255

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Sexual Behavior in the United States: Results from a National

Probability Sample of Men and Women Ages 14–94 jsm_2012 255..265

Debby Herbenick, PhD, MPH,* Michael Reece, PhD, MPH,* Vanessa Schick, PhD,*
Stephanie A. Sanders, PhD,*†‡ Brian Dodge, PhD,* and J. Dennis Fortenberry, MD, MS*§
*Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA; †The Kinsey Institute for Research in
Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA; ‡Department of Gender Studies, Indiana
University, Bloomington, IN, USA; §Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN,
USA

DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.02012.x

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. Herbenick D, Reece M, Schick V, Sanders SA, Dodge B, and Fortenberry JD. Sexual
behavior in the United States: Results from a national probability sample of men and women ages 14–94.
J Sex Med 2010;7(suppl 5):255–265.
Key Words. Sexual Behavior; Adolescents; Adults; Probability Sample; United States

Introduction ted infections (STI) among young adults, and

sexual dysfunctions among older adults [1–3]. In

S exual health emerged during the past decade

as a key unifying concept addressing clinical
and public health issues as diverse as unintended
2002, the World Health Organization (WHO)
described sexual health as “. . . a state of physical,
emotional, mental and social well-being related
pregnancy among adolescents, sexually transmit- to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of

© 2010 International Society for Sexual Medicine J Sex Med 2010;7(suppl 5):255–265
256 Herbenick et al.

disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health assess solo and partnered sexual behaviors in a
requires a positive and respectful approach to national probability sample of men and women
sexuality and sexual responses, as well as the pos- ages 14–94 years and to thus provide a compre-
sibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual hensive snapshot of American sexual behavior over
experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and a wide range of the sexual life course.
violence.” [4]
Nationally representative up-to-date data about Methods
human sexual behavior are required to fully trans-
late the WHO definition into public health policy Data Collection
and practice and to provide physicians with a suit- During March–May 2009, NSSHB data were col-
able basis for understanding sexuality through the lected using a population-based cross-sectional
life course. Relatively recent national surveys (e.g., survey of adolescents and adults in the United
the National Survey of Family Growth [NSFG], States via research panels of Knowledge Net-
the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, and the National works (Menlo Park, CA, USA). Research panels
Social Life, Health, and Aging Project [NSHAP]) accessed through Knowledge Networks are based
had limited age ranges and explored a narrow on a national probability sample established using
range of sexual behaviors [5–7]. The most recent both random digit dialing (RDD) and an address-
nationally representative survey of adult sexual based sampling (ABS) frame. ABS involves the
behavior in the United States, conducted in 1992, probability sampling of a frame of residential
was limited to adults aged 18 to 60 [8]. addresses in the United States derived from the
Much has changed since 1992 that may have U.S. Postal Service’s Delivery Sequence File, a
influenced sexual behavior in the United States. system that contains detailed information on
Previously less common sexual behaviors such as every mail deliverable address in the United
oral and anal sex appear to have become more States. Collectively, the sampling frame from
widely practiced [9–11]. Changes in oral–genital which participants are recruited covers approxi-
behaviors may be linked to increased rates of genital mately 98% of all U.S. households. Randomly
infections by Type 1 herpes simplex viruses and to selected addresses are recruited to the research
increased rates of oropharyngeal cancer linked to panel through a series of mailings and subse-
human papilloma virus infections [12,13]. The quently by telephone follow-ups to nonre-
Internet has influenced sexual knowledge, norms, sponders when possible. To further correct
and behaviors [14,15]. A vaccine for prevention of sources of sampling and nonsampling error, study
cancers associated with sexually transmitted human samples are corrected with a post-stratification
papilloma virus infections has been marketed amid adjustment using demographic distributions from
concern about its influence on sexual behaviors the most recent data available from the Current
[16]. Since 1997, over $1.5 billion of federal Population Survey (CPS), the monthly population
funding for abstinence-only sexuality education has survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of the
been in place although with equivocal evidence of Census considered to be the standard for measur-
efficacy [17,18]. Since 1998, oral medications to ing demographic and other trends in the United
treat erectile dysfunction have been available; more States. These adjustments result in a panel base
than 6 million outpatient prescriptions were weight that was employed in a probability propor-
written for sildenafil in the 6 months following tional to size (PPS) selection method for estab-
approval by the United States Food and Drug lishing the samples for this study. Population
Administration [19]. Attitudes toward same-sex specific distributions for this study were based
relationships have changed, with same-sex mar- upon the December 2008 CPS [21].
riage and civil unions now legally recognized in Once the sample frame was established, all indi-
several U.S. states [20]. As such, there is a need for viduals within that frame received a recruitment
nationally representative data that adequately cap- message from Knowledge Networks that provided
tures contemporary American sexual behavior a brief description of the NSSHB and invited them
given these many social and historical changes. to participate. Adolescent recruitment included
obtaining consent from a parent (or legal guard-
ian) and, if provided, subsequently from the ado-
Aims
lescent. A total of 2,172 parents (or legal
The purpose of this study, the National Survey of guardians) reviewed a study description, including
Sexual Health and Behavior (NSSHB), was to the survey, and 62% (N = 1,347) consented for

