SexualityToday

Sex

A Sex Therapist at the Movies: "Babygirl"

Stephen Snyder M.D. on January 6, 2025

As a practicing sex therapist, I wondered how the theme of sexual submissiveness could still be enough to sustain a plot in 2024. I needn't have worried.

As a practicing sex therapist, I wondered how the theme of sexual submissiveness could still be enough to sustain a plot in 2024. I needn't have worried.

Sex

Why Do Women Waste Emotional Energy on Men?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on July 8, 2019

Men tend to not enjoy stories of erotic love and heartache, but for many women, these are the most potent aphrodisiacs of all.

Men tend to not enjoy stories of erotic love and heartache, but for many women, these are the most potent aphrodisiacs of all.

Gender

Are Men’s and Women’s Sexual Minds Really That Different?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on January 2, 2019

Many of us have sexual aspects that are more typical of the opposite gender. What's that all about?

Many of us have sexual aspects that are more typical of the opposite gender. What's that all about?

Sex

Are Women Hungrier for Sex Than We Thought?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on August 29, 2018

What's female sexuality really all about? Researchers are working on it, but the answers remain elusive. Maybe we're posing the question wrong.

What's female sexuality really all about? Researchers are working on it, but the answers remain elusive. Maybe we're posing the question wrong.

Sex

Why So Many Lovers Call Each Other "Baby"

Stephen Snyder M.D. on June 4, 2018

The answer may reveal a lot about human sexuality.

The answer may reveal a lot about human sexuality.

Sex

Why Does Pornography Exist?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on May 29, 2018

If a person is hungry, they don’t get any pleasure from watching someone else eat dinner. So why should it be a turn-on to watch other people have sex?

If a person is hungry, they don’t get any pleasure from watching someone else eat dinner. So why should it be a turn-on to watch other people have sex?

Infidelity

How to Love Someone Again After Infidelity

Stephen Snyder M.D. on November 8, 2017

Couples that stay together after infidelity fall into three categories: sufferers, builders, and explorers.

Couples that stay together after infidelity fall into three categories: sufferers, builders, and explorers.

Sex

What Turns a Man On? For Some, It's Feeling Desired

Stephen Snyder M.D. on September 18, 2017

A man whose deepest need is to feel desired may be analogous to one who gets excited by wearing women’s clothing. Best to just chalk it up to sexual diversity and accept it.

A man whose deepest need is to feel desired may be analogous to one who gets excited by wearing women’s clothing. Best to just chalk it up to sexual diversity and accept it.

Politics

Have Politics Ruined 'Fifty Shades'?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on February 20, 2017

Christian Grey’s dominant tendencies worked as erotica during the Obama years. But many women may soon find egalitarianism and restraint looking better and better.

Christian Grey’s dominant tendencies worked as erotica during the Obama years. But many women may soon find egalitarianism and restraint looking better and better.

Sex

How to Use a Condom

Stephen Snyder M.D. on July 6, 2016

Using a condom isn't as simple as you'd think. In particular, a surprising number of men can't seem to keep an erection with a condom on.

Using a condom isn't as simple as you'd think. In particular, a surprising number of men can't seem to keep an erection with a condom on.

Orgasm

Saying Yes to Female Orgasm

Stephen Snyder M.D. on January 12, 2016

The techniques each woman prefers are so specific that guessing will get you nowhere. A good reminder that sometimes the best way to find out what turns a woman on is just to ask.

The techniques each woman prefers are so specific that guessing will get you nowhere. A good reminder that sometimes the best way to find out what turns a woman on is just to ask.

Relationships

The Trouble with Modern Love

Stephen Snyder M.D. on November 2, 2015

We have many more choices than our parents and grandparents had, but this hasn’t made it any more likely that couples will find fulfillment. In many ways, it’s made it less likely.

We have many more choices than our parents and grandparents had, but this hasn’t made it any more likely that couples will find fulfillment. In many ways, it’s made it less likely.

