Sexual intercourse activity and activities associated with sexual interaction in Norwegians of different sexual orientations and ages

Abstract

To study different subgroups of Norwegians’ frequency of sexual intercourse and the activities that Norwegians engage in during intercourse. Data were collected from a questionnaire survey of a representative web sample of 4,160 Norwegians aged 18 to 89 years. The response rate was 35%. The majority of men (65%) and women (61%) reported sexual intercourse activity during the past month, and it was most common to report such activity 2 or 3 times per month. Partnered participants most often reported having intercourse weekly. The intercourse frequency of 2 to 3 times per week declined from 35% in participants aged 18 to 29 years to 8% in participants 60 years and older. The most common heterosexual activities reported were vaginal sex, stimulated genitals with the hands or mouth, use of sex toys, and anal sex. Younger and middle-aged Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Transsexual, Intersex, Asexual [LGBTIA] men most often reported activities such as mutual masturbation, oral sex, and anal sex. Younger and middle-aged LGBTIA women most frequently reported mutual masturbation, vaginal sex, and oral sex. There seems to be a generational shift in types of activities in participants 59 years or younger, and those 60 years and above.

Keywords:

• Sexual intercourse
• sexual diversity
• sexual activities
• quantitative research
• Norway

Introduction

No two cultures have exactly the same sexual expressions. Yet, the internet has in many ways revolutionized sexuality, for instance with regards to the accessibility of pornography, and this world-wide shared media influence may have made sexual behaviour more generalizable across countries. If this is so, changes in sexual behaviour in the liberal and egalitarian Nordic cultural context may be of interest to other Western countries moving towards greater equality between individuals and groups of individuals. The sexual behavior of Nordic citizens of different gender, age, and sexual orientation, may project future changes in other countries advocating the equality ideology. Grounded in the Nordic cultural context, the overall aim of this paper is study sexual intercourse activity associated with age and sexual orientation in Norway.

Studies have consistently shown that the most important factor for frequency of partnered sexual activity is having a regular partner (DeLamater, 2012; Field et al., 2013; Kontula & Haavio-Mannila, 2009; Schwartz et al., 2014; Traeen et al., 2019). This applies to younger and older adults. The frequency of partnered sexual activity has been mapped in many population-representative cross-sectional samples across Europe (Bajos et al., 2010; Beutel et al., 2018; Kontula, 2015; Mercer et al., 2013; Vanwesenbeeck et al., 2010). The tradition of studying sexual intercourse frequency and trends has mostly focused on heterosexual sexual intercourse, and less on variations in sexual intercourse related to sexual orientation.

Various cross-sectional representative studies indicate that partnered people have sexual intercourse 1 to 2 times per week (Badcock et al., 2014; Laumann et al., 1994; Lewin et al., 2000; Stabell et al., 2008; Ueda et al., 2020). The average intercourse frequency per month, however, seems to vary across countries. For instance, while partnered adults from France reported having had intercourse on average approximately 9 times per month in 2006 (Bajos et al., 2010), partnered adults from Finland and Britain, reported having had intercourse about 5 times per month (national cross-sectional data from 2007 and 2010/12, respectively) (Kontula, 2015; Mercer et al., 2013). The frequency of sexual intercourse among adult Norwegians in 2020 is yet to be explored.

Another common finding is a decline in the frequency of sexual activity with increasing age (Corona et al., 2010; DeLamater & Moorman, 2007; Kontula & Haavio-Mannila, 2009; Lewin et al., 2000; Mercer et al., 2013; Herbenick et al., 2010b; Lee et al., 2016; Palacios-Ceña et al., 2012). According to a recent cross-sectional study among adults who had at least one sexual partner in the past year (Mercer et al., 2013), the frequency of sexual intercourse in British men declined from 5.1 times per month among 16 to 24 year-olds to 2.3 times per month among 65 to 74 year-olds (the decline among women was 5.8 to 1.4, respectively). The reasons for this decline may be sexual dysfunctions, hormonal changes in levels of testosterone and oestrogen, diseases and medication, ageing sexual stereotypes, general reduction in sexual interest, loss of partner, or partner’s sexual difficulties (Bell & Reissing, 2017; DeLamater, 2012; Erens et al., 2019; Field et al., 2013; Fischer et al., 2018; Hyde et al., 2010; Lee et al., 2016; Syme & Cohn, 2020).

