Despite how important sex is to our well-being, many people are unhappy about their sex lives. A landmark 2008 study by the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 43% of American women and 31% percent of men admitted they had a sexual problem. And usually these studies under-report the actual percentages because, let’s face it: who wants to admit they can’t get it up or they can’t have an orgasm through intercourse?
In my new relationship advice book, Sealing the Deal: The Love Mentor’s Guide to Lasting Love, I share the sex research on how couples can really enhance their sex life. there are 4 primary ways: novelty, sexual trance, partner engagement, and role play. In Part I we looked at how novelty and sexual trance make for oh so much fun. In Part II we’ll look at how partner engagement and role play turn ho-hum sex into fireworks.
But before we dive into this sexy topic, I want you to take advantage of FREE ongoing support: You can learn EXACTLY how to improve your relationship, keep the passion going and deepen commitment by subscribing to my Dating Tips & Relationship Advice Newsletter, absolutely FREE! Click Here to get started now.
Partner Engagement
Partner engagement is interactive sex and sex play. Your partner is seen as a separate person whose happiness and satisfaction are as important as one’s own. At the highest level of partner engagement there is rapture, bliss, plus a feeling of oneness with each other.
Þ In partner engagement you each are dedicated to the fullest sexual expression and fulfillment of the other. This is the arena where you stretch to accommodate what the other wants to do. But never go to the point of intolerable pain or trauma.
Þ Be adventurous and take the initiative at times with pleasing each other. A spontaneous ambush for a quickie is a great idea. There’s nothing like “surprise sex” to amp up your pleasure centers.
Role Play
The last type of sexual intimacy comes from role play. The couple creates a kind of magic theater where sex is a stage for each partner to share and enact fantasies with each other. About 95% of people report that they have sexual fantasies so you’re not alone. Fantasies help each of you to explore all the different aspects of self which frees up energy and loosens you up. Plus it helps reduce the urge to cheat because you both are already having the novelty of a “different” partner.
Þ The excitement and newness of role play keeps the dopamine flowing, which keeps the passion going.
Þ Role plays often emerge from fantasies. The most common fantasies involve an imaginary romantic lover, being overpowered or forced to surrender, reliving a sexual experience or pretending they are doing something wicked or forbidden.
Þ Most common roles include, naughty doctor and patient, naughty cop and lawbreaker, master and slave, fantasy forced submission.
Sexual Issues
If you or your partner has sexual issues first use some of the techniques I have described to try breaking through the barriers on your own. If he has erectile dysfunction there are medications available that have been very effective for men. They’re still working on approving meds for arousal problems in women. But other physical problems could be affecting you, like anemia in women or hormone abnormalities. For men, low testosterone levels have become very common and can have very negative consequences on both libido and erections. Medications you are taking can have libido-depressing side-effects. For example, tranquilizers are notorious for interfering with your sex drive.
Don’t let a physical problem prevent you from having sex so check with your doctor. If your issues are not simply physical then by all means seek out a sex therapist or a couples’ therapist who specializes in sexual dysfunction. Treat this problem as you would diabetes or any other serious illness. It will be well worth it. And don’t forget to pick up a copy of my new relationship advice book, Sealing the Deal. It has a whole chapter devoted to the latest information on how long-term couples keep the fires of passion burning brightly.
Wishing you love,
Dr. Diana
Diana Kirschner, Ph.D. is a frequent guest psychologist on The Today Show & best-selling author of the new highly acclaimed relationship advice book, “Sealing the Deal: The Love Mentor’s Guide to Lasting Love” and the best-seller “Love in 90 Days” (dating advice book).” Dr. Diana’s revolutionary work was the basis of her PBS Special on love. Connect with Dr. Diana through her FREE relationship & dating advice newsletter.
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Dear Sabbaaman,
i would suggest that you subscribe to my free Dating Tips and Relationship Advice Newsletter and get a hold of a copy of Sealing the Deal: The Love Mentor’s Guide to Lasting Love. Both will help your marriage! Wishing you love!
im sabacheema i have alot problems in my life i am from pakistan pleace my dear dianna im married but i have many problems with my marrige life kindly help me
A spontaneous ambush for a quickie is always a great idea! But your role playing ideas are even better. I’ve always wanted to play naughty cop and lawbreaker. Now you’ve convinced me to actually go through with it. Thanks!
Eli, it means whatever you would like it to mean. Gosh, don’t go reading anything into it. I like my wife without makeup. So what! Good grief, and another thing you left your post here on 04 Dec 2010 and no answer yet? Guess what that means?!
Get on with your life!
Chuck
That’s why Aretha sang about “A Natural woman.”
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
December 4, 2010 at 11:29 am
Honesty is best, so I will go with this.
I am a 49, fit, and a healthy single male…I have one question, is it ‘nomal’ that I desire a woman that keeps her ’southern beauty’ natural? (unshaved) what does this mean that I have this attraction to this idea of her being natural down there? Ihanks
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