Sexual Fantasies
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  by Elizabeth BurtonEverybody daydreams and fantasizes. Fantasies can be about anything, but probably the most intriguing if not most common fantasies are about sex. A sexual fantasy refers to almost any mental imagery that is sexually arousing or erotic to the person fantasizing and is important for a healthy sex life. Not having them, or feeling guilty about sexual fantasies can contribute to sexual dysfunction and today it is common in sex therapy to encourage the use of sexual fantasies during masturbation. As mentioned above, sexual fantasies are very common. Across 13 research studies, 85.9% of men and 68.8% of women fantasize during masturbation. 76% of both men and women fantasize during intercourse when analyzed across 7 studies. Six research studies found on average that 95% of men and women have had sexual fantasies outside of any sexual activity. Opinions about sexual fantasies have evolved in the past 70 years. In the 40s, Freud introduced the idea that “a happy person never [fantasizes], only an unsatisfied one.” Other psycho-analysts have expressed similar negative views, suggesting that sexual fantasies are the result of sexual dissatisfaction, immaturity, inhibition, masochism, and unconscious sexual conflicts. But evidence fails to support this position and today it is considered a disorder not to have sexual fantasies. The human brain is a sexual organ and just as important as genital organs. What we think about can either enhance or inhibit sexual response to any type of sexual stimulation, and sexual fantasy is even arousing alone. Research studies have found that frequent sexual fantasies contributes to greater sexual desire, orgasm during intercourse, greater arousability, fewer sexual problems, and perhaps greater sexual satisfaction in general. Women who experience more frequent orgasms during both intercourse and masturbation fantasize more often. Women who had more erotic fantasies during masturbation experienced more frequent orgasms during intercourse. The positive association between sexual fantasy frequency and orgasmic frequency during intercourse appears to be true for men as well. Even though sexual fantasies are normal, healthy and are enjoyed by most, a significant amount of men and women feel guilty about having them. Some even feel that sexual fantasies are morally unacceptable. Often, those who feel guilty try to suppress their sexual fantasies. Sex therapy encourages sexual fantasies, and it may be a good idea to visit one if you experience any difficulties with them. References: (1) Leitenberg and Henning, “Sexual Fantasy”, Psychological bulletin, 117, p469, 1995. (2)Zurbriggen and Yose, “Power, Desire, and Pleasure in Sexual Fantasies”, The Journal of Sex Research, 41, p288, 2004. Comment on this Article:  |
