It’s 2022 and in this day and age, people get to love who they want and however many people they want. They’ve broken the confines of what your stereotypical relationship should look like and have made their own rules. It seems like more and more people are leaning towards polyamory, or choosing to stay single…
There is no one gender that has a monopoly on not being in the moment during lovemaking. When it comes to a wandering mid-coitus mind, women are just as likely as anyone to be thinking of any number of things, other than what’s happening right there in front of them. IT should be no surprise…
In literal terms, a cat fish is a diverse ray-finned fish that has distinguishable barbels that look like a cat’s whiskers. But in the figurative world, a catfish is something completely different… and chances are, you’ve heard of this term before. Regardless of your views on the matter, being a catfish is devastatingly immoral, cruel,…
Tiktok is one of the largest social media platforms with over 1 billion monthly users. The app’s popularity can be widely attributed to its unique algorithm that quickly picks up on what the users like and want to see on their For You pages. Due to TikTok’s algorithm being so accurate, it’s very easy for…
What’s your first reaction when someone says they “waited for marriage” or when someone mentions the concept of virginity? Do you cringe? Are you ambivalent? Does it resonate with you? Does it bring up some family and cultural baggage? Is it outside of your normal life but you’re curious? All or none of the above?…
What’s that I hear? Are those wedding bells ringing in my ear? So you’ve decided to take the plunge and tie the knot. A big congratulations to you! This is one of the most important and exciting points in your life. So exciting, that you may be at a loss for words. Language is one…
With the popularity of online dating, the chances of you speaking to someone on the phone or hearing a voice note from them before actually meeting, is high. And how about the growingly popular TV show, Love is Blind, in which contestants base their levels of attraction towards another using only their voice? It’s true!…
So you’re getting ready for a first date. How exhilarating! Is your tummy filled with butterflies, creating a slew of anxiety, intrigue, and excitement? Are you preparing to look and feel your best, to make a great impression, and hopefully get whatever it is you want out of this date? Maybe you’re looking for a…
You’d think that sex, love, and romance would be the most natural things for humans, but that’s not always the case. Many of us are often left floundering when it comes to these vital parts of life. Sex ed in school often leaves people more confused than before, your parents may not have the best…
Question: how did you meet your current partner? And what about the last person you dated? Chances are, you’ve gone on a number of dates with people you’ve met on one or more online dating sites. And while these apps are mostly a pain, they can actually work. Think about it: at this very moment…
Love at first sight is so often romanticised. In movies, films, and even in real life. And while the thought of it does sound appealing, there is the flip side of it all. In other words, is love at first sight actually quite shallow? Does it mean that one can be filled with feelings of…
There’s a well-known expression that goes, “birds of a feather, flock together”. So we were curious to find out whether this expression was applicable when it comes to sex and dating. Well, more so about whether vegetarians and vegans were more likely to date other vegetarians and vegans (spoiler alert? They are!), and if being…
Being in a relationship is hard–especially when they’re long term. For some, they form their identity around their partner, making it hard to spot things that they perhaps once believed to be a deal breaker. Not just that, but seeing those waving red flags are even harder when you’re so invested in another human. And…
If your satisfaction with your sex life has been lackluster, instead of finding a new partner or blaming it on both of you being incompatible in bed, it might be a good idea to learn how to be a better lover instead. Bad sex doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with you or your partner.…
So often, when we read literature online or self-help books on the topic of sex, we find ourselves talking about experimenting, trying new things in the bedroom, and different way to avoid boredom in between the sheets. But what if the narrative changed? What if, instead of going for a one night stand or partnering…
If you’re looking for a way to surprise your partner, lingam massage might be a great option. It’s a practice that’s created with all the penis owners in mind. It guarantees a good time and a great way to connect with your partner. What Is Lingam Massage? Lingam massage is one of the tantric sex…
While polygamy is rife in many societies, monogamy still seems like the most mainstream way in which to have a relationship. We’re often bombarded with images, influences, and expectations to get married, have that white picket fence, three children, and a dog, then live happily ever after. But because we’re more open-minded today in exploring…