J Sex Med 2010;7(suppl 5):255–265

Sexual Behavior U.S. Probability Sample 257

their child to be invited to participate. Of 1,347 percentage of individuals reporting a history of

adolescents contacted electronically, 831 participating in a behavior during the specified
responded, with 99.0% (N = 820) consenting to periods of time, corresponding 95% confidence
participate. An electronic recruitment message was intervals using the Adjusted Wald method [29,30],
sent to 9,600 potential adult participants, of whom were calculated and are presented by age group.
6,182 (64%) responded, with 82% (N = 5,045) During analyses, post-stratification data weights
consenting to participate. All study protocols were were applied to reduce variance and minimize bias
approved by the Institutional Review Board of the caused by nonsampling error. Distributions for
primary authors’ academic institution. age, race, gender, Hispanic ethnicity, education,
All data were collected by Knowledge Networks and U.S. census region were used in post-
via the Internet; participants in a given Knowledge stratification adjustments. These distributions
Networks panel were provided with access to the were based upon the December 2008 CPS [21].
Internet and hardware if needed. Multiple
researchers have used Knowledge Networks for
multiple health-related studies, substantiating the Results
validity of such methods for obtaining data from A total of 5,865 individuals (2,936 men, 2,929
nationally representative samples of the U.S. women) ages 14 to 94 years participated. The
population [22–28]. weighted demographic characteristics of the
sample are presented in Table 1.
Main Outcome Measures
Men’s Sexual Behaviors
Some participant characteristics were previously Men’s sexual behaviors are presented in Table 2.
collected by Knowledge Networks for purposes of
sample stratification and for sample adjustments Masturbation
using post-stratification data weights. These mea- Solo masturbation was reported with the most
sures included gender, age, race (black, Hispanic, consistency, as 27.9% to 68.6% of men in each age
white, other), U.S. geographic region (Midwest, group reported masturbation during the past
North, South, West), and sexual orientation month. The majority of men in all age groups
(heterosexual/straight, homosexual/gay/lesbian, reported masturbation during the past year with
bisexual, asexual, other). Household income the exception of the 14- to 15-year-old and 70+
included an adult’s reported household income; age groups. Solo masturbation (past month and
for adolescents household income was reported by past year) was more commonly reported than most
their parent or guardian. Additionally, level of edu- partnered sexual behaviors for ages 14 through 24
cational attainment and marital status were col- years and among those aged 50 years or older.
lected from adult participants. Vaginal Intercourse
Participants were asked to report whether or Although most men in the 18- to 19-year-old age
not they had engaged in certain solo and partnered group had experienced vaginal intercourse, it was
sexual behaviors and, if so, how recently each not a fixed aspect of every man’s experience. For
behavior had occurred (never, within the past example, although about 85% of men in their 20s
month, within the past year, more than 1 year ago), and 30s reported engaging in vaginal intercourse
consistent with other nationally representative in the previous year, this proportion decreased to
studies of sexual behaviors [27,28]. 73.6% among men in their 40s and to 57.9%
Measures of oral sex were specific to the partici- among men in their 50s. For men ages 25 to 49
pant’s role and partner’s sex (receiving from male, years, vaginal intercourse was more common than
receiving from female, giving to female, giving to other sexual behaviors.
male). Also assessed were receptive (men and
women) and insertive (men only) anal intercourse. Partnered Noncoital Behaviors
Partnered noncoital behaviors were reported by at
Analyses least some men in all age groups. Although a
The proportions of participants reporting histo- minority of those ages 14–15 years had ever
ries of participating in each sexual behavior are engaged in partnered masturbation (5.7%) or
reported based upon whether that behavior received oral sex from a female (13.0%), among
occurred within the past month, past year, or at the 16- to 17-year-old cohort, approximately one-
some other point during one’s lifetime. For each fifth reported having engaged in partnered mas-

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258 Herbenick et al.

Table 1 Weighted participant characteristics (N = 5,865)

Adolescents (N = 820) Adults (N = 5,045)

Males Females Males Females

N = 414 (50.5%) N = 406 (49.5%) N = 2,522 (49.9%) N = 2,523 (50.1%)
Characteristics N % N % N % N %
Gender
Males 414 100.0 — — 2,522 100.0 — —
Females — — 406 100.0 — — 2,523 100.0
Age
14–15 193 46.7 190 46.8 — — — —
16–17 221 53.3 216 53.2 — — — —
18–19 — — — — 73 2.9 50 2.0
20–24 — — — — 203 8.1 145 5.8
25–29 — — — — 341 13.5 394 15.6
30–39 — — — — 410 16.2 430 17
40–49 — — — — 522 20.7 502 19.9
50–59 — — — — 466 18.5 452 17.9
60–69 — — — — 322 12.8 342 13.6
ⱖ70 — — — — 184 7.3 207 8.2
Race or ethnic group (N = 413) (N = 405)
White 253 61.3 241 59.6 1,735 68.8 1,737 68.8
Hispanic 77 18.6 74 18.2 376 14.9 317 12.6
Black 55 13.4 59 14.6 250 9.9 303 12.0
Other 28 6.7 31 7.6 161 6.4 166 6.6
Sexual orientation (N = 2,521) (N = 2,521)
Heterosexual 398 96.1 367 90.5 2,325 92.2 2,348 93.1
Gay or Lesbian 7 1.8 1 0.2 105 4.2 23 0.9
Bisexual 6 1.5 34 8.4 66 2.6 92 3.6
Other 2 0.1 3 0.9 25 1 58 2.3
Geographic region (N = 405)
South 145 35.0 143 35.4 922 36.5 1,065 36.4
West 96 23.2 96 23.7 591 23.4 668 22.8
Midwest 95 23.0 92 22.7 552 21.9 622 21.1
Northeast 78 18.7 74 18.2 458 18.1 573 19.7
Education completed†
Less than high school — — — — 342 13.6 290 11.5
High school — — — — 757 30.0 760 30.1
Some college — — — — 685 27.2 750 29.7
College degree or higher — — — — 737 29.2 723 28.7
Marital status†
Married — — — — 1,206 47.8 1,118 44.3
Never married — — — — 709 28.1 601 23.8
Divorced — — — — 278 11.0 334 13.2
Living with partner — — — — 227 9.0 222 8.8
Widowed — — — — 53 2.1 185 7.3
Separated — — — — 50 2.0 63 2.5
Annual income ($)‡
<25,000 52 12.6 52 12.8 506 20.1 605 24.0
25,000–49,999 86 20.8 92 22.6 745 29.6 773 30.7
50,000–74,999 86 20.8 85 21.0 522 20.7 548 21.7
ⱖ75,000 190 45.8 177 43.6 749 29.7 597 23.7
†
Education and marital status data presented only for adult participants.
‡
Income levels for adolescents based on parental income level reported by parent or guardian.

