50 sex facts (we're fairly sure you didn't know)
Think you know everything there is to know about sex? Sure, you may have the basics down but we're pretty sure that you've never heard of these 50 amazing sex stats. From the animals who mate for life to why some men like a big bottom, it's time to get an education...
PA PhotosLet's start with some animal magic. In 2003, a pair of male penguins in the Central Park Zoo, who had been a couple for years, raised a baby penguin together. How much are we loving that? Answer, A LOT!
Rex FeaturesOne in four men switches the light off during sex – but we have to ask – why?
Rex FeaturesUnlike chocolate at Easter which leaves you craving a vegetable, the more sex you have, the more you want.
Rex FeaturesThe French's ability to romanticise is never more obvious than with their nickname for the point of orgasm: 'la petite mort', or ‘the little death’. After such mental and physical exertion, the soul transcends to another plane (or, alternatively, your fella falls fast asleep).
Rex FeaturesSex toys and vibrators are banned in shops in the American states of Alabama and Mississippi. The attorney general stated: “There is no fundamental right for a person to buy a device to produce orgasm". Shopkeeper Sherri Williams from Alabama said in response: “My motto has been, 'they are going to have to pry this vibrator from my cold, dead hand'. I refuse to give up.”
Rex FeaturesThe trusty vibrator was originally invented in the 19th century to reduce ‘female hysteria’. Any excuse!
(Step this way for 20 facts about your vagina).
Rex FeaturesAccording to the London sex shop Sh!, 61% of women find the idea of buying a sex toy arousing in itself. Could it be the combined power of sex and shopping? Sixty six per cent of women would prefer to buy sex toys/erotica from a real shop rather than online revealing that, for women, buying a vibe is like buying a handbag: they want to feel the quality!
Rex FeaturesSex goddess Marilyn Monroe had problems reaching orgasm. She finally managed it thanks to some help from her therapist to whom she wrote: “Bless you doctor. Think of a light switch with a rheostat control (dimmer). As you begin to turn it on, the bulb begins to get bright, then brighter, and brighter and finally in a blinding flash is fully lit. It is so good... Doctor, I worship you."
Rex FeaturesMerkins, or pubic wigs, are used in the movies to conceal an actor’s modesty.
Rex FeaturesA quarter of penises are slightly bent when erect
Rex FeaturesWhere did the idea of eight inches come from! The average length of a man’s penis (when erect) is between five and seven inches.
Rex FeaturesNearly half of men think their willy is too small. But most women are very satisfied. And men say we moan about our bums...
Rex FeaturesAbsence may make the heart grow fonder, but it makes your man’s sperm count decrease.
Rex FeaturesFor the average healthy man there is a staggering 300 million sperm in just a teaspoon of semen.
39 penis facts (seriously)
Rex FeaturesAverage number of calories in that teaspoon? Seven.
Rex FeaturesAverage speed of ejaculation: 28 miles per hour.
Rex FeaturesWorried about calorie burning? Never fear - you get rid of about 200 calories during 30 minutes of active sex.
Rex FeaturesSperm contains proteins that have the same anti-wrinkle effect as your moisturiser, which tighten skin and give an instant face-lift. Not entirely sure we’re willing to swap our fave creams for semen just yet though...
Rex FeaturesNo wonder we like to swim with dolphins. We have something special in common – humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure.
Rex FeaturesMen like a big bum – its official! Why? Because it indicates fertility...
Rex FeaturesIt’s been said that women have affairs because they are unhappy with their relationship.
Rex FeaturesSeventy-three per cent of 70-year-old men are still potent, which could indicate that a busy time for Jack Nicholson and his ilk.
Rex FeaturesMen, hear this! If you eat celery it will make you more attractive to women. “When you chew a stalk of celery, you release androstenone and androstenol odour molecules into your mouth. They then travel up the back of your throat to your nose," says Alan Hirsch, M.D., author of Scentsational Sex. "Once there, the pheromones boost your arousal, turning you on and causing your body to send off scents and signals that make you more desirable to women."
Rex FeaturesSeventy per cent of men refuse sex during their girlfriend’s period. Bet they wouldn’t refuse a blow job though...
Rex FeaturesOutside the bedroom, the most common place for American adults to have sex is the car. Yawn.
