Research | Kinsey Confidential

Being On The “Down Low”: What Does It Mean?

What does the phrase, "down low" or "DL," mean? Eric provides a brief history and summary of the term, and offers commentary on the problems it presents.
Who Are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Americans?

How many Americans are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender? And, who are they? A recent Gallup/Williams Institute poll gives new insight into LGBT life.
Q&A: Coregasms, Or Exercise-Induced Orgasms

"Coregasms" can happen during a number of types of exercise, including crunches,spinning, chin-ups, yoga, running, flexed arm hang exercises, and more.
IUDs: The Facts Of The Matter

Kinsey Institute intern Rosalyn Sternberg discusses a new study demonstrating the effectiveness of IUDs.
Self Reports of Sexual Satisfaction: Who Is The Self?

New research discusses the implications of self reports of sexual satisfaction that may be getting at partner satisfaction, rather than self satisfaction.
Sex Research Considerations: Collecting Data From Couples

Some sex research benefits from collecting data from couples rather than individuals. However, doing this takes some methodological considerations.
Do Our Evaluations Based On Sexual Orientation Vary By Race?

A new study reveals that the effect of sexual orientation on our evaluations of others may vary by race.
Scientific Discovery: Steps Toward Possible HIV Vaccine

Researchers found 3 key proteins that neutralize 91% of the strains of HIV...making leaps in the search for HIV vaccine.
Q&A: What Is The Purpose Of Female Ejaculation?

Some researchers still find the entire topic of female ejaculation to be controversial.
Same-Sex Couples Make Good Parents, Possibly Better Parents

Research on the impact of parents' sexual orientation on their children has indicated that the children of same-sex couples are just as healthy and happy.
Traditional Relationship Values Held Across Gender and Sexuality

When we think the "traditional" values for relationships, like love and commitment, we sometimes rely on stereotypes regarding who holds those values.
Q&A: Is There A Test I Can Take To Find Out If I’m Bisexual?

There are a lot of people who identify as bisexual and who insist that their natural inclination is to be romantically and/or sexually attracted to both sexes.
Q&A: Does Masturbation Cause Premature Aging?

Fortunately, there is no truth to the rumors that masturbation causes one to get sick, go blind, grow hair on their hands, or age very quickly.
Withdrawal As Contraception: What We Know

What? Withdrawal? It's not just your grandmother's favorite method of birth control
Q&A: Foot Fetishes – Are They Normal?

Foot fetishes are relatively uncommon, but uncommon doesn’t mean “strange” and your interest is nothing you should feel embarrassed about.
Q&A: Open Relationships – Are They Dysfunctional?

Some couples prefer to be in an open relationship and there is no reason to believe that this desire is related to anything psychologically wrong or damaging.