Racing heart, shallow breathing, tensed muscles, and goosebumps. Sounds pretty sexy, right? Not always.
If we look closely, the physical symptoms of anxiety can overlap with some things we experience during sex and arousal. Though they share these physical experiences, anxiety and sex are not happy bedfellows. “Anxiety is a major contributor to diminishing frequency of sex and diminishing capacity for enjoyment of sex,” says Colorado-based certified sex therapist Indigo Stray Conger.
Let’s explore some of the more common ways anxiety can impact your sex life (and some tips to find let go and enjoy sex again!).
In the world of sex, fetishes and fantasies are often viewed as taboo. While you can lean toward science and studies to tell you that they’re not actually that uncommon, chances are you’ve got the best possible person to share your sexual fantasies with; your partner.
Still, figuring out how to share your sexual fantasies with someone may seem difficult at first. If you’ve never approached the subject, you may be unsure of what to ask, how to ask it, and how to react.
Fortunately, we’ve compiled a simple list of tips and tricks for how to talk to your partner about your sexual fantasies and theirs.
“It felt akin to a jackhammer ramming inside of me,” said Claire, recalling the first time she got intimate with her boyfriend Seamus. After a few dates, the two were ready to take their connection to the next level. “After some foreplay, I was wet and ready. But as soon as my pants were off, he started banging his fingers inside of me with absolutely no finesse and completely killed the mood.” Fortunately for Claire, Seamus was receptive to her feedback, and their night (and sex life) recovered.
If you’ve ever been a Claire or a Seamus in a similar scenario, read on. These popular fingering techniques can be mastered to elevate your prowess in the bedroom and help bring on intense orgasms.
As a society, we are putting in a lot more thought when it comes to what we put in our bodies. This thought and care has made its way into the sex industry, as it should — I care about what I put in/around my genitals, don’t you?
Organic lube, in general, prides itself on being free of hormones, synthetic chemicals, and gentle to our sensitive areas. With ingredients you can actually pronounce, it is likely your body (and sex life) will appreciate the switch.
However, organic lube is still a pretty niche market, and while people may have a general feeling of what it is, it’s always good to sort fact from fiction. In that light, here’s everything you need to know about organic lube!
When I first ventured into the world of BDSM, almost three years ago, I’d come crashing and burning out of a decade long abusive relationship and I was pining to explore and reclaim my personal and sexuality sovereignty.
I immediately saw the obvious irony in the situation, and joked about it myself: “Woman leaves verbally abusive relationship; finds comfort in sexual domination and spanking”.
Why would anyone come out of an abusive relationship and seek out sexual practices that, to many, are viewed as violent?
Taking it in the derriere is still a little taboo. However, it seems that anal sex may be on the rise! Anal sex is primarily growing in popularity with couples under age 45. A national survey from the National Health Statistics Reports found that, 36% of women and 44% of men reported that they’ve had anal sex with an opposite-sex partner.
It has been hypothesized that anal and vaginal orgasms are similar (same rhythmic pelvic floor movement, different body parts being stimulated), and with sexual exploration on the rise, it is easy to see why so many more people are keen to explore anal play.
Read on to learn tips, tricks, and what to expect if you're new to anal play!
When it comes to managing Aunt Flo, our devilish monthly visitor, most of us turn to the two most traditional options available at any convenience store: pads or tampons. Unfortunately, many commercial products contain a whole boatload of nasty chemicals that no one wants to put in their body. Synthetic additives, which make tampons more absorbent, are linked to an increased risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome as well as a slew of other health issues.
For as long as there's been sex, people have searched to find ways to make it better—more pleasurable, longer, with better orgasms, you name it. Enter aphrodisiacs. Derived from “Aphrodite” (the name of the Greek goddess of love), this term refers to substances that stimulate sexual desire. And while there isn't much scientific proof behind most aphrodisiacs, you still find couples ordering oysters on Valentine's Day in the hopes they'll get lucky. So let's take a look at the history of aphrodisiacs and if you should consider trying any.
While there are some medical reasons why a woman could not have sex during her pregnancy, the majority of women can have sex throughout their pregnancy that is safe, satisfying, and doctor-approved.
Here are common questions, myths, and recommended sex positions throughout pregnancy.
Sometimes the intensity and spontaneity of a quickie satisfies your sex craving. And especially when you and your partner both have over-packed calendars, something's better than nothing. But other times, a slow buildup with plenty of foreplay leads to increased intimacy, lower inhibitions, and more enjoyable sex. Most of us even want more of it: While foreplay tends to last only 12 minutes, both sexes would like it to last about 18 minutes.
In that spirit, here's everything you need to know about foreplay, plus ideas for how to liven it up if you want more than the typical makeout session.
Everyone deserves a respectful and fulfilling sex life, and that sentiment doesn't change as you get older.
While there are plenty of design-forward sex toys that have been coming out on the market, many of which can be considered by people no matter their age, there are certain considerations folks may need to make as they get older. We've included a lineup of some of the best toys with the needs of older folks in mind.