5 Scientific Facts About Casual Sex You Need to Know

It’s a bit of a shame that the notion of sex only after marriage has faded into the past. Now, it’s unclear what distance to maintain for the sake of decency. Is one date enough? Or do you need a week? Is virtual communication sufficient, or do only in-person meetings count? What if things get out of hand, and casual sex happens?

The question of how much time should pass from meeting to first sex is fundamentally flawed. What’s important is what you want and how you feel about a potential fling. Here’s what you need to know before taking the plunge.

1. The Person Who Initiates Sex Regrets It Less

Stereotypical and highly sexist beliefs suggest that men are always ready for sex, no matter where, with whom, or when, and that women merely succumb to their corrupt influence. Morally speaking, as in an argument, it doesn’t matter who started it; the responsibility for any hurt feelings lies with both partners.

Scientifically, there’s a way to reduce regret after a casual encounter. Women who initiate sex are less likely to regret the encounter. According to a study conducted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and the University of Texas, two things are important for not feeling disgust after casual sex: the level of sexual satisfaction and personal initiative. The logic is that if you make the first move, you’re likely more confident in your choice and less inclined to criticize it afterward. “This is what I wanted,” you’ll think, and feel at peace.

Of course, it’s important to note that the quality of sex significantly affects how you’ll feel about the encounter afterward.

2. Casual Sex Can Boost Your Confidence

Casual sex isn’t objectively good or bad for your mental health. Your reaction to such an encounter largely depends on your “socio-sexual orientation.” Those with a restricted orientation find it difficult to engage in physical intimacy without emotional closeness. We’ve already discussed the extreme form of this orientation, known as demisexuality, in a previous article.

People with an unrestricted socio-sexual orientation are much more comfortable with sex without love, commitment, or emotional closeness. And now you know that it’s more appropriate to say “a person with an unrestricted socio-sexual orientation” rather than using derogatory terms.

To understand how casual sex affects people with different socio-sexual orientations, scientists observed 371 students over nine months. They found that more liberated individuals experienced increased self-esteem from unplanned intimate adventures, and their anxiety levels after such encounters were low.

More selective individuals in their social contacts did not experience such positive effects from casual sex. While this study may not reveal anything surprising, it does offer some useful insights. Before deciding on casual sex, it’s important to know your limits and socio-sexual orientation. And when labeling and making moral judgments, remember that we are all different; no one is Woody Allen.

3. Women Find It Harder to Achieve Orgasm in Casual Sex

Let’s face it, women generally find it harder to achieve orgasm. If we’re talking about sex with a barely known man, that orgasm is unlikely to be the best in your life, even if your socio-sexual orientation knows no bounds.

According to data presented by the International Academy of Sexual Research in 2013, women are half as likely to achieve orgasm in casual sex compared to sex in a relationship. This is due to the lack of communication and strong emotional connection between partners, not because a barely known man is less diligent.

4. Men and Women Have Different Reasons for Regretting Casual Sex

Often, casual sex ends with regret and self-disgust. As one study found, men and women regret different things after a casual encounter.

Canadian scientists conducted a survey and found that men’s regrets are focused on problems with the attractiveness of their partner, while women tend to feel guilty and blame themselves. The cause of this is sexist societal stereotypes, where a polygamous man is seen as a stud, and a woman with the same behavior is often labeled negatively.

5. Motives for Casual Sex Affect Enjoyment

In addition to socio-sexual orientation, your satisfaction with casual sex is influenced by the reasons you engage in it.

A study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior in 2015 identified two types of behavior in casual encounters: autonomous and non-autonomous. In the first case, a person decides on a fling due to a desire to experiment or genuine attraction to the person. The second case involves sex while drunk or an attempt to get back at an ex. Unsurprisingly, those with non-autonomous motivations experienced psychological problems after sex.

All these studies lead to one conclusion: it’s important to spend time understanding your emotional or physiological needs before deciding on sex on the first date or without a date at all. No matter how casual the encounter, you have the power to prepare for it.