turbation and one-third having received oral sex to 19-year olds, 10.8% of those ages 20–24 years,
from a female partner. The highest proportions greater than 20% of those 25–49 years and 11.3%
who reported having engaged in recent (past of men in their fifties. More than 40% of men ages
month) partnered masturbation and who reported 25–59 years reported ever having engaged in inser-
oral sex with a woman (giving and receiving) were tive anal intercourse during their lifetime.
between 25 and 49 years.
Same-Sex Sexual Behavior
Anal Intercourse Sexual activity between men was relatively uncom-
Insertive anal intercourse was less common than mon. Among men ages 18 to 59, 4.8% to 8.4%
other partnered behaviors but was not rare, being reported having received oral sex from another
reported in the past year by more than 5% of 16- man in the previous year. However, 13.8% of men

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Sexual Behavior U.S. Probability Sample 259

ages 40–49 years and 14.9% ages 50–59 years A total of 11.8% of 14- to 15-year-old women
reported such lifetime behavior. A total of 4.3% to and 22.4% of 16- to 17-year-old women reported
8.0% of men aged 18–59 years reported having having given oral sex to a male partner in the past
performed oral sex on another man in the previous year. Also, most women in the age groups between
year; however, more than 10% of men in the 18 and 49 years reported having given oral sex to a
18–19, 40–49, and 50–59 age groups reported man in the past year. Oral–genital sex given to
having ever engaged in this behavior. Receptive male partners during the previous month was
penile-anal intercourse was the least common rarely reported by women in the 70+ age group in
behavior reported (less than 6% of men in any age the past year (6.8%) though 42.7% had done so in
group in the past year). Lifetime receptive anal their lifetime.
intercourse was most prevalent among 20- to
Anal Intercourse
24-year olds (10.8%) and those aged 40–49 and
A total of 4% or less of 14- to 17-year-old women
50–59 years (8.5% and 9.5%, respectively).
and those aged 50 or older reported anal inter-
Women’s Sexual Behaviors course in the previous year. However, 18.0% of
Women’s sexual behaviors are presented in 18- to 19-year-old females and more than 20% of
Table 3. those between the ages of 20 and 39 reported anal
sex in the past year. Lifetime anal sex was reported
Masturbation by 40% or more of women ages 20–49 years, and
Solo masturbation was reported by more than by about 30% or more of women ages 50–69 years.
20% of women in all age groups during the past
month and by more than 40% of all women within Same-Sex Sexual Behavior
the past year, with the exception of those over 70 Sexual activity between women was relatively
years. A greater proportion of those ages 14 to 17 uncommon. Fewer than 5% of women in most age
reported lifetime solo masturbation compared groups reported having received oral sex in the
with any other sexual behavior. past year from a female partner, with the exception
of the 8.5% of women ages 20–24 who reported
Vaginal Intercourse having performed oral sex on a woman in the past
Beginning with women ages 18–19 years (26.0% year. A total of 2.0% to 9.2% of those ages 16 to 49
of women reported solo masturbation and 43.1% years reported having given oral sex to another
reported vaginal intercourse during the previous woman in the past year.
month), vaginal intercourse was the sexual behav-
ior that more women in all age groups reported as
having occurred during the past month compared Discussion
with all other sexual behaviors assessed. Beginning These findings provide a detailed picture of solo
in the cohort in their thirties, increasing propor- and partnered sexual behavior through a lifespan,
tions of women reported having had no vaginal showing that one’s sexual repertoire varies across
intercourse during the previous year; this was the different age cohorts, with masturbation relatively
case for approximately one-fourth of women ages more common in young and older individuals and
30–39, nearly 1/3 of women 40–49, one-half of vaginal intercourse being more common than other
women ages 50–59, and ultimately nearly four- sexual behaviors from early to late adulthood. Part-
fifths of women ages 70 years and older. nered noncoital sexual behaviors (oral and anal sex)
Partnered Noncoital Behaviors also appear to be well established aspects of a con-
Masturbation with a partner during the previous temporary sexual repertoire in the United States.
month and year was most commonly reported by The baseline rates of behavior established by the
women ages 16 through 49 and most women analyses provided in this report will be helpful to
between the ages of 25–49 reported this behavior sexuality educators who develop, implement, and
in their lifetime. Approximately 10% of 14- to evaluate programs that seek to improve societal
15-year-old women and 23.5% of 16- to 17-year- knowledge related to the prevalence of sexual
old women reported receiving oral sex from a male behaviors and to sexual health clinicians whose
partner in the previous year. More than half of work to improve sexual health among the popula-
women in the age groups between 18 and 49 had tion often requires such rates of behavior.
received oral sex from a male partner in the pre- Although the largest proportion of adults
vious year as had 34.2% of females ages 50–59 and reported vaginal intercourse during the past
24.8% of females ages 60–69 years. month throughout most of the reproductive year

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260 Herbenick et al.

