The concept of sexual autonomy within committed relationships has captured significant attention in our modern American relationship discourse.

By emphasizing individual freedom to explore sexual identities and desires, this approach challenges traditional monogamy.

While some hail it as a pathway to deeper authenticity and relational satisfaction, others remain skeptical about its practical and emotional implications.

As a couples therapist, I find myself grappling with the social pitfalls of this trend.

Add in considerations like paternity, evolutionary psychology, and emotional security, and the waters get even murkier.

Sexual Autonomy: What Is It?

Ah, the age-old question: What keeps the flames of love alive after you’ve finished binging The Crown for the fifth time and can predict your partner’s snores like clockwork?

It’s not just those steamy glances across the dinner table—it’s keeping things spicy in the bedroom. And when things cool off there, it’s not lack of desire but an unexpected culprit—sexual boredom—that might be the ultimate relationship buzzkill.

A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy tackles this head-on.

Researchers examined how sexual boredom, that sneaky feeling of "same old, same old," mediates the relationship between sexual desire (for your partner or that hot guy you passed on the street) and relationship satisfaction.

Their findings? It’s not the wandering eye but rather boredom that’s the real homewrecker.

Sugar dating.

On the surface, it’s a relationship dynamic where financial support and companionship intermingle in a way that feels almost too fitting for our age of hyper-materialism.

But peel back the layers, and sugar arrangements reveal deeper, more troubling questions about power, agency, and the commodification of intimacy.

Recent research published in The Journal of Sex Research provides a closer look at sugar dating’s realities.

While it attempts to explore the motivations and nuances of these arrangements, it inadvertently shines a light on the unsettling cultural forces that normalize them.

Here’s the thing about sex: it’s not just about the fireworks—it’s about who’s holding the lighter.

A groundbreaking study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior has revealed what many might secretly suspect but rarely admit: men in relationships, regardless of sexual orientation, are having a better time in the sack than their single brethren.

Yes, gentlemen, that smug glow your partnered friends have? It’s not just the new skincare routine—it’s better sexual functioning.

Let’s unpack this, but fair warning, we’re going deep.

Is there a secret ingredient to marital bliss that grows stronger as we age? A new study suggests there is, and it might surprise you.

Sexual satisfaction—often thought to fizzle out like a dying sparkler with time—appears, for some. to gain importance as couples grow older.

So, if you’ve been worrying that your golden years will be all about prune juice and daytime TV, think again. This might be your moment to shine.

The Study That Had Us All Raising an Eyebrow

What does it mean for life partners to reconcile? Reconciliation is more than a moment—it’s a process.

Reconciliation is not a single act or a grand gesture. It’s an ongoing journey of restoring trust and repairing what was broken.

While Moving back in together, receiving thoughtful gifts, or taking a romantic trip may feel like progress, but these acts alone cannot rebuild the foundation of your relationship.

To succeed, reconciliation requires consistent effort to re-establish boundaries and nurture mutual respect. Social science research emphasizes that healing after betrayal involves a series of small, intentional actions over time (Gottman & Silver, 1999).

Do fulfilling sexual experiences boost your self-esteem, or does a healthy dose of self-confidence lead to better sex?

If this sounds like a chicken-and-egg scenario for grown-ups, science says: why not both?

A fascinating new study, based on 12 years of data, reveals that self-esteem and sexual satisfaction are caught up in a delightful two-way dance — one that keeps reinforcing itself over time.

But here’s the twist: sexual frequency (aka, how often you’re doing it) doesn’t seem to join the party.

Now, before you start rethinking every relationship you’ve ever had, let’s break this down in real-world terms—especially how it all plays out in couples therapy.

American culture often treats intimacy as synonymous with sex.

From movies to Instagram reels, the message is clear: if there’s no passionate lip-lock or bedroom scene, is it even love? This hyperfocus on sexual chemistry sidelines the importance of connection outside the bedroom.

Interestingly, a 2022 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 57% of Americans in relationships prioritized emotional closeness over physical intimacy, but a significant portion admitted they weren’t sure how to cultivate it.

Let’s face it: the topic of faking orgasms has been the butt of jokes, sitcom plots, and awkward dinner table conversations for decades.

But beneath the laughter lies a serious question—who’s faking it, and why?

A recent study published in The Journal of Sex Research tackles this head-on, offering surprising insights into not only why people fake orgasms but also what makes them stop. Spoiler alert: it’s not always because they got caught mid-performance.

Grab your popcorn (or perhaps your partner), and let’s unpack this research with a healthy dose of humor and warmth.

It’s time to discuss why emotionally unavailable men keep capturing your heart—and how to find the healthy love you deserve.

You didn’t set out to fall for someone emotionally unavailable, but here you are again. Maybe it’s the charm, the challenge, or the undeniable chemistry, but the pattern feels like déjà vu.

If you’re reliable, caring, and compassionate, it’s natural to want to see the best in people.

You stay too long, hoping your love will change them, or you leave only to repeat the cycle with someone eerily similar. Before you know it, you're doubting your ability to recognize a "good guy" and questioning your worth in the process.

Understanding why this happens is the first step to breaking free from the pattern. Let’s explore seven reasons you might be falling for emotionally unavailable men—and, more importantly, how to stop.

Let’s face it: relationships can feel like navigating a minefield when all you’ve ever known are the emotional equivalent of wildfires and hurricanes.

Maybe your parents’ marriage was a live-action soap opera, or perhaps your own love life has been a parade of drama queens, commitment-phobes, and emotionally unavailable partners.

If this sounds familiar, you might not even know what a healthy relationship looks like, let alone feels like.

But do not despair!

You’re not doomed to a lifetime of bad choices or settling for less than you deserve.

With some insight, a sprinkle of self-reflection, and a pinch of optimism, you can learn to identify—and perhaps even cultivate—a relationship that’s healthy, fulfilling, and maybe even fun.

As a couples therapist, the findings of this study on “Duty Sex” offer both poignant insights and critical opportunities for deeper reflection.

Women with histories of nonconsensual sexual experiences are more likely to engage in sexual activity out of obligation rather than pleasure, according to recent research published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

This dynamic—where intimacy becomes a duty rather than a mutually fulfilling experience—has profound implications for relationships.

But an intriguing question lingers: Could the reverse be true for men, or do different dynamics emerge in their intimate lives following trauma?