Sex and Its Reasons

We all read about 237 distinct reasons humans have sex by now. Last week, Cindy Meston, Ph.D., director of the Sexual Psychophysiology Labotatory at the University of Texas, published her research findings on what motivates people to have sex. It took five years, self-sponsored funds, and 1,549 undergraduate subjects to conduct this study. All the efforts have been paid off: people now know lot more about why we have sex, and we are less shy about exploring our natural desire.

The study groups these reasons into four categories:

• PHYSICAL
• I was attracted to the person
• My hormones were out of control
• It seemed like good exercise
• EMOTIONAL
• I was in love
• I wanted to say 'thank you'
• GOAL-DIRECTED
• I wanted to get a raise
• Because of a bet
• I wanted to change the topic of conversation
• INSECURITY
• I didn't know how to refuse sex
• I felt obligated

The research looked at the leading reasons why men and women have sex. Men and women share eight of the top 10 reasons. If you think men only want sex for the physical pleasure and women want love, the following reasons disapprove such gender stereotype.

Women's Top 10 Reasons for Having Sex:

1. I was attracted to the person.
2. I wanted to experience the physical pleasure.
3. It feels good.
4. I wanted to show my affection to the person.
5. I wanted to express my love for the person.
6. I was sexually aroused and wanted the release.
7. I was "horny."
8. It's fun.
9. I realized I was in love.
10. I was "in the heat of the moment."

Men’s Top 10 Reasons for Having Sex:

1. I was attracted to the person.
2. It feels good.
3. I wanted to experience the physical pleasure.
4. It's fun.
5. I wanted to show my affection to the person.
6. I was sexually aroused and wanted the release.
7. I was "horny."
8. I wanted to express my love for the person.
9. I wanted to achieve an orgasm.
10. I wanted to please my partner.

For your curiosity, read about the uncensored study “Why Humans Have Sex” at http://tinyurl.com/ypzwvr

If you are still curious, visit www.mestonlab.com and www.kinseyinstitute.org to learn more about human sexual behaviors.