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The age at first sex measure is based on a series of questions asking participants how old they were the first time they had sex, where this occurred at age 13 or older.
Sex was defined in the Natsal-4 questions as including vaginal, anal, or oral sex for opposite sex partnerships, and additionally included other genital contact for all other partnerships.
Participants were shown definitions of all these types of sex. The exact wording of the questions and the definitions depended on the gender identity of the respondent and the gender of the sexual partner.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“Altogether, in your life so far, how many (women/men/people who were transgender or non-binary) have you had sex with?”
The exact wording varied depending on the participants’ gender identity and the gender of their sexual partner(s). Participants were asked to include oral, vaginal or anal sex for opposite sex partnerships, and additionally, genital contact for all other partnerships.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“On how many occasions in the last 4 weeks have you had sex with a woman/man/someone who was transgender or non-binary?”
The exact wording varied depending on the respondent’s gender identity and the gender of their sexual partner(s). Participants were asked to include oral, vaginal or anal sex for opposite sex partnerships, and additionally, other genital contact for all other partnerships.
Questions about sex with partners of the opposite sex were only asked of cisgender participants. This means participants whose gender identity at the time of the survey was the same as their sex as described at birth. In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“Have you ever had vaginal intercourse with a man/woman, that is his/your penis in your/her vagina?”
“When was the last occasion you had vaginal intercourse with a woman/man, that is your/his penis in her/your vagina?”
For women, the question referred to sex with a man. For men it referred to sex with a woman.
Questions about sex with partners of the opposite sex were only asked of cisgender participants. This means participants whose gender identity at the time of the survey was the same as their sex as described at birth. In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“Have you ever had anal sex with a man/woman, that is his/your penis in your/her anus (rectum or back passage)?”
“When was the last occasion you had anal sex with a woman/man that is your/his penis in her/your anus (rectum or back passage)?”
For women, the question referred to anal sex with a man. For men it referred to anal sex with a woman.
Questions about sex with partners of the opposite sex were only asked of cisgender participants. This means participants whose gender identity at the time of the survey was the same as their sex as described at birth. In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“Have you had sex with a woman/man* involving genital contact? That is oral, vaginal, or anal sex or any other contact involving the genital area.”
*For women, the question referred to sex with a woman. For men, the question referred to sex with a man.
Only sex since the age of 13 is included in this measure.
This was one of the few instances in Natsal-3 where a question used colloquial wording or language. However, the expression ‘one-night stand’ was carefully tested (using a process called cognitive testing) with the public during the development phase of the study, that is, the researchers asked a range of people what they understood by this phrase to ensure that participants interpreted the question largely in the same way – and as intended by the researchers.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“In a long-term relationship, how acceptable or unacceptable is it for two people to agree to have sex with others outside their relationship?”
Participants could choose from a range of answers indicating how acceptable they thought these sexual relationships were.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“What is your general opinion about sexual relations between two adult women?”
Participants could choose from a range of answers indicating how acceptable they thought these sexual relationships were.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“What is your general opinion about sexual relations between two adult men?”
Participants could choose from a range of answers indicating how acceptable they thought these sexual relationships were.
Sexual violence is increasingly recognised as an important issue that needs to be urgently addressed. Questions on this issue were first asked in Natsal-3 in the Computer-Assisted Self-Interview and began with: “Has anyone tried to make you have sex with them, against your will?” If a participant responded “yes” then they were then asked whether this had actually happened – the question that the data in the chart correspond to. The term ‘non-volitional sex’ is used as the most literal translation of the question asked. Irrespective of the degree of coercion or force used, it still represents a violation of sexual autonomy and is therefore a form of sexual violence.
It is important to remember that the age of consent in the UK is 16 years for everyone and therefore having sex with someone under the age of 16 is a criminal offence even if young people aged 13-15 give their consent. According to the Sexual Offences Act 2003, children under 13 are not considered able or competent to give consent to sexual activity and penetrative sex is classed as rape. The law isn’t designed to punish those aged 13-15 of the same age who both agree to sex (consensual sex), but the law is there to protect young people who might be being abused or taken advantage of by someone older.
This includes sex with any gender partner.
Sex was defined in the Natsal-4 questions as including vaginal, anal, or oral sex for opposite sex partnerships, and additionally included other genital contact for all other partnerships.
Participants were shown definitions of all these types of sex. The exact wording of the questions and the definitions depended on the gender identity of the respondent and the gender of the sexual partner.
