Common Sexual Practices Research Articles

Italian women who have sex with women: prevalence and co-occurrence of sexual practices.

Sexuality research on the sexual practices of women who have sex with women (WSW) has thus far mostly centered on risk factors and addressed a limited number of practices, with a focus on oral sex and insertive vaginal sex. This study arises from the need to fill such a significant gap, which prevents researchers, clinicians, and policy makers from being adequately up-to-date on the sexual habits and tendencies of this population. A multiple-choice questionnaire was completed by 723 WSW with a mean (SD) age of29.14 (6.94) years. The survey included closed questions on sexual practices, including genital and oral sex, but also nongenital sexual contact (petting and intercrural sex), anal sex, and kinky practices. The most common sexual practices were self-masturbation (99.03%), oral sex (performed or received, 98.20%), and insertive genital sex (performed or received, 89.07%). Half of our sample had tried kinky practices at least once in a lifetime (51.31%). Respondents tended to experiment sexually more with stable partners rather than with casual ones. Comparisons among practices in the lesbian and bisexual population are presented. Providers should be aware that sexual orientations have their own specificities, including sexuality and practices, which should increase their knowledge and comfort in working with sexual minorities. The novel topic of the study addresses the gap in sexuality research among WSW. Strengths include the sex-positive approach, the inclusion of an array of sexual practices, and the consideration of the specificities of the group. Limitations in the generalization of the results are the cross-sectional design and the explicit topic, which may have kept some persons from responding. We propose the framing of sex as going beyond genital contact, and we invite clinicians and researchers who come into contact with WSW to be aware that sexual orientation can be associated with specificities regarding sexuality and sexual practices.

Strangulation During Sex Among Undergraduate Students in Australia: Toward Understanding Participation, Harms, and Education

Abstract Background Strangulation is becoming a more common sexual practice despite its potentially fatal consequences and associated short- and long-term sequelae. This research provides a preliminary examination of participation and perception toward strangulation during sex among Australian undergraduates. Methods This study utilized a confidential, cross-sectional online survey collected in 2022–2023. Analysis included 168 undergraduate students at an Australian University and explored their awareness of the harms of strangulation, understanding of criminalization, and the impact of education on these attitudes. Results In total, 56% reported ever being strangled during sex and 51% ever strangling a partner. Seventeen percent of participants reported being strangled and 13% strangling a partner during their last sexual experience. Higher frequency, wanting, and positive perceptions of strangulation were associated with more liberal sexual attitudes. However, there were differences depending on gender. Participants generally did not perceive strangulation to be harmful and had limited knowledge about its criminalization. Lastly, a brief education intervention on strangulation harms revealed reductions in positive perceptions of strangulation that were pronounced among women. Conclusions In this convenience survey, Australian university students commonly reported previously engaging in strangulation during sex but with limited awareness of the potential consequences. Our results indicate that education on these consequences could reduce positive perceptions of strangulation, particularly among women. Policy Implications Education on strangulation harms are likely more effective than criminalization alone in improving awareness of its consequences and changing perceptions of strangulation. These findings could help guide targeted policy and education on strangulation within sexual health contexts.

Masturbation Among Malaysian Young Adults: Associated Sexual and Psychological Well-Being Outcomes.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12119-023-10101-2.

Sex Acts (Portrayals of Sexuality in Pornography)

Sex Acts (Portrayals of Sexuality in Pornography)

Promoting safer sex in the context of heterosexual anal intercourse: A scoping review.

To locate and summarise existing literature regarding safer sex practices specific to heterosexual anal intercourse and identify promising health promotion strategies. Much of the literature regarding anal intercourse and safer sex is related to men who have sex with men. However, some studies suggest there are more women than men engaging in unprotected receptive anal intercourse. The risks associated with this sexual practice have been well documented, although many healthcare providers fail to ask about anal intercourse while addressing safer sex in the heterosexual population. The study was based on Arksey and O'Malley's 2005 five-step methodology. A search was conducted of MEDLINE; CINAHL; PsycInfo; Cochrane; and PubMed. Databases were searched from 1990-2020. The 72 studies selected were classified according to their main area of focus. A grey literature search was also included. This scientific submission has been assessed for accuracy and completeness using the PRISMA-ScR guideline criteria (File S1). The literature in this area is heterogeneous in terms of method and topic. Prevalence and incidence (n=26) in addition to sexually transmitted infection risks (n=26) related to heterosexual anal intercourse are well understood. However, there is limited information on condom use (n=6), factors that influence heterosexual anal intercourse (n=10) and health promotion strategies for this population and practice (n=4). Two websites that mentioned heterosexual anal intercourse risk reduction activities were included. Although heterosexual anal intercourse appears to be an increasingly common sexual practice, very little is known about health promotion strategies nurses might use for encouraging safer sex in this population. Increased awareness of the prevalence and risks of heterosexual anal intercourse could enhance nurses' harm reduction strategies. Screening for sexually transmitted infections may be based on incorrect assumptions about sexual practices or due to stigma linked with anal intercourse. Reducing unprotected heterosexual anal intercourse will reduce sexually transmitted infections and their long-term sequelae.

