The Myths of Sex

Sex

How Common Are Sexless Marriages?

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on September 18, 2023

Although sexless marriages are quite common and can be highly distressing, people remain in them for a variety of reasons and cope with the lack of sex in different ways.

Although sexless marriages are quite common and can be highly distressing, people remain in them for a variety of reasons and cope with the lack of sex in different ways.

Infidelity

Does Infidelity Peak in the Seventh Year of Marriage?

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on August 23, 2023

The seven-year itch isn't an urban legend. Research suggests that rates of infidelity rise in the seventh year of marriage, with a peak in divorces quickly following.

The seven-year itch isn't an urban legend. Research suggests that rates of infidelity rise in the seventh year of marriage, with a peak in divorces quickly following.

False Memories

Why Some People Believe They've Been Abducted by Aliens

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on July 25, 2023

Reports of paranormal experiences are common. What may be underlying these reports?

Reports of paranormal experiences are common. What may be underlying these reports?

Sex

What Happens to Friends With Benefits Over Time?

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on June 22, 2023

Most friends with benefits are short-lived, dissolve, or change form within a year. While staying friends afterward seems to be realistic, finding true love isn't.

Most friends with benefits are short-lived, dissolve, or change form within a year. While staying friends afterward seems to be realistic, finding true love isn't.

Infidelity

The Top 8 Reasons Why Partners Cheat

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on May 19, 2023

People's reasons for cheating are many and varied and, sometimes, infidelity has very little to do with sex.

People's reasons for cheating are many and varied and, sometimes, infidelity has very little to do with sex.

Sex

When Partners Cheat, Who Do They Do It With?

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on April 12, 2023

Married men and women are equally likely to have affairs with close friends or people they know well.

Married men and women are equally likely to have affairs with close friends or people they know well.

Relationships

Why Older Women Dating Younger Men Are More Satisfied

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on March 23, 2023

Although age-gap relationships featuring an older women with a younger man have been subject to stigma and scrutiny, the women in these relationships appear to be thriving.

Although age-gap relationships featuring an older women with a younger man have been subject to stigma and scrutiny, the women in these relationships appear to be thriving.

Sex

3 Reasons Why Disgust Can Become a Sexual Turn-On

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on February 14, 2023

Disgust is an emotion that usually leads us to avoid something, but it can sometimes be an attractor in the context of sex. There are at least 3 reasons why.

Disgust is an emotion that usually leads us to avoid something, but it can sometimes be an attractor in the context of sex. There are at least 3 reasons why.

Orgasm

How Women Can Increase Their Odds of Orgasm During Sex

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on January 19, 2023

Women's experiences with orgasm during intercourse are inconsistent.

Women's experiences with orgasm during intercourse are inconsistent.

Fantasies

Why Animated Porn Is So Popular

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on December 14, 2022

Animated porn appears to be growing in popularity. The genre offers a creative way of meeting deeper psychological needs and expressing taboo sexual interests.

Animated porn appears to be growing in popularity. The genre offers a creative way of meeting deeper psychological needs and expressing taboo sexual interests.

Mating

Does Online Dating Make It Easier to Date?

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on November 22, 2022

Dating online results in surprisingly few in-person hookups and dates. A minority of users account for most of the action.

Dating online results in surprisingly few in-person hookups and dates. A minority of users account for most of the action.

Fantasies

Why Many People Find Historical Romance to Be So Sexy

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on October 21, 2022

Sex scenes set in the distant past are increasingly common and in demand on television today. Their growing popularity reflects several common themes in our sexual fantasies.

Sex scenes set in the distant past are increasingly common and in demand on television today. Their growing popularity reflects several common themes in our sexual fantasies.

Sex

Generation Z Is Missing Out on the Benefits of Sex

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on September 8, 2022

Adults under age 25 are the most stressed and least sexed generation. Is a lack of intimate touch and connection making the Gen Z mental health crisis worse?

Adults under age 25 are the most stressed and least sexed generation. Is a lack of intimate touch and connection making the Gen Z mental health crisis worse?

Sex

Why Some Affairs Lead to Breakups, but Others Don't

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on August 23, 2022

Despite infidelity being considered one of the biggest relationship dealbreakers, it doesn't always mean the end of a relationship.

Despite infidelity being considered one of the biggest relationship dealbreakers, it doesn't always mean the end of a relationship.

Sex

What Separates the Very Best Kisses From the Absolute Worst

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on July 28, 2022

What makes a kiss good versus bad? Our best kisses tend to have an emotional spark or energy, while our worst kisses tend to involve unpleasant physical qualities.

What makes a kiss good versus bad? Our best kisses tend to have an emotional spark or energy, while our worst kisses tend to involve unpleasant physical qualities.

Fantasies

Why You Can Have Sexual Fantasies About Someone You Hate

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on June 14, 2022

If you've ever fantasized about someone you hate or despise, you're not alone. But different people fantasize about this for very different reasons.

If you've ever fantasized about someone you hate or despise, you're not alone. But different people fantasize about this for very different reasons.

Sex

Can Someone's Sex Drive Be Too High?

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on May 13, 2022

What seems high to one person might seem low to another when it comes to sexual desire, which makes defining a concept like "hypersexuality" difficult, if not impossible.

What seems high to one person might seem low to another when it comes to sexual desire, which makes defining a concept like "hypersexuality" difficult, if not impossible.

Sex

How Many Calories Does Sex Actually Burn?

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on April 5, 2022

Sex is a form of exercise, but just how much exercise does it count for? A review of 18 studies offers fresh insight into the physical demands of sexual activity.

Sex is a form of exercise, but just how much exercise does it count for? A review of 18 studies offers fresh insight into the physical demands of sexual activity.

Dark Triad

The Sexual Appeal of Dark Personalities

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on March 7, 2022

There’s an interesting paradox in the literature on attraction. While people say they’re attracted to nice partners, they simultaneously report attraction to "dark" personalities.

There’s an interesting paradox in the literature on attraction. While people say they’re attracted to nice partners, they simultaneously report attraction to "dark" personalities.

Sex

Why Couples Can Struggle with Who's Supposed to Initiate Sex

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on February 14, 2022

Many people want to initiate sex more often, or they want their partners to initiate more often. Here are four ways to make sexual initiation easier.

Many people want to initiate sex more often, or they want their partners to initiate more often. Here are four ways to make sexual initiation easier.