Only sex since the age of 13 is included in this measure.
Questions about sex with partners of the opposite sex were only asked of cisgender participants. This means participants whose gender identity at the time of the survey was the same as their sex as described at birth. In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“Have you had sex with a woman/man? That is oral, vaginal, or anal sex.”
For women, the question referred to sex with a man. For men, the question referred to sex with a woman.
Only sex since the age of 13 is included in this measure.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“Altogether, in the last 12 months, how many (women/men/people who were transgender or non-binary) have you had sex with?”
The exact wording varied depending on the respondent’s gender identity and the gender of their sexual partner(s). Participants were asked to include oral, vaginal or anal sex for opposite sex partnerships, and additionally, other genital contact for all other partnerships.
Questions about sex with partners of the opposite sex were only asked of cisgender participants. This means participants whose gender identity at the time of the survey was the same as their sex as described at birth. In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“Altogether, in the last 5 years, how many men/women have you had sex with (oral, vaginal or anal sex or any other contact involving the genital area)?”
For women, the question referred to sex with a woman. For men it referred to sex with a man.
Questions about sex with partners of the opposite sex were only asked of cisgender participants. This means participants whose gender identity at the time of the survey was the same as their sex as described at birth. In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“Have you ever given oral sex to a man/woman, that is your mouth on his/her genital area?”
“Have you ever received oral sex from a man/woman, that is his/her mouth on your genital area?”
“When was the last occasion you gave oral sex to a woman/man, that is your mouth on her/his genital area?”
“When was the last occasion you received oral sex from a woman/man, that is her/his mouth on your genital area.”
For women, the question referred to oral sex with a man. For men it referred to oral sex with a woman.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“When, if ever, was the last occasion you masturbated? That is aroused yourself sexually.”
Participants were given a range of options from 'in the last 7 days', to 'never'.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“Have you ever looked at or watched porn?”
“In the last 12 months, how often have you looked at or watched porn?”
Natsal-4 defines porn as any material showing genitals (for example, a penis, vulva or vagina) and/or sexual activity of any kind for sexual arousal or fantasy. This could include pornographic images, gifs, videos and materials on the internet. It includes materials that people may have found intentionally, were sent by another person, or may have come across by accident. If participants were unsure whether anything they had looked at or watched counted as porn, they were told to include anything they felt was porn.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“Have you ever received a sext (a sexual image or video of the sender)?”
“Have you ever sent a sext (a sexual image or video of yourself)?”
Natsal-4 defines “sexting” as using digital technology (such as a phone, computer or tablet) to send or receive images or videos that show the sender’s genitals (for example, their penis, vulva or vagina), buttocks or breast, or that person engaging in sexual activity.
Receiving a sext involves receiving a sexual image or video of the sender. Sending a sext involves sending a sexual image or video of yourself to another person. Answer options were:
1. Yes, within the last 12 months
2. Yes, but more than 12 months ago
3. No, never
Participants who reported they had at least one instance of vaginal or anal sex with someone in the last 12 months and said they had not used condoms every time were asked:
“How many women/men/people who were transgender or non-binary have you had (vaginal or anal) sex with in the last 12 months without using condom?"
The exact wording varied depending on the respondent’s gender identity and the gender of their sexual partner(s). Participants who had not had sex in the last 12 months were coded as zero for this outcome.
This measure is based on a series of questions that asked participants:
“Altogether, in the past 5 years, how many (women/men/people who were transgender or non-binary) have you had sex with?”
The exact wording varied depending on the respondent’s gender identity and the gender of their sexual partner(s). Participants were asked to include oral, vaginal or anal sex for opposite sex partnerships, and additionally, genital contact for all other partnerships.
If participants reported that they had two or more partners in the last 5 years, regardless of the gender of the partners, they were asked:
“Thinking about all the people you have had sex with in the last 5 years, did any of them overlap in time?” In other words, did you have sex with someone (Person A) then have sex with someone else (Person B) and then have sex with the first person (Person A) again?”
This estimate combines information from people who reported having ever been diagnosed with chlamydia and people who reported having been tested for chlamydia. In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“Have you ever been told by a doctor or other healthcare professional that you have any of the following?”
Participants were presented with a list of different sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia. Diagnosis by doctor or other healthcare professional includes by text, email, post or online.
Participants who did not report a previous chlamydia diagnosis were later asked:
“Have you ever been tested for chlamydia?”
