Conventionally, a heterosexual virgin is a person who has not had penis-vagina intercourse (PVI). Our cultural focus on losing virginity implies an either-or situation—virgin or not. Actually, sexual initiation usually involves a gradual escalation of…

Contrary to popular belief, sex before athletics doesn’t hurt performance. Athletic folklore abounds with tales of coaches forbidding sex the night before big games. The prohibition is largely based on the belief that sex is…

“Did you come?” This question looms over a good deal of lovemaking, especially among lovers under 30. Fortunately, gentlemen, it’s usually not difficult to recognize women’s orgasms. And it’s fairly easy to help most women…

Lesbians are more orgasmic than straight women. Here’s why. Many studies have shown that compared with heterosexual men, during partner sex, straight women, are substantially less likely to have orgasms. Heterosexual women are also less…

In March 1998 when Viagra was first approved, Maryland anesthesiologist Ken Haslam, M.D. (Cal B.S. 1956) was 64, single, and dating. “I was meeting lots of women. It was exciting. And for me, new relationships…

“Breath play,” near-strangulation, is moving toward the sexual mainstream  Lack of oxygen (hypoxia) that approaches—but avoids—fatal strangulation can produce temporary euphoria. Recently, Indiana University researchers discovered that a sexual version of this, “breath play,” is…

Alcohol, narcotics, cocaine, meth—you name it, their sexual effects are well-documented and quite predictable. The exception is marijuana. Its sexual effects are all over the map, from “I can’t stand having sex stoned,” to “I…

Here are some fast fixes for the 25% of users who experience condom-linked erection trouble. Depending on the study, 18 to 36 percent of condom users—roughly one-quarter—report condom-associated erection loss, usually difficulties maintaining firmness once…

If men made love the way most women prefer, both sexes would feel more sexually fulfilled—and many relationships would improve out of bed as well as between the sheets. If men made love the way…