugstores are Trojan brand. Trojan began selling condoms in 1927 through an ad placed in a trade magazine for pharmacists....
. The sponsor offered input with respect to gathering information regarding use of condoms, settling with a formulation which requested information on whether condoms were used or not during the last 10 sexual encounters of each respondent.
With respect to condom use results were encouraging especially with respect to teenagers. Ethnic populations impacted by HIV/AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
showed a higher rate of use than then general population as did dating adults. Discrepancies remain between the level of use optimal for public health and reported rate of use particularly by people over 40.
Women reported less satisfaction with sexual activity than men with less pleasure, less arousal, and fewer orgasms. This was hypothesized by one of the researchers as being related to the greater incidence of pain also reported by women.
External links
- Center for Sexual Health Promotion
- National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior Website (includes free download of the special issue of The Journal of Sexual Medicine)
- The Journal of Sexual Medicine
- "Condom Use Is Highest for Young, Study Finds" article by Roni Caryn Rabin in The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
October 4, 2010