Survey reveals alarming trends in sex under the influence

Some women prefer sex under the influence of alcohol, according to one U.K.-based study released this past September and published in the online British newspaper MailOnline.

The study, conducted by feminine hygiene company Femfresh, surveyed 3,000 women between the ages of 18 and 50. According to researchers,  the average women reported 8 different sexual partners and was drunk with at least 5 of them. Four out of 10 have “always” been a bit tipsy when they have slept with a partner for the first time. Additionally, 48.5 percent said they preferred sex while under the influence.

The data isn’t applicable solely to single women.  The study also revealed 14 percent of women in a relationship can’t face sleeping with their partner unless they had a couple of glasses of wine beforehand.

Researchers of this study have concluded the results point to a severe lack of confidence in women. But it’s important to point out that researchers haven’t evaluated self-confidence directly; they’re only theorizing a cause from an observed effect.

“Personally, I’m not too sure that they’ve provided any evidence of this by making a link between drinking and sexual behavior in women,” said Dr. Al Lang, professor of psychology and member of the clinical faculty of Florida State University’s Psychology Department. “Alcohol may just be one of any number of means that could be used to cope with this alleged lack of confidence.”

Though definitive conclusions can’t be drawn from the survey,  there nonetheless exists an obvious correlation between drinking and unprotected and even dangerous sex, especially among younger women.

According to the American College Health Association National College Health Assessment for Spring 2009, of 953 FSU students surveyed, 19.9 percent of female respondents reported having unprotected sex during the last school year as a result of their own drinking.  Furthermore, only 53.1 percent of sexually active students reported using a condom the last time they had vaginal sex.  For oral sex, 3.3 percent of students polled reported condom use, and this has health professionals concerned.

“An issue of greater concern for us is students having unprotected oral sex, which puts them at equal risk for STD,” said Melvena Wilson, HIV clinic coordinator and health educator at FSU’s Thagard Student Health Center.

Having such unprotected sex under the influence of alcohol “puts you at risk for things to happen that you don’t want to happen,” Wilson said.

None of the students Wilson  has talked to directly admitted drinking and having sex because of a lack of confidence. Regardless, resorting to alcohol as a means to a self-esteem boost is not the answer, she said.

“Deal with your self-esteem first, because it won’t be resolved with sex,” said Wilson. “A lack of self-confidence won’t be cured with alcohol.”

Lack of self-confidence brings up the issue of body image, an issue many young women struggle. Many young women are not confident with their body shape. At the same time, sex puts you in the most physically vulnerable state. If women know that they’ll act totally different under the influence of alcohol, they might seek alcohol as a means to ease that anxiety over sexual performance and approval from their partner.

“Alcohol does something to you,” said Asia Williams, a senior at FSU and volunteer with local organization THE LOC (Total Health Empowerment for Ladies of Color). “It can make you feel calmer, but it does put you in a different state of mind where you’re more vulnerable.”

Williams echoed Wilson’s assertion that the short-term self-esteem buzz that alcohol can give cannot solve a long-term self-confidence issue.

“That feeling that alcohol gives you, that’s temporary,” said Williams. “That’s the thing about alcohol. You may drink that night before, feel completely confident, but you wake up the next morning with the same body.”

If a young woman is dealing with a low self-esteem issue, there are healthier ways to deal with it besides alcohol.

According to Williams, confidence “has to come out (from the) inside, and you have to be the one to bring that out.”

Having open communication with your partner is important in this respect, as Natalie Muniz from Planned Parenthood points out.

“We encourage all women and men to be able to figure out what makes them feel comfortable, preferably without alcohol or use of any other substance, and to try to have open communication with your partner,” said Muniz. “That can also break down some of those comfort barriers and make it so that someone feels more at ease, and if they choose to engage in sexual activity, that can make them feel more comfortable doing so.

Muniz also stresses the importance of self-empowerment in dealing with self-confidence.

“Just learning your own body, knowing your own body, feeling empowered with knowledge about your health and body-that can help people feel more confident as well,” Muniz said.

Finding someone to talk to is another way to deal with a self-confidence issue, suggest Williams. She advises seeking out someone you are comfortable with, who will take you seriously and tell you the truth about your body. Williams observes that young women can tend to be harsh about their body. A nose is too big, a waist too thick, hips too wide. But she sees it a different way.

“There really is no ugly piece of you,” said Asia. “What they see in themselves, other people don’t. Your perception of your body may not be someone else’s. Talking to somebody about your insecurities can help heighten your awareness that that is truly a beautiful part of your body.”

Those in need of confidential HIV or STD testing or simply someone to talk to can contact Thagard Student Health Center at 644-8871. Wilson’s direct line is 644-4333.