A few weeks ago, the students who work for the Vrai du Faux Junior wondered about the impact that the consultation of pornographic sites can have on minors. In the continuity of this session, they wonder this week about received ideas or rumors which circulate on sexuality. Dr. Damien Mascret, sexologist and journalist at France Television answers them.
No, foods do not increase libido, but believing in them can have an impact
“I heard that certain elements increase the libido. Is this true?” Yasmine asks. “Unfortunately that’s not true, replies Damien Mascret. Unfortunately, because many would like to be able to boost their libido with food. What is true is that from the moment you believe in something it can have an effect. So if you believe a food can boost, chances are it works. It won’t be the food, it’s just your brain. You believed it, it worked!”
Yes, sexually transmitted infections are on the rise
“Is it true that STIs are on the rise among young people and if so why? Raphael asks. We indeed see an increase in STIs, Damien Mascret confirms this, with two explanatory factors: the first is “that we track a lot more. There is a considerable increase in screening among women under 25 and men under 30.“
The second reason is related to the fact “that there is a certain laxity in protections, for example in the use of condoms, but also precautions to be taken during practices that are not of the order of penetration. There are risks that are sometimes poorly understood, we must be better informed about them to avoid them.
The average durations of sexual intercourse are not necessarily to be taken as a reference
“Is it true that there is an average duration for sexual intercourse and if so when is it considered too short or too long?“ continues Raphael.
“There are indeed average durations which are of the statistical order” replies Damien Mascret, “but be careful, you have to consider what is called a sexual relationship: it is not just penetration, as many imagine. Moreover very often sexual intercourse can take place without any penetration, with kisses, caresses, other sexual activities. It is true, he adds,“that statistically the penetration lasts around five minutes. Which is sometimes much too long for some women, who will have an orgasm more quickly if there are other stimulations, in particular clitoral, but sometimes also much too short for others, so there really isn’t an effective average duration of intercourse.”
For the sexologist, the important thing is what the two partners will decide. There is no mandatory duration of intercourse and penetration.
No, there is no penis size grading
“Is it true that there is a ranking of average erect penis sizes?” asks Yoni. “No, there is not really a classification”, replies Damien Mascret. The doctor tells him that 95% of men have a penis that measures between 9.5 cm and 17.5 cm when erect and that two out of three men have a penis that measures 11.5 cm and 15 cm. This does not mean that there is not an optimal size.
“It’s true, he adds, that one in 10 men would like to have a longer penis and there is even one in two who would like a bigger one even though they believe they have a penis of normal size, so we can clearly see that this is a concern masculine. On the other hand, when we question the women, we realize that it is really not a concern and that in the end there are only two women out of 100 who would like their partner to have a bigger penis”.
The sexologist even specifies that 5% of women would like their partner to have a smaller penis. Likewise, he points out,many women would like to have bigger breasts when it is not necessarily the main concern of their partner”.
Yes, you can have great sex when you are quadriplegic
“Can quadriplegics have a fulfilling sexuality even if they are handicapped?” Elisha asks.
“We now know that pleasure is first in the brain”replies Damien Mascret. “Although it can be triggered by stimulation of the genitals or different erogenous zones, in reality the brain can reorganize itself. When you are quadriplegic or paraplegic, “we realize that the brain can be stimulated because let’s not forget that excitement is sensations, there can be some with kisses or caresses of the face but it is also psychological, psychic excitement… Excitement can rise so much, d Moreover, that some women and some men can have orgasms even without being touched. Which shows that pleasure and even orgasm is first in the brain.”
No, sexuality is not reserved for young people
Elisa has another question about sexuality through the ages: “Is it true that sexuality is reserved for youth?”
Noreplies Damien Mascret. “The septuagenarians, the octogenarians still have sexual intercourse, in any case when they have partners for duo sexuality. And then we also realize that women like men maintain a solo sexuality, through masturbation. So it’s not reserved for young people, it’s a myth, but it’s true that there is often more appetite when you’re young than when you’re very old.“
Sexuality is not necessarily a way to evacuate stress
“Is it true that people who don’t have an active sexuality are tense, therefore more stressed?“ Lucia asks.
“Noreplies Damien Mascret. It’s true that sometimes we have the impression that sexuality is a way to release tension and sometimes even in the couple it can be a subject of negotiation.“. Now, he points out, “it’s not about having sex just to relieve stress or calm down your partner, that wouldn’t be a good reason. That said, he adds, it is also true that in certain periods when one is particularly tense, stressed, during examination period for example, one can have a resurgence of masturbation or a desire for sexual intercourse. But there are definitely individual sensitivities, for some it will be true and for others it will be quite the opposite.”