The Neurobiology of Romantic Love

Romantic love is one of the most universal human experiences. More than 20 years ago, biological anthropologist Helen Fisher studied 166 societies and found evidence of romantic love in 147 of them.1 According to Richard Schwartz, associate professor of psychiatry at MacLean Hospital, romantic love must be wired into our basic biological nature due to…

Looking Past Body Image To Enjoy Your Sex Life

The term “body image” refers to the subjective mental picture you have of your physical appearance. This can pertain to small details about yourself such as your hair, weight, or complexion, or it could be regarding more intimate details such as your physique or genitalia—your external reproductive organs, usually male or female. Your thoughts about…

Sex Positions

Sexual intercourse can be pleasurable, romantic, satisfying, and fun. Yet, oftentimes, sex is met with anxieties over performance and sexual positions. In this article, the Sexperts have compiled a list of common, and easy-to-try, sex positions. There are many variations for each position, and these suggestions are not limited to opposite-sex couples. The difficulty of each position will vary among different couples, and thus…

The Benefits of Sex

Disclaimer: This article discusses the various benefits of having sex, which, for the sake of simplicity and consistency, will be defined here as both consensual and pleasurable for both partners. Additionally, many of the benefits listed in this article are associated with sex resulting in an orgasm, as opposed to sex that does not result…

Asexuality

Sexuality exists on a continuum, and not within a dichotomy of heterosexual and homosexual. Thus, there are many different types of sexual orientation. Sexual orientation describes a person’s preferences for whom they find emotionally, romantically, and sexually attractive. One type of sexual orientation is asexuality, or the lack of sexual attraction to individuals of any gender. For example, someone might…

Genderqueer

The word “genderqueer” is a term used to describe one whose gender identity does not necessarily fit within the male/female gender binary. Gender identity is an inner sense and experience of one’s gender, whether male-identifying, female-identifying, trans*, or non-binary.1 Though many individuals identify with the male or female labels, others reject this strict gender binary. Some identify with specific labels on the spectrum of…