Psychological research shows that couples who talk openly about sex report higher levels of relational satisfaction. Talking with transparency comes with the risk of hurting our partners’ feelings, embarrassing ourselves, and asking for things that feel selfish, and it forces us to be vulnerable about the parts of ourselves many of us try to hide: our naked, sexual bodies. Talking openly and honestly with our sexual partners, however, comes with a higher level of discomfort. We divulge details, share tips and tricks, and even get advice on aspects of our strained sex lives. Many of us are comfortable talking about sex with friends.
