Top Ten Sexual Health and Wellness Trends to Watch

Sex education and marketing have long catered to cisgender heterosexual folks with a predominant focus on male pleasure — but not anymore.

According to sexperts like Angie Rowntree, founder of the female erotica website of Sssh.com, “adaptive sex” is making sex more accessible and inclusive for everyone.

“There’s a wonderful larger trend toward making sex adaptive for adults at all life stages, including those adults with differently abled bodies and/or chronic illness,” Rowntree says.

In 2021, the National Coalition for Sexual Health launched its Guide to Sexual Concerns and Pleasure to promote a pleasurable sex life regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental ability, race or ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.

Adaptive sex is a growing trend that may be seen in:

• period sex awareness and the removal of stigma
• nonpharmaceutical devices for helping people with erectile dysfunction
• CBD oils and lubes to help you relax during sex
• new devices and toys to help differently abled bodies experience pleasure and intimacy (e.g., OhMiBod’s Lovelife Rev)

As more education and marketing companies embrace adaptive sex, you can expect an increase in products, education, and resources to help you achieve pleasure.

Marla Renee Stewart, MA, a sexologist and sexpert at Lovers Stores, says that as more people explore their gender identity, there’s been an increase in sex toys that can be used on a variety of bodies and genitalia.

“This makes room for intersex folks who might have variances in their genitalia and gives them more room for pleasure,” Stewart says

The stigma around menstruation is fading, and more people with uteruses — particularly Gen Zers — feel more comfortable talking about their period.

According to Jess O’Reilly, a sexologist at Astroglide, the monthly experience of menstruation is out from the shadows and no longer shrouded in shame.

Here are a few signs that menstruation is becoming accepted by the mainstream:

• increased conversations about periods
• self-pleasure to relieve symptoms (i.e., the 2020 “menstrubation” study)
• Heinz’s drink for periods to soothe symptoms and promote period health
• menstrual art installations
• movements like PERIOD that distribute products to communities in need
• period products like August

From podcasts to online forums, supplements, and beauty products, the stigma around menopause is starting to lift.

“Menopause is no longer a footnote but is finally being addressed as the main event,” O’Reilly says.

A 2021 report indicates that the size of the global menopause market is expected to continue increasing and reach $22.7 billion by 2028.

According to O’Reilly, menopause education and awareness will become more visible in:

• medicine and nursing
• therapy for people going through menopause
• sex education (i.e., redefining your sexual identity and how you approach pleasure)

O’Reilly says she hopes to see more conversations about sex, dating, and relating during postmenopause. “Life — and pleasure — doesn’t stop when your uterus ceases to be an incubator for human life,” she adds.

Carol Queen, PhD, a staff sexologist at Good Vibrations, says it’s important to understand the physical and mental wellness effects associated with perimenopause. To learn more, Queen recommends checking out “What Fresh Hell Is This? Perimenopause, Menopause, Other Indignities, & You” by author and podcast host Heather Corinna.

“I feel sure this new take on an old topic will inspire much more up-to-date info and discussions,” Queen adds.

Experts like Rowntree agree that masturbation stigma is decreasing as more folks are embracing self-pleasure.

In fact, the pleasure-product industry is booming, with luxury brands like Maude and Lora DiCarlo going mainstream with celebrity endorsements.

According to Rowntree, other self-pleasure trends in demand include:

• audio erotica
• guided masturbation
• ethical video streaming services

Sarah Melancon, PhD, a clinical sexologist at Sex Toy Collective, adds that masturbation may be an increasing trend among older adults, too.

For instance, a 2022 study of 4 European countries found that among adults ages 60 to 75, between 41% to 65% of men and 27% to 40% of women reported masturbating during the previous month.

“This has important implications for sexual counseling and overall health, as well as the sex toy industry,” Melancon says.

Sexual health supplements are becoming a popular addition to wellness routines.

“People are thinking about their sexual health more,” Stewart explains. “Vitamins that cater to our sexual needs are going to be important.”

Stewart adds that many folks are turning to natural libido and erectile tissue enhancers, like Vixen Pill and Kangaroo Supplement.

“In a world full of convenience, these pills and supplements enable you to have some natural and fast-acting, which is the primary key for any kind of sex tech innovation,” Stewart says.

Rowntree adds that supplements promoting sexual health may also be helpful at the onset of menopause.

A 2021 report predicts that the global sexual wellness market will hit $45 billion by 2026. The North American market alone will reach $10.5 billion by 2026.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that there’s an app for everything, but you might not realize how many apps out there have been created for the sole purpose of helping your sex life,” Rowntree says.

Sexual wellness apps are available for conditions including:

• sexual dysfunction
• low libido
• menopause
• depression
• infertility

To help you choose a high quality app, Rowntree recommends looking for ones that work with licensed physicians, therapists, or sexologists or are endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Some apps to consider include:

• The Sex Ed
• Ferly
• Rosy
• Caria
• Lover