A study by researchers at Missouri State University with 78 participants of different ages identified three elements of good sex.
“A friend once asked me, ‘What is good sex anyway? What makes good sex? Is there a standard for this?’ That led me to a search where I found we didn’t really have an answer,” the study’s lead author, sociology professor Alicia M. Walker, told the New York Post.
The study found that most people agree that orgasm, emotional connection, and chemistry contribute to what they define as “good sex.”
The majority of participants indicated that orgasms were an integral part of their sexual experiences. Some focused on their own orgasms, while others viewed each other’s orgasms as the primary element.
In order for their sexual experience to be fully satisfying, some women needed multiple orgasms. However, about twenty participants said that orgasm made no sense of judging sex as good or not.
Emotional connection, the second most important factor in having an exceptional sexual experience, required an emotional connection without necessarily being in love or romantic. For eight participants, the emotional connection was directly related to love.
On the other hand, 16 people said they don’t need an emotional connection for a good sexual relationship.
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The researchers found that the gender differences could be significant. Some prioritized emotional connection over physical satisfaction.
The study also found that because “good sex” is difficult to define, the elements that contribute to a satisfying sexual experience vary significantly.
“Your idea of what makes sex great may be different than your partner’s,” said Alicia M. Walker. Sex that is good for you can be mediocre or even bad for your partner.”
“The more openly we talk about our sexual needs and expectations, the more likely it is that our experiences will match our expectations,” she added.