Four Sex Trends On The Rise (How Many Have You Tried?)

Supplements, senses, and spices

Earlier this year, I wrote an article listing the five sex trends to watch out for in 2022.

I hope you paid attention and ensured you were trying all five. But several months have passed since the New Year, and the one thing about trends is that they come and go. Already sex experts are talking about the new trends now, and for 2023 — I'd hate for you to be left behind.

But fear not my sex-loving reader; I have four new trends for you, ensuring you are at the cutting edge of all things sex.

1. Outercourse

This one takes me back to my high school days.

Back then, dry humping — as we called it — was an alternative to sexual intercourse; it was basically having sex with clothes on.

Now sexologists refer to it as outercourse — a far better name dreamed up presumably by a marketing guru — and became especially popular during the COVID pandemic.

“Engaging in sexual activity, but without intercourse, means different things to different people. Some people see it as everything except penetration; others see it as just grinding, a massage, or perhaps even mutual masturbation. Your definition of it depends on your reasons for trying it, and because of this, it may just prove to be the best new sex trend of them all.” Sexologist and psychosexual therapist Kate Moyle

Best new sex trend of all! Who knew high school Ash was a trendsetter? Albeit inadvertently. In addition, to being the hottest new thing in sex, there are also some benefits to engaging in outercourse.

Sexuality educator Shemeka Thorpe, Ph.D., says that outercourse is a good way to "take the pressure off viewing penetrative sex as the main source of pleasure." She believes it is a great way to learn ways to have orgasms that don't have anything to do with PIV or penetrative sex and gives people more ways to explore their pleasure.

It's a way for couples to connect, explore their desires, and learn what their partner likes outside of penetrative sex.

2. Sexual supplements

The global sexual wellness market was valued at $80.1 Billion in 2021 and is projected to have a market size of $121.6 Billion by 2030.

It is a huge market, as people take their sexual wellness as seriously as their overall health and wellness. To cater to the growing demand, a wide range of supplements and vitamins are available, proclaiming to assist with vaginal dryness, low libido, erection issues, and more.

Do they work? Well, yes, and no.

Research published in the National Library of Medicine found that adaptogen foods such as maca, ginseng, and fenugreek may be able to help improve your libido over several weeks.

A 12-week study found that 42% of men who took 1,500–3,000 mg of maca daily experienced an increased sex drive, while a review of 10 studies found that red ginseng was effective at improving sexual arousal in women with menopause.

Great results, but of course, as with any supplement, it might just be the power of positive thinking.

Dr. Michael O'Leary, a urologist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital, says, "when researchers did clinical trials for the prescription medication sildenafil [Viagra], the placebo response was about 30%, which tells you that the most important sex organ you have is your brain. In men, the brain controls the stimulus to get blood flow to the penis, and furthermore, it controls orgasm and ejaculation. That's why a lot of people with normal vascular function still have sexual dysfunction."

Maybe tricking the brain is all that you require? Whether it's the ingredients in the supplement or the positive belief the pill gives you, it could be a good enough reason to give it a go.

3. Multi-sensory sex

Clinical sexologist Megwyn White explains that sensory sex is "the act of engaging as many senses as you can to help in heightening sexual pleasure and deepening the intimacy with a chosen partner. From the visual to the auditory to the tactile, by putting the focus on pleasurable sensations throughout the body, sensory sex can help you let go of the pressures that come with an exclusive focus on the genitals."

Sex trendsetters incorporate all five senses into their sexual acts, and ASMR is at the top of the list.

ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response and is the 'tingling sensation 'experienced by some people in response to a comforting sound or visual. Some people liken it to the audio equivalent of getting a massage; with the right sounds, aural sex can be as good as oral sex.

These sounds can be a sexy Spotify playlist, your own sounds of pleasure, or even humming while performing oral sex on your partner.

Incorporating scent can create sensual memories as our sense of smell is connected to the limbic system, an area of the brain which governs our emotions, long-term memory, and sexual impulses. White recommends scents such as vanilla, sandalwood, or Ylang Ylang.

Add in touch, taste, and sight; you are set for an orgasmic experience.

4. Ice ice baby

This next trend surprised me when I was researching this article.

Usually, the sex trends listed by experts are progressive and often push boundaries, but not this one.

The latest trend is 'vanilla sex.'

According to Urban Dictionary, vanilla sex is "sex that involves no twists or kinkiness and no S&M." Basically, plain regular sex. Typically sweet and happy and very lovey-dovey."

Some people have been ashamed to admit they like vanilla sex for fear that everyone else in the world is participating in weird kinks and underground orgies. But the fact is, many of us love vanilla sex.

Search marketing company Salience found that online searches for 'missionary' have increased by 22 percent over the last year. Likewise, searches for 'physical intimacy' are up 1,940%, while there has been a 150% increase in 'sexual intimacy.'

Relationship expert Laurel Steinberg, Ph.D., says even though the perception of 'vanilla sex' is "uninspired, unacrobatic, or formulaic sex," vanilla is actually "known by the culinary world to be an extremely complex flavor."

Steve Hollstein, who's behind the adult game College Kings 2, says this extends into the world of adult video games. More and more users now enjoy traditional "dating" and vanilla sex with their characters.

It seems that vanilla is the new black.

So there you go, take some maca, put on some sexy sounds and scents, and engage in some intimate and loving outercourse. If you do, you can claim to be a true trendsetter.

The other trend is buying my debut book, Come Again: Everything You Wanted To Know About Sex But Were Too Afraid To Ask. Buy it now! Pretty please.