Table 2 Men’s sexual behaviors past month, past year, and lifetime (N = 2,857)
Adolescents (N = 410) Adults

14–15 16–17 18–19 20–24 25–29

191 219 72 196 334

Percent (95% confidence interval)

Masturbated alone
Past month 42.9% (36.1%–50.0%) 58.0% (51.4%–64.3%) 61.1% (49.5%–71.5%) 62.8% (55.8%–69.3%) 68.6% (63.4%–73.3%)
Past year 62.1% (55.0%–68.7%) 74.8% (68.6%–80.1%) 80.6% (69.9%–88.2%) 82.7% (76.8%–87.4%) 83.6% (79.2%–87.2%)
Lifetime 67.5% (60.6%–73.7%) 78.9% (73.0%–83.8%) 86.1% (76.1%–92.5%) 91.8% (87.0%–95.0%) 94.3% (91.2%–96.4%)
Masturbated with partner
Past month 3.6% (1.6%–7.4%) 7.1% (4.3%–11.4%) 14.5% (8.0%–24.6%) 15.0% (10.6%–20.7%) 20.5% (16.5%–25.2%)
Past year 5.2% (2.7%–9.4%) 16.0% (11.7%–21.5%) 42.0% (31.3%–53.5%) 43.5% (36.7%–50.5%) 49.3% (44.0%–54.6%)
Lifetime 5.7% (3.1%–10.1%) 20.3% (15.5%–26.1%) 49.3% (38.1%–60.6%) 54.5% (47.5%–61.3%) 69.0% (63.8%–73.7%)
Received oral from female
Past month 7.8% (4.7%–12.6%) 17.5% (13.0%–23.1%) 22.9% (14.6%–33.9%) 34.7% (28.4%–41.6%) 45.5% (40.2%–50.9%)
Past year 11.9% (8.0%–17.3%) 30.9% (25.1%–37.3%) 53.6% (42.2%–64.6%) 62.8% (55.8%–69.3%) 77.2% (72.4%–81.4%)
Lifetime 13.0% (8.9%–18.6%) 34.4% (28.4%–40.9%) 59.4% (47.9%–70.0%) 73.5% (66.9%–79.2%) 91.0% (87.4%–93.7%)
Received oral from male
Past month 0.5% -(0.2%–3.2%) 1.4% (0.3%–4.2%) 1.5% -(0.4%–8.3%) 5.2% (2.8%–9.4%) 1.2% (0.4%–3.2%)
Past year 0.5% -(0.2%–3.2%) 2.8% (1.2%–6.1%) 5.9% (2.0%–14.3%) 6.2% (3.5%–10.6%) 4.8% (2.9%–7.7%)
Lifetime 1.6% (0.3%–4.8%) 3.2% (1.4%–6.6%) 8.8% (3.9%–17.9%) 9.3% (5.9%–14.3%) 7.6% (5.2%–11.0%)
Gave oral to female
Past month 2.6% (0.9%–6.1%) 13.8% (9.8%–19.0%) 20.3% (12.5%–31.1%) 28.1% (22.3%–34.8%) 40.4% (35.3%–45.7%)
Past year 7.8% (4.7%–12.6%) 18.3% (13.7%–24.0%) 50.7% (39.4%–61.9%) 54.9% (47.9%–61.7%) 73.5% (68.5%–78.0%)
Lifetime 8.3% (5.1%–13.2%) 20.2% (15.4%–26.0%) 60.9% (49.3%–71.4%) 70.9% (64.2%–76.8%) 85.6% (81.4%–89.0%)
Gave oral to male
Past month 1.0% (0.0%–3.9%) 0.9% (0.0%–3.5%) 1.4% -(0.5%–8.2%) 5.2% (2.8%–9.4%) 2.7% (1.4%–5.1%)
Past year 1.0% (0.0%–3.9%) 2.3% (0.8%–5.4%) 4.3% (1.0%–12.2%) 6.7% (3.9%–11.2%) 4.8% (2.9%–7.7%)
Lifetime 1.6% (0.3%–4.8%) 2.8% (1.2%–6.1%) 10.1% (4.8%–19.5%) 9.3% (5.9%–14.3%) 6.3% (4.1%–9.5%)
Vaginal intercourse
Past month 7.9% (4.8%–12.7%) 16.1% (11.8%–21.6%) 31.0% (21.5%–42.5%) 52.0% (45.0%–58.9%) 74.4% (69.5%–78.8%)
Past year 8.9% (5.6%–13.9%) 30.3% (24.6%–36.7%) 52.8% (41.4%–63.9%) 63.3% (56.4%–69.7%) 85.7% (81.5%–89.1%)
Lifetime 9.9% (6.4%–15.0%) 30.3% (24.6%–36.7%) 62.5% (50.9%–72.8%) 70.3% (63.6%–76.3%) 89.3% (85.5%–92.2%)
Inserted penis into anus
Past month 0.5% -(0.2%–3.2%) 1.4% (0.3%–4.2%) 0% -(1.0%–6.1%) 6.2% (3.5%–10.6%) 10.3% (7.4%–14.1%)
Past year 3.1% (1.3%–6.8%) 5.5% (3.1%–9.4%) 5.6% (1.8%–13.9%) 10.8% (7.1%–16.0%) 26.6% (22.1%–31.6%)
Lifetime 3.7% (1.7%–7.6%) 6.0% (3.5%–10.1%) 9.7% (4.5%–19.0%) 23.7% (18.3%–30.1%) 45.2% (39.9%–50.6%)
Received penis in anus
Past month 1.0% (0.0%–3.9%) 0.9% (0.0%–3.5%) 1.4% -(0.5%–8.2%) 2.1% (0.6%–5.4%) 0.9% (0.2%–2.7%)
Past year 1.0% (0.0%–3.9%) 0.9% (0.0%–3.5%) 4.2% (1.0%–12.1%) 5.2% (2.8%–9.4%) 4.0% (2.3%–6.7%)
Lifetime 1.0% (0.0%–3.9%) 0.9% (0.0%–3.5%) 4.3% (1.0%–12.2%) 10.8% (7.1%–16.0%) 5.2% (3.2%–8.2%)

