Building Confidence for a Healthy Sex LifeBuilding Confidence for a Healthy Sex Life?>

There are many factors that can affect a woman's sexual health. Her relationship with her partner, stress and anxiety, hormones, her mood and even some medications can affect a woman's libido and ability to orgasm. A woman's feelings of self-consciousness can also affect how much she enjoys herself in the bedroom. Female sexuality is complicated, and self-confidence and comfort with her partner is integral to a woman's sexual health.

If you are self-conscious about your body and it's affecting your sex life, you're not alone. More than 20 percent of women are "completely dissatisfied" with their bodies and are particularly concerned with their stomach and abdomen, hips, thighs, and legs.

A woman's body undergoes countless changes as she ages and matures. Hormone levels change as she ovulates, has children, and goes through menopause. Women gain and lose weight, change their hair color, get tattoos and piercings, remove tattoos and piercings, and go through bouts of sickness and health kicks. With each of these life changes, a woman's self-perception changes — which, in turn, can affect her libido and her sexual health.

Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to take control of your own body image and to gain and maintain self-confidence — no matter how you look physically.

Your Body Image and Your Partner

Most women need to feel comfortable with their partners to have a truly fulfilling sex life. If you're with a partner who is critical of your body, it could be impossible for you to let go and relax, which could hurt your ability to enjoy sex and achieve orgasm.

If your relationship is destructive or abusive, talk to a relationship counselor, therapist, or doctor as soon as you can. Every woman deserves to be with a man who makes her feel sexy, confident, and loved.

Tips for a More Confident You

• Cancel your fashion magazine subscription — or replace it with another magazine that relates to your interests. It's hard for any woman to be confident about her body when she's being constantly bombarded with an image of some unattainable female ideal. Don't voluntarily bring that on yourself! Subscribe instead to a magazine with a topic that inspires you — maybe travel, photography, or cooking.
• Create a mantra for yourself, and keep it in the back of your mind throughout the day. Maybe it's "My confidence makes me sexy," "I look hot today," or "Any man would be lucky to have me." While it may sound silly, you probably criticize yourself dozens of times each day — for things you say or do, or how you look — why not give yourself a compliment once in a while?
• Focus on what makes you feel good about yourself, and incorporate it into your sex life. Maybe you look fantastic in heels, or you have a sexy voice that you know turns your partner on. Experimenting with what makes you confident in the bedroom can be fun for both of you.
• Increase your sexual knowledge. If you're shy or uncomfortable in the bedroom, it may be because you feel like you don't know enough about sex or don't have the skills to be an exciting sexual partner. If this is the case, you can turn to Web sites, magazines and books that can help you increase your knowledge about sex. This can make you more confident in the bedroom as well as improve sex for both you and your partner!
• Self-confidence isn't about being thin or fit, but if you're self-conscious about your body, it can affect your sex life. If this is the case, take control of your health by beginning an exercise routine and a healthier diet. Even if you don't shed pounds, you'll inevitably be healthier and will most likely feel better about yourself — and sexier.
• Treat yourself to sensual pleasures, which will make you more in tune with your body's sensory response. Take dance lessons or yoga, go for a run, get a massage or a pedicure or a haircut. It's important to be aware of your body and take time to care for yourself.

Every woman's body is unique and capable of amazing things. You only get one body, so love it! Taking control of your thoughts and your health can lead to a more confident you — and, in turn, a more fulfilling sex life.

Resources

Agarwal, Ruchi (n.d.) Top ten ways to boost your sexual confidence. Retrieved December 3, 2008, from the Shaadi Times Web site: http://www.shaaditimes.com/health/sexual-health/sexual-confidence-080107.

Gallagher, Melinda, and Emily Scarlet Kramer (2005). How female body image affects sexual pleasure. Retrieved December 3, 2008, from the Women's Health Web site: http://womenshealth.about.com/od/sexuality/a/cake.htm.

Homan, Marcia (n.d.) Women and sex: Reclaiming your lost libido. Retrieved December 3, 2008, from the Discovery Health Web site: http://health.discovery.com/centers/womens/sexualhealth/healthysex.html.

N/A (2004). Sexual confidence at any shape. Retrieved December 3, 2008, from the Handbag.com Web site: http://www.handbag.com/relationships/Sexual-confidence-every-shape/v1.