Role of saliva use during masturbation in the transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis in men who have sex with men

Abstract Masturbation is a common sexual practice in men, and saliva is often used as a lubricant during masturbation by men who have sex with men. However, the role of saliva use during masturbation in the transmission of chlamydia is still unclear. We developed population-level, susceptible-infected-susceptible compartmental models to explore the role of saliva use during masturbation on the transmission of chlamydia at multiple anatomical sites. In this study, we simulated both solo masturbation and mutual masturbation. Our baseline model did not include masturbation but included transmission routes (anal sex, oral-penile sex, rimming, kissing and sequential sexual practices) we have previously validated (model 1). We added masturbation to model 1 to develop the second model (model 2). We calibrated the model to five clinical datasets separately to assess the effects of masturbation on the prevalence of site-specific infection. The inclusion of masturbation (model 2) significantly worsened the ability of the models to replicate the prevalence of C. trachomatis. Using model 2 and the five data sets, we estimated that saliva use during masturbation was responsible for between 3.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0–6.8] and 6.2% (95% CI 3.8–10.5) of incident chlamydia cases at all sites. Our models suggest that saliva use during masturbation is unlikely to play a major role in chlamydia transmission between men, and even if it does have a role, about one in seven cases of urethral chlamydia might arise from masturbation.

Oral and oropharyngeal high-risk HPV prevalence, HIV status, and risk behaviours in a cohort of South African men who have sex with men.

Data lag is evident when observing studies focussing on human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence in the head and neck of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Southern Africa. Sexual behaviours other than anal intercourse, and associated factors are similarly underreported. HPV vaccination has not yet commenced for this population group. One hundred and ninety-nine MSM were enrolled in this study. Participants completed a questionnaire followed by a clinical oral examination, and a rinse-and-gargle specimen in Thinprep® vials containing Preservcyt® solution was collected. Detection and genotyping for high-risk HPV were done by an automated system (Abbott® m2000sp). Six percent of MSM in this cohort had high-risk HPV present in the mouth/oropharynx. This cohort averages 29 years of age, more than half were unemployed (53.3%), and 66.8% were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive. The most common sexual practice was anal sex (69.4%) followed by oral sex (28.6%), and by rimming (9.6%). A significant association between oral insertive sex and oral/oropharyngeal HPV status was demonstrated (p = 0.0038; phi coefficient = 0.20). An incidental but significant association between rimming and HIV status was found (p = 0.0046; phi coefficient = 0.19), and HIV seropositive participants had higher oral/oropharyngeal HPV presence. The HPV prevalence of 6% reported in this study is in alignment with global reports. The prevalence of oral/oropharyngeal HPV in this MSM cohort was influenced by sexual practices. MSM participants who practiced rimming appear to be at higher risk of HIV acquisition. Given the transmission routes of HPV in this vulnerable population, vaccination must be urgently studied as an intervention for prevention.

French Validation of the Pornography Consumption Inventory (FR-PCI)

