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. .
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.
How to try fisting
Fisting is often misunderstood as extreme, but at its core, it’s an exercise in trust, communication, and intentional intimacy. This piece explores why people are curious about it, how to approach it safely, and what it can teach us about connection, consent, and slowing down in our sex lives.
Are you ready to start exploring kink?
Curious about kink but not sure what it means or where it comes from? In this article, psychosexual therapist Gigi Engle explores the psychology behind kink, the difference between kink, fetish, and paraphilia, and how sexual desires develop. From understanding curiosity versus readiness to the role of consent, communication, and cultural influence, this guide unpacks why unconventional desires are more common than many people think, and why exploring them ethically and without shame can be a healthy part of human sexuality.
Why some people get turned on by anatomically correct dirty talk
Human sexuality is endlessly creative, and the words we hear during sex can shape how arousal unfolds. While classic dirty talk works for many people, others find themselves more turned on by precise, anatomically correct language. It may sound nerdy at first, but there are real psychological reasons this kind of communication can feel exciting, playful, and even empowering. From novelty to reduced shame, the language we use during intimacy says a lot about how our brains—and bodies—experience pleasure.
What new 2026 data really says about how America is loving right now
The 2026 State of Intimacy Report reveals a quiet but powerful shift in how couples are connecting. Rather than chasing extremes or obsessing over frequency, partners are prioritising emotional closeness, shared presence, and mutual responsibility. Intimacy is becoming less about performance and more about partnership. From the impact of emotional labor to the role of intentional novelty, this year’s data suggests we are not having less intimacy, we are redefining what meaningful connection actually looks like.
The rise of the ‘Comet Partner’ in CNM
Comet partners are having a viral moment, but this relationship style is anything but new. Rooted in consensual non-monogamy, comet relationships revolve around deep, meaningful connections that ebb and flow over time. No daily grind, no escalator milestones, just intentional reunions charged with intimacy and anticipation. So how do they work, can they be serious, and who are they right for? Here’s everything you need to know about love that burns bright and moves on its own orbit.
Has Bridgerton made ‘soft men’ the new dating ideal?
The fantasy of the brooding bad boy is losing its grip. In its place, women are gravitating toward a new romantic ideal: the emotionally available man. The cultural obsession with Bridgerton’s Benedict. He’s attentive, expressive, and openly soft. This reflects a deeper psychological shift. Women aren’t craving drama; they’re craving safety, intention, and real connection. This isn’t about lowering standards. It’s about rewriting what passion looks like when emotional availability becomes the main attraction.
