Teens and young adults have difficulties with sex too, a new study from Canada shows, Fox News reports. Researchers asked 114 boys and 144 girls ages 16 to 21 about their sex lives, using online questionnaires that assess sexual functioning; for example, problems with erection, ejaculation or sexual desire. The study included only boys and girls who were sexually active.

Study participants reported extensive sexual experience and most were heterosexual and in committed relationships. Half of the participants reported having a sexual problem, and half of those young people reported being significantly distressed about their problem. The rate of sexual problems were similar among boys and girls, according to the study published Jan. 12 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Most studies of adolescents' sexual health have looked at issues such as sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies, but little is known about teenagers' sexual problems, the researchers said. "Adolescents need to be provided with youth-friendly information about how to deal with sexual problems," they said.

The researchers noted that for many adults with sexual dysfunction, the problems begin in adolescence. However, cultural barriers and poor communication between parents and teenagers likely leaves many teens poorly educated about how to identify and seek help for such problems, the researchers said. It is unclear why such high rates of sexual problems are found among teenagers and people ages 20 to 21, the researchers said. Interestingly, similar rates are found among boys and girls, whereas in studies of adults, only women have been found to have high rates of sexual problems, they said.