Online pornography use is a common sexual practice and it is relevant to understand the motivations underlying its consumption to better identify the causes of its problematic use. The purpose of this study was to translate the Pornography Consumption Inventory (PCI) into French and to validate the version thus obtained (FR-PCI), on a large heterogeneous sample. The PCI was first submitted to a rigorous four-step back-translation procedure for cross-cultural research performed by six different bilingual individuals (French and English). Then, 651 French-Canadian online pornography users aged 16 to 69 from varied genders, sexual orientations and occupations, completed an online questionnaire on sexual behaviors, including the FR-PCI. Results from factorial analysis indicate a three-factor structure explaining 64.6% of the total variance. Results also reveal good internal consistency for the FR-PCI total score (α = 0.85), and subscales: Emotional Avoidance (α = 0.86), Sexual Curiosity (α = 0.86), and Sexual Pleasure (α = 0.81). Scores produced by the FR-PCI were able to discriminate high-frequency pornography users from low-frequency pornography users, indicating good discriminant validity. Results also confirm the expected theoretical associations between the concepts measured by the FR-PCI and the Short Internet sex Addiction Test , indicating good convergence validity. Results support the psychometric qualities of the FR-PCI and it's use to assess motives for pornography consumption in French-speaking individuals. La consommation de pornographie en ligne est courante et il est pertinent de comprendre les motivations qui sous-tendent cette pratique afin de mieux cerner les causes de son usage problématique. Le but de cette étude était de procéder à la traduction française du Pornography Consumption Inventory (PCI) et de valider la version ainsi obtenue (FR-PCI), sur un large échantillon hétérogène. Le PCI a d’abord été soumis à une procédure rigoureuse de rétrotraduction en quatre étapes, effectuée par six individus bilingues différents (français et anglais). Ensuite, 651 canadiens-français consommateurs de pornographie en ligne âgés de 16 à 69 ans, de genres, d’orientations sexuelles et de professions variées ont répondu à un questionnaire en ligne sur les habitudes sexuelles qui incluait le FR-PCI. Les résultats de l’analyse factorielle indiquent une structure à trois facteurs expliquant 64,6 % de la variance totale. Les résultats révèlent également une bonne cohérence interne pour le score total FR-PCI (α = 0,85) et les sous-échelles : Évitement émotionnel (α = 0,86), Curiosité sexuelle (α = 0,86) et Plaisir sexuel (α = 0,81). Les scores du FR-PCI ont permis de distinguer les utilisateurs de pornographie présentant une fréquence de consommation élevée, de ceux présentant une fréquence de consommation faible, indiquant ainsi une bonne validité discriminante. Les résultats confirment également les associations théoriques attendues entre les concepts mesurés par le FR-PCI et le Short Internet Sex Addiction Test , indiquant une bonne validité de convergence. Les résultats confirment les qualités psychométriques du FR-PCI et appui son utilisation auprès des personnes francophones utilisatrice de pornographie en ligne.

Sexual Behavior and High-Risk HPV Infection in the Head and Neck

In the second half of the 20th century, the sexual revolution went hand in hand with changes in common sexual practices. At the turn of the millennium, an increase in the detection rate of HPV-positive oropharyngeal carcinomas (OPC) in the USA was observed for the first time. An increase in the OPC was also observed in Europe. It was shown that this increase was due to HPV-positive OPC. However, the detection rate of the HPV-positive OPC has national and regional differences. Within Europe, the highest detection rate is in Northern Europe (56,5 %), followed by Central Europe (37,6 %). An association between patients with OPC and ≥ 6 sexual partners (OR = 1,25) and ≥ 4 oral sex partners (OR = 2,25) has been described. An HPV infection is usually asymptomatic and eliminated by the immune system within a few months. The persistence of the virus is oncogene. Smoking favors virus persistence, which is why the combination of smoking and oral sex with ≥ 5partners is a particular risk factor. It was also examined whether partners from patients with cervical cancer have an increased oropharyngeal HPV infection rate. There was no definite declaration on this, but further investigations are required. Oral condoms or dental dams are suitable for the prevention of an oral HPV infection. The studies regarding the effectiveness of HPV vaccination for the prevention of an OPC are poor. Authors described a significantly lower detection rate of oral HPV infection in vaccinated people than in non-vaccinated people (0,11 % vs. 1,61 %; p = 0,008).

Sexual practices of female sex workers in Melbourne, Australia: an anonymous cross-sectional questionnaire study in 2017-18.

This cross-sectional study was conducted among FSW at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between September 2017 and March 2018. Participants were asked about current sexual practices with male clients in an average working week. The frequency and proportion of each sexual practice was calculated. There were 180 questionnaires included in the analysis. The median age of the FSW was 28 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 25-34). Most FSW (80.6%) worked in brothels. In an average working week, FSW had a median of 10 (IQR: 7-20) male clients. The most common sexual practices included: vaginal sex (98.3%), fellatio (97.2%), cunnilingus (92.2%) and tongue-kissing (83.7%). FSW had a median number of 10 (IQR: 6-18) vaginal, 10 (IQR: 5-18) fellatio, 7 (IQR: 2-10) cunnilingus and 6 (IQR: 2-10) tongue-kissing clients. Consistent condom use with all clients was highest for vaginal sex (97.1%), followed by anal sex (92.3%), then fellatio (78.9%). Only 3.1% used dental dams consistently for cunnilingus. Consistent condom use with all clients was high among FSWs, especially for vaginal and anal sex. However, one-fifth of FSW had condomless fellatio during an average working week. Tongue-kissing was more common than previously published. Peer-led sexual health education on safe sex practice for FSW is of high importance.