Several nationally representative repeated cross-sectional studies seem to suggest a decrease in sexual activity across the Western world (Beutel et al., 2018; de Visser et al., 2014; Kontula, 2015; Mercer et al., 2013; Ueda et al., 2020). For instance, data from four national surveys of the adult population in Finland (1971, 1992, 1999, and 2007) indicate a decreasing trend in the frequency of sexual intercourse across gender and relationship status (Kontula, 2015). According to Kontula, married Finnish men had intercourse 4.6 times per month, and women 4.3 times per month in 2007, which means that the average Finn lost one sexual intercourse per month compared to 1999. Similar trends have also been found in Britain where the average intercourse frequency in the past month declined from approximately 6.2 in the late 1990s to 4.9 in early 2010 (Mercer et al., 2013). In contrast, three nationally representative repeated surveys in France (1970, 1992, and 2006), indicated the average amount of vaginal intercourse activity during the past month remained stable across all three studies (Bajos et al., 2010). This may be more of generational effect, in that changes over time may be the result of changes in values attached to sex, and a consequence of the increasing importance placed on sex for people’s well-being. As these serial cross-sectional studies assess sexual frequency at different points in time, and in different cultures, it is unclear whether this also applies to the Norwegian context.

Another common finding in the Western world suggests an overall increase in adult sexual repertoires, same-sex experimentation, and changes in sexual attitudes and values towards more permissiveness (Bajos et al., 2010; de Visser et al., 2014; Kontula, 2015; Mercer et al., 2013; Vanwesenbeeck et al., 2010). A study focusing on heterosexual sexual behaviours from three serial cross-sectional national representative surveys in Britain (1990/91, 1999/2001, and 2010/12) showed that a higher proportion reporting oral and anal sex among younger than older adults, and also in consecutive birth cohorts (Mercer et al., 2013). In particular, while about 70% of women and 75% of men born between 1946 and 1955 reported giving or receiving oral sex by the time they were 35 to 44 years, approximately 90% of those born 10 and 20 years later, reported oral sex by the time they were of the same age. Although there seems to be a general increase in sexual repertoire, such as more individuals reporting ever having experienced anal sex (Bajos et al., 2010; Mercer et al., 2013; Vanwesenbeeck et al., 2010), not all sexual acts are equally common among adults’ recent heterosexual sexual practices (Herbenick et al., 2010b; Rissel et al., 2014). For example, in a nationally representative cross-sectional sample of 20,094 Australians (Rissel et al., 2014), the most commonly reported sexual acts during most recent heterosexual encounters were vaginal intercourse (over 90%), manual stimulation of genitals (70 to 82%), oral sex (23 to 31%), and anal intercourse (approximately 1%). However, with regard to the frequency and types of recent sexual activities, little is known about what distinguishes people who identify as heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual/lesbian or other.

In a large study of 24,787 gay and bisexually identified men aged 18 to 87 years from the U.S. the most commonly reported sexual activities during the most recent male-partnered sexual encounters were giving oral sex (75%), kissing (75%), receiving oral sex (73%), masturbated partner (64%), cuddling (63%), and genital-genital contact (60%) (Rosenberger et al., 2011). The least commonly reported recent sexual events were receptive and insertive anal intercourse (36% and 34%, respectively). In a cross-sectional study of 803 lesbian and bisexual women from the UK, the most commonly reported life-time sexual activities with a female partner were oral sex, vaginal penetration with fingers, and mutual masturbation. Furthermore, the most commonly reported sexual acts with a male partner the past 10 years were penile-vaginal intercourse, mutual masturbation, vaginal penetration with fingers, and oral sex (Bailey et al., 2003). Although some sexual behaviours may be more prevalent than others, studies among those who identify as heterosexual or belonging to a sexual minority, indicate a high diversity and variability in sexual behaviours (Bailey et al., 2003; Herbenick et al.; Rosenberger et al., 2011). Whether this also applies to the Norwegian context is unknown. This study aims to contribute to the body of knowledge in this area.

With the exception of Finland, no recent representative study has explored the frequencies of sexual activities among adults from a Nordic context. Although Norway as Finland belong to the Nordic region, characterized by the ideology of equality between individuals and groups of individuals and an environment with more socially accepting sexual norms and attitudes, each country may have its own sexual subculture (Lewin, 2008). How sexuality is socially constructed is the result of a long historical process that has been shaped by cultural traits that are the result of the same historical circumstances, including legislation (Lewin, 2008). Finland was colonized by Sweden and Russia and gained independence in 1917, Norway was colonized by Denmark until 1814, and by Sweden until 1905. Denmark is the only of the Nordic countries with a true feudal history, which may be why prostitution has been much more accepted in Denmark than in the other Nordic countries (Lewin, 2008). Other differences can be traced in sexual debut age (Frisch et al., 2019; Lewin et al., 2000; Traeen et al., 2016), and attitudes toward pornography (Hald, 2007; Lewin et al., 2000; Traeen et al., 2004). To best of our knowledge, the past ten years there have been no studies exploring prevalence’s of different sexual behaviours in a Norwegian context. This study is based on large representative web sample of 4,160 Norwegians aged 18–89 years, investigating a variety of sexual experiences associated with age, relationship status, and sexual orientation.

