Why Feeling Hot is Not Required for Great Sex

Recent research from the University of Lisbon looked at “Predictors of Body Appearance Cognitive Distraction during Sexual Activity in Men and Women.” Over 660 people responded to questions about satisfaction with their bodies during sex and comfort with the way they thought their sexual partners regard their bodies.
The researchers found that being dissatisfied with your overall appearance or with particular body parts predicted “body appearance cognitive distraction” during sexual contact.

Women often imagine a partner judges their body (“He must think my thighs are flabby” or “My breasts are too small.”) This affects sexual self-esteem and confidence. People who lack confidence are more likely to pass up opportunities to have sex and to be preoccupied or caught up in self-scrutiny when trying to focus their attention on their partner or their own pleasure.
Many men are concerned with penis size, and women fret about breast size or shape. But social science research shows most men are actually happy with their partners’ breasts, and most women are happy with the size of their partners’ genitals.
What a strange comedy this is. The people we love and share our bodies with know we are fine, yet we torment ourselves with thoughts of our inadequacy.

If you’re not comfortable with your appearance, try adjusting the lighting so you are able to focus on physical sensation, or use clothes to create anticipation and reveal yourself gradually. Don’t let your thoughts deprive and distract you from enjoying your sex life.
Here’s a link to the original article:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02893.x/abstract