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The Fundamentals of Sex

Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff

From attraction to action, sexual behavior takes many forms. As pioneering sex researcher Alfred Kinsey put it, the only universal in human sexuality is variability itself.

Human interest in sex can be thought of as a built-in imperative: Survival of the species depends on it. And although sexual desire tends to wax and wane over the course of one's life, depending on external demands and relationship satisfaction, it often serves as a passport to bonding, intimacy, pleasure, and even human growth and healing.

People engage in sexual activity for many reasons: To feel alive, to maintain a vital aspect of human functioning, to feel desirable or attractive, to achieve closeness, or to please a partner they love. Sex can be one of the most difficult subjects for a couple to discuss: Bodies and interests change over time, and most people will experience some type of sexual problem at some point in life. Therefore, open communication is essential to intimacy and long-term satisfaction.

To learn more, see Human Sexuality and Core Questions About Sex.

How Does Desire Emerge?

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Sexual desire involves both biology and psychology, can be unpredictable, and can manifest very differently in men and in women. For men, arousal typically precedes desire. But for women, desire often precedes arousal, in response to physical intimacy, emotional connection, and an atmosphere free of distraction.

Researchers focus on human desire by exploring the interplay of biological influences such as neurohormones and psychological influences such as emotions and relationships. Smell plays an often subtle role in attraction; research shows that women are attracted to mates whose natural body odor, or pheromones, signals a genetic profile distinct from their own.

Low sexual desire is common among both men and women but it can often be resolved by addressing conflicts, more consistently exchanging affection and conversation outside the bedroom, and making sufficient time for sex.

To learn more, see Sexual Attraction and Desire and How Men and Women Think About Sex.

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The Pleasure of Sex

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The pleasure of sex arises from factors including the release of neurochemicals such as oxytocin and dopamine, and the sense of connection expressed through touching, massaging, and cuddling.

There is no one way to be sexual, and there is enormous variation in the activities that people find arousing. Men are especially stimulated by visual imagery: About 90 percent of young men report using pornography with some regularity. Many couples today engage in behaviors that were once perceived as atypical, including dominance play and anal intercourse. Researchers now understand that flexibility in sexual repertoires is healthy and generally enhances relationships. Clinicians regard specific behaviors as problematic only when they create harm or distress for one or both partners or when the behavior is compulsive-that is, it becomes the only means of arousal.

"Sex addiction" is a label often used to suggest an excessive or pathological interest in sex, but studies show that this perception is more tied to one's moral or religious outlook than to actual sexual practice.

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