sex

Dawn Laven (not her real name) and her husband have had sex maybe twice in 10 years. She blames the most recent drought on the discomforts of menopause, but the spark left her 27-year marriage long before that. “We’re just friends, roommates, people who do life together,” Laven says. “There’s…

Sexual attraction in relationships is often treated like a taboo subject. Many people feel judged for admitting they’re not physically attracted to their partner, or for worrying about the role of physical chemistry in a relationship. But the truth is, it’s entirely possible to deeply care for—or even love—someone without…

Relationships are complex and unique, and even the most common relationship problems look different for every couple. Sex issues, including mismatched sex expectations, are deeply personal and extremely common.  Sex can be an uncomfortable topic of discussion for people, but when sex stops in a relationship, it can cause confusion…

Navigating the aftermath of infidelity is a complex and emotionally charged journey, one that can take on various stages and challenges. From the initial shock of discovery to the long process of rebuilding trust and healing, each step demands careful consideration and often professional guidance.  Whether you’re seeking to understand…

Despite what it sounds like, sleep divorce doesn’t always spell the end of a relationship. It’s what happens when one or both partners decide to sleep in separate beds. As controversial as it sounds, it’s actually pretty common.  But does sleep divorce truly spell the end of a relationship? And…

Relationships come in all shapes and sizes, and not all are monogamous. While most people are only familiar with monogamous relationships, polyamory involves multiple nonmarital relationships between partners.  Polyamory isn’t about being able to do whatever you want with other people, while still reaping the benefits of going steady with…

When it comes to pornography usage, mental health professionals are divided. Many believe that pornography may be beneficial for sexual exploration, enjoyment, education, and eliminating feelings of shame surrounding sex—while others deride its consumption, or are ambivalent. Regardless, when pornography usage begins to affect someone’s relationships, self-worth, or daily functioning,…

Male hypoactive sexual desire disorder (MHSDD) is a sexual disorder that affects individuals who were assigned as male at birth. This mental health condition severely reduces a man’s desire for sex—he may experience difficulty in being physically intimate with a partner, or may struggle to become aroused by erotic images…

Most guides to defining healthy relationship boundaries focus on new couples. How do you set your personal rules of engagement from the beginning so both partners feel safe and respected? But people in long-term relationships know that love is dynamic. Humans continually grow and change both as individuals and as…

Our personal relationships with sexual desire are deeply complex. From the pangs and angst of our awkward teenage years to the difficulties of navigating healthy intimacy in adult relationships, understanding just how we feel about sex can be a lifelong journey. But as personal as sex is to all of…

Men are often stereotyped as unemotional, cold, or even scared of commitment when it comes to settling down in romantic relationships. But science seems to indicate otherwise; recent results from a study published this year found that across three different continents and multiple cultures, men tend to profess their love…

In my experience, online dating in NYC was mostly a matter of meeting at the right bar. The bar couldn’t be your local. You wanted to keep your local to yourself in case the date went sour. But the bar couldn’t be far away either because you didn’t want to…