#SexIs - Body Image and Sex: Are they related?

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#SexIs - Body Image and Sex: Are they related?

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Contributor: Ansley Ansley


Body Image and Sex: Are they related? - Click to read the full article.

Men with a more positive body image are actually more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour (like sex without a condom). The theory is that these men feel more self assured and invincible. They feel that they can get away with this behaviour.

Women with positive self images, however, are less likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour. The thinking behind this is that they don’t feel pressured to put themselves at risk, since they know they can attract a different guy that will respect their wishes to practice safe sex.

Overall, individuals with higher body confidence end up having more sex, are more satisfied with the sex they’re having and are more comfortable with sexual activity. - Maxxsters



What say you, Edenites? Do you feel like how you view your body has an affect on your sex life? Share your experiences! Maybe, just maybe, you'll be able to help someone overcome their issues.
  •   (1)
    I am personally offended by this
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
Has a partner ever made negative comments about your body?
6
Yes
12
No
13
Kind of in a veiled way, but nothing horrible
13
.
How did you handle it?
3
We broke up, I was devastated.
3
I was incredibly hurt and angry, but we were able to talk it out.
2
I let it slide off my back, no biggie.
13
Other!
12
..
1
How important do you think self image is?
6
Extremely important!
31
Important but it's just one of the pieces.
10
Not very important or not important at all.
...
Do you have any advice for boosting one's self-image?
3
Yes, answers in comments!
12
No, but I sure could use the advice myself!
15
Total votes: 155 (40 voters)
Poll is closed
06/01/2012
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Contributor: unfulfilled unfulfilled
My husband hurts my feelings from time to time when he talks about my body image. I'm very small chested and he's mentioned that they need to be bigger. He's also grabbed around my middle and jiggled it and made comments about my muffin top. I usually am hurt for a little while and then he always comes back later with I was just kidding. When he does this, he doesn't get sex for a while until I'm over it.


When I'm in a funk, I always turn to my best friends and they always tell me I'm beautiful or to not listen to my husband. My best friends are always able to make me feel better about myself.
06/08/2012
Contributor: Femme Mystique Femme Mystique
I have encountered a few negative comments from partners in the past. One didn't like that I have a couple tattoos, for example. A lot of my negative feelings come from within, however. I try to balance these feelings by focusing on the things I like about myself. While I still get down on myself sometimes, I feel like these affirmations have really helped me top feel overall pretty good about myself.
06/08/2012
Contributor: Loriandhubby Loriandhubby
As some may know I was a stripper years and years ago. My body is nothing like it use to be and it bothers me a lot. I genrally have a poor self image. I really want my young and tone body back. Unfortantly, at 40 somehting fear I'm stuck with my body.

How do I improve myself image and do the videos I make or put up the photos of me for my reviews? That was a huge hurdle for me to over come. Really.

For the most part, I"m still horified over my body. But to make things easier and feel more confidant I have learned a few things that help me and maybe they will help others too.

I know this maybe hard for some, but for me I stand infront of the mirror and I firgure out what positions my body looks good in. I sort of dance around or what ever. I tell myself, your body looks good. Hubby loves it.

Also, I pamper myself with prety sexy outfits for the bed room. I choose outfits that hide my love handles or do not make them stand out. Even if i dont' realy think i'm sexy, the outfits help me feel sexy.

I really think that if you feel sexy and preaty that it helps with the over all image of your body.

Most of all, what helps me is the support that I recieve from the community. When I do a lingurie review and I put up a photo of me in the outfit, no matter how bad I think I look in the pic, the community is always there to give me encouragement and support through their wonderful comments. Honestly, my self image has been busted so much since I started sharing these photos and my videos on EF. The other day, my husband commented that I seem more confidant and also the he has noticed I don't insist that he turn off the lights anymore so he cant see my body.

HUGS to all the EF community for helping me with my self image.

I hope this comment helps someone , somehow.

HUGS lori
06/08/2012
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
The lack of one feeds into the lack of other for me, vice versa, and spirals into a Black Mass of self-loathing and worthlessness. No wonder ...
06/08/2012
Contributor: Kitka Kitka
I've had a few people mention something about my body before but mostly nowadays I just ignore the negative stuff because it's not really that important what others think of my body. As long as I'm happy and comfortable in my own skin then it will project and the people who matter will be happy with it too. My hubby loves my body and has always told me so, loving and supportive man he is, I just adore him.

I do have to say that having the community here post nice comments on the lingerie reviews does help too, but I haven't really had a self image issue for a few years now. I just put myself out there and started working on myself for myself and that was how I was able to get where I am today; loving my body in all its different forms even though there are times where I'm less enthusiastic.

