What makes sex good, both emotionally and physically? Spicing things up by experimenting in bed, focusing on pleasurable sensations, cuddling after sex, and communicating likes and dislikes, can all help to improve your sex life, research has shown.
But what about the type of relationship you’re in? Does being head over heels in love with your partner make a difference? That’s what US researcher Dr Beth Montemurro wondered.
Sexual pleasure
A good way to find out would be to ask women themselves, she figured. So she interviewed nearly 100 ladies aged 20 to 68, most of whom were in heterosexual relationships. Was being in love important to these women when it came to their sexual pleasure?
Just over half of the women said no, you didn’t need to be in love for great sex. They were happy to relish the physical thrills of a one-night stand. But when it came to a long-term sexual relationship, around 80 per cent said being in love with their partner mattered.
Is it simply that women crave the dreamy, romantic feeling that comes with sex when you’re in love? Oh no. These women said they actually felt more physical pleasure during sex when they were in a loving relationship or marriage. It’s not just about satisfaction on an emotional level.
Watch our animated video on ways to make love to her here!
Attitudes to casual sex
So why does being in love mean better sex for women? For one thing, it’s easier to let go of inhibitions and go wild with lust when you trust and feeling comfortable with a loving a partner.
But another reason might have to do with the way traditional views and the media in often link love and sex for women. It’s seen as fine for guys to enjoy hot sex then say goodbye. But many women may come to believe that it’s only really okay to enjoy sex if you’re in love.
"On one hand, the media may seem to show that casual sex is okay, but at the same time, movies and television, especially, tend to portray women who are having sex outside of relationships negatively," Dr Montemurro explains.
Source: Penn State University
Ladies, do you need to be in love to enjoy sex? Leave a comment below or on Facebook.