Participants who had tested for chlamydia were then asked when they last tested.
This question was asked only to people who reported having had sex since the age of 13.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“Apart from when you were donating blood, have you ever had a test for HIV?”
As people who are pregnant are usually tested for HIV routinely, participants who had ever been pregnant were prompted to include this.
Participants who had ever tested for HIV were then asked when they last tested.
These questions were asked only to people who reported having had sex since the age of 13.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“Have you ever used any sexual health service? (please include face-to-face, phone, video and online services).”
Participants who had ever used sexual health services were then asked when they had last used one.
This question was asked only to people who reported having had sex since the age of 13.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“Have you ever received the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine?”
This question was only asked of participants described as female at birth who were eligible for routine HPV vaccination (born since September 1995), which in this sample is people aged 16 to 28. The HPV vaccine is routinely offered at secondary schools or via GPs. The vaccine protects against cervical cancer, some other types of cancers and genital warts.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“When did you last have cervical screening, sometimes known as a smear test or a pap test?”
This question was only asked of participants described as female at birth who were eligible for cervical screening (aged 25-59 years). Routine screening begins at age 25 in Britain, with invitations being sent out up to six months in advance.
In Natsal-4 people were asked:
“Which of these statements best describes the way you feel about having children? Please include different ways of having children, including adoption and having IVF.”
This question was only asked of participants aged 16-44 years who had ever had sex since 13 and did not have a biological child.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
“Which would you say is the most usual method that you and a partner use together these days?”
People could select from a range of listed contraceptive methods and could report up to three methods. To calculate this estimate, the Natsal team grouped contraceptive methods according to how effective they are at preventing pregnancy.
Contraceptive methods classified as effective included barrier methods (male condoms, female condoms, caps or diaphragms), sterilisation/vasectomy, hormonal or long-acting reversible contraceptives (the contraceptive pill, hormonal or copper intra-uterine device (IUD), vaginal ring, contraceptive patch, injections or implants) or fertility awareness methods.
People who did not select any of the above effective methods or who only selected fertility awareness methods, the emergency contraceptive pill, emergency intra-uterine device (IUD) or withdrawal were considered to have no usual use of effective contraception.
This question was only asked of participants described female at birth who reported having had sex in the past year.
In Natsal-4 people were asked:
“Which would you say is the most usual method that you and a partner use together these days?”
People could select from a range of listed contraceptive methods and could report up to three methods.
Contraceptive methods classified as a hormonal method include the contraceptive pill, the hormonal intra-uterine device (IUD), the vaginal ring, the contraceptive patch, injections, and the implant. These methods use the hormones progestogen and/or oestrogen to prevent pregnancy.
This question was only asked of participants described female at birth who reported having had sex in the past year.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
Thinking about your sex life over the last 4 weeks, please read the statements below carefully and tell us to what extent you agree or disagree.
"People close to me accept my sexual identity and preferences.”
This question was only asked to participants who said they had ever had a sexual experience. In Natsal-4, sexual experience is defined as anything that felt sexual to the respondent, including kissing, touching, intercourse, or any other form of sex.
These questions were only asked of people who completed Natsal's full interview (long questionnaire) and were not included in the shorter online questionnaire, so the sample size is smaller.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
Thinking about your sex life over the last 4 weeks, please read the statements below carefully and tell us to what extent you agree or disagree:
“My sex life is pleasurable.”
This question was only asked to participants who said they had ever had a sexual experience. In Natsal-4, sexual experience is defined as anything that felt sexual to the respondent, including kissing, touching, intercourse, or any other form of sex.
These questions were only asked of people who completed Natsal's full interview (long questionnaire) and were not included in the shorter online questionnaire, so the sample size is smaller.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
Thinking about your sex life over the last 4 weeks, please read the statement below carefully and tell us to what extent you agree or disagree:
“I have someone I can talk to openly about my sex life.”
This question was only asked of participants who said they had ever had a sexual experience. Sexual experience is defined by Natsal-4 as anything that felt sexual to the respondent, including kissing, touching, intercourse or any other form of sex.
These questions were only asked of people who completed Natsal's full interview (long questionnaire) and were not included in the shorter online questionnaire, so the sample size is smaller.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
Thinking about your sex life over the last 4 weeks, please read the statements below carefully and tell us to what extent you agree or disagree.
"People close to me accept my sexual identity and preferences.”
