Ask Gigi
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Welcome to Ask Gigi, a column where psychosexual therapist, Gigi
Engle, answers your most intimate questions and explores a range of
sexual health topics. .
The sexiest sentence in the English language
What if the sexiest thing you could say in bed wasn't "yes," but "actually... can we do something else?" Our desires, fantasies, and boundaries aren't meant to stay the same forever. Here's why changing your mind is one of the clearest signs of trust, honesty, and a healthy sexual relationship.
The Orgasm Gap isn’t a mystery so why is it still a problem?
We still treat penis-in-vagina intercourse as the main event and everything else as the opening act. Even the word foreplay suggests these activities are simply the warm-up before the “real thing.” But for many women and AFAB folx, the so-called warm-up is where the majority of pleasure actually happens.
5 Orgasm Facts Everyone Should Know
Orgasms are fascinating, unpredictable, and far more complex than most of us were ever taught. Here are five fun facts that might just change the way you think about the big O.
Red flats to look out for in D/s dynamics
Not everyone who calls themselves a Dominant understands ethical power exchange. Here's how to spot the warning signs and find partners who prioritize consent, communication, and care.
The myth of the perfectly secure polyamorous person
The internet loves the idea of the perfectly evolved polyamorous person: endlessly secure, never jealous, always calm. But real relationships are much more complicated. Let’s unpack why jealousy, insecurity, and the need for reassurance don’t mean you’re “bad” at non-monogamy, and how attachment theory can help us navigate those feelings with more curiosity and care.
Is it chemistry or attachement anxiety?
Have we confused emotional intensity with chemistry? This week, we're exploring why uncertainty can feel intoxicating, how anxiety gets mistaken for attraction, and what healthy chemistry actually looks like.
Why do I keep losing attraction in IRL relationships?
Why does attraction seem to disappear once a relationship becomes familiar? Exploring the difference between stimulation and desire, and what modern dating, porn, social media, and endless novelty might be teaching our brains about attraction.
Let's talk about ear play (and why some people can't get enough of it)
Can an ear really be an erogenous zone? We explore the science, psychology, and appeal of ear play, plus tips for trying it yourself.
Where do kinks and fetishes come from?
Why are we turned on by the things we're turned on by? It's one of the most common, and often most anxiety-provoking, questions people bring to sex therapy. In this article, we explore what research can and can't tell us about the origins of kink, why there is rarely a single explanation for our desires, and how approaching sexuality with curiosity rather than shame can open the door to greater self-understanding and self-acceptance.
What is a brat in BDSM?
Not all submissives are obedient. Some prefer to challenge authority, push boundaries, and keep their partners on their toes. Explore the playful psychology behind brat dynamics, what makes them so appealing, and how this unique form of power exchange actually works.
What queer kink communities do differently (and what we can learn)
Queer BDSM communities have long offered thoughtful frameworks for communication, consent, care, and the power of collaboration. This blog explores what queer kink spaces can teach us about intimacy, relational literacy, and building erotic connections with more intentionality and honesty.
What’s the difference between degradation kink and actual disrespect?
Degradation play is one of the most misunderstood aspects of BDSM. This piece explores the difference between consensual humiliation and genuine disrespect, why communication and emotional safety matter so deeply in kink, and how trust shapes healthy power exchange dynamics.
Why BDSM can feel so emotionally intimate
BDSM can feel unexpectedly emotional, and there’s a reason for that. This piece explores how trust, communication, and the nervous system come together to create a sense of connection that goes deeper than many people anticipate.
Don’t like sex like you used to? Read this.
If your sex drive isn’t what it used to be, you’re not alone. This piece unpacks why desire shifts and how to work with your body, your relationship, and your real life to build a more sustainable, connected sex life.
How to ask for what you want in bed without it feeling awkward
Talking about sex can feel vulnerable, but asking for what you want is one of the healthiest skills you can build in intimacy. This piece explores how to communicate desire with warmth, clarity, and confidence so sex feels more connected, collaborative, and satisfying for everyone involved.
How to ask for the pleasure you want when the ‘giving’ starts to feel one-sided
Feeling generous in bed can be deeply pleasurable, but when giving starts to feel one-sided, resentment often follows. Many people struggle to ask for more because they fear awkwardness, rejection, or seeming needy. In this piece, we explore why reciprocity matters, how to talk about wanting to feel desired, and why asking for your own pleasure is not selfish but an essential part of intimacy.
Is it normal that my fantasies are different than what I want IRL sex?
What does it mean when your fantasies feel completely different from what you’d want in real life? For many people, this gap can feel confusing—but it’s far more common than you might think. Fantasy isn’t a blueprint; it’s a space where the mind explores feelings, dynamics, and possibilities without consequence. In this piece, we look at why fantasy and reality don’t always align, what your inner world might be expressing, and how to approach it with curiosity rather than judgment.
The rise of ‘Soft Kink’ and why not everything needs to be extreme
Soft kink is redefining what it means to explore desire—less about intensity, more about intention. It lives in the quiet power of anticipation, subtle control, and emotional presence. This is your invitation to slow down, tune in, and discover why softer doesn’t mean less—it often means deeper, more connected, and far more satisfying.
What is ‘outstroking’?
Outstroking flips the script on what we’ve been taught sex “should” look like. Instead of prioritising penetration, it centres external stimulation, pressure, and friction—aka the kind of touch many bodies actually respond to. The result? Less performance pressure, more pleasure, and a deeper sense of connection. This isn’t about adding a new move—it’s about rethinking the goal entirely. When you slow down and focus on sensation, sex stops being a checklist and starts being an experience.
What is the “Hotwife Paradox”
A new study challenges assumptions about hotwifing, finding many couples report stronger emotional bonds and improved sex lives. The real takeaway isn’t the dynamic itself, but the communication behind it. When couples are honest about desire, set clear boundaries, and work through jealousy, connection often deepens rather than breaks.
