The “Sex Recession” Is Real, and It’s Hitting Louisiana Hard

This new study is making a lot of us wonder if our love lives are really that bad. I must confess, up until now, I had never heard the term "sex recession," and it doesn't sound like a good thing.

According to the Institute for Family Studies, the amount of sex we're having in America is at an all-time low, disproving everything we thought we knew about dating and hookup culture.

READ MORE: Why Louisiana Faces Rising Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Cases 

The Institute for Family Studies reports that this decline is mostly due to a drop in steady partnering, especially marriage, and a decrease in sexual frequency within couples. A decade ago, 42% of young adults were living with a partner; today, that number has fallen to just 32%. Since partnered adults have the most consistent sex, it makes sense that the number of young adults having regular sex keeps falling.

Louisiana's Health Data: A Possible Cause for the Decline?

It seems like Louisiana can't catch a break, and that includes our high STD rates. The Bayou State recently had to face the embarrassment of skyrocketing numbers in early August. Louisiana ranks number one in the nation for Chlamydia cases and number two for Gonorrhea cases, according to the latest data from the CDC. It's an issue that Dr. John Vanchiere, the head of pediatric infectious diseases at LSU Health in Shreveport, says is critical to address.

The data shows that the highest numbers are among young people between the ages of 20 and 35. Unfortunately, the stigma around STDs and the shocking stats might keep some people from being intimate, opting for celibacy instead.

Navigating Intimacy and STDs in the Bayou State

The latest data from 2023 shows there have been more than 2.4 million cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia across the nation. The numbers are highest among young people, but health experts say teenage numbers are also a serious concern in Louisiana.

So, could Louisiana’s alarming STD rates be contributing to the sex recession in the state? For some, the thought of sexual health risks might be enough to keep them from dating at all.