Author: SKYN

When it comes to talking about and exploring sex, we’ve travelled lightyears ahead of where things used to be. Gender roles are changing – activities that were once reserved for some are now being had by all.

Take bottoming or ‘pegging’ for example. Essentially, pegging refers to a female using a strap-on dildo to penetrate her male counterpart. And it appears that straight men the world over are embracing this sexual act in their heterosexual hijinks.

Even though pegging is growing in popularity (and you may hear whispers of it in your friendship circles), it’s still a taboo topic.

There still exists a lot of stigma around sexuality, despite a lot of the pleasure and joy pegging can bring to everyone involved!

So, what makes pegging so alluring?

No matter how you identify yourself, there’s a whole world of wonderful sensations hidden in the anal area to be found in the abundant nerve endings. Females can tap into another level of indirect stimulation via the clitoris (by accessing it from another angle). While males can enjoy a direct path to the coveted ‘p-spot’ (aka the male g-spot), a mere 2 inches into the anus.

The best part? Nerve endings aren’t defined by a gender or sexual identity, so it’s ‘game on’ for anyone who’s willing and able to explore!

If you’re curious, say so

While it can feel awkward at first, if you’re in the mood to experiment and want to try pegging, let your partner know. Make sure you get prepared by getting everything you need from an adult shop ahead of time – like a dildo, harness and water-based SKYN® lube and wipes.

A healthy sex life is built on open and clear communication of your needs and wants, so when we share our feelings about sex, it paves the way for fun and connection.

Pleasure takes many forms

Trying something new – whether it’s an activity or even a new toy from your local adult shop – can unearth all kinds of unexpected sensations, both physical and emotional. Pegging changes the way males and females relate to one another during sex by switching the traditional gender roles. As women can become more dominant by pegging, heterosexual men can experience more vulnerability as they discover different ways to orgasm, like via their prostate because of the anal stimulation.

Experimenting with a partner you trust gives you the opportunity to play and connect in new and meaningful ways. Pegging isn’t reserved for those who are super kinky either – penetrating a sexual partner while wearing a strap-on dildo is something anyone can try.

And who knows, you might just unlock your best sex yet!

When you’re ready to experiment, make sure you take a look at SKYN® wipes and lubricants to create an experience that will leave you asking for more.

When the mood strikes, a little foreplay can go a long, long way (especially if you invest twice as much time ‘warming up’ as you think you need).

“It’s true… foreplay can help partners feel closer and more intimate, which ultimately leads to both parties feeling more aroused”, says Indiana University’s director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Debra Herbenick, PhD, MPH.

But we’re excited about what happens once once the main event is over, and the sex toys and lube have played their part.

Have you ever lingered longer with ‘afterplay’?

As the name suggests, afterplay kicks in but moments after sex. With your bodies still vibing and highly sensitive, it’s the time when physical intimacy is at its peak, perhaps making afterplay one of the most underestimated parts of any couple’s sexy adventures.

Where foreplay gets your blood pumping, afterplay can cement and deepen the connection. Lasting for minutes or stretching long into the night, afterplay is your opportunity to bask in your partner’s glow (and get a little more TLC while you’re at it).

Afterplay activities you can try

Think of afterplay as a ‘cool down’ – foreplay is the warm up and sex is high intensity training. So when it comes time to wind down, you might like to:

• Circle your fingers or nails around on your partner’s back.
• Take a bubble bath or long, hot shower together (you could even bring sex toys for good measure).
• Spend time kissing or canoodling.
• Freshen up with SKYN® wipes.

Whatever you decide to do, chances are it’s going to feel amazing because of how sensitive and dialed in you’ll both be after sex. This is backed up by science.

Participants in a 2014 study revealed that when they engage in afterplay their sexual satisfaction increased, which was also found to be very important for couples who had kids¹ (because, as you might imagine, physical intimacy can be harder to steal with little ones running around).

Remember: don’t skip afterplay!

Foreplay often leads to great sex and afterplay has the potential to take you to a deeper, more emotionally fulfilling connection. And just like the circle of life, you may even end up right back where you started – enjoying more foreplay…

If more intimacy is on your sexual to do list, it doesn’t have to end with afterplay. Explore SKYN®’s ever evolving range of sex toys and lube to kickstart your next adventure.

