One of the largest sex studies of millennials has revealed up to one in 5 have had anal sex compared to just one in 10 young people in 1990.
In a review of three UK studies of more than 45,000 aged between 16 to 24-years-old over 12 years, researchers found teenage girls and young women are now under increasing pressure to have anal sex even though they find it painful. According to the findings they are up to four times more likely to dislike the act than boys.
The study, published in the Journal Adolescent Health, found some of the largest increases in the prevalence of oral and anal sex over the past decade were observed among those aged 16-18.
Previous studies suggest anal sex has become more common among young people due to them having greater access to pornography.
There is also a trend for couples not to use condoms when having non-vaginal intercourse.
Up to one in five millennials have had anal sex compared to just one in 10 in 1990
How the research was carried out
The researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and University College London (UCL) carried out three studies between 1990 and 2012 with a total of 45,199 participants aged between 16 and 59 years old.
The participants were asked questions including ‘How old were you when you first had sexual intercourse with someone of the opposite sex, or hasn’t this happened?’.
They also completed a questionnaire asking about their most recent sexual experience, such as vaginal or anal sex; giving or receiving oral sex; and genital touching without sex; and when these occurred.
They were also questioned as to their sexual orientation.
Up to one in five 16-to-24 year olds have anal sex
Results reveal one in five heterosexual women and one in four straight men aged between 16 and 24 years old had vaginal, oral or anal sex in 2010 to 2012, versus just one in 10 in 1990 to 1991.
Senior author Kaye Wellings, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: ‘The changes in practices we see here are consistent with the widening of other aspects of young people’s sexual experience, and are perhaps not surprising given the rapidly changing social context and the ever-increasing number of influences on sexual behaviour.’
Previous research suggests increased access to pornography encourages anal sex among young people.
Past findings also imply lower condom use among couples having anal sex.
The researchers add young people, particularly girls, may feel pressured into having anal sex, which can be painful.
Lead author Dr Ruth Lewis, who was at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and now works at the University of Glasgow, said: ‘By shedding light on when some young people are having sex and what kinds of sex they are having, our study highlights the need for accurate sex and relationships education that provides opportunities to discuss consent and safety in relation to a range of sexual practices.’
Previous studies suggest anal sex has become more common due to access to porn (stock)
Sexual experiences occurring earlier
The results also reveal young people’s first sexual experience, such as kissing, generally occurs at 14 rather than 16 in the mid-twentieth century.
Among those born in the 1990s, most lose their virginity at 16 compared to 20 for women and 19 for men born in the late 1930s.
On average, those born between 1990 and 1996 wait two years between their first kiss and having intercourse, compared to four years for women and three for men born at the end of the 1930s.
The findings were published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.