This question was only asked to participants who said they had ever had a sexual experience. In Natsal-4, sexual experience is defined as anything that felt sexual to the respondent, including kissing, touching, intercourse, or any other form of sex.
These questions were only asked of people who completed Natsal's full interview (long questionnaire) and were not included in the shorter online questionnaire, so the sample size is smaller.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
Thinking about your sex life over the last 4 weeks, please read the statements below carefully and tell us to what extent you agree or disagree.
"I feel in control of my sexual thoughts and desires.”
This question was only asked to participants who said they had ever had a sexual experience. In Natsal-4, sexual experience is defined as anything that felt sexual to the respondent, including kissing, touching, intercourse, or any other form of sex.
These questions were only asked of people who completed Natsal's full interview (long questionnaire) and were not included in the shorter online questionnaire, so the sample size is smaller.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
Thinking about your sex life over the last 4 weeks, please read the statements below carefully and tell us to what extent you agree or disagree.
"Some of my sexual thoughts and desires make me feel ashamed.”
This question was only asked to participants who said they had ever had a sexual experience. In Natsal-4, sexual experience is defined as anything that felt sexual to the respondent, including kissing, touching, intercourse, or any other form of sex.
These questions were only asked of people who completed Natsal's full interview (long questionnaire) and were not included in the shorter online questionnaire, so the sample size is smaller.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
Thinking about your sex life over the last 4 weeks, please read the statement below carefully and tell us to what extent you agree or disagree:
“In the last four weeks, I have felt upset with myself about mistakes I made in my sexual past.”
This question was only asked of participants who said they had ever had a sexual experience. Sexual experience is defined by Natsal-4 as anything that felt sexual to the respondent, including kissing, touching, intercourse or any other form of sex.
These questions were only asked of people who completed Natsal's full interview (long questionnaire) and were not included in the shorter online questionnaire, so the sample size is smaller.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
Thinking about your sex life over the last 4 weeks, please read the statements below carefully and tell us to what extent you agree or disagree.
“In the last four weeks, I have felt upset with others about things they did to me in my sexual past”
This question was only asked to participants who said they had ever had a sexual experience. In Natsal-4, sexual experience is defined as anything that felt sexual to the respondent, including kissing, touching, intercourse, or any other form of sex.
These questions were only asked of people who completed Natsal's full interview (long questionnaire) and were not included in the shorter online questionnaire, so the sample size is smaller.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
Thinking about your sex life over the last 4 weeks, please read the statements below carefully and tell us to what extent you agree or disagree.
"I worry about what might happen to me in my future sex life”.
This question was only asked to participants who said they had ever had a sexual experience. In Natsal-4, sexual experience is defined as anything that felt sexual to the respondent, including kissing, touching, intercourse, or any other form of sex.
These questions were only asked of people who completed Natsal's full interview (long questionnaire) and were not included in the shorter online questionnaire, so the sample size is smaller.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
Thinking about your sex life over the last 4 weeks, please read the statement below carefully and tell us to what extent you agree or disagree:
“I only do sexual activities that I really want to do.”
This question was only asked of participants who said they had ever had a sexual experience. Sexual experience is defined by Natsal-4 as anything that felt sexual to the respondent, including kissing, touching, intercourse or any other form of sex.
These questions were only asked of people who completed Natsal's full interview (long questionnaire) and were not included in the shorter online questionnaire, so the sample size is smaller.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
Thinking about your sex life over the last 4 weeks, please read the statement below carefully and tell us to what extent you agree or disagree:
“I felt able to be ‘in the moment’ and focused during sex.”
This question was only asked of participants who had had sex in the past four weeks.
These questions were only asked of people who completed Natsal's full interview (long questionnaire) and were not included in the shorter online questionnaire, so the sample size is smaller.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
Thinking about your sex life over the last 4 weeks, please read the statement below carefully and tell us to what extent you agree or disagree:
“I had unwanted thoughts during sex.”
This question was only asked of participants who had had sex in the past four weeks.
These questions were only asked of people who completed Natsal's full interview (long questionnaire) and were not included in the shorter online questionnaire, so the sample size is smaller.
In Natsal-4, people were asked:
Thinking about your sex life over the last 4 weeks, please read the statement below carefully and tell us to what extent you agree or disagree:
“During sex, I felt vulnerable when I did not want to be.”
This question was only asked of participants who had had sex in the past four weeks.
These questions were only asked of people who completed Natsal's full interview (long questionnaire) and were not included in the shorter online questionnaire, so the sample size is smaller.