Misconceptions About Male Sexual Desire

In this short article, Dr. Petra Zebroff debunks some common myths about sexual desire in romantic relationships between men and women. There is a common belief that men seek out sex for physical pleasure, while women seek emotional connection. Current research suggests that emotional connection is the leading motivator for engaging in partnered sex for both men and women. Despite wanting the same thing, partners often misread what they each want out of sex, leaving them feeling misunderstood, disconnected, and relating to each other in ways that may not fulfill their actual needs and desires. When partners get in touch with their desire for emotional connection through sex and communicate this with one another, new opportunities for connection and intimacy arise.