You know how people often associate romance with a warm, gooey feeling? Like butterflies in one’s stomach that flutter and twirl so uncontrollably that it feels as though they’re going to burst from excitement, love, or lust? Turns out, not everyone feels that way about romance! Indeed, there are individuals who consider their romantic orientation…
We’re just sliding into that late autumn/early winter colder months – you know the time: the air is crisp, the sleeves are long and the lattes are pumpkin spiced. But now that the sun is setting earlier and there’s enough of a nip in the air to make an excuse to skip after-work drinks, have…
You may or may not have heard of the term ‘demisexual’. For reference, demisexual is when a person only experiences sexual attraction to another when they have a close emotional bond with them. This bond need not be romantic in nature however—it could even be a platonic friendship. Regardless, demisexuality isn’t actually about being sexually…
For our September Q&A with Dr. Zhana Vrangalova, we’re talking about DADT: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell types of relationships. What’s DADT? Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is a type of relationship where the partners agree that they’re going to have other partners, but that they’re not going to talk about it. They don’t want to know…
We put a lot of emphasis on our romantic relationships, and for good reason. Romance lights us up, inspires us, and helps us feel that fiery rush of what it means to be alive. Romance, however, isn’t always easy to find, especially amidst a pandemic with off-and-on lockdowns. Even dating apps can be a tricky…
The second episode of our pleasure podcasts takes around the globe to discuss the effects of the ongoing pandemic of human relationships. How has the prolonged time spent together influenced couples? How has the dating scene changed? Or how to deal with the psychological impacts of lockdown? These and many more questions form the basis…
In a culture that applauds people for being as easygoing as possible, it can feel hard to speak up and state our boundaries. Even in the wake of the “Me Too” movement and a shifting dialogue about what consent actually is, putting that boundary talk into practice is a whole other issue that many folks…
Many couples suffer from having less sex after having kids. One of the latest Netflix shows, Sex/life, explores the life of a woman who had lost part of herself after getting married and having children and whose husband doesn’t seem to see her as a sexual being anymore. Our heroine, Billie, used to lead a…
Polyamory has as many perks as a garden’s got roses, and smells just as sweet. All that community, camaraderie, and abundant communication, plus a whole spate of sweet humans in your life who love you – and not to mention that ever-evolving sex life. Is there anything better? Looking at it from the outside, opening…
Anyone who had dabbled in some BDSM play knows the term “aftercare” well. It’s always repeated over and over again whenever you’re looking for tips on how to start with BDSM. Somehow, people often think that aftercare after vanilla sex, when no whips and chains were involved, is not needed. Like, if you’re having sex…
Almost half of couples have dealt with or experienced infidelity in marriage. In the US, infidelity is the second leading cause of many divorces. What’s also interesting is that the majority of people, even those who cheat on their significant others, tend to believe that infidelity is wrong. Yet people don’t seem to be having…
Being single usually has a fairly sad undertone for many people. Movies and media had shaped a certain image of how the life of single people looks like, with tons of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream or endless booze on Friday nights and questionable sex life. But in real life, being single doesn’t have to…
When Dr. Gary Chapman wrote his book The Five Love Languages over 30 years ago, he probably didn’t think it will become an essential part of every couple’s life. Truly, learning your and your partner’s love languages is the best way to find common ground and communicate your needs within the relationship. Gary Chapman described…
Unconditional love is hard to explain. Applying it to ourselves is sometimes even more difficult. That’s why this Global Love Day is inspired by the phrase “Love begins with me.” Our self-love is often buried beneath layers of trauma, guilt and pain, which makes it easy to overlook the fact that love is always present.…
March 20th marks International Day of Happiness, and we’re dedicating the latest research to sex and happiness, that is, why sex makes us feel good and what we can do to have sex that makes us happy. What Does Sex Mean? We may ask ourselves, what does sex mean to a woman? What does sex…
You might think that people who are truly in love automatically know the answer to this question, with no doubt in their minds—and a lucky few do, but for many, this generally isn’t the case. People vary in the extent to which they know and can distinguish between their own emotions. This puts us in…
