How isolation is affecting our sex lives

If you were wondering whether or not quarantine was impacting our sexual appetites, just look to the trending hashtag #coronaboner, and make your own assumptions.  

As we're all doing anything to remain sane at the moment, a healthy sex life might just be the best medicine. After all, one single orgasm does release a tonne of endorphins, which can keep anxiety at bay. 

But with couples spending more time together than usual, and dating prospects for singles swiftly under lock down, are we actually getting down and dirty? Or has the stressful situation of coronavirus taken a serious toll on our in-between-the-sheets time?

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To gain some insights, beautyheaven asked a group of both single and loved-up ladies how isolation is affecting their sex lives. We then took our burning questions to the expert herself, sexologist , Chantelle Otten, and here's what we found...

Take advantage

WELL, for those who had the foresight to find a partner, and move in with them in the off chance there might be a pending pandemic and we'd all be stuck inside.... congrats. You win quarantine.  According to Carole 26* (yes that's a fake name, and yes I got said fake name from watching Tiger King), "We are having sex more than ever, just because its such a nice treat to be at home during the day together. So we are taking full advantage of it." 

Couples are also looking to experiment and try out new sex toys explains Chantelle, who says, "being inside, romantic partners often use sex as a way to pass time. So it is important to have fun with it."

Well, that explains the boost in sex toy sales the internet has been seeing...

@chantelle_otten_sexologist

Time for a sextox

Hello solo lovers, how blissful is living alone? If you're like  Zoe, 31* then you've probably had an intense few months to year/s of dating average-at-best guys and are using this time to focus on you. Without the worry of someone ghosting you, looking good for a first date, or wondering if it's too early to message you're... relaxed.

This is your time to focus on yourself and have a sextox (sex detox, that'll take off, just wait). This is your time to become a crafting whiz, Marie Kondo your home and turn your kitchen into a three hatted restaurant. Sex schmex, it'll happen when it happens. 

Sexual app-etitie

Still swiping through the dating apps, and posting perfectly curated Instagram stories hoping for a few DM slide-ins?

Felicity 24* says, "I'm finding myself ADDICTED to my phone, talking to people I wouldn't usually go for and even sending nudes at a much quicker rate than I normally would of. I want some attention." Virtual relationships and phone sex are moving and they are moving FAST.

But Chantelle, please tell us, what even is phone sex? 

"Phone sex is expressing your sexual self via the phone. Your needs, desires, how it feels and what you want. You don't need to be a master dirty talker to be good at this, focus on the basics. Tell the other person what is happening, what you are thinking about, what are your fantasies." 

Bumble have even introduced a new video call and voice chat feature, which elevates the level to which matches are now able to communicate. 

Digital satisfaction

If you're part of a couple isolating separately, the whole 'sex' thing might be getting you down. And rightly so.

But, because there is an app for everything, consider having your partner download one that controls your vibrator (and vice versa).

"These smart sex toys allow you and your partner to have sex via bluetooth toys," says Chantelle. "Control stimulation from one house and your partner can use it in another house, or across the globe." 

Self love in self isolation

Masturbation. There we said it.  According to Chantelle, "dating and the coronavirus are not compatible. Singles are driving attention away from trying to hook up with others and focusing on pleasuring themselves, instead." 

Amen sister friend. They'll be plenty of time for mediocre sex once this is all over. But a guaranteed orgasm at your own will? Now, that's how to get through isolation.

*names have been created to for privacy purposes.. ;)

Main image credit: @negin_mirsalehi

How is isolation affecting your sex life?