Young Adult Sexual Practices
The sexual behaviors and experiences of young men are quite varied. Studies of young adult sex practices provide yet another reference point for what men and women do, but be careful to not use these data as a standard for your sexual health. Data give averages, including healthy and unhealthy men, healthy and unhealthy motivations. Nevertheless, the numbers can give you a reference point for understanding your own sexual experiences.
Men have an average of 6 sexual partners in their lifetime; the range is zero to hundreds of partners. What do you think is healthy? Do you think it is healthy to have one sex partner in a lifetime? 6? 20? Is it healthy to have hundreds?
Sexual frequency for men is about 1–2 times a week. Again, this is an average with a range from rare (less than monthly is considered a sexless relationship) to three times a day (among new young couples). About one third have partner sex at least twice a week, a third have partner sex several times a month, and the other third have partner sex a few times a year or have no sex partner. Remember, sexual satisfaction is a function of sharing pleasure and being an intimate team rather than sexual frequency.
Experiencing a sexual dysfunction (like premature ejaculation) is statistically normal—most young men will begin as premature ejaculators or on occasion do not get an erection. Th e issue is how you deal with a sexual problem. If you panic and overreact, you will unintentionally set up subsequent performance pressures that will make the sexual problem more severe and chronic.
Physically healthy men will enjoy lifelong sexual function.
