By SWNS Staff
NEWS COPY W/ VIDEO + INFOGRAPHIC
Cuffs, plugs and vibrators — oh my! More than three in 10 Americans (32%) admitted to having a kink their partner doesn’t know about, according to new research.
A survey of 2,000 Americans found that three in 10 said their sex drive increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Forty-six percent of Americans in a relationship (nearly 1,700 respondents) want to spice up their sex life, but worry their partner will judge them.
That includes trying new sex positions (44%) and kinks such as public sex (23%), BDSM (22%) and roleplaying (21%).
Forty-three percent of men and 23% of women want to incorporate sex toys into their sex lives, but worry about being judged by their partner.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of MysteryVibe, the study found four in 10 people are more open to exploring their sex life and sexual desires now than before the pandemic.
In fact, men are more open to spicing things up at 54% compared to 39% of women.
But some fantasies, such as multiple partner or group sex (27%), S&M (26%) and BDSM (24%) were named too taboo to attempt.
Men were more likely to consider S&M off-limits (32%), while women said multiple partner or group sex was just too risque (25%).
Four in 10 Americans want to try sex toys, but are afraid of how their partner will react.
In some cases, the sex toys themselves had a hidden fear factor. Butt plugs (27%), anal beads (24%) and whips (23%) topped the list of most intimidating sex toys.
Nearly half of male respondents said they feel uncomfortable bringing up the notion of sex toys to their partner, compared to three in 10 women (31%).
And 56% said they feel like it's more socially acceptable for women to use sex toys than men.
“As we emerge from the pandemic, our study shows people are more open to trying new things in their sex lives. However, they may find it difficult to bring up the subject with their partner, even though they too may be struggling to break the ice,” said Dr. Soum Rakshit, CEO of MysteryVibe. “No two bodies are the same, that’s why we work with doctors to create body-adapting toys so users can bend them to fit their bodies and stimulate precisely where they want – whatever their shape, size or preference.”
Lack of sexual experimentation was found to be a relationship deal-breaker, as a quarter of respondents would break up with a partner who’s unwilling to experiment in bed (34% of men and 19% of women).
Of those in a relationship, 57% want to improve their communication skills with their partner about their sex life, but don't know where to start.
“Sex toys can be a great segue to exploring sexual desires with a partner and enhance the relationship by bringing your fantasies to life together. However, we all have different anatomies and erogenous zones so it can be a daunting task finding toys will arouse you and your partner.” said Dr. Rakshit. “Our goal is to make it easy for everyone, especially couples who have never used sex toys before, to reignite their sex lives without worrying about whether they will work for them or not.”
THINGS PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED TO TRY WITH A PARTNER
- Public sex 23%
- Bondage, discipline, dominance and submission (BDSM) 22%
- Role playing 21%
- Multiple partner / group sex 20%
- Anal sex 18%
- Orgasm control 18%
- Impact play (i.e., spanking, flogging, paddling, consensual striking) 17%
- Phone sex / webcam sex 15%
- Sadism and masochism (S&M) 13%
- Voyeurism 12%
