title: Sexual Function in 16- to 21-Year-Olds in Britain.
abstract: Concern about young people's sexuality is focused on the need to prevent harmful outcomes such as sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy. Although the benefit of a broader perspective is recognized, data on other aspects of sexuality, particularly sexual function, are scant. We sought to address this gap by measuring the population prevalence of sexual function problems, help seeking, and avoidance of sex in young people.
  
  
  
  A cross-sectional stratified probability sample survey (Natsal-3) of 15,162 women and men in Britain (response rate: 57.7%), using computer-assisted self-interviews. Data come from 1875 (71.9%) sexually active, and 517 sexually inactive (18.7%), participants aged 16-21 years. Measures were single items from a validated measure of sexual function (the Natsal-SF).
  
  
  
  Among sexually active 16- to 21-year-old participants, 9.1% of men and 13.4% of women reported a distressing sexual problem lasting 3 months or more in the last year. Most common among men was reaching a climax too quickly (4.5%), and among women was difficulty in reaching climax (6.3%). Just over a third (35.5%) of men and 42.3% of women reporting a problem had sought help, but rarely from professional sources. Among those who had not had sex in the last year, just >10% of young men and women said they had avoided sex because of sexual difficulties.
  
  
  
  Distressing sexual function problems are reported by a sizeable minority of sexually active young people. Education is required, and counseling should be available, to prevent lack of knowledge, anxiety, and shame progressing into lifelong sexual difficulties.
authors: Centre for Sexual Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom. Electronic address: kirstin.mitchell@glasgow.ac.uk.
authors: Kirstin R
authors: KR
authors: Mitchell
authors: Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Geary
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
authors: Cynthia
authors: C
authors: Graham
authors: Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Soazig
authors: S
authors: Clifton
authors: Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Catherine H
authors: CH
authors: Mercer
authors: Centre for Sexual Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Department of Sociology, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California.
authors: Ruth
authors: R
authors: Lewis
authors: Centre for Sexual Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Wendy
authors: W
authors: Macdowall
authors: Centre for Sexual Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Jessica
authors: J
authors: Datta
authors: Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Anne M
authors: AM
authors: Johnson
authors: Centre for Sexual Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Kaye
authors: K
authors: Wellings
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D000066505:Help-Seeking Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009948:Orgasm; D061686:Premature Ejaculation / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D057566:Self Report; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Avoidance of sex; Early adulthood; Help seeking; Population survey; Prevalence; Sexual dysfunction; Sexual function problems; Sexual well-being; Young people