Sex is back. After falling off the agenda during lockdowns, with couples reporting that sex had dried up, we are now making up for lost time.
Condoms, lube and bikini hair removal products are selling fast, with hygiene giant Reckitt reporting that sales shot up by nearly a fifth towards the end of last year.
But now we are ready to get back to business, where do we start?
Here are the biggest saucy trends for 2022 with our A to Z of sex.
ADVENTURE: Research by British sex toy retailer Lovehoney found 52 per cent of couples became more adventurous in the bedroom during lockdown, trying out role play, car sex, games and erotic fantasies.
And 71 percent said they will continue.
BOOBS: A new Channel 4 documentary, Boobs, featuring Megan Barton Hanson, explores how women really feel about their breasts, while a recent Adidas campaign shows bare boobs of all shapes and sizes.
And celebs from Maya Jama to Shirley Ballas have been favoring boob-baring frocks.
COACHING: Sex therapy has gone mainstream, with coaches offering a safe space to navigate emotions and learn new skills.
Even luxury department stalwart Selfridges is offering sex therapy in store to tempt shoppers back in.
DELIVERIES: Next day delivery? That’s so last year. Now we want our orders extra fast — including gadgets for the bedroom.
Sex toy brand Lelo teamed up with delivery app Zapp to organise saucy parcels, direct to your doorstep, just half an hour after ordering.
ECO-FRIENDLY TOYS: Your bedside drawer just got much more eco-friendly.
Toys are now often made from biodegradable and recycled materials, have solar-panel charging and produce less greenhouse gas emissions during production.
Even organic condoms are available.
FLUID RELATIONSHIPS: Swinging, polyamory and open marriages are no longer confined to Louis Theroux documentaries.
Known as “ethical non-monogamy”, fluid relationships are becoming common, according to Lovehoney.
GOOP DUPES: Goop launched their first ever own-brand sex toy and the £90 wand completely sold out.
Luckily, our go-to high street stores from Nasty Gal to Lovehoney began flogging close-looking matches for half the price.
Try, Lovehoney Deluxe Rechargeable Mini Massage Wand Vibrator, $54.30, Lovehoney.co.uk.
HETEROFLEXIBILITY: Even if you identify as “mostly straight”, now is the time to embrace being attracted to the same gender.
Throw away the labels and find where you sit on the heteroflexibility spectrum.
INTIMATE MOMENTS: Though we are back to our fast-paced way of living, sex experts are predicting that sex will remain slower paced.
Sessions could last up to a few hours and becoming a more “mindful” lover is the key to reaching new pleasurable heights.
JAB PILLOW TALK: If first dates were not awkward enough, Covid then brought with it the topic of vaccination — certainly before kissing or getting more intimate.
Instead of having to ask the question, dating apps now allow you to post your vaccination status on your profile.
KISSING: After years of social distancing, we are now puckering up and smooching in public — just like J-Lo and Ben Affleck.
A lingering kiss that lasts around 10 seconds can also release the feelgood chemicals.
LUBE UP: The new wave of lubes can enhance the sexual experience and with a bit of research you can find your perfect match.
There is something for everyone with lube varieties being water-based, oil-free, silicone based, organic and vegan.
Not only that, they are also in different flavours.
MORNING SEX: Starting the day with a little hanky panky is not only mood-boosting, but can knock up to seven years off you.
A recent study found that those in the 40 to 50 age group who looked younger than their age claimed to have sex around three times a week.
NETFLIX SEXFLIX: It is no longer Netflix and chill but Netflix and thrill.
From sexy series like The Woman In The House Across The Street From The Girl in the Window, to Dark Desire, Sex/Life, and more, the popular streaming platform has become the go-to for steamy action.
OUTERCOURSE: Teasing is no longer just for starters, as outercourse is set to become more popular than intercourse, says sexual wellness brand Lelo.
Think sensual massage, “earplay” — that is foreplay around the ears — and more.
Taking time to explore instead of rushing to the finish line encourages better communication.
PODCASTS: Spotify is awash with kinky stories that help you get in the mood — try the Dipsea series — or sex therapists chatting about kinks — check out Foreplay Radio.
There is also subscription-based startup Emjoy, providing both practical audio sessions and erotic content.
QUALITY: More singles than ever would now class themselves as “consciously single” as the pandemic made them go cold turkey on dating apps.
Expect far fewer one-night stands as people look for quality over quantity when it comes to sexual relationships.
ROLEPLAY: For those still WFH, getting into character has become more common to spice things up after working hours.
Take inspiration from Netflix shows like Bridgerton.
SITUATION HIPS: The pandemic has made sex without the romantic commitment more popular than ever, according to the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyle.
However, rather than plumping for sex with strangers, many are looking closer to home and hooking up with a friend.
TECH TOYS: Fun “on the go” is booming.
According to sex toy brand Satisfyer, 2021 saw a huge spike in sales of their wearable products which are then linked to an app that can be controlled by you — or someone else.
UNDERWEAR: Bras were flung to the back of the knicker drawer and pants grew bigger during lockdown — but now sexy sales are back on top with a 1,000 per cent jump in sales of lingerie post-pandemic, according to Klarna.
A sexy red underwear set is $38 at Ann Summers.
VIRTUAL RELATIONSHIPS: After years of social distancing, singletons are now more willing to go the distance when looking for true love.
According to dating app Plenty Of Fish, half of its users have set their location preferences to “anywhere” — more than ever before.
WORDLE: The internet word game Wordle has become a global craze — and psychologists say couples who both play are likely to have an enhanced relationship.
Contrary to popular belief, it is those with similar interests — not opposites — who attract.
X MEN STYLE KINK: Kink is becoming less of a taboo.
Hit Netflix show Sex, Love & Goop explores some unconventional sexual activities, and the Goop website encourages shoppers to buy a pair of “wolverine claws”, which can be used to stroke your lover.
YONI MASSAGE: Searches for “yoni massage” were up 100 percent year on year in 2021 and the sexual wellness trend is set to continue. It is said to improve your sex life and ease any tension or pain.
There are specialist massage therapists or it can be performed by the individual or a partner.
ZONING: Sensory sex is a big wellness trend designed to engage as many senses as possible to heighten pleasure and intimacy.
For touch, think of erogenous zones like the inner wrist and feet, but don’t forget the other senses too — from sight to taste or smell.
This story originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced here with permission.