AIMS

The overall purpose of the present study is to map the frequency of sexual intercourse in adult Norwegians of different sexual orientations, and to investigate their sexual repertoire. Although Norway may share some social and cultural prevailing ideas and structures with other Northern countries, we assume that each country has its own sexual subculture that may reveal itself in different sexual behaviors.

Methods

Participants

Approximately 46 thousand Norwegians are members of Kantar’s Gallup Panel (https://www.gallup.com/analytics/213695/gallup-panel.aspx). These members are randomly recruited based on questionnaire surveys conducted by phone using probability samples. Self-recruitment is not possible. Members of the Gallup Panel are representative of Norway’s Internet population, that is the 98% of the population with access to the Internet (see http://www.medienorge.uib.no/english/).

The participants in this study were recruited in March 2020 by e-mail to a randomly selected sample of 11,685 Norwegians registered in Kantar’s Gallup Panel. A total of 4,160 individuals aged 18 to 89 years completed the survey, yielding a response-rate of 35.6%. Nearly half of the participants (51%) completed the survey on their mobile devices.

The Gallup Panel members are registered with a large set of social background variables, such as age, gender, occupation, education, income, media habits, consumer habits, and questions related to politics, culture, sports, etc. All members are guaranteed safety and anonymity, and participation in surveys is voluntary. Kantar operates with a carefully planned incentive program. A small incentive is given to motivate participation, but not large enough to be the cause of participation in surveys. All studies follow the ethical guidelines developed for market- and poll organisation surveys (https://www.tnsglobal.com/press-release/we-are-strongly-committed-ethical-and-sustainable-practices).

Survey questions

The questionnaire contained socio-demographic questions (gender, age, marital status, place of residence, and level of education). Additionally, the questionnaire contained questions about sexual behaviour used in previous Norwegian and Nordic studies (Kvalem et al., 2014; Lewin et al., 2000; Traeen et al., 2016; 2019; Traeen & Stigum, 2010), the British NATSAL-3 study (Mercer et al., 2013; Mitchell et al., 2013), and the German GeSid survey (https://gesid.eu/studie/). The average time to complete the survey was 15 minutes.

Socio-demographic characteristics of the sample

Of the participants, 2181 (52.4%) were men, 1967 (47.3%) were women, and 12 identified as “other” (0.3%) (Table 1). Based on Kantar’s data, three of the participants who indicated “other” were classified as men and nine as women. The mean age of the participants was 46.5 years (SD 17.1 years), and the median was 44.0 years (range 18 to 89 years). The mean age of men was 48.4 years (SD 17.1 years), and the median was 48.0 years (range 18 to 87 years), whilst the mean age of women was 44.4 years (SD 16.8 years), and the median was 41.0 years (range 18 to 89 years).

Table 1. Socio-demographic characteristics of the sample (percent).

		All	Men	Women	Sig.	Norway^a
Gender	Male	52.7
	Female	47.3
	Other	0.3
	N=	4160
Place of residence	Rural	16.3	17.8	14.7	***
	Small town	26.8	28.1	25.4
	Urban/city	56.8	54.1	59.9
	N=	4144	2172	1969
Level of education	6–8 years of school	0.8	1.2	0.4	***
	9–10 years of school	4.6	5.3	3.9		25,8
	12–13 years of school	30.4	31.9	28.7		40,1
	Bachelor degree or the like	41.4	39.2	43.8		24.1
	Master degree, Ph.D. or the like	22.8	22.4	23.2		10.0
	N=	4140	2170	1970
Marital status	Unmarried	25.4	25.3	25.6	***
	Separated/divorced	8.4	7.0	10.0
	Widow/widower	2.8	2.1	3.5
	Married/cohabitant/registered partnership	63.4	65.7	61.0
	N=	4160	2181	1970
Religiosity	No	59.5	59.2	59.8	ns
	Yes, Christian—no denomination	18.1	17.7	18.4
	Yes, Roman Catholic	0.7	0.6	0.9
	Yes, Protestant	17.1	17.3	16.8
	Yes, Baptist/Methodist/Evangeline	2.8	3.4	2.1
	Islam/Muslim	0.7	0.6	0.7
	Other	1.2	1.1	1.2
	N=	4061	2141	1920
Sexual orientation	Homosexual/lesbian	2.6	3.9	1.2	***
	Heterosexual	93.5	92.7	94.3
	Bisexual/pansexual	3.3	2.8	3.8
	Asexual	0.6	0.5	0.7
	Other	0.1	0.1	0.0
	N=	4081	2140	1941

^aCentral Bureau of Statistics 2018, persons 16 years and over.

