Sexual behaviors and mental perception, satisfaction and expectations of sex life in men and women in France

• Published in: Journal of sexual medicine Vol. 3; no. 1; pp. 121 - 131
• Main Authors: Colson, Marie-Hélène, Lemaire, Antoine, Pinton, Philippe, Hamidi, Karim, Klein, Patrick
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 01-01-2006
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged; Female; France - epidemiology; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Middle Aged; Personal Satisfaction; Sex Factors; Sexual Behavior - statistics & numerical data; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - epidemiology; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological - epidemiology; Sexual Partners; Stress, Psychological - epidemiology; Surveys and Questionnaires; France
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2005.00166.x
• ISSN: 1743-6095

To analyze behaviors, mental perception, satisfaction, and expectations relating to sexuality in France.
A total of 1,002 subjects (483 men and 519 women) aged 35 years and over in a representative sample of the French population were surveyed by phone using a dedicated questionnaire in November 2003.
Sexual behaviors and mental perception, satisfaction and expectations concerning sexual life.
Of the population, 80.2% reported having a sexual partner. The mean number of times subjects had sex per week was 1.8 (2.0 in men, 1.6 in women). The decision preceded the act by a few seconds or minutes in 82.7% of subjects. Thinking about sex was "frequent" in 47.1% of subjects, especially for men (60.8%). Regardless of gender, sexuality was more synonymous with pleasure (44.0%) and love (42.1%) than with procreation, children, or motherhood (7.8%). During sexual intercourse, simultaneous orgasms and feelings of closeness were important for the majority of subjects, 35.8% (41.6% of men) and 22.8%, respectively; foreplay, enjoyment, and vaginal penetration were the most important accomplishments for 13.1%. Regardless of gender, 83.0% of subjects expressed relative or full satisfaction with their sex life. However, only 38.7% of subjects (31.6% of men and 45.2% of women) did not wish to change anything, while 17.2% would like to have more time for it. Of the subjects, 63.0% reported a decrease in sexual desire during periods of work-related stress, especially in women (72.3%). The main sexual complaints reported by men were diminution of sexual desire (24.9%), early ejaculation (23.7%), and erectile problems (14.4%). In women, they were diminution of sexual desire (45.7%), orgasm disorders (15.5%), and dyspareunia (15.5%).
This survey showed that the attitude of subjects, especially men, toward sexuality is changing through years and highlighted the extent of sexual problems in the general population.