Saying “I Love You” Makes Sex Better, Science Says

Evidence shows expressing your feelings in the bedroom is a great way to make you and your partner feel sexually satisfied.  In other words, uttering “I love you” is actually more erotic than wearing sexy lingerie or straight-up foreplay.  Don't believe us?  Science says so!  Here, we highlight how dropping the L-bomb makes sex better, according to science.

The basics. Researchers from Chapman University in the U.S. analyzed the sexual habits of 39,000 married or cohabiting heterosexual men and women, all of whom had been with their partner for at least three years. In other words, these couples were all at peak comfort levels.

The method. The study, which is one of the largest of its kind to date, included an online survey which got tens of thousands of responses.

Age. The average age of the study’s participants was 40 years old for women, and 46 years old for men.

The (good) results. The researchers found that the most satisfied men and women were the ones who engaged in more intimate behavior between the sheets. It turns out 75 percent of satisfied men admitted they say “I love you” while they have sex and 74 percent of satisfied women do the same.

The (bad) results. That said, 49 percent of dissatisfied men also said “I love you” during sex, as did 44 percent of dissatisfied women. Who said the L-bomb fixes everything?

So what’s the difference between satisfied couples and dissatisfied ones? "Almost half of satisfied and dissatisfied couples read sexual self-help books and magazine articles, but what set sexually satisfied couples apart was that they actually tried some of the ideas," said Dr. David Frederick, assistant professor of psychology at Chapman University and lead author of the study.

Other details that affected sex. Other habits which improved sex included praising your partner for something they did in the sack and asking your partner for something you want (duh). Those who spoke lovingly — without actually saying “I love you” — while they had sex were also among the more satisfied participants.

What do the results mean? Well, the results show that the more a couple communicates during sex, the more satisfied they are. In other words, forget sex toys and use that mouth!

Prioritizing sex. On a deeper level, the study found that couples stop sexin’ it up on a regular basis after the first year of their relationship. After that point, they have to work to make sexual satisfaction a priority.

Decline of sexual satisfaction. The scientists learned that the overwhelming majority of respondents — 83 percent — were sexually satisfied in the first six months of the relationship.

Decline of sexual satisfaction after six months. Only half of the participants said they were currently satisfied with their sex lives. As for the rest? Well, 41 percent of men and 27 percent of women reported feeling dissatisfied, while 16 percent of men and 18 percent of women said they felt “neutral.”

The importance of sexual variety. The scientists found that sexual variety was significant for overall satisfaction, but they couldn’t figure out exactly what was conducive to long-term happiness between the sheets.

Lack of evidence to support certain forms of sexual variety. “Evidence on the effectiveness of specific forms of variety, such as showering together or wearing lingerie or use of sex toys, is lacking,” said Dr. Frederick.

The importance of mood and sexting. The researchers discovered that setting a romantic or sexual mood or sending a flirty text earlier in the day appears to help overall sexual satisfaction. Sext away, folks!

The takeaway. If you’re planning on having some earth-shattering orgasms with your partner, leave the pleasure gels and battery-powered toys out of the bedroom. Instead, simply drop the L-bomb. Just know that after six months, it's going to lose it's juice. Hopefully the two of you don't.

15 Things You Never Knew About Lingerie

The word “lingerie” was coined in 1922, but the origins of lingerie go back much farther.  In fact, there are so many interesting historical tidbits about lingerie that looking at it as sexy support for females is a disservice.  Lingerie has shaped the female culture.  You may be picky with your lingerie, and that’s what makes it so great!  The variation in the lingerie industry speaks out to femininity with personality, comfort and even power.  But if you think you know all there is to know about your lingerie collection—think again…

Is there a lingerie brand that you can not live without? Share it in the comments!

Bras originated in ancient Greece, where they were called the "apodesme." Bras then disappeared for years. It wasn't until the 1300s that bras made a comeback.

Girdles (not exactly your typical, sexy lingerie) stem date back to the 8th century. But it was the 1920s that popularized them. Their popularity lasted well into the 60s, until women preferred the "less is more" motif.

In the early 1900s corsets were made of whalebone. Yes. The bones of whale. For a corset. Glad that fad's over.

