For some people, going through a "sexual dry spell" can be an uncomfortable experience that leads to feelings of frustration, low self-esteem, and shame. Re-engaging with one's sexual desires and fantasies can help alleviate these negative emotions by providing excitement, novelty, and pleasure.
The process of returning to sex can also bring up old insecurities and anxieties about performance and satisfaction. This study examines how re-engaging with sexual fantasies after a hiatus affects desire intensity, relational confidence, and willingness to experiment for individuals who have previously experienced difficulties with sexual functioning.
Participants were recruited from online discussion boards dedicated to sexual health and wellbeing. They completed surveys on their personal history, current relationship status, sexual habits, and preferences, as well as questionnaires on sexual desire, relationship satisfaction, and willingness to try new things. The results showed that those who had recently returned to sexual activity reported higher levels of desire, greater confidence in their partnerships, and increased openness to exploration than those who had not yet resumed sexual activity. These findings suggest that engaging with sexual fantasies may provide a pathway towards improved intimacy and communication within relationships.
The researchers hypothesized that individuals who had recently returned to sex would report higher levels of desire intensity and relational confidence, and be more likely to express interest in trying new activities compared to those who had not yet resumed sexual activity. To test this hypothesis, they analyzed data from participants who had not engaged in sexual activity for at least six months prior to completing the survey.
Desire intensity was measured using a 7-point Likert scale, where 1 indicated "not at all" and 7 indicated "very much." Relational confidence was assessed by asking respondents to rate their level of trust in their partner's ability to meet their needs on a scale of 0-100, and also by asking about their level of commitment to the relationship.
Willingness to experiment was gauged through questions about interest in specific kinks or practices such as BDSM, bondage, and roleplaying.
As expected, individuals who had recently engaged in sex reported significantly higher levels of desire intensity (M 5.2) than those who had not (M 3.9), t(467) -5.98, p <.0001. They also exhibited greater relational confidence, with an average score of 77.7 versus 69.4 among non-engagers, t(467) -4.67, p <.001.
Engagers were more open to exploring new things, with a mean score of 6.3 versus 4.6 among non-engagers, t(467) -5.99, p <.001.
The study also examined whether any gender differences existed in these outcomes. While men reported slightly higher levels of desire intensity (M 5.3 vs M 4.9 for women), this difference did not reach statistical significance. In contrast, men expressed greater willingness to experiment than women did (M 6.6 vs M 5.5).
These findings should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size.
Re-engaging with sexual fantasies after a hiatus can improve desire intensity, increase relational confidence, and promote a willingness to try new things within relationships. The findings suggest that focusing on one's own pleasure and desires can help alleviate feelings of shame or anxiety related to sex. Further research is needed to understand how these effects vary across different relationship contexts and stages of life.
How does re-engaging with sexual fantasies after a hiatus influence desire intensity, relational confidence, and willingness to experiment?
Reengaging with sexual fantasies can positively impact an individual's desire for sex, their level of relational confidence, and their willingness to experiment by helping them overcome mental barriers that may have been holding them back from experiencing pleasure during intimate encounters.