Knowledge and Attitudes toward Sexual Health and Common Sexual Practices among College Students - A Survey from Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Background:Indian society is considered to have conservative attitudes regarding sex and is ambivalent about the concept of sex education. Previous reports suggest that a considerable proportion of Indian youth have inadequate sexual knowledge and hold a variety of sexual misconceptions. Methodological flaws limit the generalizability of some earlier studies.Aims:This study assessed knowledge and attitude toward sexual health and common sexual practices among college students in Tamil Nadu.Methodology:A total of 952 students from seven randomly selected colleges in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu participated in the survey. The survey questionnaire contained 51 questions on knowledge and attitude toward sexual health and common sexual practices and incorporated items from standardized questionnaires and additional questions suggested by a multidisciplinary group who work in the field.Results:Two hundred seventy-five students among those who completed the survey were women. Higher knowledge scores were associated with older age, male gender, being from a rural background, pursuing non-science streams, and being in postgraduate courses. Nonconservative attitudes were associated with older age, male gender, enrollment in non-science disciplines, discomfort with the family environment, and a religious family background.Conclusions:Sexual knowledge is inadequate and sexual misconceptions were widely prevalent in the population studied. School-based comprehensive sex education programs, which have been demonstrated to be effective in improving sexual health, could be used to deal with these lacunae in sexual health knowledge and attitudes.

Heterosexual Anal and Oral Sex in Adolescents and Adults in the United States, 2011-2015.

Heterosexual anal and oral sex are related to the acquisition and transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). As common reportable STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) in the United States are increasing, it is important to understand recent oral and anal sexual behaviors. We examined the prevalence and correlates of heterosexual anal and oral sex, associated condom use, and having multiple partners among men and women aged 15 to 44 years. Approximately one third of women and men had ever engaged in anal sex, including 11% of adolescents (15-19 years). Most women and men had ever received or given oral sex (at >75%). Six percent and 7% of women and men, respectively, used a condom at last oral sex compared with 20% and 30% who used a condom at last anal sex. Having multiple sex partners in the past year was most common among adolescents, never or formerly married persons, and those who had a nonmonogamous partner. Less than 10% reported multiple anal sex partners in the past year. A substantial minority had multiple oral or anal sex partners; black women and men had the highest reports of oral sex partners by race/ethnicity. Anal and oral sex are common sexual practices. Given the low rates of condom use during these behaviors, it is important that recommendations for sexual risk assessments are followed. Tailored messaging regarding risk for STD and human immunodeficiency virus acquisition during oral and anal sex may benefit adolescents, singles, and divorced individuals. Future discussions regarding the benefits of extragenital STD testing for heterosexuals may be useful.

Concordance and Discordance of Sexual Identity, Sexual Experience, and Current Sexual Behavior in 45-Year-Old Men: Results From the German Male Sex-Study.

IntroductionDiscordance of various aspects of sexual orientation has been mostly studied in young adults or in small samples of heterosexual men. Studies focusing on concordance and discordance of aspects of sexual orientation in representative samples of middle-aged men including homosexual men are scarce.AimTo investigate concordant and discordant sexual behavior in 45-year-old German men with a special focus on homosexual identified men.MethodsData for this cross-sectional study were collected within the German Male Sex-Study. Participants were 45-year-old Caucasian males from the general population. Men self-reported on sexual identity, sexual experience, and current sexual behavior. Associations between sexual identity, experience, and behavior were analyzed using the chi-square test.Main Outcome MeasureAssociations of sexual identity with sexual experience and behavior in a community-based sample of men, and discordance of sexual identity and behavior especially in the subgroup of homosexual men.Results12,354 men were included in the study. 95.1% (n = 11.749) self-identified as heterosexual, 3.8% (n = 471) as homosexual, and 1.1% (n = 134) as bisexual. Sexual identity was significantly associated with sexual experience and behavior. 85.5% of all men had recently been sexually active, but prevalence of sexual practices varied. In hetero- and bisexuals, vaginal intercourse was the most common sexual practice, whereas oral sex was the most common in homosexuals. A discordance of sexual identity was especially found in homosexual men: 5.5% of homosexuals only had sexual experiences with women, and 10.3% of homosexuals recently had vaginal intercourse. In this latter subgroup, only one-quarter ever had sexual experience with a man, and three-quarters had only engaged in sexual activity with a woman.ConclusionSexual identity is associated with differences in sexual experience and behavior in German middle-aged men. A considerable proportion of homosexual identified men live a heterosexual life.Goethe VE, Angerer H, Dinkel A, et al. Concordance and Discordance of Sexual Identity, Sexual Experience, and Current Sexual Behavior in 45-Year-Old-Men: Results From the German Male Sex-Study. Sex Med 201;6:282–290.

