10 taboo sex practices that shouldn't be

The last few years have seen the emergence of a certain democratization of the word on sex in France. Yet there are still lingering sexual taboos that we would like to see disappear. Here are 10 “taboo” sexual practices that (really) shouldn't be.

In recent years, words have been freed up on sex, and more specifically on female pleasure. Instagram accounts such as Gang du Clito, Jouissance Club or even Clit Révolution have given women a certain voice on their gender, but also on how to “have sex”. However, there is still a long way to go to break down the many taboos surrounding sexuality.

Freeing yourself from the idea that certain sexual acts are forbidden or "too taboo" may well be the path to ultimate pleasure. Here are 10 sex practices that shouldn't be considered taboo, especially because of all the orgasms they could give you.

Sex during menstruation

A lot of ink is being written about the subject of menstruation sex. Blame it on the taboo that still persists today around menstruation. While some women don't see periods as a hindrance to their sex life, for others – and their partner – it's less obvious. To the question "can you have sex on your period?" », The answer is clear: yes. Moreover, many people report a peak in libido during this time of the month, so why deny it if the desire burns between you and your other half? Discuss this with your partner beforehand to make the situation less dramatic.

Make love without penetration

Sex without penetration is often associated with an anatomical or psychological blockage while its practice opens up the field of possibilities. In our phallocentric society, penetration has long represented the Holy Grail. Fortunately, in recent years, the time seems to have come to fully reconsider the very idea of ​​intercourse. The “preliminary – penetration – ejaculation” scheme is gradually giving way to other opportunities. Moreover, female pleasure and penetration do not seem so closely linked: an external activation of the clitoris is necessary to achieve orgasm. Sex can be anything you want it to be.

Virtual sex

The global coronavirus pandemic has made virtual sex the only safe option right now. That doesn't mean we should give it up when it's safe to have sex in real life again. Gone are the days when online sex was relegated to online discussions on shady chat sites. Whether you want to send erotic messages via text or voice note, share sexy photos or have sex on video, sex and digital technology now go hand in hand. Moreover, virtual and remote sex is one of the major sex trends of 2021.

See: How to make love from a distance?

Video by Clemence Chevallet

Sodomy (and anal practices in general)

For both men and women, anal sex is still taboo. "Hygiene", fear of hurting … The practice of anal sex is the subject of popular belief. However, the survey carried out by Toluna QuickSurvey in September 2019 in our country shows that this sexual act is rather common: 39% of those questioned claim to have practiced anal sex in the past year. So why is this pleasure ignored? “Sodomy, everyone tests it, but no one keeps it in their regular sexual practices. Quite simply because we hurt it because we do not know it well. There is no transmission! Gays give each other advice, straight guys don't ”, says journalist and sex expert Maïa Mazaurette in a special Cheek x Les Inrocks series.

The pegging

Speaking of anal sex, this is a sexual practice that could be described as the ultimate taboo. Most often, pegging or pegging refers to a hetero, cisgender woman, who penetrates, using a strap-on, a straight and cisgender man.

Read also: Should we break the taboo of pegging, female sodomy?

And unfortunately, because anal sex has historically been equated with an act of gay men, many straight men do not consider pegging. But, remember that the place and the way in which you receive pleasure does not determine your sexuality. Contrary to popular belief, pegging is not only exciting for the penetrated partner (who can reach the famous prostate orgasm). "In women, there is a psychic pleasure, a feeling of power from the fact of giving pleasure to the other, of reversing the roles and also of taking a certain form of power", explained to Aufeminin the sex therapist Claire Alquier.

The use of sextoys during sex

As explained above, most women fail to reach orgasm through simple penetration. Sex toys can improve sex with a partner more than you often imagine. While some do not hesitate to collect toys to add a little spice during sex, others sometimes do not dare to use them in front of their partner, for fear of upset them and hurt their feelings. ego. If this is your case, try opening up a discussion about it, and inviting them to your lovemaking through erotic games or by experimenting with mutual masturbation.

Selection of sex toys to invite to your antics

Wild sex consented

There is nothing weird about enjoying being spanked, scratched or insulted. Sexuality is also the place where our fantasies and savagery can be expressed. Provided, of course, that the two partners are fully consenting. Like any practice based on domination, it is essential to communicate before, during and after the sexual act and to fix or re-fix, at any time, the limits of this so-called “brutal” sex.

The practice of BDSM

In the same vein, BDSM (for “bondage, discipline, domination, submission, sadomasochism”) is often perceived as abnormal or immoral. Domination / submission games in bed are sometimes seen as sexual extensions of the patriarchal system. In the Profiles podcast of Arte Radio, Claire Richard explores this taboo of the fantasy of submission among straight feminist women, and questions these intimate contradictions. As long as each partner has given their consent and a safe word is established, each other's sexual preferences are nobody's business and should not be judged.

The fantasy of voyeurism and exhibitionism

When we think of voyeurism and exhibitionism, we often associate it with an illegal (and rather disgusting) context. Yet, when consented to and used for sexual purposes, these practices can be very exciting. We will rather speak of voyeuristic / exhibitionist fantasy and the eroticization of "seeing / being seen", because far from us the idea of ​​inciting you to observe people without their knowledge or to show yourself naked in public. Whether you enjoy practicing candaulism, which is watching your partner have sex with someone (with their consent) or enjoying watching them masturbate, you shouldn't have to. to blush.

Female masturbation

A taboo as old as the world. According to Ifop figures from 2017, 26% of French women have never masturbated. Blame it on preconceived ideas that die hard, but also on the lack of resources and education on how to achieve this pleasure. Fortunately, over the past two years, the issue of female pleasure has taken a considerable place in public and media spaces. And that feels good, especially when we know that female masturbation has many benefits on our body.