The Year of Self-Care: These Are the Biggest Sexual Wellness Trends of 2024
From self-love, to relationship sabbaticals, an experts shares her insights into the biggest sexual wellness trends of 2024.
When we welcome a new year, we can't help but get excited for all that's to happen, from how we'll decorate our homes to what we'll be wearing and where we'll be eating.
So it's only fair that we keep the crystal ball out and take a more personal look into how we'll be caring for ourselves this year, including the sexual wellness trends that we can expect to see in the self-love and sexual health space in 2024.
After all, sexual health is just that: health; and it's time to break the stigma surrounding having a healthy, happy (and thriving) sex life.
Lucky for us, Lovehoney's annual Sex Trend Report has just dropped, offering fresh insights into the key trends we can expect to see in our bedrooms and our sexual wellness products.
We spoke to the brand's resident sexologist, Christine Rafe, about the biggest sexual wellness trends of 2024...and what it all means.
Sexual Wellness Trends of 2024: AI Personalisation
We promise this isn't as terrifying as it first sounds. With most people familiar with Artificial Intelligence tools (ChatGPT alone has 180.5 million users and 1.5 billion visits per month), it's no surprise that AI is set to become a more influential tool in the sexual wellness space.
But how does this actually play out?
As Christine Rafe explains, because every person has a unique experience of desire, arousal, and pleasure, the utilisation of AI in sexual wellness products has the potential to create personalised pleasure experiences based on an individual’s specific needs.
"Incorporating AI into pleasure products means that toys could have the capability to learn about and adapt to their user’s pleasure," she says.
"This could include specific vibration or suction patterns, intensities, and rhythms that change based on feedback and movement and temperature."
In addition to AI, chatbots like Blush and Replika will likely increase in popularity in 2024. For people who may not have anyone to talk to about sex, sexuality and sexual health, chatbots can be a safer option (but of course, should be used as a useful addition to, and not a replacement for, real human contact).
Sexual Wellness Trends of 2024: Relationship Sabbaticals
Another sexual wellness trend that sounds divisive at first, but is less so once you unpack it.
The term "marriage sabbatical" was first put on the map by Cheryl Jarvis in her 2017 book The Marriage Sabbatical, which analysed the benefits of taking a consensual break in a marriage or relationship so each individual could work on themselves, then regroup as a more solid entity. It gained even more momentum when renowned relationship expert Esther Perel spoke about it a few years later.
In 2024, we can expect more and more couples to try the trend out – and the key to making it work is clear communication on your limits and boundaries.
"What a relationship sabbatical means can be completely different from one relationship to another," Christine points out.
"It relies on a clear discussion and agreement of boundaries and intentions of the sabbatical, and this includes whether having sex with other people is on or off limits."
"For some couples who engage in a relationship sabbatical, it does not include having sex with people outside of the relationship, and the focus is more on individual reflection and self-growth," she adds.
The benefits of a successful relationship sabbatical can be everything from developing a stronger sense of self through reflection, an increased level of gratitude and appreciation for your partner that you may overlook in the chaos of everyday life, breaking rigid routines and therefore injecting some freshness and excitement back into your sex life, and being a more supportive and attentive partner.
Sexual Wellness Trends of 2024: Holistic Sexuality
In the past, we've often thought the key to a good sex life lies in having regular sex...and lots of it.
But as we start to look at aspects of our physical and mental well-being as a holistic entity, we now realise sexual satisfaction isn't just about quantity but one part of a much broader equation.
A holistic approach to sexuality takes into account how we feel before and after engaging in a sexual experience (either with someone, a group, or solo) and how sexuality and pleasure are inextricably linked with our mental, emotional, and physical
health.
"Ways we can have a more holistic approach to our well-being is to practice showing vulnerability in our relationship more generally. This will foster emotional closeness, which shows up during physical and sexual intimacy," Christine advises.
"Consider that masturbation/solo touch is a form of self-care that can support our physical and mental health through stress relief, improving self-awareness, releasing endorphins, and mindful awareness of our body and pleasure," she notes.
Sexual Wellness Trends of 2024: Embracing Your Sexual Self at Every Age
As we age and change, so too do our libidos and sex life. How we had sex in our twenties compared to our forties, fifties, and beyond will look markedly different.
As per the Lovehoney Sex Trend Report, approximately 85% of Australian people with ovaries experience menopause symptoms; however, how this impacts our sexual needs, desires, and wants has been greatly ignored by society – until recently.
As many Gen-Xers start to enter perimenopause and menopause, we're seeing this conversation be addressed in the mainstream media (celebrities like Naomi Watts, Drew Barrymore and Gwyneth Paltrow are just a few of the A-list stars who have spoken out about experiencing menopause) and a more celebratory and inclusive approach to embracing your sexual self at every age.
There is so much good sex to be enjoyed at every chapter of life, and quite frankly, we're here for it!
Sexual Wellness Trends of 2024: Outercourse
It's estimated that only around 18% of women can orgasm from penetration alone. In 2023, research also showed that a lack of clitoral education and clitoral exploration contributes to women in relationships only orgasming 65% of the time during sex, versus their male partners, who orgasm 95% of the time every time they have sex.
Enter outercourse.
