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Asexual network is a social network that is defined by the sexual relationships within a set of individuals.
Like other forms of social networks, sexual networks can be formally studied using the mathematics of graph theory and network theory.[1][2]
Recent epidemiological studies[3] have investigated sexual networks, and suggest that the statistical properties of sexual networks are crucial to the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Sub-graphs, both large and small, can be defined within the overall sexual network graph; for example, people who frequent particular bars or clubs, belong to a particular ethnic group or take part in a particular type of sexual activity, or are part of a particular outbreak of an STI. In particular, assortative mixing between people with large numbers of sexual partners seems to be an important factor in the spread of an STI.
In a surprising result, mathematical models predict that the sexual network graph for the human race appears to have a single giant component that indirectly links almost all people who have had more than one sexual partner, and a great many of those who have had only one sexual partner (if their one sexual partner was themselves part of the giant component).[citation needed]
For more detailed epidemiological work, the time sequence of sexual contacts is important.
