Editor’s Note: Some of the linked sites below contain language around bodies and experiences that is limited in how it addresses gender beyond binary conceptions. We would like to inform our intersex, trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive readers in advance of visiting the Eve site, the Reuters study run-down and the NHS web pages on thrush.
What month of the year do people have more sex?
We know what the friskiest month of the year is because of the wonders of modern technology.
Eve is a period and sex life tracker app which you can download on iPhone or Android.
They analysed the data of their 1.27 million users and discovered that their users are most sexually active in the summer months of June, July, and August. A whole 12% more sexually active, in fact.
But why?
Well, in the summer months, we tend to wear less clothing, revealing more of our bodies. We can also be more aware of our bodies in the summer, making us perhaps more likely to think about sex than in the deepest darkest winter.
When the sun’s shining, we generally spend more time outside, which boosts levels of the feel-good hormones: serotonin, dopamine, and testosterone. Going on a well-earned vacation also increases our chances of having sex too.
Studies have found that testosterone levels can increase by a third during the summer leading to more orgasms.
Christmas is the best time of the year to try for a baby.
Research has found that the birth rate tends to peak during the third quarter of the year, suggesting to a higher number of conceptions during the winter months than at any other time of the year.
According to the Office of National Statistics, more babies are conceived in December, with 11th December being the day most babies are conceived.
Festive celebrations can lead to getting frisky with plenty of partying and time off to spend with your partner.
Plus, it’s the season of giving: presents, food, and – maybe – a new baby!
Sperm swims faster in the winter.
An Israeli study of 6000 people being treated for infertility found an increase in the number of sperm with faster swimming speeds and fewer abnormalities made during the winter.
The study participants produced 70 million sperm per liter of semen during the winter, 5% of which had fast motility. Compare this to the 60 million sperm per milliliter produced in the spring, only 3% of which were speedy swimmers, and you can see how big a difference the season can make.
Even though we may be generally having more sex during June, July, and August, it seems that sperm are at their optimum during the colder months.
Look after your sexual health in the Summer.
The long lazy days of summer invoke beach holidays, barbecues, and wearing nothing but swimwear.
However, the humidity and sitting around in wet bikinis, swimsuits, trunks, or speedos (you do you!) can impact your genital health. And not in a good way.
There is nothing worse than feeling sore and chafed in your intimate areas, so always change out of your wet swimwear and rinse your body free from seawater or chlorinated pool water before hitting the beach hut for lunch.
Be prepared and pack antifungal cream. Sitting around in damp swimwear can cause thrush.
Invest in looser-fitting underwear and swap silk or synthetic materials which hold onto moisture for cotton to allow your skin to breathe or even go commando. You could also sleep in the nude to prevent yeast infections and keep cool. There is some evidence that people who sleep naked often have happier, more satisfying relationships. So, win-win, right?
Written by the Killing Kittens team.