For most people, sex isn’t a crazy taboo topic, but it’s also not exactly prime dinner-table conversation either. (And you also might not feel super comfortable asking your most personal sex questions to anyone outside of your closest friend group.)
That’s why Otis Milburn—a central character on Netflix’s new show Sex Education—creates his own sex therapy side hustle at his high school. But since not everyone has an Otis around, we decided to consult a pro of our own. Here, sex and relationship expert Emily Morse, PhD, host of the “Sex with Emily” podcast on iTunes and radio show on Sirius XM, breaks down your most common questions. Consider this your ultimate guide to a true bedroom education of your own—no appointment required.
1. My partner wants to have sex way more often than I do. How can we work this out?
First, know this: Having different sex drives is extremely common in relationships. Morse says it’s normal for your libido and your partner’s to ebb and flow, especially once you’ve passed the honeymoon phase where you’re all over each other all the time. This can be due to many reasons—think stress, lack of self-confidence, anxiety, depression, and certain medications, to name a few. The ironic part, she says, is that the best way to rev up your libido is by simply having more sex and masturbating.
And although the number of times you have sex is different based on your couple dynamics, once or twice a week is generally considered a healthy amount, Morse advises.
2. I have a hard time orgasming during sex. Any tips?
You’re not alone, for starters. The majority of women do not achieve orgasm during vaginal intercourse. “Women require extra clitoral stimulation, and that usually doesn’t happen during intercourse,” says Morse. She suggests having more foreplay before sex instead of going straight to the act, to be sure your clitoris is stimulated.
Doing kegel exercises also strengthens your pelvic floor muscles, which in turn can lead to stronger orgasms, she adds.
3. How can I ask for what I want in bed without offending my partner or creating awkward tension?
Morse recommends having this convo outside the bedroom when you’re relaxed and in a good mood. “Road trips are great for this because you’re not making eye contact but you’re still together, which makes it less awkward to talk about sex,” she explains.
4. My partner watches a lot of porn without me. What does this mean about our relationship?
“It doesn’t mean he wants to be with these porn stars,” she adds. “Men are just really visual.” Women are, too (though Morse believes maybe not as much), so the same applies if you’re with a woman.
If you’re not okay with your partner’s solo porn-watching habits, try watching porn together. “Most porn is made for men, so try to find some female-friendly porn that you like,” she explains. Her recommendation is Erika Lust, a $10-a-month porn subscription site featuring videos created by an award-winning female erotic film director. Otherwise, a lot of women like girl-on-girl porn, she explains, or, if there’s a fantasy you have, try to find some porn that depicts that fantasy.
Last suggestion: Read erotica. The key is to find things that turn you on, whatever that looks like for you, she concludes.
5. How can I give a better blow job?
There are three important things to keep in mind, explains Morse. The first is that wetter is better: “Use lube, use your tongue, and use your lips—it’s really important that your partner’s penis is never dry,” she explains.
Second, it’s not always better to go deeper. “The head is the most sensitive area, so make sure you use your hand on the shaft and the frenulum,” continues Morse. (FYI: The frenulum is that small, sensitive spot on the back of the penis.)
Third, get into it! “If you’re not enjoying it, your partner likely won’t enjoy it, either,” says Morse. “Try making eye contact to enhance the experience.”
6. I don’t feel good about my body during sex. How can I be less self-conscious and just enjoy it more?
This is what Morse refers to as an “inside job,” because you have to do the work on yourself. Although it’s easy to think that the problem is rooted in sex, it’s actually often not about sex at all. Sometimes, it’s about your self-esteem in general, and whether or not your struggles may be rooted in a past trauma, abuse, or chronic negative thinking, says Morse.
Some ways to work on boosting your self-esteem include keeping a journal, repeating daily affirmations, having a good therapist, or all of the above. “The key is to retrain your thought patterns so that you can work toward accepting yourself,” she explains.
Another idea is to look at yourself in the mirror while you masturbate. “Seeing what your vagina actually looks like and how it works can help teach you how to love your body,” she explains.