In current times, the intimate relationships can be divided into three categories. The first one is a permanent or long-lasting relationships, followed by short-term or temporary relationships such as hook-ups, dating culture, casual sex, etc. in which people engage only to fulfill their physical needs and urges and the last one is prostitution, i.e. paying to have sexual intercourse.
According to a research published in the American Sociological Review, people who are in a permanent or long-term relationships, especially women feel more pleasure, satisfaction, and excitement during sexual intercourse, as they generally find themselves more emotionally attached and safe in such a relationship.
In the same regard, a research paper published in 2015 on social and personal relationships mentioned that women tend to achieve orgasm more often during sex in permanent relationships rather than in short-term relationships or casual sex. However, at the same time, as compared to women, men opt for intimacy and momentary pleasures more than emotions, which is why they prefer hook-up culture and casual sex.
Emotional Intimacy Is Required For Better Sexual Relationships
In his book "Integrative Sexual Health", co-author Dr. Bartlik has said that the intimate relationships shown in TV and Movies are very different from those in real life. To meet a stranger for the first time and have sexual intercourse filled with complete joy and pleasure, without having any prior communication is pretty much utopian. In contrast to reel life, in real life to have a good and pleasurable physical relationship, it is important that there is intimacy and trust between the partners. Only then they will be able to talk openly with each other about their likes, dislikes or fantasies, without any hesitation.
According to Bartlik, the thinking and needs of men and women in context to sexual relationships vary greatly. While on one hand, women are aroused by feelings and love, on the other hand, sex in men is the cause of emotional intimacy. But for these varied thoughts to not affect their relationships, it is important that both the partners respect each other's desires and work together to maintain harmony and make their relationship more enjoyable.
However, apart from this, a meta analysis done on the topic "International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology" published in the year 2014, mentioned that if the partners have trust and emotional attachment, both men and women try to fulfill each other’s sexual desires and accompany them in their fantasies. These efforts that either of the partner puts in the relationship without any force, shame or hesitation, make sexual relations between them even more joyful.
How To Intensify Pleasure In A Sexual Relationship?
- In her research Laurie A. Brotto, the Woman Sexual Health Canada Research Chair and Executive Director at the Woman's Health Research Institute at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, has explained that women who with the help of mindfulness training have learnt to control their mood during sexual intercourse, they were able to relieve the problems caused by stress and depression and their sexual relationship improved as well.
- Many people, especially women are usually hesitant to openly talk about their feelings and sexual desires in a relationship or certain mental problems cause lack of concentration during sex, which affects and lessens the sexual drive in them. Therefore, instead of wandering your mind off on other things, one must try to focus in the moment and try to support your partner completely in the sexual activities, for a pleasurable intercourse.
- According to Dr. Michael Krychman, MD of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health in Newport Beach, it is important for individuals to understand and be honest with their feelings, desires and physical needs for the betterment of relationships.
- Sometimes during physical relationships, people become more concerned, conscious and feel inferior about their body weight, physical appearance and penis size, which greatly affects the relationship between two people. Dr. Michael Krychman explains that if women or men start having such negative thoughts in their mind, then their sex life gets affected. In this case, instead of negative thoughts, one must try to feel the sensations and their partner’s touch on their body.
- Dr. Anna M. Lomanowska, working in the Department of Psychology of the University of Toronto, Mississauga says that it is important to stay in touch with your partner even when they are away from you, so that they either of you do not feel disconnected. This will bring intimacy in relationships as well as increase mutual understanding and love between the two. The partners can stay in touch via the internet with the help of text messages, video calls, photo chats, etc.
Therefore, mutual understanding, helping each other fulfill sexual desires and fantasies and talking to each other without any hesitation can be considered as the key to a happy, healthy and pleasurable sexual relationship between the partners.
