Four Ways to Achieve Heightened Sexual Arousal
After analyzing the results from an international qualitative study, the researchers, Devon J. Hensel, PhD, an associate research professor at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, and Christiana von Hippel, ScD, an OMGYES research scientist, found a recurring pattern of four specific techniques that never really had words to describe them before. The team then looked closer into these four techniques using a cross-sectional, online, national probability survey of 3,017 American women ages 18–93.
"We took this deeper dive into the patterns to find out the percentage of women who used each technique during vaginal penetration and then looked at how those specific techniques impacted their pleasure," says Dr. von Hippel. In other words, they looked at the specific sexual moves and methods that turned them on.
The researchers gave terms for each of these sexual methods to help women identify and communicate what feels best to them.
- Angling
Rotating, raising, or lowering pelvis and hips during penetration to adjust where inside the vagina the toy or penis rubs; 87 per cent of respondents used this method.
- Pairing
A woman or her partner stimulates her clitoris with a finger or sex toy simultaneously with penetration. (69 per cent)
- Rocking
The base of a penis or sex toy rubs against the clitoris constantly during penetration by staying inside the vagina rather than thrusting in and out. Usually used when the woman is on top. One of the respondents explained its allure: “We had to 'unlearn' the fast-pumping motions we had seen in porn. And we're both much happier with our new ways." (76 per cent)
- Shallowing
Penetrative touch just inside the entrance of the vagina. Another respondent said, “I think this area is underrated. I can have amazing sex with penetration just going in an inch and never further.” (84 per cent)