Risky Sexual Behavior as a Factor in Spreading HIV Infection in Russia. Part II

This work continues an article on risky sexual behavior and the spread of HIV infection. In this part, based on the results of surveys of the working-age population, the youth and the target group of psychoactive substance users, the relationship between increase in drug use and sexual behavior is examined. It is shown that use of certain drugs is connected to increase in sexual activity. Injecting drug users play a special role in the spread of HIV infection. The survey of the target group of drug users allowed us to describe a modern portrait of an injecting drug user, as well as the peculiarities of drug use and common high-risk sexual practices in this group. The impact on the rate of infection from the Russian penitentiary system is considered. It was revealed that with an annual decrease in the number of prisoners, the proportion of HIV-infected people is constantly growing, while HIV infection is by far the most frequent cause of death for convicts in Russia. The factors that influence HIV incidence rate among the convicts are examined.

Kissing Is Association With the Source for Meeting Casual Partners in Men Who Have Sex With Men

Kissing has been identified as one of the most common sexual practices among men who have sex with men (MSM), and it has also been identified as one of the risk factors for pharyngeal gonorrhoea. We conducted this study to understand the kissing pattern amongst MSM by different sources for meeting partners. MSM attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC), Australia MSM attending MSHC between March and September 2015 were asked about the sources they used to meet their casual sexual partners and about their kissing practices in the previous three months. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine whether kissing is associated with the source for meeting partners. A total of 753 men completed the questionnaire with a median age of 29 (IQR 25-36). Our results showed that men who met partners at gay bars were 7.3 (95% CI 2.1-25.0) times more likely to kiss their sexual partners and they were less likely (aOR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4-0.8) to have sex-without-kissing partners after adjusting for age and other sources for meeting partners. Men who met partners via smartphone applications were 7.0 (95% CI 3.0-15.9) times more likely to kiss their partners. Kissing was not associated with men who met partners at sex on premises venues (SOPV) and via friends. In contrast, men who met partners at SOPV were 2.3 (95% CI 1.6-3.3) times more likely to have sex-without-kissing partners.

Knowledge, Attitude, Beliefs and Practices on HIV/Aids among Men Having Sex with Men

The study investigated the extent of knowledge, attitude, beliefs, and practices regarding HIV/AIDS among men having sex with men. It focused on the following: (1) the profile of the respondents in terms of age, marital status, educational level, and employment status, (2) the extent of knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding HIV/AIDS among men having sex with men, (3) the common sexual practices used by men having sex with men in regards to HIV/AIDS; and (4) the significant difference of the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and sexual practices of men having sex with men regarding HIV/AIDS when grouped according profile. In answering these problems, the researchers used the descriptive research design. The analysis yielded the following results: (1) Most of the respondents belong to adolescent years, mostly single, obtained higher education, and unemployed. (2) The respondents had sufficient knowledge on the mode of transmission but had insufficient knowledge about the disease process. The respondents show a positive attitude to those people living with HIV/AIDS by not discriminating them. The respondents show a positive beliefs regarding HIV/AIDS by believing that multiple sex partner is one of the risk factors for developing HIV/AIDS and kissing is not a factor for transmission of the virus. However, they have a misconception that if they have a strong faith in God, they will not be infected by the virus. (3) The respondents had good sexual practices with regards to HIV/AIDS as they used condoms to protect themselves against the virus and never engage with multiple sex partners. (4) There is no significant difference on the respondents' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs when grouped according to age, marital status, educational level, and, employment status. There is a significant difference in the respondents' practices when grouped according to age but significantly do not differ when grouped according to marital status, educational level, and employment status. In conclusion, the respondents are knowledgeable to the mode of transmission but have insufficient knowledge to the disease process. Keywords : Men having Sex with Men, HIV/AIDS, Extent of Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices

