By Nina Hermansen, AAU Communication & Public Affairs
Photo: Colourbox

A satisfying sex life can enhance quality of life and wellbeing and strengthen resilience during periods of illness and adversity. Conversely, sexual problems can lead to psychological distress, and unprotected sex may result in sexually transmitted infections. But what role does intimate life play in overall health? And how does it affect our psychological and social robustness?

Questions such as these have been addressed by researchers from Statens Serum Institut and Aalborg University within the framework of Project SEXUS since 2017. That year marked the launch of the world’s largest ongoing population-based study focusing on sexual health. A total of 62,675 individuals aged 15–89 participated, answering questions about sexual preferences, experiences and challenges.

It is now time to follow up the first SEXUS study with a new wave of data collection. The aim is both to analyse trends in sexual experiences across the population and to examine the complex interplay between sex and health across different stages of life.

A quarter of a million individuals invited to take part

Just over a quarter of a million Danes will be invited to participate in the new study. This includes previous participants from SEXUS-1 as well as new, randomly selected individuals aged 15–89. Data collection will officially begin on Monday 13 April, when the updated questionnaire is sent to the first digital mailboxes.

“We have very much been looking forward to launching SEXUS-2, and we hope for the same strong public engagement as in the first study eight years ago. Sexual health remains an under-researched area, and with the world’s largest longitudinal study in this field, we have a unique opportunity to take the temperature of sexual life in Denmark and to highlight the importance of sexuality for both health and disease, including the risk of sexually transmitted infections,” says Morten Frisch, Project Lead, Consultant Physician at Statens Serum Institut and Adjunct Professor at Aalborg University.

Paradoxically limited knowledge of sexual development across the life course

Since the first results from SEXUS-1 were published in 2019, the project has contributed new insights into sexual health and wellbeing across different ages and life situations.

For several patient groups, the study has helped to break taboos and draw attention to previously overlooked sexual health issues. Today, results from the SEXUS study are used as reference material in school-based sex education. In addition, data from the project have contributed to research into the development of the mpox outbreak in 2022, and Project SEXUS has helped inform new anti-discrimination initiatives from the Danish Ministry for Equality.

However, significant knowledge gaps remain, underlining the importance of continuing the research effort. This is emphasised by Christian Graugaard, Medical Doctor and Professor of Sexology at Aalborg University:

“We live in a highly sexualised society yet we paradoxically know very little about the sexual development of ordinary people from early adolescence to late old age. Through the SEXUS study, we are collecting internationally unique data that will help promote sexual health and wellbeing throughout the entire life course.”

Data collection for SEXUS-2 will continue until autumn 2026.