What men and women love most about sex, according to research
It is often said that men are from Mars, women are from Venus. And when it comes to action between the sheets, research has found there’s plenty keeping the sexes apart.
Researchers asked men and women to reveal what they most enjoyed about sex. It found women are more likely to seek romance and men are most thrilled by experiencing a new sexual partner.
In fact, the number one thing women love about sex was the ‘romantic rush’ that could – here's hoping! – come after doing the deed.
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Top of the male list, meanwhile, was arguably completely opposite to this and all about enjoying the thrill of ‘first time sex with a new partner.’
The survey of 2,000 people by dating site Illicit Encounters to find the top 10 things we love most about sex also found that women find sex helps them relax.
The second thing women most enjoy is that sex stops them from worrying about their lives and problems in the world. The third was 'the joy I feel when I orgasm' followed by the fact 'that sex is a great stress-buster'.
Meanwhile, after first-time encounters, men’s next favourite thing is the feeling of euphoria when they orgasm.
Commenting on the findings, Jessica Leoni, sex and relationship expert with IllicitEncounters.com, said: “The results show big differences in what men and women most enjoy about sex.
“For lots of women, sex is a way to bond with their partner, improve their mood and self-confidence and reduce their stress levels.
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“Men value all those things about sex but they put their physical satisfaction right at the top of their priorities.”
But it takes two to tango and – fortunately – it turns out that men and women agree on the importance of physical intimacy to a successful relationship.
The survey found that 89% of women and even more men (92%) said that good sex was the key to a happy relationship.
Two-thirds of women (64%) are happy with their sex lives, compared with slightly fewer men (58%).
The survey also revealed what gets in the way of being happy in the sack. It boils down to communicating your needs.
Only a third of women (32%) and a similar number of men (31%) tell their partners what they love about sex.
The research found that men and women both agree that being happier in bed starts with talking. One key point is how variety can be a casualty of long-term relationships.
“Sex can often get routine," says Leoni. "Couples always doing the same things, at the same time and in the same place.”
Eight out of ten women (82%) and three-quarters of men (74%) said their sex life could be improved if they talked about sex more and told their partner what they desired the most.
Read More: What your star sign says about your sex life, according to an astrologist
So while it may be a difficult chat to have, maybe keep in mind the desired result...
Watch: This is what happens to your brain when you orgasm
Top 10 things women love about sex
1. Romantic rush I feel straight afterwards
2. Perfect distraction from everything that is going wrong in my life and the world
3. The joy I feel when I orgasm
4. It’s a great stress-buster
5. Thrill of sex with new partner
6. It improves my mood
7. Oral sex
8. It boosts my self-confidence
9. Kissing and intimacy with my partner
10. Foreplay
Top 10 things men love about sex
1. First time sex with a new partner
2. The feeling of euphoria when I orgasm
3. Excitement of seeing the naked female body
4. It makes me feel more relaxed afterwards
5. Great way to bond with my partner
6. It helps me sleep
7. It improves my mood
8. It is a great stress buster
9. Nipple and breast play
10. Undressing my partner