***p < .001; ns = not statistically significant.

The proportions who reported they were heterosexual, homosexual/lesbian, bisexual and asexual were 93.5%, 2.6%, 3.3%, and 0.6%, respectively. Most participants reported that they had no religious affiliation (59.5%), and 38.7% were Christians, mainly Protestants or Christians with no particular denomination. The proportion of participants with a short university education was 41.4%, and 22.8% reported a long university education. Regarding place of residence, most participants lived in urban areas (56.8%), and only 16.3% rural areas. Most participants reported living with a partner (63.4%), 25.4% reported being unmarried, 8.4% separated/divorced, and 2.8% reported being widowed/a widower. Of those who were single and not living with a partner, 71.2% did not have a committed partner.

Measures

Gender was coded 1 = male and 2 = female.

Age groups were measured as continuous variables, and recoded as 1 = 18 to 29 years, 2 = 30–44 years, 3 = 45–59 years, and 4 = 60+. The age categories were chosen to ensure an approximate equal number of respondents in each category: <30 (n = 882), 30–44 (n = 1225), 45–59 (n = 965) and 60+ (n = 1088).

Relationship status was constructed on the basis of the response to two separate questions. The first questions was “What is your marital status?,” with the response categories (1) Unmarried, (2) Separated/divorced, (3) Widow/widower, and (4) Married/cohabitant/registered partnership. The second question was “If unmarried, separated/divorced, widow/widower: Are you currently in a permanent relationship?” with the response categories (1) No, (2) Yes, with one person, and (3) Yes, with several persons. The new variable had the categories 0 “No partner” (unmarried, separated/divorced, widow/widower not in a permanent relationship) and “Partnered” (Married/cohabitant/registered partnership, and unmarried, separated/divorced, widow/widower in a permanent relationship).

Sexual orientation was measured by the question: “Do you currently regard yourself as:…” The response categories were 1 = Homosexual/lesbian, 2 = Heterosexual, 3 = Bisexual/pansexual, 4 = Asexual, and 5 = Other. The variable was coded as a dichotomous variable where 1 = LGBTIA (previous categories 1, 3 to 5), and 2 = Heterosexual.

Frequency of sexual intercourse—was measured with the question “How many times have you had sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral sex) during the last month?” The response categories were 1 = no times, 2 = once a month, 3 = 2 or 3 times the past month, 4 = Once a week, 5 = 2 or 3 times per week, 6 = Once a day, and 7 = More often than once a day. The question was modified version of a question previously used in the Healthy Sexual Ageing Project (Traeen et al., 2019).

Intercourse activities—the participants were asked “Which of the following sexual acts did you and your partner engage in the most recent time you had sex? (tick all that apply).” The alternatives presented were: Vaginal intercourse, I/my partner stimulated the genitals with hands, I/my partner stimulated the genitals with mouth, Anal intercourse, Use of sex toys/dildo, I had an orgasm, My partner had an orgasm. The question was modified from a question used in the Norwegian sex survey 2002 (Traeen et al., 2003).

Relationship to the sex partner was measured by a question previously used in the Norwegian sex survey 2013 (Kvalem et al., 2014), “What was your relationship to the one you had sex with most recently?” The response categories were 1 = Committed partner, 2 = Ex (previous) partner, 3 = Friend, 4 = Casual contact/Someone I did not know in advance, 5= Prostitution contact, and 6 = Other.

Statistical analysis

All data analyses were carried out using SPSS 25.0 for Windows. Contingency table analysis, and comparing means was used to study group differences. In Tables 4–6 percentages exceed 100%, because multiple answers to the question about sexual activities during the most recent intercourse were allowed. Multiple regression analyses were applied to study the associations of 1) sexual activities during the most recent intercourse and gender, age, relationship status, and sexual orientation (Table 7). The relative importance of the independent variables was assessed by standardized regression coefficients (Beta).

Table 4. Reported sexual activities during the most recent intercourse (multiple response, percent).

	All	Men	Women
Vaginal intercourse	89.0	87.3	90.8
I/my partner stimulated the genitals with hands	68.8	68.6	69.0
I/my partner stimulated the genitals with mouth	42.9	44.4	41.2
Anal intercourse	4.4	5.6	3.1
Use of sex toys	11.0	11.4	10.6
I had an orgasm	65.6	73.2	57.1
My partner had an orgasm	67.7	63.3	72.6
N=	3605	1905	1700

Note. Percentages exceed 100%, because multiple responses were possible.

Table 5. Reported sexual activities during the most recent intercourse, by gender, age groups and sexual orientation (multiple response, percent of cases).

