Prevalence and Correlates of Sexual Aversion: A Canadian Community-Based Study

Sexual aversion (SA) is a chronic difficulty impacting sexual, relational and psychological wellbeing. Yet, there is a dearth of studies exploring its prevalence and associated factors.

To estimate the prevalence of SA and examine its correlates among a community sample of Canadian adults.

A large web-based sample of the Quebec (Canada) adult population (n = 1,935) completed an online survey on sexual wellbeing. Prevalence rates were estimated for SA and other sexual difficulties. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify correlates of SA.

Demographics (eg, gender, employment status), self-reported experiences of sexual difficulties (low sexual desire and arousal, vaginal dryness, pain during sexual intercourse, erectile difficulties, premature or delayed ejaculation, and orgasm difficulties), and markers of psychosexual wellbeing (eg, psychological distress, performance anxiety) according to the presence or absence of SA were assessed.

The prevalence of SA was 9.7% (95% CI: 8.5-11.2) in the present sample (6.9% [95% CI: 5.1-8.9] in men, 11.3% [95% CI: 9.4-13.4] in women and 17.1% [95% CI: 9.4-27.4] in nonbinary and/or trans individuals). The multivariate logistic regression model explained 31% of the likelihood of experiencing SA. SA was related to psychological distress (aOR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.33-2.38), sexual satisfaction (aOR: .59, 95% CI:.49-0.70), sexual performance anxiety (aOR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.45-2.98), and discomfort with sex-related information (aOR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04) CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Several psychosexual correlates of SA were documented and could be targeted by practitioners during the assessment and treatment of individuals living with SA.

The study's strengths include its large, gender diverse sample and use of comprehensive diagnostic criteria for SA. Probability-based sampling methods and longitudinal studies should be conducted to address the current study's limitations.

SA research is critical to document its prevalence in different sociodemographic groups, explore additional intrapersonal and interpersonal mechanisms involved in SA etiology, and ensure that the needs of people living with SA are met with tailored interventions. David Lafortune, Éliane Dussault, Mathieu Philibert, Natacha Godbout. Prevalence and Correlates of Sexual Aversion: A Canadian Community-Based Study. J Sex Med 2022;19:1269-1280.