O003 Saliva use as a lubricant for anal sex is a risk factor for rectal gonorrhoea among men who have sex with men, a new public health message: a cross-sectional survey

<h3>Background/introduction</h3> Apart from penile–anal intercourse, other anal sexual practices (oral-anal contact or rimming, fingering and saliva use as a lubricant for anal sex) are common among men who have sex with men (MSM). <h3>Aim(s)/objectives</h3> The aim of this study is to evaluate whether these anal sexual practices are risk factors for rectal gonorrhoea in MSM. <h3>Methods</h3> A cross-sectional survey was conducted among MSM attending a large urban sexual health centre between July 2014 and June 2015. Rectal gonorrhoea cases were identified by culture. <h3>Results</h3> Among 1312 MSM, 4.3% (n = 56) had rectal gonorrhoea. Anal sexual practices, other than anal-penile sex, were common among MSM: receptive oro-anal (rimming) (70.5%), receptive fingering or penile-perianal contact i.e dipping (84.3%) and using partner’s saliva as a lubricant for anal sex (68.5%). Saliva as a lubricant (adjusted OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.00 to 4.71) was significantly associated with rectal gonorrhoea after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Receptive rimming and fingering or penis dipping were not statistically associated with rectal gonorrhoea. The crude population attributable fraction of rectal gonorrhoea associated with use of partner’s saliva as a lubricant for anal sex was 48.9% (7.9% to 71.7%). <h3>Discussion/conclusion</h3> Saliva use as a lubricant for anal sex is a common sexual practice in MSM, and may play an important role in gonorrhoea transmission. Almost half of rectal gonorrhoea cases may be eliminated if a message of prevention is included in not using partner’s saliva for anal sex.

Saliva use as a lubricant for anal sex is a risk factor for rectal gonorrhoea among men who have sex with men, a new public health message: a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundApart from penile–anal intercourse, other anal sexual practices (rimming, fingering and saliva use as a lubricant for anal sex) are common among men who have sex with men (MSM). The...

Comportamento sexual de estudantes de medicina portugueses e seus fatores preditivos

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of risk behavior, sexual behavior and sexual dysfunctions in Portuguese medical students. MethodsStudents of the Faculty of Medicine of Porto were divided into three groups according to the year they are enrolled: group 1 (1st/2nd year, n=288), group 2 (3rd/4th year, n=267) and group 3 (5th/6th year, n=250). An anonymous questionnaire about sexuality and risk behavior was filled in. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS®. ResultsThe questionnaire was answered by 805 students (female=547; male=258), with median age of 20 years. The median age of the first sexual experience was 17 years, but 33.9% of the students denied having any sexual experience. The most common sexual practice is the joint practice of oral and vaginal sex (56.2%). Ejaculatory dysfunction was the sexual dysfunction most referred by men (18.2%), followed by erectile dysfunction (7.8%), particularly when associated to illicit drugs consumption (22.2%). The sexual dysfunctions most reported by women were dyspareunia (40.8%), difficulty in attaining an orgasm (34.7%) and lack of lubrication (18.5%). ConclusionsAlthough medical students represent a healthy young population, the physical, emotional and mental strain they are subjected to affect negatively their sexuality. Furthermore, sexual self‐awareness may negatively impact future interactions with patients with sexual dysfunctions. This cross‐sectional study is very inclusive, and demonstrated that this population is globally inexperienced. However, more studies of Portuguese population are needed in order to better understand their profile in relation to the other youngsters.

‘My Vagina Makes Funny Noises’: Analyzing Online Forums to Assess the Real Sexual Health Concerns of Young People

ABSTRACT. One hundred online sexual health forum pages were analyzed to identify sexual health concerns of young people. Pages collected from five popular forum Web sites posted in August 2011 were indexed, noting demographics, primary complaint, type of question and response, misconceptions of medical concepts, and general keywords. Gaps in knowledge were identified regarding tampon use, menstrual fluid, hormonal contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and signs of pregnancy. Forum participants searched online using symptoms, a finding that suggests Web sites providing sexual health information to young people should be organized by symptom. Sex education should inform students about transmission risks associated with common sexual practices rather than focusing on diseases and should teach how to find and access local services.