Sexologist Alexa Andre (@sexwithalexa) gets in bed with gynecologist, sexual medicine expert, and author Dr. Maria Sophocles to talk openly about painful sex, vaginal health, sexual pleasure, menopause, low desire, and everything in between.

Topics discussed:

• Why does sex hurt? How common is painful sex, and when should you see a doctor? Dr. Maria Sophocles breaks down the most common causes of sexual pain, including vaginal dryness and inadequate lubrication, lack of arousal, vaginismus and a hypertonic pelvic floor, dermatologic conditions such as lichen sclerosus, STIs including herpes, chlamydia and gonorrhea, and internal causes such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids and scarring.
• Alexa and Dr. Sophocles also get into why lubrication isn't the same thing as arousal, the importance of taking time before penetration, sexual scripting, communication with your partner, the orgasm gap, faking orgasms, low libido and desire differences, and why treating pain can sometimes bring sexual desire back.
• They discuss estrogen, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, perimenopause, postpartum and breastfeeding-related changes, surgical menopause, chemotherapy, vaginal estrogen, systemic estrogen, birth control and its potential effects on dryness and libido, as well as pelvic floor physical therapy, Kegels and pelvic floor relaxation.
• The conversation also covers PMS and period symptoms, breast tenderness, mood changes, back pain, exercise, sleep, meditation, mindfulness, magnesium, ibuprofen, vitamin E and evening primrose oil.
• Pap smears, trauma during gynecological exams, pediatric speculums, lubricant during Pap testing, and the future of at-home HPV/Pap sample collection.
• They also play fact vs.fiction on cotton underwear, synthetic underwear, thongs, tight leggings, sweating after workouts, panty liners, vaginal discharge, vulva washing, soap, feminine washes, vaginal pH, normal genital odor, BV, boric acid, antibiotics, the vaginal microbiome, diet, fermented foods, probiotics/microbiome testing, vulvar irritation, pubic hair and friction.

Follow Dr. Sophocles:Instagram: @mariasophoclesmd

Website: www.mariasophoclesmd.com

Follow Alexa Andre:Instagram: @sexwithalexa

Patreon: https://patreon.com/sexwithalexa

Sponsor:

Thank you, Beducated, for making this exploration possible. Take their quiz to start your journey: https://beduc.at/pd2638-alexa

Sexologist Alexa Andre (@sexwithalexa) gets in bed with sex educator Jill Lissner, aka @sexedprincesss, forconversation about performative sex, pleasure, body image, consent, communication, and the weird sex trends taking over the internet.

Topics covered:

• Performative sex and what it means
• Pleasure vs. performance
• Authentic/non-performative sex
• Gendered expectations around appearance
• Penis size, erections and stamina
• Moaning and performing sounds
• Staying quiet because of shame or expectations
• Soft penises and body acceptance
• Decentering penetration
• Mutual masturbation and vulnerability
• Porn as a performance
• Being perceived and worrying how you look
• Likeability, acceptance and social performance
• Reducing performance anxiety through exposure
• “Spectatoring” during sex
• Advocating for your needs during sex
• Defaulting to giving as a performance
• Preference vs. performance
• Orgasm faces
• “Cracked” and modern sexual terminology
• Active participation in sex
• Riding/on-top positions and performing for appearance
• Recording sexual experiences
• Penetration as a performance expectation
• Critical thinking about sexual norms
• Internet sex trends
• Ball maxing/scrotum maxing
• Scrotum size and attraction
• How sexual trends spread online
• The need for more scientific research on emerging sex trends

Follow Jill:Instagram: @sexedprincesss

Follow Alexa Andre:Instagram: @sexwithalexa

Patreon: https://patreon.com/sexwithalexa

Sexologist Alexa Andre (@sexwithalexa) gets back in bed with Small Hands (Aaron Thompson) to talk about what really creates sexual attraction, the difference between confidence and competence, rough sex, kink, consent, boundaries, and the fantasies people don't always know how to talk about.

In this episode:

• Non-sexual turn-ons and how they become sexual turn-ons
• Hands, feet, scent and other physical turn-ons
• Acts of service, chores, cleaning and thoughtfulness as turn ons
• Appreciation, validation and keeping long-term relationships connected
• Boundary talks before professional collaborations
• Reading someone's comfort level and adjusting in the moment
• Sexual toys, magic wands, lube and taking initiative
• Confidence vs. competence
• Why competence may be more attractive than confidence
• Humility, ego and letting actions speak for themselves
• Sexual performance anxiety and the pressure to “deliver”
• Small Hands' first gangbang and early experiences in porn
• CNC (consensual non-consent) fantasies
• Dark fantasies and the importance of genuine desire and safety
• Kink, trauma and how life experiences can shape sexual interests
• Reclaiming autonomy through fantasy
• The unexpected origins of a foot fetish
• What “rough sex” actually means
• Physical, verbal and psychological elements of rough sex
• Why rough sex requires context, intent and communication
• Rough sex vs. disrespect
• Consent, boundaries and negotiating BDSM/kink
• Choking and assuming a partner wants it
• Hot ways of checking in during sex
• Why porn should never be treated as a guide for real-life behavior
• Trust and safety as foundations for exploring darker fantasies
• Small Hands' private fantasy of slow, romantic, sensual sex

Follow Aaron:
Instagram: @thesmallhands_

Follow Alexa Andre:
Instagram: @sexwithalexa

Patreon: https://patreon.com/sexwithalexa

Sponsor:

Thank you, Beducated, for making this exploration possible. Take their quiz to start your journey: https://beduc.at/pd2633-alexa