• Nationwide
  • Toronto
  • Vancouver
  • Calgary
  • Montreal
  • Los Angeles
  • Chicago
  • NYC
Eligible Magazine
  • Dating
    • Editor’s Dating Notes
    • Better Dating Ideas
    • “The Bachelor” Advice
    • Guy Talk
    • Girl Talk
  • Relationships
  • Sex
  • Events
  • Fashion
    • Men’s Style
    • Women’s Style
  • Lifestyle
    • Gossip
    • Wine & Dine
    • Luxurious Living
    • Entertainment
    • Destinations
  • Wellness
    • Men’s Fitness
    • Women’s Fitness
    • Get Inspired
    • Doctor’s Orders
    • A Better YOU
    • Beauty
  • Bachelor & Bachelorette
  • Cities
    • Nationwide
    • Toronto
    • Vancouver
    • Calgary
    • Montreal
    • Los Angeles
    • Chicago
    • NYC
Sex 20

Let’s Talk About Sex…

By Jessica O'Reilly @SexWithDrJess · On April 25, 2012

Talking about sex isn’t easy, but it is well worth it to improve intimacy, develop connection and heighten pleasure. Here are 3 steps to talking about sex with success:

Step 1: Be positive and begin with the easier conversations

Start by talking about what is already working and, offer compliments on those successes. This part of the ongoing sex talk may suffice for the very first discussion. You don’t have to move from “You’re a great kisser…” to “…but you don’t go down on me enough” in one breath. Sometimes it’s best to practice talking about sex by emphasizing the positive elements first. As you both become more comfortable with the topic (which takes time), then you can move into specific critiques.

Here are a few lines to get you started:

“I love when you…”

“One thing that I really like is…”

“You’re the best at…”

“Do you remember that time at the theatre when you…? That felt so good!”

Step 2: Ask questions

We all have a lot to learn about sex and we’ll be students for the rest of our lives! Acknowledging your own limitations and expressing a willingness to learn and adapt will set the tone for your partner to do the same — at his/her own pace. Sex is the one activity that we engage in without any formal instruction or observation, so we need direction. Start the conversation with a few inquiries:

“Do you like when I…?”

“Show me how you like it…”

“In an ideal world, how many times per week would you want to have sex?”

“What’s your favourite part of your body (aside from the genitals) to have touched?”

“If I were to seduce you tomorrow, what would you want me to do?”

Step 3: Be sensitive when making requests

In addition to highlighting the positive and learning more about your partner, you also need to express your own desires and interests. They’ll likely be highly sensitive to your language, tone and body language, so try to be gentle and build upon what’s already working. Try out these starter lines:

“I would love more _________ . You’re so good at it.”

“I had a dream about trying with you and it got me thinking.”
“I read an article about _________. What do you think of that?”

“I have the best orgasms from _________.”

“In an ideal world, I’d like to have sex (however you define it) X times per week. What can we do to make more time/find a balance.”

“One thing I’d like to work on is…”

Bear in mind that talking about sex isn’t a one-shot deal. It’s an ongoing conversation that can include laughter, tension and awkward moments. It is that tension and awkwardness that will only intensify passion and attraction later on. So relax, take a deep breath and start talking! You’ll be glad you did.

Share Tweet

Jessica O'Reilly

Dr. Jess (Jessica O’Reilly) is a sought-after sexologist with a PhD in human sexuality. She maintains a private practice in Toronto and travels the world to speak at events that promote healthy and deliciously pleasurable sex. From regular appearances on Cosmopolitan Television and Playboy TV to hosting retreats in the sunny Caribbean, she relishes in every moment! SexWithDrJess.com

You Might Also Like

  • Sex

    How to Get Into Her Head (And Then Her Pants)

  • Dating Ideas Calgary Better Dating Ideas

    Better Dating Ideas Calgary: July 3rd – 6th

  • health food A Better YOU

    INSTAGRAM “HEALTH FOODS” THAT ARE SURPRISINGLY UNHEALTHY

More from this author

  • Sex

    Multiple Orgasms Part II

  • Sex

    Who Cares How Many Sexual Partners You’ve Had?!

