Relationships and Sexual Health

A new study in Gut Microbes suggests supportive marital bonds may lower obesity risk by influencing oxytocin, brain activity, and gut metabolites. This research highlights a biological pathway linking social connection to physical health.

New longitudinal research suggests that collaborative communication patterns help explain the link between attachment anxiety and lower sexual satisfaction, providing evidence that how partners discuss sex matters for long-term well-being.

A comprehensive analysis of over 4,000 individuals reveals that romantic partners with differing political views experience a modest drop in relationship quality. The findings suggest polarization now permeates private life.

Researchers report that 30mg of daily saffron improved erectile function and sexual desire in men after four weeks.

Legal restrictions on abortion may drive up the perceived value of birth control. A behavioral economics study reveals that college women demonstrate higher demand for emergency contraception when abortion is hypothetically illegal.

The dissolution of a marriage may cast a long shadow on children’s health. A new study links parental divorce during childhood to a 61 percent increased risk of stroke in adults over age 65.

Who enjoys anal sex and why? New research maps the anatomy, demographics, and psychology behind this sexual practice.

Does parenthood dim the spark? Research involving 3,000 people globally found that parents tend to experience less passion and intimacy than non-parents, though the actual number of children does not worsen the decline.

Research in Frontiers in Psychology suggests that for long-term couples, the act of helping isn't enough. To truly strengthen the bond, support must trigger a feedback loop of felt and expressed gratitude.

The prospect of remaining single for years can make people more willing to date someone with a dealbreaker. This new research suggests the simple expectation of being alone can lead individuals to compromise their standards.

A review in Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation challenges simple views on alcohol and marriage. Researchers found that while drinking fuels violence, couples with matching habits—even heavy ones—often face lower divorce risks than those with mismatched patterns.

Your mindset about sex may predict your relationship's resilience. A new study links a “growth” belief, which frames sexual satisfaction as a skill, to greater optimism for new couples facing adversity.

New findings in the journal Menopause suggest that masturbation may provide significant relief for sleep disturbances and mood changes. The study reveals that many women rate self-pleasure as a highly effective method for symptom management.

A new Canadian study followed individuals in exclusive relationships for a year to see if having a "crush" caused damage. The results suggest that while attractions to others are common, they rarely doom a committed partnership.

Why do we date people who resemble us? Australian researchers suggest it isn't just social pressure. Their computer simulation shows that heritable traits and preferences naturally lead to "assortative mating" without any outside forces.