Prevalence of Sexual Difficulties and Related Distress and Their Association with Sexual Avoidance in Norway

Abstract

Aim To assess the prevalence of sexual difficulties and related distress, the association between sexual difficulties and sexual avoidance, and to establish whether sexual difficulties and sexual avoidance are moderated by relationship satisfaction. Methods This study included a sample of 4160 adults aged 18–89 years enrolled from a randomly selected web panel of 11,685 Norwegians. Results Sexual difficulties were particularly common among adults aged <30 years. In men and women, lack of interest in sex and general sexual distress were associated with more sexual avoidance. The association between lack of sexual interest and sexual avoidance was, however, buffered by relationship satisfaction. Climaxing too early was related to less sexual avoidance in both genders. Yet for men, this association was only significant among those with lower relationship satisfaction. Conclusion The findings underline the important links among specific sexual difficulties, sexual distress, and the frequency of avoiding sexual activity.