age cohorts, the reproductive years are not marked intercourse (caused by vaginal dryness), lower
exclusively by potentially procreative sex. Sizable libido, or other sexual health concerns [33,34].
proportions of individuals ages 18 and 49 years Also related to important clinical concerns, the
reported solo masturbation, partnered masturba- rates of behavior established in this report may be
tion, oral sex, and anal sex during the previous helpful to those dedicated to reducing rates of
year, a common time frame between wellness human immunodeficiency virus, STIs, and unin-
visits, particularly for women. tended pregnancy. The rates of these sexual health
Data about sexual activity in the previous year challenges do provide a rationale for continued
inform clinicians about the proportions of patients surveillance of sexual behaviors among both adults
who are likely to have engaged in various sexual and adolescents in order to inform health-related
behaviors since their last clinical exam and who may policy and practice. However, given the purpose of
benefit from annual, detailed sexual history taking. this particular report, the analyses presented do
Also, the lack of sexual behavior experienced by not consider the situational or partner-related
some groups has clinical relevance. For example, variables that influence the extent to which a sexual
the decreasing proportion of men in their forties behavior poses the potential for negative impacts
engaging in vaginal intercourse may reflect, at to sexual health, and those using these data to
least in part, a growing incidence of erectile dys- substantiate public health programs should con-
function that may be related to cardiovascular sider the lack of context that underlies the rates
disease or diabetes [31,32]. Similarly, the decreas- presented here. The NSSHB did collect such vari-
ing proportion of sexual activity among women as ables, and additional in-depth analyses from the
they age may, for some, reflect pain with vaginal NSSHB are presented in multiple other reports

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Sexual Behavior U.S. Probability Sample 261

Adults (N = 2,447)

30–39 40–49 50–59 60–69 70+

396 499 454 317 179

Percent (95% confidence interval)

66.4% (61.6%–70.9%) 60.1% (55.7%–64.3%) 55.7% (51.1%–60.2%) 42.3% (37.0%–47.8%) 27.9% (21.8%–34.9%)
80.1% (75.9%–83.7%) 76.0% (72.1%–79.5%) 72.1% (67.8%–76.0%) 61.2% (55.7%–66.4%) 46.4% (39.2%–53.7%)
93.4% (90.5%–95.5%) 92.0% (89.3%–94.1%) 89.2% (86.0%–91.8%) 90.2% (86.4%–93.0%) 80.4% (73.9%–85.6%)

22.9% (19.0%–27.3%) 19.2% (16.0%–22.9%) 14.4% (11.5%–17.9%) 10.3% (7.4%–14.2%) 4.1% (1.9%–8.2%)
44.7% (39.9%–49.6%) 38.1% (33.9%–42.4%) 27.9% (24.0%–32.2%) 17.0% (13.2%–21.5%) 12.9% (8.7%–18.7%)
68.3% (63.6%–72.7%) 61.5% (57.2%–65.7%) 51.9% (47.3%–56.5%) 37.0% (31.9%–42.4%) 31.6% (25.2%–38.7%)

49.4% (44.5%–54.3%) 37.7% (33.6%–42.0%) 24.4% (20.7%–28.6%) 18.6% (14.7%–23.3%) 12.4% (8.3%–18.1%)
77.6% (73.2%–81.4%) 62.1% (57.8%–66.2%) 48.5% (43.9%–53.1%) 37.5% (32.3%–43.0%) 19.2% (14.1%–25.6%)
89.7% (86.3%–92.3%) 86.2% (82.9%–89.0%) 82.6% (78.8%–85.8%) 75.3% (70.3%–79.7%) 57.6% (50.3%–64.6%)

2.0% (0.9%–4.0%) 4.6% (3.1%–6.8%) 4.7% (3.1%–7.1%) 1.0% (0.2%–3.0%) 0% -(0.4%–2.5%)

5.5% (3.6%–8.2%) 5.8% (4.0%–8.2%) 8.4% (6.2%–11.3%) 2.6% (1.3%–5.1%) 2.4% (0.8%–6.0%)
9.0% (6.5%–12.3%) 13.8% (11.0%–17.1%) 14.9% (11.9%–18.5%) 8.7% (6.0%–12.4%) 7.7% (4.5%–12.7%)

38.1% (33.5%–43.0%) 32.6% (28.6%–36.8%) 20.8% (17.3%–24.8%) 14.3% (10.8%–18.6%) 12.4% (8.3%–18.1%)
68.7% (64.0%–73.1%) 57.4% (53.0%–61.7%) 44.1% (39.6%–48.7%) 34.3% (29.3%–39.7%) 24.3% (18.6%–31.1%)
88.2% (84.6%–91.0%) 84.4% (80.9%–87.3%) 77.3% (73.2%–80.9%) 72.5% (67.3%–77.1%) 61.6% (54.3%–68.4%)

2.8% (1.5%–5.0%) 4.7% (3.1%–7.0%) 6.4% (4.5%–9.1%) 1.3% (0.4%–3.4%) 0% -(0.4%–2.5%)

5.0% (3.2%–7.7%) 6.7% (4.8%–9.3%) 8.0% (5.8%–10.9%) 2.6% (1.3%–5.1%) 3.0% (1.2%–6.8%)
7.3% (5.1%–10.3%) 13.2% (10.5%–16.5%) 13.1% (10.3%–16.5%) 5.6% (3.5%–8.8%) 5.3% (2.7%–9.7%)

71.3% (66.7%–75.5%) 61.0% (56.7%–65.2%) 44.1% (39.6%–48.7%) 38.9% (33.7%–44.4%) 28.2% (22.1%–35.2%)
85.3% (81.5%–88.5%) 73.6% (69.6%–77.3%) 57.9% (53.3%–62.4%) 53.5% (48.0%–58.9%) 42.9% (35.9%–50.2%)
92.6% (89.6%–94.8%) 89.3% (86.3%–91.7%) 85.8% (82.3%–88.7%) 86.9% (82.7%–90.2%) 88.1% (82.5%–92.1%)