	Men						Women
	18–29		30–59		60 +		18–29		30–59		60 +
	LGBTIA	Hetero-sexual	LGBTIA	Hetero-sexual	LGBTIA	Hetero-sexual	LGBTIA	Hetero-sexual	LGBTIA	Hetero-sexual	LGBTIA	Hetero-sexual
Vaginal intercourse	19.4	88.6	25.0	94.4	54.5	88.7	65.0	93.6	50.0	93.5	40.0	90.7
I/my partner stimulated the genitals with hands	75.0	82.4	67.5	71.1	72.7	57.0	90.0	81.2	81.0	71.1	80.0	48.3
I/my partner stimulated the genitals with mouth	69.4	54.9	56.3	46.3	36.4	32.4	57.5	47.5	64.3	45.0	40.0	21.5
Anal intercourse	41.7	3.1	43.8	4.1	0.0	1.2	5.0	3.8	7.1	3.7	0.0	0.5
Use of sex toys	13.9	17.3	10.0	13.4	0.0	4.9	12.5	15.3	11.9	11.7	20.0	3.4
I had an orgasm	72.2	80.4	68.8	79.4	45.5	60.0	55.0	58.7	66.7	62.2	80.0	44.0
My partner had an orgasm	66.7	65.5	75.0	67.9	45.5	52.9	77.5	84.2	66.7	78.0	60.0	49.6
N=	36	255	80	992	11	512	40	373	42	849	5	377

Note. Percentages exceed 100%, because multiple responses were possible.

Table 6. Reported sexual activities during the most recent intercourse, by gender, relationship status and sexual orientation (multiple response, percent of cases).

	Men				Women
	Not partnered		Partnered		Not partnered		Partnered
	LGBTIA	Heterosexual	LGBTIA	Heterosexual	LGBTIA	Heterosexual	LGBTIA	Heterosexual
Vaginal intercourse	22.8	90.9	28.6	92.2	70.0	96.5	49.1	91.7
I/my partner stimulated the genitals with hands	68.4	66.0	71.4	69.2	86.7	62.0	84.2	70.1
I/my partner stimulated the genitals with mouth	59.6	54.4	57.1	41.1	63.3	44.9	57.9	38.4
Anal intercourse	38.6	7.5	40.0	2.2	3.3	3.2	7.0	2.8
Use of sex toys/dildo	10.5	10.1	10.0	11.8	3.3	6.2	17.5	12.1
I had an orgasm	61.4	69.2	72.9	74.9	56.7	44.4	64.9	61.4
My partner had an orgasm	66.7	58.5	72.9	64.2	73.3	66.7	70.2	74.8
N=	57	318	70	1439	30	403	57	1194

Note. Percentages exceed 100%, because multiple responses were possible.

Table 7. Sexual activities during the most recent intercourse, by gender, age, relationship status and sexual orientation (multiple linear regression analysis).

	Vaginal intercourse		Stimulated the genitals with hands		Stimulated the genitals with mouth		Anal intercourse		Use of sex toys/dildo		I had an orgasm		My partner had an orgasm
	Beta	P-value	Beta	P-value	Beta	P-value	Beta	P-value	Beta	P-value	Beta	P-value	Beta	P-value
Gender	.00	.996	−.04	.020	−.07	.000	−.07	.000	−.03	.106	−.19	.000	.06	.001
Sexual orientation	.35	.000	−.01	.735	−.04	.013	−.24	.000	.01	.470	.02	.168	.01	.569
Relationship status	.02	.328	.08	.000	−.05	.001	−.05	.004	.06	.000	.12	.000	.08	.000
Age	−.05	.002	−.23	.000	−.18	.000	−.06	.000	−.13	.000	−.16	.000	−.20	.000
N=	3764		3764		3764		3764		3764		3764		3764
R^2	12.1%		5.7%		4.2%		7.3%		1.9%		6.8%		4.8%

Results

Frequency of sexual intercourse

Table 2 shows that 34.5% of men and 39.3% of the women reported no sexual intercourse activity during the past month. Among those who had had intercourse, it was most common to report activity 2 or 3 times during the past month.

Table 2. Frequency of sexual intercourse during the past month, by gender and relationship status (percent).

