People stunned after discovering what the CDC thinks the average number of sexual partners is

The average number of sexual partners has been revealed - and people are shocked by the results.

When it comes to sex, it's no secret that many people over-exaggerate - or downright lie - about their body counts.

Competitors on dating shows such as Love Island, Ex on the Beach or Too Hot to Handle would have you believe 21 and 22-year-olds have somehow bedded tens or even hundreds of lovers despite their young age.

We're used to hearing over-exaggerated stories when it comes to sexual partners. (Getty Stock Photos)

Well, anyone who has been left feeling self-conscious or embarrassed after hearing other peoples' wild tales of sexual conquests should fear not, as the actual average when it comes to intimate partners is not what you'd expect.

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention's National Survey of Family Growth, the number of sexual partners we have in our lifetime is lower than you might expect too.

One question asked in the survey of 'sexually experienced women and men aged 25-49 years of age' was how many opposite-sex partners they have had in their lifetime.

And the results might be lower than you'd think.

However the actual number is not as high as many young people claim. (Getty Stock Photos)

The data found that, between 2015 and 2019, the median for women was 4.3 sexual partners - with men at a slighter higher 6.3.

As for the stats as a whole, women who have one sexual partner amounted to 17.7 percent of those taking part in the survey, while men with one sexual partner sits at 11.2.

On the other end of the spectrum, 28.3 percent of men taking part in the survey said they have had 15+ sexual partners in their lifetime, while women were a lot lower at 12.9 percent.

The results soon made their way to Reddit, where users had plenty to say about the findings.

"I legitimately find either number hard to believe tbh. Is it like counting in dog years," one person remarked.

A second added: "I am somewhat surprised the average is that low, but I have been reading about how much less sex people have now than they used to and what a wasteland dating in the 25-45 range is these days."

"I didn't expect to come into this thread and see so many people calling the number low. My only sexual partner is my wife so I guess I'm the person bringing this down," a third remarked.

And a fourth added: "I've cited this statistic multiple times as evidence to the fact that people aren't having nearly as much casual sex as people think they are."

It just goes to show that you shouldn't always believe the friend who brags about their countless sexual exploits.