7.1% (4.9%–10.1%) 7.2% (5.2%–9.8%) 3.3% (2.0%–5.4%) 4.2% (2.4%–7.1%) 0% -(0.4%–2.5%)

23.9% (20.0%–28.3%) 21.2% (17.8%–25.0%) 11.3% (8.7%–14.6%) 5.8% (3.7%–9.0%) 1.7% (0.4%–5.1%)
44.5% (39.7%–49.4%) 43.1% (38.8%–47.5%) 40.4% (36.0%–45.0%) 26.7% (22.1%–31.8%) 13.8% (9.4%–19.7%)

1.3% (0.5%–3.1%) 2.0% (1.0%–3.7%) 2.9% (1.7%–4.9%) 0% -(0.2%–1.4%) 0% -(0.4%–2.5%)

3.3% (1.9%–5.6%) 4.4% (2.9%–6.6%) 4.6% (3.0%–7.0%) 6% (0.0%–2.4%) 1.7% (0.4%–5.1%)
6.3% (4.3%–9.2%) 8.5% (6.3%–11.3%) 9.5% (7.1%–12.6%) 3.8% (2.1%–6.6%) 4.7% (2.3%–9.0%)

that provide rates of condom use for both adoles- declines in sexual activity among individuals aged
cents and adults [35], and those that consider the 74 or older in association with partner loss and
situational characteristics and potential health health problems [7]. Of course, differences in sexual
consequences of recent sexual events among both behavior between various age groups are likely to
adolescents [36] and adults [37], including reports be influenced not only by development throughout
focused specifically on the aging population [38] the life course but also by cohort effects that reflect
and ethnic minorities [39]. socialization related to sexuality.
Although not longitudinal, a strength of this Compared with the 1992 National Health and
study, compared with other studies that have Social Life Survey (NHSLS), in this present study
focused on more narrow age ranges, is that a devel- more men and women have engaged in oral sex
opmental trajectory of sexual expression is appar- and a significantly greater proportion have
ent. A minority of 14- to 17-year-old adolescents engaged in anal sex. The larger proportions of
report engaging in partnered sexual activity with those who had engaged in anal sex were not
sharply raised proportions of partnered sexual limited to the youngest cohorts. Most participants
behavior reported among 18- to 24-year olds. in all adult (18+) age groups had engaged in oral
Although partnered sexual activity remains sex with the exception of females in the 70+ age
common throughout the 20s, 30s, and 40s, there is group, of whom slightly less than half had done so.
a clear decline in partnered activity for both Anal sex was reported by sizable proportions of
genders in their 50s and 60s and a sharper decline as adults ages 20 to 49 and twice the proportion of
individuals reach age 70. The latter echoes findings 18- to 19-year-old females reported lifetime recep-
from the recent NSHAP, which found substantial tive anal sex (20.0%) as the proportion of 18- to

J Sex Med 2010;7(suppl 5):255–265

262 Herbenick et al.

Table 3 Women’s sexual behaviors past month, year, and lifetime (N = 2,813)
Adolescents (N = 400) Adults

14–15 16–17 18–19 20–24 25–29

188 212 50 142 383

N Percent (95% confidence interval)

Masturbated alone
Past month 24.1% (18.5%–30.7%) 25.5% (20.1%–31.8%) 26.0% (15.8%–39.7%) 43.7% (35.8%–51.9%) 51.7% (46.7%–56.7%)
Past year 40.4% (33.6%–47.5%) 44.8% (38.3%–51.5%) 60.0% (46.2%–72.4%) 64.3% (56.1%–71.7%) 71.5% (66.8%–75.8%)
Lifetime 43.3% (36.4%–50.4%) 52.4% (45.7%–59.0%) 66.0% (52.1%–77.6%) 76.8% (69.2%–83.0%) 84.6% (80.6%–87.9%)
Masturbated with partner
Past month 4.3% (2.1%–8.4%) 11.2% (7.6%–16.2%) 18.4% (9.8%–31.5%) 16.1% (10.9%–23.1%) 24.1% (20.1%–28.6%)
Past year 7.5% (4.4%–12.3%) 18.9% (14.2%–24.7%) 36.0% (24.1%–49.9%) 35.9% (28.5%–44.1%) 48.2% (43.2%–53.2%)
Lifetime 9.0% (5.6%–14.0%) 19.7% (14.9%–25.6%) 38.8% (26.5%–52.7%) 46.9% (38.9%–55.1%) 64.0% (59.1%–68.6%)
Received oral from female
Past month 0% -(0.4%–2.4%) 2.3% (0.8%–5.5%) 0% -(1.4%–8.5%) 1.4% (0.1%–5.3%) 5% (0.0%–2.0%)
Past year 1.1% (0.1%–4.1%) 4.7% (2.5%–8.5%) 3.9% (0.3%–14.1%) 8.5% (4.8%–14.4%) 2.6% (1.4%–4.8%)
Lifetime 3.8% (1.7%–7.7%) 6.6% (3.9%–10.9%) 8.0% (2.6%–19.4%) 16.8% (11.5%–23.9%) 10.8% (8.0%–14.3%)
Received oral from male
Past month 3.7% (1.7%–7.6%) 16.4% (12.0%–22.0%) 32.0% (20.7%–45.9%) 38.0% (30.4%–46.2%) 36.1% (31.4%–41.0%)
Past year 10.0% (6.4%–15.2%) 23.5% (18.3%–29.7%) 58.0% (44.2%–70.6%) 70.4% (62.4%–77.3%) 71.8% (67.1%–76.1%)
Lifetime 10.1% (6.5%–15.3%) 25.8% (20.4%–32.1%) 62.0% (48.1%–74.2%) 79.7% (72.3%–85.5%) 88.1% (84.5%–91.0%)
Gave oral to female
Past month 0.5% -(0.2%–3.2%) 4.2% (2.1%–7.9%) 2% -(1.3%–8.8%) 1.4% (0.1%–5.3%) 1.1% (0.3%–2.8%)
Past year 1.6% (0.3%–4.8%) 7.1% (4.3%–11.5%) 2.0% -(0.6%–11.5%) 9.2% (5.3%–15.2%) 2.6% (1.4%–4.8%)
Lifetime 5.4% (2.9%–9.7%) 9.0% (5.8%–13.7%) 8.2% (2.8%–19.6%) 14.0% (9.2%–20.7%) 9.5% (6.9%–12.9%)
Gave oral to male
Past month 8.0% (4.8%–12.9%) 14.6% (10.4%–20.0%) 34.7% (23.0%–48.6%) 47.2% (39.2%–55.4%) 49.9% (44.9%–54.9%)
Past year 11.8% (7.9%–17.3%) 22.4% (17.3%–28.5%) 58.5% (44.7%–71.1%) 74.3% (66.5%–80.8%) 75.9% (71.4%–79.9%)
Lifetime 12.8% (8.7%–18.4%) 29.1% (23.4%–35.6%) 61.2% (47.3%–73.5%) 77.6% (70.0%–83.7%) 89.0% (85.4%–91.8%)
Vaginal intercourse
Past month 5.9% (3.2%–10.3%) 20.8% (15.9%–26.8%) 43.1% (30.3%–56.8%) 61.9% (53.7%–69.5%) 74.3% (69.7%–78.4%)
Past year 10.7% (7.0%–16.0%) 29.7% (23.9%–36.2%) 62.0% (48.1%–74.2%) 79.9% (72.5%–85.7%) 86.5% (82.7%–89.6%)
Lifetime 12.4% (8.4%–17.9%) 31.6% (25.7%–38.1%) 64.0% (50.1%–75.9%) 85.6% (78.8%–90.5%) 90.7% (87.3%–93.2%)
Received penis in anus
Past month 3.2% (1.3%–7.0%) 0.5% -(0.2%–2.9%) 8.0% (2.6%–19.4%) 7.3% (3.9%–12.9%) 5.3% (3.4%–8.1%)
Past year 3.7% (1.7%–7.6%) 4.7% (2.5%–8.5%) 18.0% (9.5%–31.0%) 23.4% (17.2%–31.0%) 21.1% (17.3%–25.5%)
Lifetime 4.3% (2.1%–8.4%) 6.6% (3.9%–10.9%) 20.0% (11.1%–33.2%) 39.9% (32.2%–48.1%) 45.6% (40.7%–50.6%)

