Do you ever wonder why people have sex? You may think the answer to that question is obvious, but a recent research study reveals that there are at least 237 reasons to have sex.
The study, titled “Why Humans Have Sex” was written by Cindy M. Meston and David M. Buss; Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin. The original paper is 31 pages long and identifies 237 reasons for having sex., The authors preface the study by stating that the varied reasons that people have sex is an important, but little studied topic. They state that the reason for the lack of study is that scientists assume that they already know the answer to the question of why humans have sex. In 1989 Leigh documented seven reasons for having sex, including pure pleasure, expression of emotional closeness, to reproduce children, to please a partner, partner wants it, conquest, and relieve sexual tension.

The goal of the study at the Sexual Psychophysiology Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin was to improve understanding of human sexuality. The study analyzed behavioral, psychological, physiological and biological perspectives.
The researchers studied four large factors and 13 sub factors. The Physical sub factors included stress reduction, experience seeking and physical desirability. Goal Attainment sub factors included Resources, Revenge, Social Status and Utilitarian. Insecurity sub factors included Duty/Pressure, Mate Guarding and Self-Esteem Boost. Emotion sub factors included Love and Commitment and Expression.
The complete report lists 237 reasons for having sex, ranked in popularity and separated by gender. The reasons for having sex were analyzed by gender and linked with personality traits.
MEN

1. I was attracted to the person
2. I wanted to experience the physical pleasure.
3. It feels good.
4. I wanted to show my affection to the person.
5. I wanted to express my love to the person.
6. I was sexually aroused and wanted the release.
7. I was “horny”.
8. It is fun.
9. I realized I was in love.
10. I was “In the heat of the moment”.
WOMEN

1. I was attracted to the person.
2. It feels good.
3. I wanted to experience the physical pleasure.
4. It is fun.
5. I wanted to show my affection to the person.
6. I was sexually aroused and wanted the release.
7. I was “horny”.
8. I wanted to express my love for the person.
9. I wanted to achieve an orgasm.
10. I wanted to please my partner.
The most endorsed reasons for having sex for both men and women appeared in the following themes: attraction, experience of physical pleasure, expression of love, feeling desired by the other person, to escalate the depth of the relationship, curiosity, special occasion, opportunity and uncontrollable circumstances.
On the other end of the spectrum are the least endorsed reasons for having sex. The least popular reason to have sex are included in five broad themes, including: to harm a person (either partner or a rival, to give someone a sexually transmitted disease, to get something (money, job, promotion, gift, drugs), social statue/popularity, as a means to an end such as getting rid of a headache and out of a sense of duty.
While you may know why you want to have sex, it is good to think about why the other person wants to have sex. If, for example, their motivation is conquest or anger, you might want to reconsider. While spreading a sexually transmitted disease it not a popular reason to have sex, it is scary that it is on the list at all. If there are problems in your sex life, it may be beneficial to examine your own motivations, as well.
While this is interesting research, the fact remains that people who want to have sex probably aren’t spending a lot of time analyzing their feelings about it.