Sexual function and satisfaction among heterosexual and sexual minority U.S. adults: A cross-sectional survey.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite known health disparities for sexual minorities, few studies have
described sexual function by sexual orientation using a robust approach to measurement
of sexual function. We compared recent sexual function and satisfaction by sexual
orientation among English-speaking US adults. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Cross-sectional
surveys were administered by KnowledgePanel® (GfK), an online panel that uses address-based
probability sampling and is representative of the civilian, noninstitutionalized US
population. Data were collected in 2013 from the general population (n = 3314, 35%
response rate) and in 2014 from self-identified lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults
(n = 1011, 50% response rate). Sexual function and satisfaction were measured using
the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® Sexual Function and
Satisfaction measure version 2.0 (PROMIS SexFS v2). The PROMIS SexFS v2 is a comprehensive,
customizable measurement system with evidence for validity in diverse populations.
A score of 50 (SD 10) on each domain corresponds to the average for US adults sexually
active in the past 30 days. We adjusted all statistics for the complex sample designs
and report differences within each sex where the 95% CIs do not overlap, corresponding
to p<0.01. Among US men who reported any sexual activity in the past 30 days, there
were no differences in erectile function or orgasm-ability. Compared to heterosexual
men, sexual minority men reported higher oral dryness and lower orgasm-pleasure and
satisfaction. Compared to heterosexual men, gay men reported lower interest, higher
anal discomfort and higher oral discomfort. Among sexually active women, there were
no differences in the domains of vulvar discomfort-clitoral, orgasm-pleasure, or satisfaction.
Compared to heterosexual women, sexual minority women reported higher oral dryness.
Lesbian women reported lower vaginal discomfort than other women; lesbian women reported
higher lubrication and orgasm-ability than heterosexual women. Bisexual women reported
higher interest, higher vulvar discomfort-labial and higher anal discomfort than other
women, as well as higher oral discomfort compared to heterosexual women. CONCLUSIONS:
Recent sexual function and satisfaction differed by sexual orientation among US adults.
Sexual minority men and women had decrements in domains of sexual function that have
not traditionally been included in multi-dimensional self-report measures. Clinicians
should make themselves aware of their patients' sexual concerns and recognize that
sexual minority patients may be more vulnerable to certain sexual difficulties than
heterosexual patients.
Type
Journal articlePermalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/14245Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1371/journal.pone.0174981Publication Info
Flynn, Kathryn E; Lin, Li; & Weinfurt, Kevin P (2017). Sexual function and satisfaction among heterosexual and sexual minority U.S. adults:
A cross-sectional survey. PLoS One, 12(4). pp. e0174981. 10.1371/journal.pone.0174981. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/14245.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
Collections
More Info
Show full item recordScholars@Duke
Kathryn Eve Flynn
Adjunct Professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences
Kathryn E. Flynn, PhD, is an adjunct assistant professor in psychiatry and behavioral
sciences at the Duke University School of Medicine. She works primarily at the Duke
Clinical Research Institute. Dr. Flynn was trained in sociology and population health
sciences at the University of Wisconsin, where she worked with Maureen Smith on the
development and fielding of new survey instruments to assess health care access and
utilization in the near elderly as part of the Wisconsin Longitu
Kevin Phillip Weinfurt
James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Population Health Sciences
Kevin P. Weinfurt, PhD, is Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the Department
of Population Health Sciences at Duke University Medical Center and a faculty member
of the Duke Clinical Research Institute. He holds secondary appointment as a Professor
of Psychology and Neuroscience, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Professor of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, and a Faculty Associate of the Trent
Center for the Study of Medical Humanities and Bioethics. Dr. Weinf
Alphabetical list of authors with Scholars@Duke profiles.

Articles written by Duke faculty are made available through the campus open access policy. For more information see: Duke Open Access Policy
Rights for Collection: Scholarly Articles
Works are deposited here by their authors, and represent their research and opinions, not that of Duke University. Some materials and descriptions may include offensive content. More info