Sex

Sex is the most profound and intimate way to express your love for someone. Different people enjoy and pursue sex in different forms—as the pioneering sex researcher Alfred Kinsey put it, the only universal in human sexuality is variability itself. But within the universe of intimacy and pleasure that sex affords is a lot of room for error. Most people are affected by sexual problems at some point in their lives. 

Monogamy and Polygamy

An Inconvenient Truth: Sexual Monogamy Kills Male Libido

Human beings are evolved for sex lives full of novelty.

by Christopher Ryan in Sex at Dawn

Do Open Relationships Work?

The pros and cons of an open relationship.

by Hara Estroff Marano

The paradox of polygamy I: Why most Americans are polygamous

Why most Americans are polygamous

by Satoshi Kanazawa in The Scientific Fundamentalist

Sex Ed: Can I Get Your Number?

Why men exaggerate their sex scorecard.

by Jay Dixit

Sexual Orientation

Finding the Switch

The Darwinian logic of homosexuality.

by Robert Kunzig

Stump the evolutionary psychologist: Remaining puzzles

What we know we don't know (the known unknowns).

by Satoshi Kanazawa in The Scientific Fundamentalist

A cartoon guide to sexual orientation

A cartoon explains why some people are gay.

by Brian Mustanski, Ph.D. in The Sexual Continuum

See Also

The Science of Sexual Attraction

Scents and Sensibility

The secret ingredient of sexual chemistry may be scent—but are we unwittingly subverting our signals?

by Elizabeth Svoboda

The Stripper's Secret

Flaunting your fertility makes for big tips.

by Matthew Hutson

Fast Forces of Attraction

The building blocks of sex appeal.

by PT Staff

Sex Ed: Talking Smack

What kissing means for men and for women.

by Jay Dixit

See Also

Sex and Fantasy

You, Me and Porn Make Three

How do you prevent the XXX explosion from undermining your relationship.

by Liza Featherstone

Why Do Women Have Erotic Rape Fantasies?

Several potential explanations for rape fantasies.

by Matthew Hutson in Brainstorm

Threesomes are every man's fantasy

I am frequently asked to comment on sexual fantasies

by Dr. Steven Lamm in Great Sex

Advice: He Likes Porn

Does viewing porn lead to unfaithfulness?

by Hara Estroff Marano

Sex Ed: Keeping Up With the Johns

Why men pay for sex, and what happens when they do.

by Jay Dixit

See Also

Sexual Problems

Myths About Low Sexual Desire

The truth about couples, and how to reignite the flame.

by Jay Dixit

Female Sexual Desire Disorder

Understanding Female Sexual Desire Disorder

by Dan Pollets in Mindful Sex

See Also

Sex Tests

Sensuality

Are you attuned to all five senses?
Sex Personality Test

Are you sexually creative and adventurous?
More Tests

The Latest on Sex

Intimacy for Infertile Couples: Lovemaking or Baby Making? by Connie Shapiro, PhD
How and why love produces illusions by Shankar Vedantam
No guilt, no problem? by Marnia Robinson
At 88, Betty White is a model of both graceful and spunky aging. by Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Ph.D.
How does the "gay gene" survive over the generations? by Christopher Ryan
Long-term eroticism demands risks relationally and sexually by Laurie Watson, MA, LMFT, LPC
"It's awesome being a guy." But are you necessary? by Ira Rosofsky, Ph.D.
Here’s what the research on marital status and sex really does show. by Bella DePaulo, Ph.D.
Men, Women and Anal Sex by Nathan Heflick
Natural male repellent: Don’t wear makeup. by Gad Saad, Ph.D.

Sex Blogs

  • Michael Castleman

    All About Sex

    The best sex ever.
    By Michael Castleman
  • Paul Joannides

    As You Like It

    The Latest on Sex
    By Paul Joannides
  • Harry K Wexler

    Getting Laid Over 60

    Finding Meaning and Sexual Satisfaction in Later Life
    By Harry K. Wexler, Ph.D.
  • JS

    Out of the Ordinary

    The latest insights into sexploration, alternative relationships, and different ways of loving.
    By JS
  • Christopher Ryan

    Sex at Dawn

    Exploring the evolutionary origins of modern sexuality.
    By Christopher Ryan
  • Debby Herbenick

    The Pleasures of Sex

    How the science of sex can lead to more pleasurable sex.
    By Debby Herbenick, Ph.D., M.P.H.
  • Brian Mustanski

    The Sexual Continuum

    Discussing all things related to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) health and development: from the biology of sexual orientation to talking to your family about sexuality to the pros and cons of the Internet in our romantic lives.
    By Dr. Brian Mustanski
  • Barry McCarthy

    What's Your Sexual Style?

    How a couple can share desire, pleasure, and satisfaction.
    By Barry W. McCarthy, Ph.D.

Current Issue

Heartbreak and Home Runs: The Power of First Experiences

How early life experiences shape our character.