PA PhotosPorn star Annabel Chung became a record breaker in 1995 for engaging in 251 sex acts with about 70 men over a 10-hour period. The event was filmed for a documentary, The World’s Biggest Gang Bang, for which Chung had advertised on TV for men to participate. Her motivation? To challenge gender roles and the notion of women as passive sex partners. "We're not wilting violets, we're not victims, for Christ's sake. Female sexuality is as aggressive as male sexuality. I wanted to take on the role of the stud. The more [partners], the better.”
Rex FeaturesThe average amount of time a person spends kissing during their lifetime is 20,160 minutes. That’s 336 hours, 14 days or 2 weeks. Lip balm anyone?
Rex FeaturesHair on different parts of the body grows at different speeds and pubic hair tends to grow more slowly. Thank goodness for small mercies we say – imagine our bikini waxing bills?
Rex FeaturesWhen a woman orgasms, she releases an endorphin that kills pain. So ditch the ‘headache’ excuse. Sex will only make it better!
Rex FeaturesThe most children born to one mother was 69. Yes – that’s right 69! The Russian supermum, whose own name was never recorded – rude – and wife to Feodor Vassilyev gave birth to 16 pairs of twins, seven sets of triplets and four sets of quads between 1707 and 1782. Even more staggering is that 67 survived infancy.
PA PhotosIn a survey in GLAMOUR, 75% of readers fantasised about their man dressing up as a fireman.
Rex FeaturesLuckily for him, 75% of men always reach orgasm whilst making love, but for us ladies the headlines aren’t so great, with only 29% reporting an orgasm through penetrative sex. The majority of women reach orgasm though clitoral simulation rather than vaginal, so it's all about multitasking.
Rex FeaturesIn a survey in GLAMOUR magazine 75% of readers said they would rather sleep with one man in a lifetime than 25% who would rather sleep with 100 men.
PA PhotosThe world’s greatest lover is of course Casanova, the Venetian adventurer and writer. In the 18th century his powers of seduction were immortalised in his own and many other great novelists’ stories. We wouldn’t half like to know what these powers involved....
PA PhotosThe Ancient Egyptians used dried crocodile dung as a contraceptive. The dung contains spermicidal properties similar to those used on condoms. A) We don’t want to know how they discovered this B) Being covered in crocodile poo. Not sexy.
Rex FeaturesThe man who bought the western world its favourite breakfast cereal – Kellogg’s Cornflakes – had more motivation than just a healthy diet. A virulent anti-masturbation campaigner, Dr Kellogg believed that if you had a healthy diet it would reduce sexual thoughts popping into your head. Toast anyone?
Rex FeaturesIn a survey in GLAMOUR, 92% of readers voted that skint and sexy was preferable in a partner to loaded and ugly.
Rex FeaturesLegend has it, on average, adult men think about sex every seven seconds.
Rex FeaturesIn a survey in GLAMOUR, 70% of readers preferred romance over raunch. Awwww!
Rex FeaturesShoe and feet fetishes are the most popular in the western world.
PA PhotosKnow of a man who hates spiders? Well, it’s for good reason! The black widow spider eats her mate during or after sex. Worse still, the horny eight-legger can consumer as many 20 lovers in a single day.
Rex FeaturesMen have on average 11 erections per day.
In a survey in GLAMOUR magazine nearly half of readers expressed a preference for having no pubic hair at all. Ouch!
Rex FeaturesPlayboy magazine states erotic literature as the world’s favourite sex aid. That’s porno mags to you and me.
Rex FeaturesDid you know if you fancy someone, it’s much harder to lie to them. Disaster!
Rex FeaturesThe most successful X-rated movie of all time is Deep Throat.
Rex FeaturesWhales are the proud owners of the world's largest penises. The biggest recorded whale penis was the 8-footer of a killer whale. That’s bigger than Robert Wadlow.
Rex FeaturesIn a survey in GLAMOUR magazine 60% of readers would rather unzip him to find a pencil over a button mushroom. You know what we mean.
Rex FeaturesThere are roughly 100 million acts of sexual intercourse each day. That’s a lot.
BBCAiden Turner is GLAMOUR's sexiest man alive of 2016 - who are you voting for in our 2017 poll?
