Sexual Taboos That are Actually Totally Normal

The world we live in is becoming more open and accepting, but it can still be difficult to break past those mental blocks that tell us certain things are ‘wrong’ or ‘weird’.

When it comes to exploring our fantasies in the bedroom, we think it’s important to break down these taboos and live out those sexual desires that you’ve kept locked away in your imagination.

You might be surprised to find that many of these sexual fantasies are now totally normal. There’s nothing to be ashamed of or nervous about, more people than ever are dipping their toe into some seriously experimental waters. Here are some of the top sexual taboos that have been smashed in recent years.

Masturbation

When we polled our Ann Summers party planners, we found they predicted masturbation and self-love would be the next big sex trends over the coming years. This shows just how comfortable people feel talking about masturbation now. After all, why shouldn’t we all be allowed to explore our bodies? Masturbation is no longer a dirty secret that we indulge in, never to be spoken of, it’s the perfect way to discover your body. Whether using or your fingers or trying out a bullet or dildo, there are all kinds of ways to please yourself in the bedroom. Pleasure positivity is all about finding out what you like and what doesn’t work for you. It’s never too late to start masturbating, even if you’re a beginner when it comes to self-love, the benefits can be out of this world!

Read our beginners guide to masturbation here

Pegging

Pegging is one of the most popular up-and-coming sex trends and can help make your biggest role-reversal fantasies come true. This type of sex was once a serious taboo, especially for those men who worried about being ‘macho’, but, thankfully, it’s no longer a taboo reserved for only the most kinky amongst us. For those couples looking to spice up their sex lives, pegging opens them up to a whole world of different sensations. Just in the way the G-Spot is a source of huge pleasure for women, the P-Spot can do the same for men. When it comes to seeking pleasure, apply plenty of lube and be thankful that pegging is now totally normal!

Read our beginners guide to pegging here

Bondage

Bondage is no longer an act that people view as dark and seedy, it’s something we can all indulge in at home. The Fifty Shades of Grey books and films helped bring it to the mainstream, where it now flourishes as a sex act that everyone can enjoy without feeling any shame – and quite rightly. Start out with some tying up and a little spanking and let your imagination run wild from there, whether it’s light spanking, whipping and paddle play or full restraining and handcuffs. The great thing about bondage is you can do as much or as little as you’re both comfortable with. Just make sure you set the boundaries at the beginning and agree on a safe word!

Read our beginners guide to bondage here

Period Sex

Your period doesn’t have to be the cliché week where you feel frumpy, unsexy and hold off from sex for days on end. Period sex may make you feel a little awkward at first but give it a try and you’ll thank us. Tearing down those barriers and embracing your womanhood can lead to some amazing benefits. You’ll feel closer to your partner for a start, plus it’ll help you feel sexier during a time when you might appreciate a bit more reassurance. On top of this, the release of all those feel-good chemicals into your body will act as fantastic pain relief and it’s often thought that orgasms feel much stronger during your period. Win-win!

Read our period sex guide here

Anal Play

Male or female – everyone can enjoy anal play. It’s no longer considered a ‘dirty’ and potentially painful act, and in fact, it can bring incredible pleasure if it’s done properly. Whether you’re having sex in a couple, or adding an extra element to masturbation, a little anal exploration can open doors to worlds of different and amazing sensations. Good anal is all about preparation; this means you’ll need plenty of lube and the patience to take things slowly and listen to each other. Start with a beginner’s butt plug then graduate on to bigger things as and when you’re ready. The same applies whether you’re going solo or bringing anal into couples play, take things steady and you’ll soon find out why everyone is doing anal these days.

Read our beginners guide to anal sex here