					Men		Women
	All	Men	Women	Sig.	Not partnered	Partnered	Not partnered	Partnered
No times	36.8	34.5	39.3	**	74.1	24.2***	83.3	23.2***
Once the past month	12.0	12.8	11.1		9.0	13.9	6.6	12.8
2 or 3 times the past month	22.3	24.1	20.2		10.7	27.6	6.3	25.3
Once a week	11.9	12.7	11.1		3.7	15.0	1.3	14.7
2 or 3 times per week	15.0	14.0	16.1		2.2	17.2	2.1	21.2
Once a day	1.5	1.2	1.8		0.2	1.5	0.4	2.3
More often than once a day	0.5	0.5	0.4		0.0	0.7	0.0	0.5
N=	3693	1930	1763		401	1526	473	1288

**p < .01; ***p < .001.

Intercourse activity is shown for men and women with and without a committed partner in Table 2. Among single participants, it was most common to report no intercourse activity during the past month (74.1% of the men and 83.3% women). In contrast, about one in four partnered participants had sexual intercourse during the past month. A total of 34.4% of the partnered men and 38.7% of the partnered women reported having had intercourse at least once a week, most often 2 to 3 times.

As there were few gender differences in partnered participants, sexual intercourse activity was studied for all partnered persons by age group (see Table 3). The analysis showed that the proportion with no intercourse activity in the last month increased from 9.0% among the 18 to 29-year-olds to 42.8% among those aged 60 years and above. Likewise, the proportion reporting intercourse activity 2 to 3 times per month decreased from 34.8% in the youngest age group to 7.7% in the oldest age group. It was most common for the oldest participants with a partner to have intercourse 2 to 3 times per month.

Table 3. Frequency of sexual intercourse during the past month in partnered persons, by age group (percent).

Years	< 30	30–44	45–59	60 +
No times	9.0	15.6	24.4	42.8***
Once the past month	7.4	14.1	15.9	14.3
2 or 3 times the past month	23.8	31.5	27.1	22.0
Once a week	19.4	15.4	13.5	12.4
2 or 3 times per week	34.8	20.3	18.0	7.7
Once a day	4.2	2.2	0.9	0.8
More often than once a day	1.4	1.0	0.1	0.0
N=	500	874	704	736

***p < .001.

To study the relationship between sexual intercourse frequency and gender, sexual orientation, relationship status, and age, a multiple linear regression analysis was undertaken (not shown in Table). The four variables explained 27.9% of the variance in the dependent variable (n = 3653). The relative importance of the variables was: relationship status (β = 0.44; p < .001), age (β = −0.30; p < .001), sexual orientation (β = 0.03; p > .05), and gender (β = −0.02; p > .05).

Sexual acts during intercourse

Most participants (79.1%) reported having had their most recent sexual intercourse with a committed partner, 10.2% friend, 4.7% casual contact, 4.2% ex-partner, 1.2% “other” partner, and 0.6% with a prostitution contact (not shown in Table). Table 4 shows the most reported sexual activities during the most recent intercourse. Among participants, it was most common to report having had vaginal sex (89.0%), having stimulated the genitals with hands (68.8%) and mouth (42.9%), use of sex toys (11.0%), and anal sex (4.4%). There were gender differences in the reporting for orgasm, 73.2% of men, and 57.1% of the women reported having had an orgasm.

Comparing LGBTIA and heterosexual participants within age groups, some interesting differences emerged (Table 5). It should be noted, that there was little difference between 30–44 year-olds and 45–59 year-olds, which is why the Table presents results for 30–59 year-olds.

In younger and middle-aged LGBTIA men, the three most frequently reported activities having engaged in were, in declining order: mutual masturbation, oral sex, and anal sex. The percentage reporting vaginal sex increased with age, indicating that older more than younger LGBTIA men may have a female partner. Somewhat similarly, in younger and middle-aged LGBTIA women, the three most frequently reported activities were mutual masturbation, vaginal sex, and oral sex. In all age groups of heterosexual men and women, the three most frequently reported activities were: vaginal sex, mutual masturbation, and oral sex. However, older heterosexual men and women reported much less mutual masturbation and oral sex than younger and middle-aged participants.

A reasonable assumption would be that the extent to how well those who interact sexually know each other, will impact which sexual activities they engage in during intercourse. Table 6 shows a comparison of intercourse activities between LGBTIA and heterosexual participants who do not have and who have a committed partner to have sex with. It appears, much of the same patterns as described above emerged with only a few differences between LGBTIA and heterosexual men. For example: more LGBTIA men reported anal sex. Interestingly, more non-partnered than partnered LGBTIA women reported vaginal sex. In contrast, the use of sex-toys was most prevalent among LGBTIA partnered women (17.5%). Finally, non-partnered heterosexual women reported the least prevalent achievement of orgasm (44.4%).

Multiple linear regression analyses were undertaken to explore the relative predictive strength of gender, sexual orientation, relationship status, and age on various sexual activities performed during the most recent sexual intercourse (Table 7). Referring only to the most important predictors, being heterosexual predicted more vaginal sex (β = 0.35; p < .001). Being LGBTIA predicted more anal sex (β = −0.24; p < .001). Being male predicted to have had an orgasm (β = −0.19; p < .001). Lastly, being younger predicted stimulation of the genitals with hands (β = −0.23; p < .001), stimulation of the genitals with the mouth (β = −0.18; p < .001), use of sex-toys (β = −0.13; p < .001), and that their partner had an orgasm (β = −0.20; p < .001).

