The Science of Sexlessness: Why Some People Never Experience Intimacy

It appears that intelligence might be getting in the way of sex for some people. A groundbreaking new study published in PNAS offers fascinating insights into why certain individuals remain sexually inexperienced throughout their lives. The research, which analyzed data from over 400,000 adults across Australia and the UK, discovered that sexlessness isn’t simply a matter of being “choosy” – it’s an intricate tapestry of genetic predispositions, social dynamics, and lifestyle choices. Among the study participants, nearly 4,000 reported never having experienced vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse, allowing researchers to identify patterns that might explain this phenomenon. What they found challenges many of our assumptions about sexual inexperience and paints a more nuanced picture of those who haven’t engaged in physical intimacy.

The study revealed fascinating gender differences in factors associated with sexlessness. For men, physical attributes like grip strength and body size played significant roles, alongside socioeconomic factors such as income level. Curiously, everyday habits including mobile phone usage patterns, snoring, and overall life satisfaction were also meaningful predictors. Men who lacked confidants – people they could trust with personal matters – were more likely to be sexually inexperienced. Women showed different patterns, with work-related factors like hours spent at their jobs more strongly linked to sexlessness. However, perhaps the most striking finding that transcended gender lines was the correlation between higher cognitive abilities and sexual inexperience. Contrary to popular stereotypes about socially awkward virgins, these individuals often possess above-average intelligence and educational achievements, suggesting that for some, intellectual pursuits might supersede sexual ones.

The research team, led by Dr. Brendan Zietsch from The University of Queensland, identified seemingly minor physical traits that could have outsized impacts on romantic development. Early-onset nearsightedness requiring glasses – often associated with the “nerdy” stereotype – appeared to influence adolescent dating experiences in ways that reverberated into adulthood. As Dr. Zietsch explained, these early social experiences can profoundly shape romantic confidence later in life, potentially setting individuals on a path toward continued sexlessness. The findings suggest that seemingly superficial physical characteristics might trigger social dynamics that ultimately affect intimate relationships for decades to come, highlighting how childhood and teenage experiences lay the groundwork for adult romantic patterns.

The relationship between mental health and sexlessness yielded some unexpected results. Individuals who had never had sex showed higher rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and anorexia, conditions that can affect social interaction and body image, respectively. Surprisingly, however, depression, anxiety, and ADHD were less common among sexually inexperienced participants, challenging the notion that sexual inexperience necessarily leads to psychological distress. The behavioral patterns of sexually inexperienced individuals painted a picture of relative social isolation: they reported spending less time on mobile phones, making fewer visits to friends and family, and generally having fewer opportunities for deep social connections. These behavioral tendencies likely reduce the chances of forming romantic relationships, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of social and sexual isolation.

While genetics explained approximately 15 percent of the variation in sexlessness, environmental factors proved far more influential. Geographic and socioeconomic conditions appeared particularly significant for men, who were more likely to remain sexually inexperienced in regions with fewer women and greater income inequality. This suggests that local social and economic landscapes significantly shape sexual opportunities, especially for men. Dr. Zietsch emphasized the complex interplay between genetics and environment, noting that “the genes associated with one trait are also associated with another trait,” creating intricate connections between sexlessness and other characteristics. The research indicates that both inherited traits and external circumstances contribute to whether someone experiences sexual intimacy, with neither factor alone providing a complete explanation.

The study raises as many questions as it answers, particularly regarding whether sexlessness is chosen or circumstantial. The researchers acknowledged a significant limitation in their methodology: they collected data only on whether participants had ever had sex, not whether they desired sexual experiences. “Many sexless individuals in the sample may be asexual,” Dr. Zietsch noted, recognizing that the findings likely encompass both voluntary and involuntary sexlessness. The research also highlighted a potential feedback loop between sexual inexperience and emotional well-being – lack of sexual experience may contribute to unhappiness and loneliness, which in turn might make finding romantic connections more difficult. This chicken-and-egg relationship complicates our understanding of sexlessness and reminds us that human sexuality exists within a complex web of psychological, social, and biological factors that researchers are only beginning to untangle.