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The Power of Pleasure

How the science of satisfaction can improve your sex life and your relationship

Relationships
Why Valentine's Day Is Good for Your Relationship

Kristen Mark, Ph.D. on February 12, 2021

Think Valentine's Day is overblown? There is science behind why celebrating Valentine's Day (and every day in between) can build sexual and relationship happiness.

Think Valentine's Day is overblown? There is science behind why celebrating Valentine's Day (and every day in between) can build sexual and relationship happiness.

Identity
Am I Enough for My Bisexual Partner?

Kristen Mark, Ph.D. on January 22, 2021

How can someone who is bisexual have successful and satisfying long-term relationships? The science clearly demonstrates several ways this is achieved.

How can someone who is bisexual have successful and satisfying long-term relationships? The science clearly demonstrates several ways this is achieved.

Marriage
Stay Monogamous Using Polyamorous Principles

Kristen Mark, Ph.D. on November 14, 2014

Polyamory isn't for everyone. But that doesn't mean there aren't useful and widely applicable guiding principles that make polyamory and consensual non-monogamy successful. Integrating consensual non-monogamy principles into monogamous relationships offers the potential for some of the benefits of non-monogamy to be integrated into the lives of many.

Polyamory isn't for everyone. But that doesn't mean there aren't useful and widely applicable guiding principles that make polyamory and consensual non-monogamy successful. Integrating consensual non-monogamy principles into monogamous relationships offers the potential for some of the benefits of non-monogamy to be integrated into the lives of many.

Relationships
3 Things That Deflate Sexual Desire

Kristen Mark, Ph.D. on May 16, 2014

Love and desire don't naturally go together. This post offers three pitfalls to avoid in order to reconcile what is required for love and what is required for desire.

Love and desire don't naturally go together. This post offers three pitfalls to avoid in order to reconcile what is required for love and what is required for desire.

sexual satisfaction
Sex
Decoding Sexual Satisfaction

Kristen Mark, Ph.D. on November 2, 2013

Sexual satisfaction is a complicated construct of great importance, particularly in the area of women's sex research.

Sexual satisfaction is a complicated construct of great importance, particularly in the area of women's sex research.

Couple in Bed
Sex
Willingness to go Extra Mile Sexually for Partner is High

Kristen Mark, Ph.D. on July 19, 2013

In a recent survey, individuals reported that they would go above and beyond in their relationships to keep their sex life hot and exciting for their partners.

In a recent survey, individuals reported that they would go above and beyond in their relationships to keep their sex life hot and exciting for their partners.

Mating
Single This Valentine's Day? Who Cares.

Kristen Mark, Ph.D. on February 14, 2013

Valentine's Day doesn't have to be a day of despair for singles. Rather, it can be a celebration of not partnering with the wrong one!

Valentine's Day doesn't have to be a day of despair for singles. Rather, it can be a celebration of not partnering with the wrong one!

Alfred Kinsey
Sex
Sexology: Is It Research or "Me"Search?

Kristen Mark, Ph.D. on February 3, 2013

In the professions of psychology and public health (the two I'm most familiar with), many scholars admit to engaging in "me"search once in a while to spark their research curiosity. It makes sense, as many of the topic areas can easily be applied to one's own life. Conducting "me"search when your topic of interest is sex can therefore raise a lot of eyebrows.

In the professions of psychology and public health (the two I'm most familiar with), many scholars admit to engaging in "me"search once in a while to spark their research curiosity. It makes sense, as many of the topic areas can easily be applied to one's own life. Conducting "me"search when your topic of interest is sex can therefore raise a lot of eyebrows.

Orgasm
Different Types Of Female Orgasm: The Debate Continues

Kristen Mark, Ph.D. on December 7, 2012

There is much scientific debate about the existence of different types of female orgasm. A recent study based in evolutionary theory provides more evidence to suggest there may be two types of female orgasm: "surface" and "deep".

There is much scientific debate about the existence of different types of female orgasm. A recent study based in evolutionary theory provides more evidence to suggest there may be two types of female orgasm: "surface" and "deep".

Orgasm
What We Can Learn From Sexual Response Cycles

Kristen Mark, Ph.D. on November 19, 2012

Understanding what is happening physiologically during a given sexual experience may or may not enhance the sexual experience; but one thing is for sure, it isn't easy to understand what's "normal" when it comes to sexual response.

Understanding what is happening physiologically during a given sexual experience may or may not enhance the sexual experience; but one thing is for sure, it isn't easy to understand what's "normal" when it comes to sexual response.