This paper summarizes the subjective sexual experiences associated with the most recent partnered sexual event: sexual arousal, pleasure, orgasm, erectile (males) or lubrication (females) difficulties, and sexual intercourse pain. Data were obtained from a population-based cross-sectional survey of 5,865 adolescents and adults in the U.S. A total of 2,172 parents (or legal guardians) reviewed a description of the study, including the study instrument, and 62% (n = 1,347) subsequently consented to allow their child to be invited via e-mail to participate. Of 1,347 adolescents contacted via e-mail, 831 responded, with 99.0% (n = 820) consenting to participate. Of these, 242 (29.5%; 114 males and 128 females) reported at least one partnered sexual behavior in the past year and are the focus of subsequent analyses.
Sexual behaviors were assessed by items describing a range of partnered sexual behaviors. Six sexual behaviors were specifically addressed: frottage; given oral sex; received oral sex; penile-vaginal intercourse; receptive anal intercourse; insertive anal intercourse. Subjective sexual experience of the most recent sexual event assessed Sexual arousal, Sexual pleasure, Orgasm, and Partner Orgasm. Participants who reported penile-vaginal intercourse were asked about erectile or lubrication difficulties, and pain.
Major findings were relatively high levels of arousal, pleasure and orgasm across a variety of behaviors, lack of interference with sexual pleasure or orgasm by condoms, and small but important levels of erectile/lubrication difficulties and pain with penile-vaginal intercourse. The data provide a basis for understanding sexual aspects of adolescents’ sexual encounters from a sexual health perspective.
