Women's positive sexual health and the importance of cocs: Communication, orgasm, condom use, and satisfaction

Background: There is a lack of public health research focusing on the positive outcomes of sexual health, such as orgasm and sexual satisfaction. Additionally, the “hook-up” culture of young adults is receiving attention recently. This study compares positive sexual health outcomes for women in casual versus committed relationships.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to 1) identify variables important to young women's experience of positive sexual health, and 2) explore differences in sexual health outcomes for young women in casual versus committed relationships.

Methodology: College women ages 18-25 years completed an online survey about their communication and sexual health outcomes with their most recent sex partner. Bivariate correlations, t-tests, and chi-square tests were performed to examine relationships between variables and outcome differences casual and committed relationships.

Findings: Participants (N=469) identified primarily as White (74%) or Hispanic (20.9%). Over half (58.9%) were in a committed relationship. Results showed no significant differences by relationship type at 1st sex but all outcomes were significant at most recent sex (condom use, 1st: X2=1.18, ns; last: X2=6.75, p<.01; orgasm vaginal sex, 1st: X2=.03, ns; last: X2=8.33, p<.01; orgasm oral sex, 1st: X2=2.01, ns; last: X2=4.75, p<.05). Additionally, relationship and sexual satisfaction were higher in committed relationships (t=13.09 (df=208), p<.001, and t=9.64 (df=217), p<.001, respectively).

Conclusions: Communication was related to all sexual health outcomes. Significant differences in outcomes were seen at last sex but not first sex with partner. These data point to the importance of communication and of commitment for positive sexual health.