Just remember, beauty comes from within no matter what you look like. If you have a terrible self image or you loathe yourself that's what you're going to project to others. Try to stay positive and don't dwell on "problem" areas, just come up with a plan to work on them.
06/08/2012
Contributor: BadassFatass BadassFatass
Since I answered "other"...I did have a partner make negative comments about my body and I pretty much told him where to shove his verbal abuse. If I'm not good enough for him, there is no way in hell he's good enough for me. It has taken me a lifetime to get comfortable with my body and I'm not going to let anyone ruin that for me.
06/08/2012
Contributor: Kitka Kitka
Quote:
Originally posted by BadassFatass
Since I answered "other"...I did have a partner make negative comments about my body and I pretty much told him where to shove his verbal abuse. If I'm not good enough for him, there is no way in hell he's good enough for me. It has ... more
Exactly, great mindset!
06/08/2012
Contributor: sexykiss sexykiss
i am not confident in myself
06/08/2012
Contributor: jryder3891 jryder3891
Quote:
Originally posted by Ansley


Body Image and Sex: Are they related? - Click to read the full article.

Men with a more positive body image are actually more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour (like sex without a condom). The theory is that these men feel ... more
I fell that you should always eat healthy and stay fit at the gym. But only if you arent comfortable with your body! Its for you! Not everyone else!
06/09/2012
Contributor: jryder3891 jryder3891
Quote:
Originally posted by sexykiss
i am not confident in myself
You should always feel comfortable with your self. If you arent with yourself. You wont feel anyone else is!
06/09/2012
Contributor: jryder3891 jryder3891
Quote:
Originally posted by Loriandhubby
As some may know I was a stripper years and years ago. My body is nothing like it use to be and it bothers me a lot. I genrally have a poor self image. I really want my young and tone body back. Unfortantly, at 40 somehting fear I'm stuck with my ... more
If you arent comfortable, maybe do something about it? Tell yourself that you like what you have. Stand in front of a mirror and find out what you need to do to make you feel better.
06/09/2012
Contributor: Short Cake Short Cake
I have always battled self image problems even still to do this day, there's really nothing I do at least positively. I workout like crazy and slim on the food. I've actually been looking into cognitive therapy to help the body image problems.
06/09/2012
Contributor: Nirelan Nirelan
i have no advice for anyone, being a big girl i have always had trouble finding myself attractive....but i know i'm beautiful, so i never let anyone bother me with their opinions.....and i only care what i think, and i think i am me...thats all i need to be if you dont like me for who i am or how i look then you dont deserve me.
06/10/2012
Contributor: Tripolar Tripolar
I know people who always think of themselves terrible! drives me crazy because I know you are what you think you are. If you keep thinking of yourself like a pile of sh*t, then you will be a pile of sh*t. Cheer up and love your body!
06/10/2012
Contributor: Missmarc Missmarc
Quote:
Originally posted by Ansley


Body Image and Sex: Are they related? - Click to read the full article.

Men with a more positive body image are actually more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour (like sex without a condom). The theory is that these men feel ... more
One of my ex used to tell me that I am too fat, need a diet. Hence why he's my ex I think having a good body image and sex are absolutely related. I've heard horror stories of women who only have sex in dark because they are too conscious about their body. I cannot believe sex can be good when it's always in total dark...
06/11/2012
Contributor: AHubbyof2SexualMinds AHubbyof2SexualMinds
I think body image problems are something we all struggle with, especially with what society defines as beautiful is something that is very difficult for us to achieve.

I find with both my wife and I that if we aren't feeling good about ourselves we don't feel sexy or want to have sex. But the better we feel about ourselves the more confidence we have and the more we want to be with each other.
06/11/2012
Contributor: SimpleHedonist SimpleHedonist
Having 3 kids, and weight that is like a yoyo (not do to dieting but just sort of what happens with me), my body seems ever changing, BUT, no matter, I have always been pretty happy with it.

I loved being huge and pregnant... that felt crazy sexy to me!!! When I have been really thin, I love my pronounced hip bones and belly button, when I have been more curvy I love the way my butt looks.

I always do little things that keep me feeling sexy.... paint my toenails, stay tan, use lots of yummy smelling lotions and potions, etc.

I have never had any partner make a disparaging comment about my body, but I am pretty sure even if they did I would find it somewhat amusing not upsetting. The more happy you are in your own skin the less someone else's comments have power over you.

Sexy is a state of mind for sure.... if you are feelin hot you will rock what ever body you are in!!!!!
06/11/2012
Contributor: BG529 BG529
I buy really sexy lingerie and that always makes me feel better
06/12/2012
Contributor: Jaimes Jaimes
I translate my productivity into my body image and self-worth.

If I'm being lazy, procrastinating at things, and generally not handling my business, my body suffers with it. I eat too much, I don't work out, I watch too much tv, and then I hate the way I feel AND look, and that kills my sex drive, or the sex I do have is forgettable, through no fault of anyone but me.

Conversely, the more productive I am, the better I tend to be at eating right, exercising, and being emotionally positive and engaged with my friends and family. And that translates to my body image and self-worth. During those times, my sex drive goes through the roof, and I have better sex.

I think that body image shouldn't be just about the outside. I think body image should really be about self-image. Rather than, "Do I LOOK beautiful and worthy as a person?", it should be, "Do I FEEL beautiful and worthy as a person?"

I think many more very deserving people could answer yes to that question.
06/14/2012