More thoughts on sex

Ok, I'll admit it. I'm looking for another blockbuster. And having published 37 hubs (which I know is not record-breaking, but still) I'm beginning to see the patterns.

Of my own hubs the ones about sexuality have by far gotten the most page views. Either one or both of them will be among the top three hot and/or best hubs on my profile. So apparently pretending to be the (s)expert on HubPages pays off. ;)

I also noticed that my hubs on divorce come second with respect to both (perceived) quality and popularity. One could think that there's a correlation between sexuality and divorce. Of course it could also be the case that my other hubs are downright boring.

Anyway, the two hubs I mentioned received some comments I'd like to elaborate on.

I doubt when they said it was good for your complexion that they meant the "act" of sex. Im thinking they meant "something" else, related to "sex." I wonder if it makes hair shiny and bouncy as well? Hmmmm....Things to experiment upon...

I don't think they meant anything else. The act of sex will cause your body to produce hormones, sex hormones. Both men and women have two important hormones: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) which controls formation of eggs by the ovary and luteinising hormone (LH) which controls the production of sex hormones by the ovaries. Remarkable that these hormones that control the ovaries are also present with men. In addition, men produce testosterone and androstenedione, while women produce the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen and testosterone, the main sex steroid hormones, have long been known to affect behavior. They also affect mood, mental state and cognition. Among the functions of estrogen are the promotion of formation of female secondary sex characteristics, to decelerate height growth, to accelerate metabolism (burn fat), to reduce muscle mass, to stimulate endometrial growth, to increase uterine growth, the maintenance of vessel and skin and reduce bone resorption, to increase bone formation. Testosterone also has a number of effects, among which maintenance of muscle mass and strength, maintenance of bone density and strength, libido and clitoral engorgement/penile erection frequency and mental and physical energy. So yes, the actual act of sex does have a number of emotional, mental and physical effects.

Well, since you mentioned "just for the fun of it" you have chosen just about the 'funnest' subject of the human race...the most serious as well! Sex...an odd paradox for all of us.

This is so true. Sex is a controversial subject. I will address this in more detail in my answer to the next comment.

Well, this was a very fun read, Ananta! Now, I average only 5 hours of sleep a night. Definitely have problems with getting enough sleep. Maybe I need more.....hmmmmm. I've heard it's good for your complextion, too. Although I agree that love isn't a crucial element, I do think that it definitely can take the experience to another level of enjoyment. Love and familiarity can go a long way toward complimenting trust. Yes, this hub might break your record!

I can relate to what you say. However (of course there's a however), it is all about perception. We're now entering the psychological realm.

Let's start simple. When you're in love everything you do will appear to be more fun, more intense, better when done with your loved one than it feels when you do it alone or with someone you don't love. A simple thing as getting the groceries is more fun when you do it together with the one you love than when you do it together with your neighbor (unless your neighbor is the one you love, of course). The act itself doesn't change, however. It is your perception of it that makes it different.

I could just leave it with that of course, but as I promised I would get into more detail to (also) address Desert Blondie's comment. So pay attention, I hope you're ready for some serious stuff.

The fact that sexuality is so controversial and we strongly associate it with love is caused by what C.G. Jung called our collective unconscious. The western man and woman have been taught over the past 2000 years that sex is exclusively reserved for married couples. Christianity has very strong views on sex. Basically sex is a means to produce offspring and it should be enjoyed (although Christianity does not pay too much attention to the joy-factor) within the sacred institution called marriage. These are the rules and morals that were planted in our brains for centuries. And no matter how open-minded we think we are, the collective unconsciousness influences us all. This is why sex is so controversial. This is why we think sex is better with our loved ones.

Note that other, earlier and highly civilized societies had a much more liberal view on sex. The Greek, the Romans and the ancient Egyptians treated sex as an enjoyable pastime, rather than as something dirty. I'm not saying either view is better than the other. They're different. Personally I tend to be drawn to the more liberal view.