When is National Hugging Day? National Hugging Day falls on January 21 and is dedicated to encourage people to hug (with consent as not to breach their personal space). Why Do People Hug? Hugs can be a powerful tool to express support and comfort. Not only do they have mental benefits, but can improve physical…
Introducing anything new into the bedroom (or wherever you’re getting it on) can be nerve-racking as it is, especially when it comes to the stigmas so closely tied to sex toys. We’re here to clear the air and offer some tips for communicating new desires with a partner who may not recognize the potential to…
Romantic love has often been considered a type of addiction or even sickness. There is no doubt that love involves constant thinking about, and activities with, one’s beloved. But is such persistent preoccupation with one person always detrimental? Should it be regarded as a type of addiction, or might it actually be beneficial to the…
While problems with our sex life can certainly have a negative influence on our romantic relationships, there are many of us who report having low sexual desire yet are still deeply in love with our partners. How do we navigate loving relationships when we don’t really love having sex? In a new study published in…
A third of Americans have lied to a significant other about their number of sexual partners, according to new research. A study of 2,000 Americans who’ve had sex revealed that of those who’ve fibbed their number (32%), 42% were men and 23% were women. Now that we know that a whopping third of us are…
Every single relationship is unique – that’s what makes love so fantastic. Power dynamics, our little shared quirks, the way we approach our love – no two couples are identical when we slice apart how they function. Some love a balance in power, others like when the scales tip in one direction or the other…
While no two couples are the same, there are a few tips and tricks that can definitely make a difference when it comes to having a stronger relationship. And according to Gary Chapman, a doctor of philosophy, counselor, and author, the key to having a lasting relationship is to know, and make use of, the…
Mindfulness is the state of being conscious or aware of something. It’s the ability to actively live in the present moment, being able to accept and acknowledge one’s own feelings, thoughts, and body in such a way that it induces relaxation and creates awareness without being overwhelmed. And while this therapeutic technique is self-focused, it…
Love is a notoriously difficult concept to pin down. What is it? Is it real? Is it measurable? How do we express it? How does it manifest itself? Why does it hurt sometimes? At LELO, we think we have a pretty good grip on what love is, and how it feels. But there have been…
In reality, letting go of resentment or working on reconciling a relationship should happen as soon as the thought pops into your head, but maybe Kiss & Make Up Day on August 25 is just the reminder you needed. We’re going to cover what resentment is, acceptance of what happened, and letting go of it…
Jealousy is the common cold of relationships. Universally dreaded, it’s able to strike anyone at any time—usually unexpectedly, under the least convenient circumstances. And, much like the common cold, while anecdotal remedies abound, no single cure seems to work exactly as expected, every time. Worst of all, no type of person or partnership is immune…
Surrendering to the call of our innermost desires is the collective pulse of our humanity. Those moments when we lose ourselves in time with our partner’s tempo transports us beyond ourselves. But when penetration hurts, the transcendent potential of sex eludes you. In those moments, the body is a betrayal. Everyone else seems to lap…
As an openly gay therapist who specializes at the intersection of couples and sex therapy, a large number of the clients I see are also gay. And one of the dynamics I often bump up against with these clients in particular is the gap between sexual and relational compatibility . Meaning that while a person…
What we find attractive changes from person to person. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all. But attraction is not based solely on beauty, and there are commonalities that we look for in partners, and that partners look for in us. These are five intangible things you can do today to enhance…
When we think of marriage, we generally think of two people dedicating themselves to the commitment to each other for life. But is that really the way it’s supposed to be? Marriages and relationships haven’t always looked like this. In the past, and to this day in some cultures, marriage looks entirely different, sometimes with…
Alright, alright. I can already hear it: not the wedding bells for the next solo wedding, but the heckling. It’s coming from the comments section, and from trolls on social media. Sologamy, the art of marrying yourself, has long been the butt of many an anti-feminist joke. But if you can, just hear me out.…
Let’s be honest here: when it comes to relationships, long-term can be tough. According to Statista , the marriage rate per thousand people in the U.S. in 2019 was 6.9, a major drop from 9.8 in the 90s. You may be thinking, “Okay, that’s because people are busier, smarter, and have less societal or family…