(087) Sexual Milestones among Asexual Women and Men in the Czech Population
Authors: Bartova K , Klapilova K , Krejcova L 
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Although the definition of asexuality varies across previous studies, asexuality is usually defined as a lack of sexual attraction to others. Recent surveys of general populations report that 0.4–1 % of the population identifies as asexual. Previous studies on asexuality mainly focused on differences between asexual and allosexual individuals. Not surprisingly asexual individuals report fewer sexual fantasies, desire, arousal, masturbation, sex, and fewer sexual partners compared to allosexuals. But information about asexuality is still scattered.

Objective

The main aim of this study was to map the prevalence of asexuality and diversity in the field of sexual milestones among asexual women and men.

Methods

Participants were recruited in 2020 via sociodemographic agency using computer-assisted web interviewing software. Stratified random sampling with quotas on Czech nationality, region, size of the place of residence, sex, age, and education was applied. A representative sample of 1,616 adult men (n = 806; 21–85 years; mage = 50.65; SD = 15.52) and women (n = 810; 20–91 years; mage = 50,62; SD = 16.15) answered questions about selected dimensions of sexual and romantic relationship milestones.

Results

Approximately 2.1 % (n = 17) of men and 1.6 % (n = 13) of women indicated they were asexual. Results also showed that 64.7 % of asexual men and 84.6 % of asexual women were in long-term romantic relationship and compared to sexual men and women had less sexual partners (7.1 vs. 15.2 and 3.5 vs. 9.6, respectively). Preliminary results showed that asexual women had a later onset of first desire to have a romantic relationship (17.2 vs. 16.2 years old), first masturbation (21.1 vs. 18.4), first falling in love (21.1 vs. 15.8), first interest in pornographic materials (22.4 vs. 18.4), an earlier onset of menarche (12.5 vs. 13.7), and first occurrences of sexual fantasies (17.5 vs. 18.3), compared to sexual women, respectively. Sexual women and asexual women were in same age of first passionate kissing (16.7 vs. 16.2), first sex (17.3 vs. 17.4), and first petting (16.1 vs. 16.6). Asexual men had an earlier onset of first masturbation (13.1 vs. 14.9 years old), first interest in pornographic materials (13.3 vs. 14.2), first occurrences of sexual fantasies (14.8 vs. 15.8), first falling in love (15.8 vs. 16.6), first sex (16.7 vs. 18.2 years old), compared to sexual men, respectively. Sexual and asexual men were in same age of first pollution (13.2 vs. 13.8), first passionate kissing (16.1 vs. 16.4 years old), first petting (16.1 vs. 16.6), and first desire to have a romantic relationship (16.9 vs. 17.2).

Conclusions

Consistent with previous research, we found some biological and psychosocial markers that have been associated with asexuality. Asexual women experienced most of their sexual milestones later compared to sexual women. Interestingly, the opposite was found for asexual men. They experienced most of their sexual milestones earlier. Thus, our results suggest that the development of sexuality differs between asexual men and women.

Disclosure

No.