It seems some people are too smart for sex.
A new study has revealed that there’s a lot more to it than just being a “choosy” bachelor or bachelorette.
The research found that sexlessness is linked to a mix of genetics, social quirks, and the kind of lifestyle choices that may make you the person everyone swipes left on.
A study published in PNAS analyzed data from over 400,000 adults, including 13,500 Australians and 405,117 UK residents. Among the participants, 3,929 reported having never had vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse, and the findings paint a complex picture of the factors behind their sexless status, ranging from genetic traits to mental health conditions, regional influences, and even social behaviors.
For men, factors like grip strength, body size, income, snoring, mobile phone habits, life satisfaction, and having someone to confide in were more strongly associated with sexlessness.
In contrast, for women, work-related aspects such as hours worked were more closely linked to childlessness, while income and the presence of close, confiding relationships were more significant predictors for men.
Meanwhile, for both men and women, these individuals also tend to be highly educated, introverted, and, oddly enough, have higher cognitive abilities — they’re too smart to bother with sex.
Dr. Brendan Zietsch, Associate Professor at The University of Queensland and lead author of the study, explained that traits like early-onset nearsightedness or wearing glasses could impact adolescent dating experiences.
“Wearing glasses at an early age, and other stereotypically ‘nerdy’ features, may affect adolescent dating experiences,” Zietsch wrote. “This, in turn, may affect one’s romantic confidence into adulthood.” These traits, he notes, could affect social opportunities and, ultimately, romantic prospects.
Sexlessness also appeared to correlate with various mental health traits, including a higher prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and anorexia. Interestingly, depression, anxiety, and ADHD were less common among those who had never had sex, according to the data.
But the study’s most surprising finding might be that sexless individuals were more likely to exhibit higher cognitive abilities, often linked to being highly educated or introverted.
Behavioral patterns also play a significant role. Participants without sexual experience reported less time spent on mobile phones, fewer visits to friends and family, and a reduced opportunity for socializing or forming deep relationships. These patterns align with social isolation, which could potentially hinder opportunities for romantic connections.
While the study found that genetics accounted for roughly 15 percent of the variation in sexlessness, the remaining factors were deeply environmental. Regional and socioeconomic factors appeared to have a significant influence on sexual activity, particularly for men.
The study revealed that men were more likely to remain sexless in areas with fewer women and higher income inequality, suggesting that local social and economic environments shape sexual opportunities.
Zietsch also pointed to the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. “A genetic correlation indicates that the genes associated with one trait are also associated with another trait,” he explained. “In this way, we found an array of interesting links between sexlessness and other traits.”
The study suggests that a combination of inherited genetic factors and social realities is responsible for a person’s lack of sexual experience.
As for the reasons behind the phenomenon, the study leaves many more questions to be answered. One key uncertainty is whether sexlessness is a voluntary choice or an involuntary outcome. The researchers were careful to note that they only collected data on whether individuals had ever had sex, not on whether they desired sex.
“Many sexless individuals in the sample may be asexual,” Zietsch added, acknowledging that the findings likely reflect a mixture of voluntary and involuntary sexlessness.
In addition, the study raised the possibility that the lack of sexual experience may itself contribute to unhappiness and loneliness, or that these emotional states could make it more difficult to find a romantic partner. The research highlights the intricate feedback loop between social isolation, emotional well-being, and sexual activity.
Though sexlessness is a reality for many, it’s clear that the reasons are far more complicated than they might seem.
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