Discussion

Of all participants, the majority of men (65%) and women (61%) reported sexual intercourse activity during the past month, most commonly 2 or 3 times during that period. Partnered participants most frequently reported having intercourse on a weekly basis. Furthermore, the intercourse frequency of 2 to 3 times per week declined between partnered participants aged 18 to 29 years (35%) and 60+ years (8%). It was most common for partnered participants aged 60+ years to have intercourse 2 to 3 times per month. Younger and middle-aged LGBTIA men most often reported engaging in mutual masturbation, oral sex, and anal sex. Irrespective of age, LGBTIA women reported mutual masturbation, vaginal sex, and oral sex. In all age groups of heterosexuals, the most frequently reported activities were vaginal sex, mutual masturbation, and oral sex.

Prevalences compared

The results from this study further indicate that partnered Norwegian adults have about the same sexual intercourse frequency as those in several other Western countries, with an average of 1 to 2 times per week (Badcock et al., 2014; Kontula, 2015; Mercer et al., 2013; Ueda et al., 2020). This also corresponds to a previous Norwegian dyadic study (Stabell et al., 2008). Our study does therefore not indicate a decline in intercourse frequency, as suggested in some countries (Beutel et al., 2018; de Visser et al., 2014; Kontula, 2015; Mercer et al., 2013; Ueda et al., 2020). Furthermore, the finding that intercourse frequency reduces with increasing age, is also confirmed by previous studies (Corona et al., 2010; DeLamater & Moorman, 2007; Herbenick et al., 2010b; Kontula & Haavio-Mannila, 2009; Lee et al., 2016; Lewin, 2000; Mercer et al., 2013; Palacios-Ceña et al., 2012). Compared to gender and sexual orientation, access to a partner was more relevant as a predictor of sexual intercourse frequency. This supports findings of previous studies which show that access to a regular partner to have sex with is the most important factor for frequency of sexual intercourse (DeLamater, 2012; Field et al., 2013; Kontula & Haavio-Mannila, 2009; Schwartz et al., 2014; Traeen et al., 2019). It seems plausible to assume, sexual intercourse frequency is most meaningfully studied in partnered individuals. Lastly, our findings also correspond well to an Australian study by Richters et al. (2014), who reported that approximately 15% of heterosexual men and 21% of women had used sex toys.

Sexual orientation differences

We found that in all age groups of heterosexuals, the most frequently reported activities were vaginal sex, mutual masturbation, and oral sex. In LGBTIA men under the age of 60 years it was most often reported having engaged in mutual masturbation, oral sex, and anal sex, whereas LGBTIA women younger than 60 years reported mutual masturbation, vaginal sex, and oral sex. The most reported sexual activities during most recent intercourse by male LGBTIA participants younger than 60 years, correspond to what has been found among U.S. gay and bisexual men (Rosenberger et al., 2011). Likewise, the sexual activities of female LGBTIA participants correspond to Bailey et al. (2003) study of British lesbian and bisexual women. Furthermore, previous studies have shown that sexual minority persons have more diverse and varied sexual practices than heterosexuals (Bailey et al., 2003; Herbenick et al.; Rosenberger et al., 2011). This could indicate that sexual minority groups may be more inclined to accept sexual practices beyond vaginal intercourse, than heterosexuals, who still prefer vaginal intercourse (Diorio, 2016). Kontula and Haavio-Mannila (1995), have also suggested that the gay subculture is more permissive than the heterosexual and may not share the heterosexual love script where love legitimizes sexual intercourse and vaginal penetration is essential. Within such a permissive subculture, pleasure theory (Abramson & Pinkerton, 2002), may provide another explanation for the observed differences in sexual activities. According to pleasure theory, search for sexual pleasure is seen as the main drive for seeking varied sexual practices, also with more or less casual partners (Matsick et al., 2021). Differences in sexual activity between men and women of different sexual orientation may thus be a result of differences in whether the sexual encounter is connected to love or solely to hedonistic pleasure.