  • Sex

    The Truth About Vibrators

20 Comments

  • What Kills the Female Orgasm? | Eligible Magazine says: May 2, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    […] great lover isn’t only about technique. In fact, technique pales in comparison to the ability to communicate and feel sexually confident in terms of sexual […]

    Reply
  • One-Night Stands. Should You Go For It? | Eligible Magazine says: June 6, 2012 at 3:18 pm

    […] though it’s nice to be a giver, the one-night stand is the perfect time to be self-indulgent and ask for exactly what you want. Once you’ve got what you came for, don’t feel any pressure to sleepover. Snuggling, follow-up […]

    Reply
  • How To Improve Your Sex Life Tonight! | Eligible Magazine says: July 11, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    […] Excellent communication skills […]

    Reply
  • How to Boost Your Sexual Self-Esteem | Eligible Magazine says: August 15, 2012 at 11:31 am

    […] try to be honest with your partner about your motivations and desired outcomes. Feeling empowered, asking for what you want and listening to your lover’s needs will make you a better lover and augment your sexual […]

    Reply
  • Who Cares How Many Sexual Partners You’ve Had?! | Eligible Magazine says: August 23, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    […] nervous or even a bit uncomfortable with your history, but this can be resolved with a little open communication, honest expression of feelings and genuine reassurance. And bear in mind, that judgment really does […]

    Reply
  • Is He Intimidated By Your Vibrator? | Eligible Magazine says: September 26, 2012 at 4:57 pm

    […] Talk openly about your interests and desires. If you’re comfortable talking about sex, it will help to put your partner at ease. And avoid talking about hot topics right before or right after sex when your hormones and emotions are running high. […]

    Reply
  • Carmelia Ray says: October 7, 2012 at 7:15 pm

    Talking about sex can certainly be a HOT or COLD subject. There’s times you feel awkward, and times it feels natural to have that discussion. I love the specific steps that are outlined here and examples that I have used, and can see myself using and sharing for myself and with my clients. Thanks for sharing!

    Carmelia

    Reply
  • Dr. Jess says: October 11, 2012 at 10:35 am

    Thanks Carmelia! Talking about sex really is more intimidating than having sex for many of us.

    Reply
  • Is Shopping Together Good For Your Sex Life? | Eligible Magazine says: November 22, 2012 at 3:33 pm

    […] reignite the sexual spark. However, the stress of spending can also detract from it, so strong communication and pre-set spending limits (or a commitment to window-shopping) are of paramount […]

    Reply
  • What Swingers Taught Me About Sex | Eligible Magazine says: May 9, 2013 at 8:46 am

    […] answers to these questions, so the only way to know what your lover desires and expects is to ask. Unfortunately, many of us don’t discuss these particulars with our partners and the results of […]

    Reply
  • When Sex Hurts | Eligible Magazine says: January 8, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    […] to Your Health Care Provider. Talking about sex with anyone can be daunting, but these uncomfortable conversations are worth it. You have a right to ask questions and get answers about your body. And you have a […]

    Reply
  • 3 Ways To Please A Woman -- Sexually Speaking! | Eligible MagazineEligible Magazine says: January 10, 2014 at 3:27 pm

    […] your approach, make sure you communicate with your partner to make sure she is comfortable throughout the process. Encourage her to express […]

    Reply
  • How to Talk Dirty: Part 1Eligible Magazine says: January 10, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    […] and remember that fantasies do not need to become reality. Just because you are willing to talk about filming your sexual escapades because it turns you on while you are having sex does not mean […]

    Reply
  • 3 Easy Ways to Improve Your Sex Life | Eligible MagazineEligible Magazine says: March 11, 2014 at 4:37 pm

    […] of habit and get trapped in the same old routine. A great way to brainstorm new ideas is to ask your partner how they would want to be seduced in their hottest fantasy. From there, you can find a way to link […]

