Hagen: Can we have sex naturally?

By Courtney Hagen

Wednesday, March 1, 2006

The Trojan condoms Web site lists more than 10 different varieties of the average condom designed to induce greater pleasure and enhance the bedroom experience. There is the “Mint Tingle” condom, the “Twisted Pleasure” condom, the “Warm Sensations” condom and even a Trojan “Vibrating Ring,” a battery operated contraption designed to increase satisfaction.

A 2005 report from Jerry Ropelato for Top Ten Reviews, a consumer research company, said the pornography industry pulled in $57 billion dollars worldwide. Under that umbrella, phone sex, sex clubs, adult videos and novelties pulled in about $30.5 billion. Entire industries are devoted to making people feel, look, think and act sexier, and, not to mention, have better sex.

These days it seems as if everyone is looking for ways to enhance or increase sexual activity. More and more products are flying off the shelves as more and more options are being introduced. This makes trips to the local grocery, lingerie or adult bookstore a veritable headache because of the endless options. The mountain of options begs these really important questions: ribbed or natural latex, red lace or black leather, strawberry- or bubble-gum-flavored lube?

Do we really need so many reinforcements to better our sex lives? What happened to our parents’ generation, when sneaking out of the house to make out at Look Out Point was all the foreplay that was needed?

But we are living in this generation, an era where we can buy new vaginas from Dr. 90210, pop pills to hold our erections or even strap on a vibrating condom. In this over-stimulated, overindulged, over-excited age, can we have sex naturally, without creams, videos or Botox?

I wanted to know if “no-frills sex” was still alive, and enjoyable, in our modern day lives, so I went to my friends for their insight. I asked them what their best experiences were like. Ironically, most of them said their most memorable experiences had nothing to do with slapping on tingle-inducing lubes, wearing kinky costumes, watching explicit videos or reading Kama Sutra books. For many, sex was best when it was natural and in the moment, without external influences.

It didn’t seem to matter whether their partners were serious significant others or random acquaintances, the real pleasure was in the simplicity of the encounter itself. Many mentioned their experiences were so good because they were so free of outside influences.

While broadening horizons and trying new things is beneficial to sexual activity, there is still something to be said about no-frills sex. After all, as long as there’s a place in this world for giant dildos and mint-flavored condoms, there will be a place for no-frills sex.

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