Sex

Waiting For Pink Viagra

Stephen Snyder M.D. on June 3, 2015

Can flibanserin (so-called Pink Viagra) really help restore women's sexual desire? There's only one way to find out. That's for the FDA to approve it, and for individual women to make informed decisions about whether to try it.

Can flibanserin (so-called Pink Viagra) really help restore women's sexual desire? There's only one way to find out. That's for the FDA to approve it, and for individual women to make informed decisions about whether to try it.

Domestic Violence

Why Does the Fifty Shades Movie Look Like Domestic Abuse?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on February 16, 2015

In the theater, I realized that the idea of Fifty Shades just being fantasy and therefore innocuous doesn't completely work. Some of the fantasy on-screen struck me as too close to the things people put up with in real life.

In the theater, I realized that the idea of Fifty Shades just being fantasy and therefore innocuous doesn't completely work. Some of the fantasy on-screen struck me as too close to the things people put up with in real life.

Bias

What Matters Most in a Man?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on February 10, 2015

I wonder what Jane Austen would think about Fifty Shades. Sure, she'd probably hate the prose. But if she got past that, she'd definitely be interested in what has and hasn't changed for women in the two centuries that divide Pride and Prejudice from Fifty Shades of Grey.

I wonder what Jane Austen would think about Fifty Shades. Sure, she'd probably hate the prose. But if she got past that, she'd definitely be interested in what has and hasn't changed for women in the two centuries that divide Pride and Prejudice from Fifty Shades of Grey.

Sex

What's the Sexiest Thing About Fifty Shades of Grey?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on February 5, 2015

For most men, a beautiful woman's body is an immediate turn-on. For most women, the response to a man's body isn't quite so automatic. But if in addition to having nice arms, he also has that aforementioned high-end stainless steel kitchen with a view of downtown Seattle, then things might get interesting.

For most men, a beautiful woman's body is an immediate turn-on. For most women, the response to a man's body isn't quite so automatic. But if in addition to having nice arms, he also has that aforementioned high-end stainless steel kitchen with a view of downtown Seattle, then things might get interesting.

Relationships

Fifty Shades of Grey and the Tests of Love

Stephen Snyder M.D. on January 16, 2015

Whether it's Edward in Twilight or Christian Grey in Fifty Shades, one of the hero's most compelling traits is his willingness to suffer for his beloved.

Whether it's Edward in Twilight or Christian Grey in Fifty Shades, one of the hero's most compelling traits is his willingness to suffer for his beloved.

Sex

Why Do Married Men Pretend to Be Single Online?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on January 14, 2015

It's puzzling that a married man would lie online and romance a young woman, knowing he's eventually going to break her heart. But there are lots of men doing just that. Why?

It's puzzling that a married man would lie online and romance a young woman, knowing he's eventually going to break her heart. But there are lots of men doing just that. Why?

Sexual Abuse

On the Confusion Between Sexual Fantasy and Reality

Stephen Snyder M.D. on December 4, 2014

The ad showed a beautiful young woman dressed only in a sweater, her hair tossed over one eye. I couldn't decipher the expression on her face, because there was no expression at all. She did not look happy. I couldn't help thinking she looked as if she had been drugged. The hair covering half her face - What was it hiding? Where were the rest of her clothes? Who had them?

The ad showed a beautiful young woman dressed only in a sweater, her hair tossed over one eye. I couldn't decipher the expression on her face, because there was no expression at all. She did not look happy. I couldn't help thinking she looked as if she had been drugged. The hair covering half her face - What was it hiding? Where were the rest of her clothes? Who had them?

Sex

Pink Viagra: Sex for Pleasure, for Profit, or Both?

Stephen Snyder M.D. on November 24, 2014

Most sexual problems have more to do with a woman’s environment than her biology. But there are also many women with loving, sexy, considerate partners who lose all erotic interest and we have no idea why.

Most sexual problems have more to do with a woman’s environment than her biology. But there are also many women with loving, sexy, considerate partners who lose all erotic interest and we have no idea why.