In the early 20th century, the "monoboob" was all the rage. Simply put, women wanted the appearance of having one large breast.

The average American woman owns roughly 21 pairs of panties. That'll last them a whopping 3 weeks!

The Legends of Football League (which is actually "the fastest-growing sports league in the nation," according to NBC Sports) consists of women playing tackle football in lingerie.

Want to know a secret? One of the two founders of Victoria's Secret is actually (surprisingly?) a man.

When it comes to lingerie, Italians are all about the red. And on New Years Eve, it's tradition for Italian women to throw old undies out the window!

Back in 1939, a man invented the thong—but really just for exotic dancers. It was a way to show off more skin in a profession that already showed off a lot of skin.

The average cup size for a woman in the U.S. is 36C.

Today, there are cup sizes to fit everybody. But that wasn't always the case. Cup sizes didn't come around until 1935.

G-strings were created to inspire sexual creativity. They may not look awfully comfortable, but they sure do make a statement.

Men And Women Open Up About The Things That Never Fail To Turn Them On

When it comes to getting intimate with your partner, foreplay is one of the most important parts of intimacy. This can involve oral sex, hand play, or even sexy massages. But for some people, getting turned on can be as easy as seeing your girlfriend put her hair in a pony tail or watching your man get out of the shower. We all have our different kinks, and here 15 men and women took to Reddit to share some of the things that never fail to turn them on.

User Pink_Flash. "When he comes out of the shower. Either in some clingy boxer briefs or just a towel, plus that freshly clean smell. Ugh."

User emilyllewellyn. "Light touching. I don't know what it is, but if someone's fingertips graze along my neck, face, collarbone, thigh, arms, wherever really in a mindless, innocent way, it's incredibly intimate and sexy for me. Almost like they're trying to memorize me with their fingertips. Without fail it's immediately a turn on."

User IL_girl_in_MO. "During foreplay when my boyfriend puts his hands inside my clothes to caress me rather than get me completely naked it drives me crazy."

Anonymous user. "When a guy is wearing thin sweatpants or shorts and grabs his shaft through them so you can just see the outline... Lawd have mercy."

User zenova360. "Getting touched or kissed on the side of my neck. Every time. Going to the hairdresser is.... interesting."

User AllHailGoomy. "My bf will lightly kiss and bite my neck and ears if we're in public at a movie or whatever because he knows it drives me insane and pisses me off because it turns me on but I can't do anything about it. So that by the time we get home I'm ready to ravage him like an animal."

User TheOrdinaryExtra. "The "I want you" text. Always happens to be while I'm at work with about six hours to go. Also, seeing her right after she gets out of the shower. Instant "let's ruin that clean feeling” vibe."

User dirty_pipes. "When she discreetly tries to rub up against my bulge when nobody else is looking. Something about knowing how badly she wants to feel me."

User Kalaan . "the idea of a guy holding my wrists together above my head as he pushes me backwards and we start to make out. never experienced it but one day maybe."

User 0xD153A53. "An ear nibble. Not sure the anatomy behind it, but it's a direct connection to the erection. Relatedly, it might have something to do with my attraction for ears and teeth…"

User Derock85z. "Seam backs and heels. Done. Some of the girls in my office wear stockings on occasion, it's torture. One of them wears the right shade of red lipstick.... hnng. Fu**ing done . The wife is more than happy to put those on for me, so it all works out OK but there is a crisis every so often at work."

User Aljenks. "I love men in glasses, especially when they sit a little lower on the bridge of the nose and they tilt their head and look over them at you. swoosh."

User CrystalSplice. "When I can feel a woman have an orgasm while my fingers are inside her. It's like the deepest, most satisfying connection."

User TheColossalTitan. "Neck bites, and her feeling my back. Oh my god, when she uses her nails. Also, oddly enough, giving her a back massage really turns me on."

User Captain_Auburn_Beard. "Being able to talk s**t and hate on each other. There's this girl at work right now, and at some point during the day we just start being overly mean to the other person, to the point that's it's obviously more playful than hurtful. It gets to the point where were in the break room being so rude to each other in front of coworkers, I just want to throw her on the table and go to town without a care who's watching. God damn her "I don't give a s**t about you" smirk is so sexy."

