These Are the Biggest Sex Trends of 2026, According to Sexologists

It’s weird to think of sex as something that follows trends, but pleasure-seeking can shift with the times just like anything else. This year’s sex trends push back against the hectic pace and tech-focus of our lives. But, more than anything, experts say that right now people are putting in the work to get more out of sex.“I'm seeing people become much more intentional about their sex lives,” says Gigi Engle, a COSRT-registered, GSRD-accredited sex and relationships psychotherapist and author of Kink Curious. “Rather than treating sex as something that should just happen naturally without any prep, they're investing in learning, communicating, and understanding what actually creates desire.” As a result, more people are treating sex as a learned skillset.Lucy Rowett, a sex and relationships coach, says she’s seeing a lot more people “uncoupling” from tech. “We're all overstimulated, overheated—and not in a sexy way—burned out, increasingly lonely, and yet glued to our phones,” she says. “ It makes sense that we're looking to go back to basics with intimacy and actually connect—with our own bodies and partners.”That doesn’t mean that tech has no place in the bedroom in 2026. Instead, people are being more selective about what they use and why.Here are some other trends two sex experts have spotted:Get emotional with foreplay.“Feeling appreciated, sharing the mental load, flirting throughout the day, and creating emotional safety all contribute to desire,” Engel says. “For many people, what happens outside the bedroom determines the quality of sex they’re going to have.”This gets to the heart of what drives so many women physically, Rowett says. “Most women need some sort of emotional connection or emotional safety in order to open up sexually,” she says. “It doesn't mean long, drawn-out heart to heart conversations that take hours. It can mean checking in with your partner and asking how they're feeling, flirty or romantic texts sent throughout the day, or putting on the Netflix series you know she likes with a large mug of tea.”Let mindfulness seep in.Good sex requires being fully present. “We're so used to rushing and working to the point of burnout that slowing down has become almost radical,” Engle says. “Mindfulness helps people stay connected to their bodies instead of getting into their heads and disconnecting.” This has encouraged more people to embrace the idea of conscious edging, which is bringing yourself or your partner to the brink of an orgasm, before slowing down to draw things out.“Edging encourages people to enjoy the build-up rather than racing toward orgasm,” Engle says. “It's about experiencing pleasure in all its forms, rather than chasing that big climax.” Rowett points out that conscious edging has roots in tantra. “I love that a technique that used to be looked at as ‘woo woo’ is becoming more popular,” she says.Add Cosmopolitan as a preferred source in your Google search results.Use your Google account to add this to your settings.Take things slow.Sure, there will always be a time and a place for quickies. But there’s no reason to rush when you don’t have to. “Because most of us are completely overstimulated and glued to our phones, slow sex is a way to actually feel a real connection with partners,” Rowett says. Otherwise, it can feel like sex is just scratching an itch.“People are realizing that faster doesn't necessarily mean better,” Engle says. “Slowing down builds anticipation, creates more opportunities for communication, and gives the body time to fully respond.”Use orgasms as a natural sleep aid.Melatonin supplements aren’t the only tool you’ve got to promote sleep. “Masturbation is increasingly being viewed as part of a wellness routine rather than something people feel embarrassed about,” Engle says. Orgasms lower stress hormones like cortisol, while releasing positive chemicals like oxytocin and prolactin. They help you unwind. “Isn't it awesome that instead of spending lots of money on supplements and fancy blackout sleep masks, one of the most effective sleeping aids is basically free?” Rowett says.Take sex workshops for grownups.Shows like Sex Education and Open House: The Great Sex Experiment have made going to sex workshops that focus on pleasure and consent more socially acceptable, Rowett says. “It used to be something you'd have to consult Reddit threads for or Google late at night in an incognito tab, hoping your partner never found it,” she says. Engle says more people are seeking sex ed “because good sex isn't something you're born knowing how to do.”Use toys that don’t vibrate.Vibrators aren’t going away, but there’s a lot more to explore out there. “There's growing interest in toys that offer different sensations to vibration,” Engle says. “People are exploring texture, pressure, temperature, and positioning instead of assuming stronger vibration equals better pleasure.” Engle says this is part of a larger shift toward being curious about your body and the different ways you can experience pleasure. Rowett lists off steel and crystal wands as good options to explore. “This also ties in with the general movement to uncouple from tech and become more analogue again,” she says.Leave your phone elsewhere.Your phone can have a big impact on your sex life, whether it’s interfering with foreplay, aftercare, or overall connection with your partner. “Our phones compete with our sex lives every night,” Engle says. “Couples who put their devices away create more opportunities for conversation, affection, and spontaneous connection.” Putting your phone on a charger in another room allows you to focus on what’s in front of you—not your screen, she points out.