Orgasm and Sexual Behavior Among Adolescents: Differences Across Genders and Dyad Configurations

Area of Science:

• Adolescent sexual health research
• Gender diversity in sexuality
• Sexual behavior and orgasm

Background:

• Limited understanding of adolescent sexual experiences beyond heteronormative vaginal intercourse.
• Calls for greater diversity and inclusion in sexuality research are ongoing.
• Need to explore orgasm and sexual behaviors across diverse gender identities and relationships.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine orgasm experiences (masturbation, partnered) and sexual behaviors (manual, oral stimulation) in middle adolescents.
• To explore gender and dyad type differences in sexual experiences among cisgender and transgender/non-binary (TNB) youth.
• To identify variations in sexual well-being indicators across different demographic groups.

Main Methods:

• Logistic regression and path analyses were conducted.
• Data were analyzed separately for cisgender (n=2738) and TNB (n=62) Canadian adolescents (N=2800).
• Comparisons were made based on gender identity and partner gender (dyad type).

Main Results:

• Cisgender girls had lower odds of masturbatory orgasm, more difficulties with partnered orgasm, received more manual, less oral sex than cisgender boys.
• TNB individuals assigned male at birth received more manual stimulation; TNB assigned female at birth received less oral sex.
• Specific dyad types (e.g., cisgender girls with boys or gender diverse partners) showed lower odds of orgasm and less oral sex compared to cisgender boys with girls.

Conclusions:

• Adolescent sexual experiences, including orgasm and specific sexual behaviors, significantly differ based on gender identity and partner gender.
• Findings underscore the heterogeneity of sexual experiences within adolescent populations, particularly for cisgender girls and TNB youth.
• Results can inform the development of more inclusive and targeted sexual health programs and interventions for diverse youth.