19-year-old males who reported lifetime insertive about their sexual lives from childhood through
anal sex (9.7%). These proportions were twice as older age, sampling was not nationally representa-
large for each gender in the 20- to 24-year-old tive, people married at younger ages, the life
cohort. expectancy was lower when data were collected
Neither the NHSLS nor the NSHAP included (late 1930s to early 1950s) and older age was expe-
questions about mutual masturbation or the rienced in clinically different ways that likely
gender of respondents’ oral sex partners [7,8]. As impacted sexuality [40,41]. The social changes
such, it is not known to what extent mutual mas- occurring since both of the large-scale studies of
turbation, or same-sex vs. other-sex oral sex behav- sexual behavior have been significant and up-to-
iors, may have changed over time. Little is known date data about human sexual behavior among dif-
about same-sex behaviors from nationally repre- ferent age groups is important.
sentative studies, as none—including ours—have Depending on the country and time period in
oversampled those who identify as homosexual or which sexual behavior has been studied, previous
bisexual, leaving the numbers too few for adequate studies of sexual behavior in the United States and
statistical analysis. However, findings reflect those in other countries have recruited participants and
from the NHSLS and from the Kinsey interview collected data via in-person interviews, computer-
data in that a greater number of males and females assisted interviews, questionnaires, RDD phone
have engaged in same-sex sexual behaviors than interviews, computer-assisted telephone interview-
identify as homosexual or bisexual [8,40,41]. ing, intercept methods, or door-to-door sampling
The current study is only the second nationally [42–49]. In our study, by recruiting participants and
representative study of sexual behavior of adults collecting data over the Internet, respondents may
living in the United States and the first to include have felt more comfortable reporting taboo sexual
such an expansive range of ages. Although Alfred behaviors compared with the NHSLS data, which
Kinsey and his team reported data from adults were collected via in-person interviews.

J Sex Med 2010;7(suppl 5):255–265

Sexual Behavior U.S. Probability Sample 263

Adults (N = 2,413)

30–39 40–49 50–59 60–69 70+

412 468 435 331 192

Percent (95% confidence interval)

38.6% (34.0%–43.4%) 38.5% (34.2%–43.0%) 28.3% (24.3%–32.7%) 21.5% (17.4%–26.3%) 11.5% (7.7%–16.8%)
62.9% (58.1%–67.4%) 64.9% (60.5%–69.1%) 54.1% (49.4%–58.7%) 46.5% (41.2%–51.9%) 32.8% (26.5%–39.7%)
80.3% (76.2%–83.9%) 78.0% (74.0%–81.5%) 77.2% (73.0%–80.9%) 72.0% (66.9%–76.6%) 58.3% (51.2%–65.0%)

19.3% (15.8%–23.4%) 12.7% (10.0%–16.0%) 6.7% (4.7%–9.5%) 5.9% (3.8%–9.0%) 2.1% (0.6%–5.4%)
43.3% (38.6%–48.1%) 34.8% (30.6%–39.2%) 17.7% (14.4%–21.6%) 13.1% (9.9%–17.2%) 5.3% (2.8%–9.5%)
63.1% (58.3%–67.6%) 56.1% (51.6%–60.5%) 46.9% (42.3%–51.6%) 36.4% (31.4%–41.7%) 17.5% (12.7%–23.5%)

