What Fears Do People Have About Sex?
Study explores the reasons sex may become more scary than sensual
Published in
3 min readMay 3, 2023
Sex can be fun and a bonding experience for partners, but in some cases, it can be scary thanks to the underlying fears they may have about it. What makes lovers more afraid than aroused when it comes to sex? A study of 2,000 people in the United States and Europe conducted by Superdrug Online Doctor explores the common fears people have related to sex. Respondents were asked to rate a variety of sex fears on a scale of one to ten, with ten being the highest level of fright they experience.
In general, these are the things people reported being most fearful of:
- Sex partner has a sexually transmitted infection (6.9)
- An unplanned pregnancy will occur (6)
- Partner won’t find their naked body attractive (5.5)
- Partner won’t be satisfied sexually (5.3)
- They suck in the sack (4.8)
- Post-coitus time will be awkward (4.4)
- Bodily functions will embarrass them during sex (4.3)
- Their partner will want sex acts they’re not comfortable with (4.3)
- Their partner will think they’re too inexperienced at sex (4.1)
