Sex On First or Second Date and Later

Through our research at Women’s Health Interactive, we discovered that 69% of people consider the decision of when to have sex with a new partner on a case-by-case basis and 9% go for it on the first date. [1]

Conversely, 68% of people in that same survey reported having had sex on a first date in the past. [1]

Although not always a factor, one study noted that 41% of first dates led to sex if 4 alcoholic drinks were consumed. [2]

This article contains a collection of the most relevant statistics and data about sex on the first (or second) date, including how common it is, why people do it (or don’t), and which age group or gender does it more frequently.

Sex on the first date isn’t always planned; sometimes it just happens.

People have sex as early as the first or second date for various reasons, and the people who do it tend to do it on a case-by-case basis, because it has to feel right.

Frequency Of Sex On The First Date

• One survey of 1,200 adults found that 68% of respondents have had sex on the first date before. [1]
• 69% of survey respondents said they decide how soon to have sex on a case-by-case basis. [1]
• Although topics of conversation vary, only 2.9% of respondents said that “sex” is the best topic of conversation on a first date. [1]
• 10.4% of survey respondents reported becoming exclusive with a partner after having sex. [1]
• Only 6.8% of respondents said that one date was long enough to know they are in love with someone, while 86.6% said it takes four dates or more. [1]

Frequency Of Sex On The Second Date (Or Later)

After being asked, “When dating someone, how long before you have sex,” [1]:

• 9.4% of respondents said the first date
• 5.5% said the second date
• 7.2% said the third date
• 6.7% said the fourth date or beyond

Frequency Of Sex On The First Date When Alcohol Is Involved

American Addiction Centers surveyed just over 1,000 people to learn more about their first-date drinking behaviors. [2]

• 86% of respondents reported drinking alcohol during a first date.
• 41% of first dates ended in sexual intercourse if 4 drinks were consumed during the date, and 51% of first dates ended in sex if 5 or more drinks were consumed during the date.
• Only 10% of first dates led to sex if zero alcoholic beverages were consumed.
• Even if you only have 2 or 3 drinks on a first date, you’ll still be increasing your odds of first-date sex. 17% of the participants’ dates led to sex if they had 2 drinks, and 24% led to sex if they had 3 drinks.
• This data illustrates that if you drink on the second date, third date, or any date — it will more likely lead to sex. Drinking alcohol statistically increases the odds of intimate behavior.

It’s also worth noting that 29% of respondents in a separate survey cited a cocktail bar or brewery as their preferred location for a first date. [1]

Sex Frequency On The First Date: By Gender

Sexual wellness brand Lovehoney conducted a survey of over 2,000 adults on the topic of sex on the first date.

• More men than women have had sex on the first date. 59% of the male respondents claimed to have had sex on date number one, compared to only 43% of female respondents. [3]
• In a research paper by Mary Claire Morr and Paul Mongeau, First Date Expectations, the researchers found data that indicates higher expectations by men when it comes to expecting sex on the first date. [4]

“Specifically, in studies based on hypothetical date scenarios, men reported higher sexual expectations for first dates than did women, particularly when the woman initiated the date,” researchers Morr and Mongeau noted.

“Contrary to these expectancies, research on actual first dates indicates that less sexual and communication intimacy occurs on first dates initiated by women.”

“Men likely enter female-initiated first dates with unrealistically high sexual expectations,” they continued. “In contrast, a woman’s expectations may be violated if a man acts on his higher expectations for sexual intimacy.”

Sex Frequency On The First Date: By Age

• Those aged 18–29 are the most sexually promiscuous — and the age group most likely to go back to someone’s place on the first date. [6]
• Those in the 18–29 age group are also more likely to kiss at the end of a first date: 9% doing so always, 22% usually, and 34% sometimes. [6]
• Those aged 60 and older are least likely to end the date with so much as a kiss; 41% cite that they rarely or never do it. [6]

Why Do People Have Sex On The First Date?

• 53% of Lovehoney’s survey respondents said that they had sex on the first date because they simply enjoy sex. [3]
• 46% of respondents say they made the choice in order to discover if they’re sexually compatible early on. [3]
• 26% said that sex on the first date allows them to make a faster connection on a sexual level. [3]
• 20% of respondents said they have sex on a first date as a method of kink acceptance before getting emotionally involved with their new partner. [3]
• 16% of respondents said that sex on the first date calms their nerves. [3]

Why Do People Avoid Sex On The First Date?

• 47% of survey participants stated that they choose not to have sex that early because they don’t feel comfortable having sex with someone they don’t really know. [3]
• 38% said they simply don’t believe in the concept of having sex on a first date. [3]
• 32% of respondents said they need an emotional connection formed before they can enjoy a sexual interaction, which is a big reason why they don’t have sex on a first date. [3]
• 25% of survey respondents have a “rule” about not sleeping with someone on a first date. [3]
• 17% cited being conscious of pregnancy and STIs as the reason for avoiding sex on a first date. [3]

Sources