1.2% (0.4%–2.9%) 8% (0.2%–2.2%) 0.7% (0.1%–2.1%) 0.3% -(0.1%–1.9%) 1.0% (0.0%–3.9%)

4.9% (3.2%–7.5%) 2.3% (1.2%–4.1%) 0.9% (0.3%–2.4%) 0.6% (0.0%–2.3%) 1.5% (0.3%–4.6%)
16.5% (13.2%–20.4%) 10.1% (7.7%–13.2%) 8.2% (5.9%–11.2%) 4.4% (2.6%–7.2%) 2.1% (0.6%–5.4%)

36.2% (31.7%–41.0%) 24.1% (20.4%–28.2%) 16.9% (13.7%–20.7%) 11.7% (8.6%–15.6%) 2.6% (0.9%–6.1%)
58.7% (53.9%–63.4%) 52.3% (47.8%–56.8%) 34.2% (29.9%–38.8%) 24.8% (20.4%–29.7%) 7.8% (4.7%–12.6%)
82.0% (78.0%–85.4%) 86.3% (82.9%–89.1%) 83.4% (79.6%–86.6%) 79.0% (74.3%–83.1%) 47.4% (40.5%–54.4%)

1% -(0.2%–1.3%) 1.1% (0.4%–2.6%) 0% -(0.2%–1.1%) 0.6% (0.0%–2.3%) 1.0% (0.0%–3.9%)

4.0% (2.4%–6.4%) 2.5% (1.4%–4.4%) 0.9% (0.3%–2.4%) 0.9% (0.2%–2.7%) 1.5% (0.3%–4.6%)
14.2% (11.1%–17.9%) 11.6% (9.0%–14.8%) 7.3% (5.2%–10.2%) 3.4% (1.9%–6.0%) 2.1% (0.6%–5.4%)

43.9% (39.2%–48.7%) 26.8% (23.0%–31.0%) 18.5% (15.1%–22.4%) 13.1% (9.9%–17.2%) 3.6% (1.6%–7.4%)
59.2% (54.4%–63.8%) 52.7% (48.2%–57.2%) 36.2% (31.8%–40.8%) 23.4% (19.1%–28.3%) 6.8% (3.9%–11.4%)
80.1% (76.0%–83.7%) 83.1% (79.4%–86.2%) 80.0% (76.0%–83.5%) 73.1% (68.1%–77.6%) 42.7% (35.9%–49.8%)

63.5% (58.7%–68.0%) 55.8% (51.3%–60.2%) 39.9% (35.4%–44.6%) 28.9% (24.3%–34.0%) 11.9% (8.0%–17.3%)
73.5% (69.0%–77.5%) 70.3% (66.0%–74.3%) 51.4% (46.7%–56.1%) 42.2% (37.0%–47.6%) 21.6% (16.3%–28.0%)
88.7% (85.3%–91.4%) 94.5% (92.0%–96.3%) 94.0% (91.3%–95.9%) 92.4% (89.0%–94.8%) 89.2% (84.0%–92.9%)

6.4% (4.4%–9.2%) 3.6% (2.2%–5.7%) 1.6% (0.7%–3.3%) 2.2% (1.0%–4.5%) 0% -(0.4%–2.4%)

21.6% (17.9%–25.8%) 11.7% (9.1%–14.9%) 5.6% (3.8%–8.2%) 4.0% (2.3%–6.8%) 1.0% (0.0%–3.9%)
40.4% (35.8%–45.2%) 40.6% (36.2%–45.1%) 34.6% (30.3%–39.2%) 29.8% (25.1%–34.9%) 21.2% (16.0%–27.5%)

In addition, while some studies have focused on have been subject to self-selection. Although the
only men [45–48], only women [43], or a more sampling procedures ensured a lack of differences
narrow age range [2,3,6,7,48] we sampled both on key sociodemographic characteristics between
women and men from adolescence through old those who chose to participate and those who
age, resulting in a sample of individuals that refused, sexual behavior data are not available on
spanned eight decades of age. However, a limita- nonresponders, and it is therefore not possible to
tion of the present study is that, like the NHSLS assess the extent to which participants were differ-
and NSHAP, the sample was likely only accessible ent from those who either did not respond to the
to those who were living in the community and so recruitment messages or those who responded and
is not representative of all adults, particularly older chose not to participate. However, the proportion
adults, who are more likely to be hospitalized or of those who responded and chose to participate
living in long term care facilities. was slightly higher than the participation rate of
A limitation of the study is that nationally rep- the eligible, contacted individuals in the NHSLS
resentative survey data often obscures data points who were recruited through in-person recruit-
of minority groups, such as those who identify as ment efforts at their homes [8].
gay, lesbian or bisexual. Certainly a proportion of Although statistical differences between men’s
those individuals who did not engage in sexual and women’s reports of sexual behaviors were not
behaviors between women and men (such as assessed for this particular paper, the data demon-
vaginal intercourse) were likely to be gay or strate that, for all age cohorts, recent (past month
lesbian. The present data cannot therefore be gen- and past year) masturbation was strikingly more
eralized to gay, lesbian, or bisexual individuals and prevalent among men than women. Similarly, with
more detailed analyses are needed to illuminate the exception of the 25- to 29-year-old age cohort,
the sexual behaviors of these individuals. Like more men reported vaginal intercourse in the past
other studies of sexual behavior, this study may month and more men reported vaginal intercourse

J Sex Med 2010;7(suppl 5):255–265

264 Herbenick et al.

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This study was funded by Church & Dwight Co., Inc. 1905–8.
17 Devaney B, Johnson A, Maynard R, Trenholm C. The evalu-
Corresponding Author: Debra Herbenick, PhD, ation of abstinence education programs funded under Title V
Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana Univer- Section 510: Interim report to Congress on a multi-site evalu-
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20 Herek G. Legal recognition of same-sex relationships in the
United States. Am Psychol 2006;61:607–21.
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