'Sex shouldn't end when he does' - Alix Fox on equality in the bedroom

"From the way we talk (or don't talk) about women's pleasure, to how badly the clitoris has been ignored in medical research, Alix explains why so many women struggle to climax with a partner, even when they can reach orgasm quickly on their own. They talk about widening our idea of what "sex" actually is, moving away from just penetration as the main event and towards a much richer definition of intimacy, touch and pleasure."

"Alix shares practical ways to get more comfortable communicating in and out of the bedroom, from having the tricky chats on a walk rather than under the duvet, to trying "bossy massage" and blindfolds as a gentle entry point into saying what you actually want. There's a look at sex toys too - from vibrator anxiety to choosing between gentle starters and heavy-duty wands."

Straight men orgasm far more often than straight women, creating an enduring orgasm and pleasure gap experienced personally by many women. Cultural silence and inadequate sexual education limit conversations about women's pleasure and reinforce penetration-focused assumptions. Medical research has historically neglected the clitoris, contributing to misunderstanding of female orgasm. Expanding definitions of sex to include intimacy, touch and mutual pleasure can reduce reliance on penetration as the main event. Practical approaches include practicing communication outside the bedroom, experimenting with guided touch such as 'bossy massage' and blindfolds, and exploring sex toys from gentle starters to powerful wands to relieve pressure and encourage play.

Read at Irish Independent