    Reply
  • Would You Like A Little Spanking? | Sex with Dr. Jess - Sexologist and Relationship Expert says: October 15, 2014 at 8:42 am

    […] all of which are discussed in advance of each scene. The possibilities are endless – but consent, communication and respect are absolutely necessary to reduce risk and promote […]

    Reply
  • Is Shopping Together Good For Your Sex Life? | Sex with Dr. Jess - Sexologist and Relationship Expert says: October 15, 2014 at 5:41 pm

    […] reignite the sexual spark. However, the stress of spending can also detract from it, so strong communication and pre-set spending limits (or a commitment to window-shopping) are of paramount […]

    Reply
  • Who Cares How Many Sexual Partners You’ve Had?! | Sex with Dr. Jess - Sexologist and Relationship Expert says: October 15, 2014 at 10:21 pm

    […] nervous or even a bit uncomfortable with your history, but this can be resolved with a little open communication, honest expression of feelings and genuine reassurance. And bear in mind, that judgment really does […]

    Reply
  • Want A More Satisfying Sex Life? Try This! | Sex with Dr. Jess - Sexologist and Relationship Expert says: October 15, 2014 at 10:27 pm

    […] opens up new conversations. […]

    Reply
  • 3 Easy Ways to Improve Your Sex Life | Sex with Dr. Jess - Sexologist and Relationship Expert says: October 24, 2014 at 9:09 pm

    […] of habit and get trapped in the same old routine. A great way to brainstorm new ideas is to ask your partner how they would want to be seduced in their hottest fantasy. From there, you can find a way to link […]

    Reply
  • When Sex Hurts | Sex with Dr. Jess - Sexologist and Relationship Expert says: October 24, 2014 at 9:28 pm

    […] to Your Health Care Provider. Talking about sex with anyone can be daunting, but these uncomfortable conversations are worth it. You have a right to ask questions and get answers about your body. And you have a […]

    Reply
  • Leave a reply Cancel reply

    Search

    Subscribe & Follow

    Follow @EligibleZine
    Follow on Instagram
    Eligible Magazine Pheed
    Follow eligiblezine

    Find us on Facebook

    Eligible Magazine’s Recommended Dating App

    Eligible TV

    Twitter: eligiblezine

    • There really is no place like home especially when our beaches are this beautiful we got together the best beaches… https://t.co/hiMFCfYUoO 04:00:23 PM July 12, 2019 from Hootsuite Inc.
    • RT @EligibleZine: As time goes, on nature takes its course. An aging parent is hard enough to handle, let alone while keeping your relation… 11:43:50 AM July 12, 2019 from Twitter for iPhone
    • Comfort is great when it comes to beds, couches and clothes but for your life it can be limiting to your best poten… https://t.co/Le9uIQq6pg 10:45:15 AM July 08, 2019 from Hootsuite Inc.

    Eligible Poll

    Eligible Magazine now available on iPad, iPhone and smartphone

    • Contributors

    About

    Eligible Magazine is a lifestyle magazine for urban men and women who want the best from their dating life, their relationships and themselves. It features articles and video content on dating, relationships, sex, wellness and lifestyle by some of the country's foremost experts. The magazine is available online, for sale on Apple's Newsstand for your iPad or iPhone and soon to be in print.

    Recent Posts

    • Two Iconic Toronto Lifestyle Brands Unite

    • motionball 2022

      Motionball 2022 – Why You Should Mark Your Calendar

    • Why A Staycation Is Perfect For Your Next Date Night

    • Perfume for Women: What’s the Difference?

    Contact

    Contact Eligible Magazine
    Work for Eligible Magazine
    Advertise with Eligible Magazine
    Write for Eligible Magazine
    Unsubscribe
    Privacy Policy

    Search

    © 2013 Eligible Magazine. All rights reserved.
    • Sitemap
    • Help
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Use
    • Copyright
    • Privacy & Cookie Policy
    • Advertising
    • Announcements
    Eligible Magazine
    Eligible Magazine on Apple App Store