Paralyzed Woman Shows The World That Having Disabilities Doesn’t Limit Her Sexuality

Rachelle Friedman Chapman was about to marry the man of her dreams and celebrate one of the best days of her life when she suffered a tragic freak accident that would change her life. On the night of her bachelorette party, Chapman was playfully pushed into the pool by a bridesmaid, leaving Chapman a quadriplegic. Since that fateful day, Chapman has gone on to become a motivational speaker and spokesperson for people with disabilities. Just recently in spite of being paralyzed, Chapman did a beautiful photo shoot wearing nothing but lingerie, proving that people with disabilities can be sexy too.

What are your thoughts on this? Share them with us in the comments below!

Not giving up. Rachelle Friedman Chapman has been the perfect example of perseverance and not giving up hope after a freak accident left her paralyzed in 2010. Since then, Chapman has written a book, given inspirational talks, had a baby, and posed in sexy lingerie.

Photo shoot. There’s a common misconception that disabled people either don’t have sex or can’t be sexy, but Chapman is proving that there’s absolutely no truth in that. Posing in a beautiful lingerie set, Chapman was featured in a sexy photo shoot that she hopes will change the idea that disabled people can’t be sexual.

Sexuality. “I think a lot of people have a hard time seeing through the wheelchair so here I am, this is me without the chair. But I’m actually the exact same person. I hope it will make people think. People with disabilities still have sexuality and honestly I’m tired of being something that we can’t talk about as a society,” said Chapman, as reported by the Huffington Post.

Sexual humans. Chapman says that while she hopes people will realize she isn’t just a disabled person in a wheelchair, she’s also doing it for other disabled people who people have dismissed as non-sexual humans simply because they’re different from everyone else. She hopes that through these photos, people will change their perspectives.

Loving yourself. “I’m doing this for those who can’t see past a wheelchair. I’m doing it to show that we are capable, sexual beings and we are not to be overlooked. I’m not glamorizing disability. My paralysis is an awful part of my life and I hope for a cure. But, in the meantime I need to love myself,” said Chapman, as reported by the Huffington Post.

Confident. While some people do struggle with loving themselves and being comfortable in their own bodies, Chapman says she’s extremely confident and has no shame about her body. She explains that intimacy is a big part of her life and people shouldn’t be ashamed to talk about sexuality because it’s something completely normal.

Sexy. “When my story hit the media people were so impressed that my fiancé would stay with me ‘like this.’ Sure, it affected my self esteem but most of all it made me sad for my fellow wheelchair users who are still looking for love. We are smart, courageous, funny, beautiful and yes… sexy,” Chapman told the Huffington Post.

Inspiration. It’s safe to say that Chapman is an inspiration to many, and she’s forgiven the woman responsible for pushing her in the water, saying she still remains her best friend to this day. While the wedding was postponed after the incident, Chapman eventually married her husband in 2011.

Accident. "I love her and have no grudge. I'm not saying its right but I've horseplayed by a pool and pushed people. I've pushed her. What happened was an accident. She obviously has guilt and it has been a process. She's a lot better. I know she hates seeing me in the chair but this is a situation we have to work through together. She's my girl,” Chapman told The Daily Beast.

Lucky. "I'd say we are more passionate and clingy with each other. I think we are just so happy because my injury could have been worse. We are lucky to have each other,” Chapman told The Daily Beast.

New daughter. Most recently, Chapman and her husband welcomed a baby girl, Kaylee Rae Chapman, who was born via a surrogate. Chapman says that she’s dreamed of becoming a mother her entire life, and is grateful that the moment has finally come.

Ecstatic. “I knew I was paralyzed and the first thing I asked the paramedics was whether I could have kids. I was ecstatic when they said yes,” Chapman told People. However she was warned that her medication could lead to a dangerous pregnancy and they opted for a surrogate instead.

Perfect life. Chapman is thrilled being a new mom, and says that despite her accident, she continues to lead a perfect life. You can read more about her life in the memoir she wrote titled “The Promise."

You. Were you insured by Chapman’s story? Tell us what you thought!