Episode 539: The Most Common Questions Sex Therapists Get Asked - Sex and Psychology

In this episode, we explore five questions that come up in sex therapy over and over again and tips for maintaining hotter and healthier relationships.

sexandpsychology.com

Social Media's Influence On Contraception Use - Sex and Psychology

Research finds that contraception misinformation is rampant on social media—and it may be influencing the birth control methods people choose.

sexandpsychology.com

Where Have All the Rubbers Gone? Why Women Are Still Begging Men to Wear Condoms

Barrier protection isn’t exactly new. So what’s with guys pushing back on condoms so much?

womenshealthmag.com

Episode 538: How To Get Out Of Your Head During Sex - Sex and Psychology

Your mindset can shape your sex life. Learn how to get out of your head, identify your sexual brakes and accelerators, and be more present during sex.

sexandpsychology.com

Puberty, pregnancy, and menopause are accompanied by distinct patterns of brain plasticity

A new brain imaging study indicates that puberty and pregnancy are associated with widespread gray matter reductions in the female brain. In contrast, the menopausal transition coincides with a surprising pause in typical age-related brain changes.

psypost.org

The Psychology of Hentai Porn - Sex and Psychology

What was the most popular porn search term of 2021? According to Pornhub’s latest report, it was hentai. This term has been near the top of the list for a few years and seems to be on the rise. So what is hentai, and why do so many people seem to be drawn to it?...

sexandpsychology.com

Have You Ever Fantasized About Someone You Hate? - Sex and Psychology

When you fantasize about sex, who do you usually think about? I’ve previously written about the various characters who appear in our fantasies and, most commonly, people mention current partners, exes, and close friends. It’s also common for people to have fantasized about non-specific individuals (vague, unidentifiable people) and their celebrity crushes, but by and...

sexandpsychology.com

Sexy Sounds: The Songs People Hear in Their Sexual Fantasies - Sex and Psychology

Sexual fantasies can be a multi-sensory experience. They’re not just about what we can see—but also what we can feel, smell, taste, and hear. In this post, we’re going to take a look at the role of music in sexual fantasies. How many people have a “soundtrack” to their sexy thoughts? And what are they...

sexandpsychology.com

How Many Men Have Ever Faked an Orgasm?

Research suggests that a surprisingly large number of men have faked an orgasm before. So what are their main reasons for faking it? And what leads them to stop faking orgasm?

psychologytoday.com

The 10 Most Common Places We Fantasize About Having Sex - Sex and Psychology

When you have a sexual fantasy, where does it take place? For some people, the setting doesn’t matter at all, whereas for others, the setting is crucial to establishing a certain mood or feeling. So where are the most common places people fantasize about getting it on? In the survey of 4,175 Americans I conducted...

sexandpsychology.com

The 7 Biggest Challenges in Age-Gap Relationships

Relationships with major age gaps are becoming more common, but they do not come without some distinct challenges. A recent study identified some of the major problem areas.

psychologytoday.com

Episode 537: The Sex History You Were Never Taught - Sex and Psychology

From ancient sex toys to sexual panics, Dr. Kate Lister is on the show to unpack the surprising and often strange history of sex.

sexandpsychology.com

Why Aren't Orgasms Always Pleasurable? - Sex and Psychology

Not all orgasms feel the same. Research finds that when people feel pressured to climax or engage in unwanted sex, their orgasms are often less pleasurable.

sexandpsychology.com

Monogamy is widely assumed to be the safer, more satisfying arrangement — in two studies including a population sample of 10,500 Finns, people with multiple partners reported sexual functioning and health that matched or slightly exceeded it

A recent study reveals that engaging in multiple romantic or sexual relationships—whether consensually or through infidelity—does not compromise sexual health. In fact, non-monogamous individuals reported similar, or even slightly better, sexual functioning than strictly monogamous people.

psypost.org

Episode 536: Was The Bridgerton Era As Sexy As We Think? - Sex and Psychology

Why do we romanticize the past? Historian Kate Lister explores nostalgia, sex, courtship, and what shows like Bridgerton get right—and wrong—about history.

sexandpsychology.com

In Sync? Assessing Partners' Similarities in Comfort With Physical Affection–Sharing as a Predictor of Relationship Well‐Being

Physical affection-sharing (e.g., holding hands) is associated with better relational well-being. But does similarity/dissimilarity in couple members' comfort with affection-sharing also predict rela....

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Sexual Uniforms: The Costumes That Turn People On - Sex and Psychology

When you fantasize about sex, do you ever imagine your partner(s) wearing a specific uniform? If so, you’re not alone. In the survey of 4,175 Americans I conducted for my book Tell Me What You Want, one of the questions I asked was whether people had ever fantasized about having sex with someone in uniform—and,...

sexandpsychology.com

Is Infidelity Predictable? - Sex and Psychology

Infidelity is common. Saying exactly how many people have ever cheated is a little dicey, though, because the numbers vary a lot depending on how you ask the question (e.g., sexual vs. emotional infidelity, online vs. in-person infidelity, etc.). However, if you look specifically at sexual infidelity in marital relationships, the number is pretty reliably...

sexandpsychology.com

Exposure to Sunlight May Boost Testosterone and Passion - Sex and Psychology

If you’re a long-time reader of the blog, you’ve probably seen articles I’ve posted about seasonal variations in sexual behavior. According to the research, one of the biggest peaks occurs during the summer months. For example, people report having more partners during the warmest months and, at the same time, rates of sexually transmitted infections...

sexandpsychology.com

Are You Parenting Your Partner?

It's hard to be intimate with someone we see as childish.

psychologytoday.com

Why Is My ADHD Worse Before My Period?

Do your ADHD symptoms worsen before your period? Research suggests that menstrual cycle hormones can affect ADHD symptoms, mood, and even medication response.

psychologytoday.com

Episode 535: Why Kink Works For Neurodiverse Brains - Sex and Psychology

Why are neurodivergent people often into kink? Learn how autism and ADHD influence BDSM, from sensory needs and communication to consent and pleasure.

sexandpsychology.com

Announcing the 14th Annual SPSP Sexuality Preconference! - Sex and Psychology

Join us in Philadelphia this February for the next annual SPSP Sexuality Preconference and learn about the latest sex research!

sexandpsychology.com

How Many People Subscribe to the “Three-Date Rule?” - Sex and Psychology

How many in-person dates would you want to have with a new partner before having sex with that person? We often hear about the so-called “three-date rule,” or the idea that the third date is the “right” time to start having sex. However, is this really a “rule” that most people follow? In a recent...

sexandpsychology.com

Sex and Travel: Why Trips Often Turn Us On - Sex and Psychology

A friend of mine told me about a recent discussion he had with friends where everyone talked about having had a similar experience: whenever they were away on a trip, they noticed feeling much hornier than they usually do at home. My friend asked why this was the case, so I figured I’d write a...

sexandpsychology.com