Sexual Dysfunction among Youth: An Overlooked Sexual Concern

Caroline Moreau, Johns Hopkins University and Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)
Anna Kågesten, Johns Hopkins University
Robert Blum, Johns Hopkins University
Nathalie Bajos, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) and Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)

This study explores sexual functioning problems among youth and their association with other sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Data were drawn from the 2010 French national sexual and reproductive health survey. Our analysis includes 944 females and 731 males aged 15 to 24 years who reported ever having had sexual intercourse. Half of young women (48%) reported at least one sexual problem versus 23% of young men. Sexual functioning problems were strongly and inversely related to sexual satisfaction for both sexes and to unintended pregnancies and a recent STI and for young women. Sexual functioning problems causing distress were also correlated with a history of an unintended pregnancy among young men. While most young people enjoy a healthy sexual life, difficulties of sexual functioning are common among youth, especially among young women. Health programs should screen and address sexual dysfunction, which substantially reduce youth sexual wellbeing.