Revealed: the real reasons why people have sex

By David Usborne in New York

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20 reasons men gave...

'I was drunk'

Attracted to the person

It feels good

The person was a good kisser

It's fun

Wanted to show affection to the person

Sexually aroused and wanted the release

Was "horny"

Wanted to express love for the person

Wanted to achieve an orgasm

Wanted to try out new sexual techniques

Turned on by person's physical appearance

Wanted the pure pleasure

Was the "heat of the moment"

Desired emotional closeness

It's exciting, adventurous

Person had a desirable body

It was a special occasion

Person had an attractive face

Hormones were out of control

It just happened

20 reasons women gave...

Attracted to the person

Wanted to show affection

Wanted to express love

Realised I was in love

In "the heat of the moment"

Wanted to please partner

Desired emotional closeness

Turned on by physical appearance

It was a romantic setting

Wanted to celebrate a birthday

Person was intelligent

Person seemed self-confident

Wanted to improve sexual skills

The opportunity presented itself

Got 'carried away'

My hormones were out of control

It seemed like the natural next step

It just happened

Wanted to make up after a fight

I was drunk

Why do we need to know all this? To improve sex education and help researchers to curb the spread of sexual diseases says Ms Meston. "You need to know why people are having sex if you're trying to put into place a safe-sex programme," she said. "If you assume that people have sex in the heat of the moment, then you can tell them to carry condoms. But if they are doing it for revenge or because they want to enhance their social status, then that will require a different strategy."

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