“Outercourse is anything that an individual considers sensually and/or sexually relevant that is not penetrative sex. Some definitions of outercourse might say it is specifically genital touch that is non-penetrative, but I like to define outercourse as more of a whole-person experience," says Christine.
She continues: "A stronger focus on outercourse can support penis owners in reduced performance pressures. With less of a focus on penetrative sex, there can be more focus on pleasure that is not reliant on erection and/or ejaculation and helps to unravel the traditional linear view of sex with penetration as the ‘goal.'"
The Best Sex Products for Women in 2024
Department of Bed Intentions Water Based Lubricant, $35
A lubricant that's safe, fun and microbiome friendly? Sign us up. From the Department of Bed Intentions, this water-based lubricant is hydrating and soothing, thanks to its formula of green tea, prebiotics and fermented cranberry. Plus, it's the first microbiome-friendly certified personal lubricant in the world so it helps maintain microbiome balance and pH levels for safe play.
Girls Get Off Missy Vibrator, $196
Described as "small but mighty", the Missy from Girls Get Off is petite but powerful. Discreet and quiet, she's USB-chargeable and ready to travel wherever the mood takes you. Made by a company fueled by the desire for women to feel empowered about all things pleasure, it's a toy designed to get results. Don't believe us? The reviews really do speak for themselves.
We-Vibe Sync O Remote and App Controlled Rechargeable Couple's Vibrator, $249
A fun vibrator for couples with an ergonomic shape for shared hands-free vibrations during sex. Use the button on the toy, or play with the remote or free We-Vibe app to try out more options.
LELO Flickering Touch Massage Candle, $49
Made from all-natural soy wax, shea butter and apricot kernel oil, this lightly-scented candle serves up a seductive glow as it melts into a pool of warm, aromatic massage oil. Plus, it's available in three distinct aromas - Vanilla & Crème De Cacao, Snow Pear & Cedarwood, and Black Pepper & Pomegranate - to suit your mood.
Womanizer NEXT, $319.95
From the trailblazers in women's intimate pleasure comes the next generation of toy: the Womanizer NEXT. The brand has re-engineered its patented technology to create 3D Pleasure Air which creates a sucking sensation that can also be customised by the user. It's also the most quiet toy in the range, so what's not to love?
ilo Wellness Egg Vibrator, $144
Flexible, small and chic? Yes, please. Designed to cup the vulva and stimulate the entire erogenous area, The Egg is 100% waterproof and has 10 vibration patterns that gradually increase as you cycle through. Plus, in a pastel pink and apricot tone, it's perfectly pretty as well.
Maude Vibe Personal Massager, $76
The brand's original 3-speed, fluter tip vibrator, vibe is designed for focused external stimulation. So chic it is featured in New York's MoMA Design Store, it's also made of 100% platinum-grade silicone and is phthalate and latex-free.
Frenchie The Petit Eiffel Mini Vibrator, $85
From a company inspired by the French je ne sais quoi, it's only natural they release a vibrator named the Petit Eiffel. Small but powerful, it's perfectly travel-sized you can take your "lover" with you anywhere you go.
Vush Empress 2, $220
With a curved handle and whisper-quiet technology, this little beauty mimics the sensation of really good oral sex but without any strings attached. It's a best seller and a fan favourite, with a curved handle and whisper-quiet technology for the ultimate thrill.
That's The Spot Romance is Dead Gift Pack, from $144
Offering adult toys with a super cute twist, That's The Spot is spicing up the way we shop (and gift) when it comes to pleasure. With a range of chic and aesthetic vibrators (called Pleasure Pals), they can be purchased solo or paired with chocolates, lollies, skincare or spirits for the ultimate self-love hamper for yourself or your bestie. We love the Romance is Dead gift pack which features a Pleasure Pal of your choice, a bottle of BABY Pink Gin, water-based lubricant, foam toy cleaner and a box of Hard Candy.
Normal Billie Palm Vibrator, $160
Designed to curve against your body (or, your partner's), Billie sits easily in your palm and can be used to stimulate a wide range of erogenous zones. It's the perfect toy for beginners, plus it's gentle, travel-friendly and quiet.
Dame Eva Couples Vibrator, $140
Wearable and hands-free, this clitoral vibe is designed to stay in place during partnered sex. With a secure and comfortable fit, it was designed by women, for women.
Unbound Squish, $66
The latest release from female-founded Unbound, the Squish is delightfully soft and smooshy. The idea is to control the vibrations (of which there are four intensities) with your grip. The harder you squeeze, the stronger the vibes. Made from body-safe silicone, it's USB rechargeable and waterproof...and plenty of fun.
Womanizer Wave Clitoral Stimulation Shower Head, $179
A throwback to the good old showerhead, discover wave after wave of pleasure from the intimate wonders of water with this innovative, climax-inducing model. Designed to elevate your shower experience, the Womanizer Wave is equipped with interchangeable settings, patented technology and powerful jets for unique self-pleasure moments.
Did you enjoy our explainer on the top sexual wellness trends of 2024 and keen to keep the fun times going? Check out our list of non-boring V-Day gifts to buy him this year. Then, take a squiz at our engagement ring styles to consider in 2024.
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