Age/cohort effects

In line with previous studies (Bajos et al., 2010; de Visser et al., 2014; Kontula, 2015; Mercer et al., 2013; Vanwesenbeeck et al., 2010), we found an increase in sexual diversity and repertoires, particularly among the younger generations, as reflected in sexual activities during the most recent intercourse. Characteristic of younger participants was having mutual masturbation, oral sex, and a partner who reached orgasm during intercourse. It appears that younger Norwegians have expanded the traditional repertoire by focusing on vaginal penetration and including foreplay, oral sex, sex toys, and anal sex during sexual intercourse. Similar results were reported in British (Mercer et al., 2013) and Australian (Rissel et al., 2014) studies. Sex has become more varied over generations. Cohort effects exist as people from different generations construct their specific social reality. It needs to be mentioned that the oldest participants in this study (70 years old or more) were teenagers prior to the so-called Sexual Revolution, whereas participants less than 70 years-old, had their teenage years during, or after, this period. This is likely to have influenced their attitudes and behaviour (Kontula & Haavio-Mannila, 1995; Traeen & Stigum, 1998). Specifically, having been socialised in a sexually liberated climate could have influenced the individual to develop liberal sexual practices. It is also likely that the openness in the media about sex, and the easy access to pornography on the Internet, have encouraged experimentation with new sexual practices, normalised behaviours, by changing sexual attitudes (Wright, 2020). Furthermore, most participants in this study had their most recent sexual intercourse with a committed partner, and the availability of a committed partner will affect the type of social environment the sex takes place in, and the degree to which those who interact sexually feel safe and self-secure. This is likely partly to explain the varied sexual activities engaged in over the course of life, and during the most recent intercourse.

Kinsey’s studies of American sexual behaviour in the 1950s showed that people’s sexual behaviour and habits were more diverse than what was commonly believed (Kinsey et al., 1948, 1953). In the era of social competence (Lyttkens, 1987), being a socially competent individual includes a frequent and varied sex-life (Traeen, 2008). According to this largely media created image of a successful sex-life, we are not only supposed to have sex several times per week, but also preferably multiple orgasms, experiment with sex-toys, and have parallel partners. As measured in orgasm frequency, and the (lack of) sexual activities that stimulate the clitoris, Norwegian non-partnered heterosexual women still have the potential to expand their opportunities to achieve pleasure.

Limitations

Previous response rates for Norwegian sexual behaviour surveys were 23% in 2008, 34% in 2002, 38% in 1997, 48% in 1992, and 63% in 1987 (Traeen & Stigum, 2010). Thus, a low response rate seems to be increasingly more common in Norwegian questionnaire surveys. However, the rate in the present survey is higher than that in the 2008 survey. Based on the survey in 1992, Stigum (1997) concluded that dropouts were not related to sexual behaviour, and that dropouts were random rather than systematic. It was also concluded that dropouts in the 1997 and 2002 surveys were not likely to be biased (Traeen et al., 2003). Unfortunately, we have no information on non-respondents in this study, which means that we cannot compare demographic characteristics of responders and non-responders to get an idea of potential bias. When comparing results from this study with previous Norwegian sex surveys, there is reason to believe that dropouts in this survey are also random rather than systematic. Furthermore, in our sample, 38% of the participants had more than 14 years of education. In all sexual behaviour surveys in Norway, the response rate to date has been the highest among the most educated. According to official statistics 2018 by the Central Bureau of Statistics, 34.1% of the Norwegian population aged 16 years or older have a high level of education. This indicates that our sample is slightly, although not severely, biased in this regard.

Comparing the results from this study to other studies is difficult due to the age composition of various studies. Furthermore, the low number of LGBTIA persons in the study also represents a limitation, and statistics should be interpreted with caution. Lastly, there is always a possibility that an average intercourse frequency of 1–2 time/week represents a perceived norm based on general and media assumptions, and that the participants avoid coming across as under- or over-performing. If this is the case, the responses may be subject to a social desirability bias.

Conclusion

Based on the results of this and previous studies, it can be concluded that the frequency of sexual intercourse in Norway seems to have been relatively stable over the past two decades. However, intercourse frequency decreases with increasing age. Additionally, LGBTIA participants and younger participants have more sexual diversity and variability than heterosexuals.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bente Traeen

Bente Traeen is a professor of health psychology at the University of Oslo, Norway. From 2001 to 2012 she held a professorship in health psychology at the University of Tromsø. Her research interest is on sexual behaviour and sexual function. She was the principal investigator of the international research project on healthy sexual aging financed by the Research Council of Norway.

Nantje Fischer

Nantje Fischer is a postdoc fellow in health psychology at the University of Oslo, Norway. She finished her PhD in 2020 on healthy sexual aging.

Ingela Lundin Kvalem

Ingela Lundin Kvalem is a professor of health psychology at the Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway. Her research is mainly focused on body image, and within the sexology field she has published on issues such as body image and sexual satisfaction, sexual behavior, and use of SEM. She is currently conducting a 10-year prospective study of obesity surgery patients and a study of the long-term effects of head & neck cancer treatment on sexual health and body image.