BACKGROUND Gender differences in sexual desire have been documented in the literature, with sexual desire being correlated with sexual satisfaction; however, data on sexual desire and sexual satisfaction among nonheterosexual samples are more limited, as are data examining sexual desire toward oneself (solitary) and another person (dyadic). AIM To examine differences between men and women, between heterosexuals and nonheterosexuals, and the interaction of gender and sexual orientation in solitary and dyadic sexual desire (partner and attractive person related) and sexual satisfaction, and to explore the predictive role of solitary and dyadic sexual desire on sexual satisfaction, controlling for gender and sexual orientation. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted with an online sample of 1013 participants recruited between 2017 and 2020 (552 women, 54.5%; 461 men, 45.5%; 802 heterosexuals, 79.2%; 211 nonheterosexuals, 20.8%). OUTCOMES Participants completed a web survey with a sociodemographic sheet, the Sexual Desire Inventory-2, and the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction. RESULTS Current findings indicated that men scored significantly higher on solitary sexual desire (P < .001, partial η2 = 0.015) and attractive person-related desire (P < .001, partial η2 = 0.015) when compared with women. Likewise, nonheterosexuals scored significantly higher on solitary sexual desire (P < .001, partial η2 = 0.053) and attractive person-related desire (P < .001, partial η2 = 0.033) vs heterosexuals. In addition, partner-related desire (β = 0.33, P < .001) was a positive and significant predictor of sexual satisfaction, whereas solitary desire (β = -0.18, P < .001) and attractive person-related desire (β = -0.23, P < .001) were negative predictors. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Sexual desire toward an intimate partner appears to be experienced in similar levels among heterosexual and nonheterosexual men and women, while solitary and attractive person-related sexual desire appears to be more strong among men and nonheterosexual individuals. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS The current study did not use a dyadic-centered approach, only individual perceptions and experiences. However, it explored solitary sexual desire and partner- and attractive person-related sexual desire in a large sample of heterosexual and nonheterosexual men and women as predictors of sexual satisfaction. CONCLUSION Overall, men and nonheterosexual individuals experienced more solitary and attractive person-related sexual desire. In addition, partner-related sexual desire was a positive predictor of sexual satisfaction, whereas solitary sexual desire and attractive person-related desire were negative predictors of sexual satisfaction.

One challenge many marital couples face is that they experience discrepant levels of sexual desire for one another. Such discrepancies are particularly likely to arise in mixed-sex relationships because, at least in long-term relationships, men tend to have higher levels of sexual desire for their partner than do women. But what underlies this sex difference? We used a dyadic study of 100 mixed-sex community-based newlywed spouses to investigate the role of biological, relational, cognitive, and emotional factors in explaining sex differences in dyadic sexual desire for a long-term partner. Consistent with predictions, wives on average reported lower daily sexual desire for their spouse than did husbands. Moreover, individual differences in men's and women's levels of circulating testosterone explained this sex difference whereas relational (marital satisfaction, commitment), cognitive (sex-role identification, stress, self-esteem), and emotional (mood, depressive symptoms) factors did not. These findings advance our knowledge of factors that influence dyadic sexual desire and may have practical implications for treating relationship distress in mixed-sex marriages.