ICYMI: Sexuality is a spectrum. Where you fall on that spectrum can be fixed or fluid. And either way, chances are it won’t look exactly the same for you as it does for anyone else. Questioning your sexuality can be confusing and even frustrating. And it can take a long time to come to terms with how you…
I don’t know about you, but I love that things were once deemed indulgent but are now considered healthy. Dark chocolate? Hand it over. A glass of red wine? Yes, please! Good sex? Yeah, baby! It seems that we’re gradually moving away from the puritanical ideology of abstinence and restraint and giving into the truth…
On the surface, the Covid-19 pandemic seems like it would have been great for relationships: unlimited access to your partner, nonstop togetherness and plenty of time for intimacy. But, as most of us are now all too aware, lockdowns have largely had the opposite effect on romance. We were living on top of each other,…
Fact: You’ll have plenty of different kinds of sex in your life. There’s romantic sex, kinky sex, makeup sex, breakup sex, and, of course, the ever-legendary vacation sex. Vacation sex is pretty much in a category all its own thanks to the fact that it’s totally epic. After all, this is pretty much the only time…
Denise and Edward love Mardi Gras and jazz and a dance that’s something like the electric slide. But in bed, they just couldn’t find their rhythm. “When we were dating, sex was no problem,” says Edward (the two opted to use their middle names to preserve their privacy). “But as soon as we got married,…
April is STD Awareness Month.* At any given time, one in five Americans has a sexually transmitted infection (STI). That means there’s a good chance that at least one person in line with you for morning coffee has been there. Even though STIs are very common, having one still carries a lot of shame and stigma. Unfortunately, that stigma…
“I’ve lost my libido.” “He’s never in the mood.” “I feel constantly rejected.” “It wasn’t always like this. We couldn’t keep our hands off each other in the honeymoon phase.” “I’m in a sexless relationship.” “Please, help me increase my desire!” Desire is the most common, yet complex, issue that brings couples to sex therapy.…
Max and Jen sat across from me on the sofa. “What brings you in today?” I asked. Max fidgeted nervously on the sofa. “I’ll go first,” said Jen. “Max has erectile dysfunction. It’s gotten really frustrating for both of us. He never wants to do it anymore because he’s so worried he won’t get an…
At the beginning of a relationship, the electricity between you and your new partner makes sex exciting and passionate. But when the honeymoon phase inevitably ends — typically anywhere from a few months to a couple of years in — things tend to cool off between the sheets. As journalist Michael Castleman aptly put it: “The fireworks fizzle.…
Have you ever dreamt of what it would be like to win the lottery? I know I have. It feels good to imagine who you’d share your winnings with, where you’d go on vacation and what you’d do with extra leisure time. Have you ever allowed yourself to imagine how it would feel to take…
This just in: Hands-free vibrators and dildos exist, and they’re total game-changers. Okay, this isn’t actually news, but in recent years, sex toy companies have been creating more and more products to help folks with disabilities or limited mobility enjoy fulfilling sex lives—and we love to see it!! Most recently, Bump’n debuted the first disability-driven sex toy, called the Bump’n Joystick…
Emily Jamea, Ph.D. is a sex therapist, author, and podcast host. You can find her here each month to share her latest thoughts about sex. Jessie and her husband sat across from me holding hands. “I don’t know what happened,” she said. “Things were great in the beginning. We couldn’t keep our hands off each…
Dr. Emily Jamea contributes to the discussion of why sexual activity saw such a decline during lock down. Analysis by Ian Kerner, CNN When Covid-19 first hit, I stopped getting as many inquiries from new patients for sex therapy. “Finally,” I thought, “people are having sex!”None of the old excuses — like working late, dinner…
Have you started talking to your kids about “the talk,” the birds and the bees, “the facts of life?” Talking about sex with your kid can be a dreaded thing that fills parents with anxiety. Heck…most adults aren’t comfortable talking about sex, so talking to your kids about sex can be a bit overwhelming. How do you start…
In this article for BBC.com, by Jessica Klein, Dr. Emily Jamea provides insight into how relationships have changed due to the stress of lockdown. The pandemic has taken a major toll on our sex lives. Why are our intimate relationships flagging – and could the damage be long-lasting? Before the pandemic, many couples lived like…
New research shows that flow state is a predictor of sexual satisfaction. In this article written for Psychology Today Dr. Emily Jamea explains what flow is and how it equates to your sex life. New, first-of-its-kind research investigated whether couples in long-term relationships experienced a state of flow during sex. The study found that not only…
Dr. Emily’s post for The Thinks I Wish I Knew blog provides insightful tips on sustaining passion in long-term relationships. Many people wonder whether it’s possible to sustain passion in long-term, monogamous relationships. The honeymoon phase of the relationship feels wonderful; sex seems effortless, spontaneous, and hot. We also have so many neurochemicals surging through…
Dr. Emily’s helpful tips on how to see your therapist as a person, in this article for SELF Magazine by By Patia Braithwaite. Click here for the full article. The COVID-19 pandemic, for all of its heartache and inconvenience, has encouraged many of us to extend more grace. Friends may not respond to texts right away, grieving coworkers may not…
Dr. Emily Jamea contributes to the conversation of how to forgive yourself in this SELF article by By Patia Braithwaite. Read the full article here. Forgiveness isn’t always easy. When someone hurts you, it can require major strength (and maturity) to take a deep breath, put your ego aside, and accept a sincere apology. But what happens if…
This article by Patia Braithwaite was originally published on SELF.com Dr. Emily Jamea contributes her insight on the topic of sleeping separate from your partner. To read the full article click here. You’re not alone if the pandemic has unearthed small (or large) relationship irritations. Your partner’s chewing might send you spiraling. Snoring might induce rage. Or, after spending…