Women’s Health – Big Book of O’s

Think about the most wonderful sex you’ve ever had in your life. Maybe it was last night just before bed, last month on a romantic getaway in the countryside or last year during a quickie in the laundry room at your friend’s cocktail party. Whenever it was, in all likelihood, more was right with the world than just the sex you were having. Indulge us as we do a little mind-reading: you probably felt great about your connection. You were totally emotionally in tune to your partner or at least sharing the same sexy, carefree vibe. You felt energised. You liked the way your body looked and felt naked. Your partner was attentive and loving. You felt confident, safe and happy. And probably more than a little naughty in a…

A 2010 study at the Princeton Neuroscience Institute in the US suggests that having a lot of sex may actually boost brainpower. Well, at least it works for animals. Researchers found that rats that had a once-a-day sexual encounter increased the number of new neurons in the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for long-term memory and attention, when compared with rats that had little or no sex. What’s more, regular sex appeared to stimulate the growth of dendritic spines – branches of neurons that conduct electrical signals. Human studies also show the brain benefits of good sex. Researchers at the University of West Scotland found that sex, like exercise, releases anxiety, lowers stress hormones and can help people ease mental pressure for at least a week. In the…

When you feel a strong sexual connection with someone, it’s tempting to tear off their clothes and go at it. But taking time to savour the experience has a big pleasure pay-off. “When you engage your body and mind in bed, you’ll feel more relaxed, connected to your partner and aroused – all of which result in better sex,” says Dr Logan Levkoff, a certified sexuality educator. By taking your time and being creative, you’ll also avoid the danger of making sex routine – with the same foreplay sequence, same position, same result. This chapter is designed to give you some ideas to play around with in the bedroom, new positions you may not have tried and slight tweaks and touches that’ll result in greater pleasures. But new positions won’t…

The Cowgirl A.K.A. MY TURN, WOMAN ON TOP HEAT INDEX: BENEFITS: Puts you in control, great for G-spot stimulation. The woman-on-top position allows for a variety of interesting sights and sensations and offers you the psychological advantage of taking charge of pace and depth of penetration. Alternate between shallow and deep thrusts. “Shallow will stimulate the front third of the vagina, which is the most sensitive,” says sex therapist Rebecca Rosenblat. Now try this: Lie chest to chest on him, stretching your legs out on top of his. Brace your feet on the tops of his and push off to create a rocking motion that will rub your vulva and clitoral area against his pubic bone for greater pleasure. YOUR NEXT MOVE Waterfall (A.K.A. HEAD RUSH) Move to the edge…

The Hot Seat A.K.A. THE LOVE SEAT, THE MAN CHAIR HEAT INDEX: BENEFITS: Good G-spot stimulation. Ask him to sit on the edge of the bed or on a chair with his feet on the floor. Turn away from him and back up onto him, sitting between his legs. You can ride back and forth by pushing off the chair arms or pressing up with your feet. Control the angle of entry by arching your back and pressing your buttocks into his groin. While doggy-style is about his dominance, The Hot Seat puts you in the driver’s seat. Now try this: Reach under with your hand and stimulate the base of his penis, scrotum and perineum. Meanwhile, ask him to reach around and stimulate your nipples. Hot Tip Best way…

Spoon, Facing A.K.A. SIDEWINDER HEAT INDEX: BENEFITS: A very intimate face-to-face position that encourages hugging and kissing. This is an ideal position if you are pregnant or either one of you has a knee injury because it keeps weight off the body. To get into the position, begin by lying on your sides and facing one another. Spread your legs slightly to allow him to enter you, then close your legs so the part of his shaft that’s outside of you can press against your clitoris. It’s easy to kiss from this intimate face-to-face position. Now try this: Because thrusting is more difficult in this position, use different techniques such as grinding, circular and up-and-down motions for added stimulation. YOUR NEXT MOVE Gift Wrapped Lie, facing, on your sides. Bend…