It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. 2012 was a big year for sex, and we’ve been covering the good, the bad, and the just plain weird all year long. Take a trip down memory lane with us, and keep reading for some of our favorite things we’ve learned about sex :
1. Penis Size DOES Matter
…Kind of. Bigger is indeed better for women who prefer penile-vaginal intercourse to other types of sex, and same goes for women who have frequent vagina orgasms. Of course, size is just one part of the happy sex package (heh), so we recommend keeping the measuring tape out of the bedroom.
2. You’d Rather Sleep Than Get Laid
A majority of respondents in one study said they’d choose a good night’s sleep over sex…hey, sleep is a precious commodity!
3. Texting DURING Sex Is Apparently a Thing
Another “would you rather?” study found that 15 percent of respondents would rather go without sex than without their iPhones. And 4 percent don’t feel like they should have to choose—they’ve used their iPhones during sex.
4. Semen is a Mood-Booster
Yes, really! Researchers found that women who engage in unprotected sex tended to show fewer depressive symptoms and an elevated mood compared to women who either always or usually used condoms or those who were celibate.
5. Cuddles Keep Men Faithful
According to research, it’s oxytocin, aka the “cuddle drug,” that keeps men from straying. Oxytocin is a brain chemical released during everything from a hug to a roll in the hay that bolds bonds and makes people feel closer to each other.
6. Your Friends Want to Sleep With You
Your boyfriend is right: that guy you think of “just like a brother” wants to sleep with you. One study found that men were more likely to want to date/sleep with their female friends than the other way around, even men who were already in a romantic relationship. They also assumed their female friends were more sexually interested in them than the women actually were.
7. Women Crave More Sex During One Season
Sorry, you have a while to wait—women crave sex most during the summer. One book links it to the “school’s out” mentality…when it’s summer vacation, we want to get out and play.
8. And We All Want to Get Busy During Bad Weather
Thunderstorms and tornadoes to be specific—70 percent of us have gotten down in one of those conditions. But we’re not throwing all caution to the wind. In fact, most people who conceive the night of a storm are already parents.
9. Nagging Can Lead to Less Frequent Sex
And only 15 percent of survey participants feel like they’re good at resolving conflicts as a couple. The arguments that most frequently get in the way of nookie? Asking for more attention from your partner, asking for help with housework, and asking your partner to pick up after themselves.
