Experts Predict the Future of Sex and Dating in 2024

Ahead of the new year, the global leader in sexual wellness, Lovehoney Group, taps its in-house experts to predict 2024's sex and dating trends.

Here's what you can expect.

Sexual Wellness Ecosystems

According to its sex trends report, 2024 is the year of adopting a holistic approach to sexuality, also known as a "sexual wellness ecosystem." This holistic approach refers to the "whole" human, and recognizes "that a healthy and satisfying sex life is intertwined with mental, emotional, and physical well-being."

Physical

Similar to a recent discussion hypebae hosted on its new series Servin' Sex, reconnecting with your physical body is a journey within itself. Lovehoney predicts this will be a trending topic and encourage people to explore methods like pleasure mapping.

For those wanting to tap this technique, sex educator Javay Frye-Nekrasova states: "This practice involves intentionally exploring and taking note of where on your body you experience pleasure and the different ways in which you do. The goal is to be intentional, so you really want to listen and pay attention to your body." To start, Nekrasova recommends, "starting by focusing on one specific part of your body, such as your chest, your legs or your genitals. Take note of how each area feels as you explore different ways of stimulating the area, and then keep those feelings and sensations in mind when masturbating or having sex."

Relationship Sabbaticals and Authenticity in Love

Where celibacy, opting out of sex, was trending in 2022 and 2023, it appears the dating realm is receiving the same treatment. Coining the term "relationship sabbaticals," Lovehoney states that many "will take short breaks from committed relationships to explore personal growth, goals, and self-discovery before returning to the partnership."

Those actively dating, however, aren't with the bullsh-t. It's authenticity over everything.

Mental Health

Another trend enthusiasts may witness, is "more accessible and discreet avenues for sexual health consultations and therapy" which can "provide support for a broader range of individuals." For example, companies like TBD Health offering online and remote STD  testing, which removes the "psychological barrier" or fear of being stigmatized for IRL clinic testing.

Shamyra Howard, Lovehoney's sexologist says: "Holistic sexual wellness will continue to trend due to the increase in self-help, people seeking out and receiving sex therapy services (which is also trending!) and the desire to remain connected. If more people knew they could buy a sexual wellness product that helps to decrease symptoms of anxiety and contribute to sexual pleasure, they would!"

Sex Ed Meets Technology

For the baes who've already tapped sexual wellness apps to elevate their routines -- you're winning. In its report, Lovehoney states that scientists are actively exploring the use of tech within sexual wellness. What did they find you ask? "After 3 months, women reported higher confidence accessing sexual and reproductive health information, and after 6 months they had higher rates of using some form of birth control every time they had sex."

AI

From dating to pleasure, AI stole the show in 2023. According to Lovehoney, "AI algorithms can be used to create personalized experiences that adapt to individual preferences" and it predicts that this "technology will be applied to several parts of the sexual wellness industry from "customized fitness routines to mental health support."

With the goal of empowering people to explore and prioritize their pleasure, AI will continue to be of value. Unfortunately, due to censorship and taboo, much of the work Lovehoney is doing is deemed "too explicit" which attempts to halt its growth. For example, "when asked to share sex positions, ChatGPT responded with, “as an AI language model, I adhere to a set of ethical guidelines that prevent me from engaging in explicit or adult-oriented discussions."

Despite this, the brand will continue its use of AI to enhance consumers sex lives, it reports. A few of the methods its exploring are "personalized product recommendations, individualized pleasure and educational chatbots to talk about sexuality — all of which help empower individuals to explore and understand themselves in new ways." Whether you're navigating performance anxiety, need a sex toy rec or want to ask a chatbot a question your sex educator never thought to teach, Lovehoney's growing sextech aims to "complement, not overshadows, the human side of intimacy."

For more sex and dating, tune in to our new sex podcast: Servin' Sex. 

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebae