Introduction <p>Although sexting among young adults is a phenomenon often studied in the context of risky sexual behavior, less research is devoted to sending erotic messages to romantic partners, and it does not account for active and passive sexting.</p> Methods <p>We present a cross-sectional study conducted in Poland in 2022 and 2023 among 2,880 young adults, in which we analyzed active and passive sexting as independent variables, taking into account the sender and recipient, consent, sexual orientation, and the type of relationship participants were in. In addition, we controlled for self-esteem and measured sexual satisfaction as the primary outcome variable.</p> Results <p>The study established a statistically significant correlation between sexual satisfaction and the frequency of sexting. Participants in romantic relationships were found to predominantly engage in the exchange of erotic messages with their significant other, as opposed to with individuals outside their immediate relationship. Furthermore, regression analyses demonstrated that active sexting was a positive predictor, whereas passive sexting was a negative predictor of sexual satisfaction, even if controlling for trait self-esteem.</p> Conclusions <p>The results of the study indicate that sexting is a common phenomenon among young Poles. It can be a form of flirting in close romantic relationships. Furthermore, it has been shown that the practice of sexting has a beneficial effect on sexual satisfaction, only when it is carried out in its active form.</p>