But Linda Garnets, PhD, a researcher at the University of California at Los Angeles, can put your concerns to rest. Newcomers to erotica may worry that they’re turned on by the BDSM depicted in “Fifty Shades of Grey” or by a homosexual relationship when they’ve never felt same-sex attraction. Myth 3: Readers will want to act out their favorite far-out erotic stories Plus, the first study we mentioned above suggests that erotica can significantly increase the overall sex drive and sexual pleasure of a woman reading it. Some groups like to warn that erotica causes partners to escape to a fantasyland that spoils any hope that they can get aroused by their run-of-the-mill partner in their run-of-the-mill bed.īut studies have shown that reading erotica makes you more likely to get between the sheets with your partner or pleasure yourself in the 24 hours after you read it. And way back in 1966, Masters and Johnson found that the general physiology of sexual arousal in men and women is pretty much the same. Most studies have shown that men are equally turned on by the written word as women, and that women consume more visual pornography than you may think. It’s a huge stereotype that men prefer visual images of sex (pornography), while women prefer reading “bodice-rippers” because of their quieter, more cerebral sex drive. Let’s look at the biggest and most common three. Others are simply based on stereotypes and misinformation. Some of these myths are the result of sex-negative groups that aim to shame and control women. There are a number of misconceptions surrounding erotica. “Bibliotherapy,” as this study called it, never sounded so fun and rewarding. The result? Both groups made equal, statistically significant gains when it came to:
Half read self-help books, and the other half read erotic fiction. The 2016 study, which was published in the journal Sexual and Relationship Therapy, recorded the sexual functioning of 27 women over six weeks. But a recent study has shown that consuming sexy literature can help everything from your libido to the strength of your orgasm. While some claim natural aphrodisiacs like chocolate and oysters have an effect on their sex hormone levels and bedroom behavior, there’s not much solid evidence that they make a dent in your day-to-day sex drive.
And even after the first “female Viagra” pill flopped two years ago, women are still looking for fail-safe, scientifically proven ways to increase their libido and pleasure - whether playing solo or with a partner. Lack of sexual interest and desire is the most common sexual complaint women have in the doctor’s office.