We all have our own little secrets, especially when it comes to what we’re afraid of or embarrassed to reveal. None are often more taboo than our sexual fantasies – role playing, bondage, sex toys… the list can be quite long.

Whether you think you’re kinky or not, chances are there’s a whole slew of sexual fantasies living rent-free in your mind. There’s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of – it’s normal to have desires that might make someone else blush. And to help you move past any lingering fear, here are five tips you can use to let your partner know what you’ve been fantasising about.

1. It’s all about presence.

Talking about your sexual fantasies might not be the kind of conversation that comes up often, or at all. So make sure you have a good idea of what you’d like to put on the table before you sit your partner down to chat. They’ll likely have questions and get curious, so try not to be on the defensive and welcome the discussion with an open heart and clear head.

2. Get cosy, be flirty and have fun

Sharing your secret sexual fantasies doesn’t have to be awkward or feel ‘corporate’. Snuggle up on the couch, relax in a bath together and use it as an opportunity to calm everyone’s nerves so you avoid any hidden triggers. ‘Fun and flirty’ can be your mantra as you talk about inclusive scenarios that you’ve imagined for the two of you. It’s not about dissatisfaction with the status quo either, but about dialing up the desire!

Have you ever wondered why masturbation is mostly seen as a male thing?When it comes to masturbation dedication, young men and boys are known to have a proclivity for it. There’s even masculinised euphemisms like ‘playing pocket pinball’, ‘waxing the carrot’ and ‘the old rub and tug’. For women, there’s ‘flicking the bean’ – but that’s where it ends.

This is because gender-related stereotypes have long censored female pleasure.

To unpack these stereotypes, we’ve explored several recent studies.

A new study from the Journal of Sex Research suggests that cis-gendered young men and women (aged 18 to 22) have similar self-pleasure habits.

More specifically:

The average male begins masturbating at the age of 12, while females start at age 13.

Of the 1,452 males surveyed, 95.4% admitted to using fantasies while masturbating.

Of the 1,566 females surveyed, 86.8% admitted to using fantasies while masturbating.

But what about outside of the study – not just young people? On average, men masturbate 3x more than women across all age groups. We call this ‘the orgasm gap.’ So the disparity still exists – it’s just not as broad as society might have us believe.

The same study also busted the myth that females need toys to get off.

That said, women do reach for sex toys more often than their male counterparts, with 8% of female respondents bringing their favourite toys to bed for solo purposes.

Despite the abundance of male sex toys available on the market, only 1.4% of men said they used adult toys to masturbate. It seems ‘boys and their toys’ simply isn’t applicable here.

Thanks to the rise of female liberation, the adult toy industry is now valued at $57b – and it’s all thanks to the vagina economy. Sexologists say women who are unsatisfied with their sex lives are creating unprecedented demand for better quality sex toys and more of them. It’s important to remember, this isn’t the case in every country. Many women are less privileged – and like all good things, self-pleasure is a privilege.

Sweden, for example, ranks first in the EU on the Gender Equality Index. A recent local study found that Swedish men and women masturbated almost just as frequently. This is testament to the nation’s reduced stigma around female pleasure and progressive social norms. The Swedes even have a word for female masturbation: “klittra” (it was added to the Swedish Language Council’s new word list of 2015).

When we experience an orgasm, happy hormones and brain chemicals like oxytocin, dopamine and endorphins are released. These don’t just provide sexual pleasure – some scientists say they can reduce anxiety and stress, reduce physical pain, boost the immune system and even stimulate the libido. Shouldn’t women get to experience these benefits, too?

In summary, the day we achieve pleasure parity will be a good day for everyone. But today, we have work to do – destigmatising female pleasure and educating ourselves on the negative effect of patriarchal norms.

We must empower people with the tools they need to embrace pleasure and discover themselves sexually, in order to live their best lives. It’s not just about sex toys; confidence comes with communication and an unwavering commitment to consent.

To start your self-pleasure journey, explore SKYN®’s growing range of personal lubricants and quality sex toys for women.