Sexual wellness has gained significant popularity in recent times, particularly following periods of reduced social interaction during lockdowns. Attitudes towards sex have become more open over the years, with fewer people viewing casual encounters negatively.
Over the years, societal attitudes toward sex have evolved dramatically. Findings from Natsal (National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles) indicate that the percentage of 16 to 44-year-olds in Britain who viewed one-night stands as “wrong” dropped significantly from around 50% in 1990 to just about 20% in 2010. This trend continues as sex becomes less of a taboo subject and is increasingly approached with a more holistic and open mindset.
With this shift in attitudes, let us explore the global landscape of sexual wellness, uncovering the latest trends, top-selling products, and the cities leading the charge in embracing and celebrating sexual wellness.
A study was conducted to determine the “sexiest” cities globally and in the UK, based on online search data related to sexual topics. The metrics included searches for STI tests, adult content platforms, masturbation, and sexual products.
Globally, London topped the list as the “sexiest” city, followed by New York City, Los Angeles, Sydney, and Chicago. These large, cosmopolitan areas tend to have more liberal attitudes towards sexuality.
Sexiest Cities : From analyzing Google search data from the past year, focusing on cities in the UK and worldwide, to calculate a sexual wellness score for each location. By combining these search metrics with internal data, we identified the cities that are most enthusiastically embracing their sexuality and promoting sexual wellness. The search terms analyzed and ranked by each city include:
Monthly search volumes for STI tests
Monthly search volumes for Pornhub
Monthly search volumes for OnlyFans
Monthly search volumes for masturbation
Monthly search volumes for sexual products
Each metric was then given an index ranking to help calculate each city’s sexual wellness score out of a total of 500.
London tops list as world’s sexiest city
London tops the leaderboard as the world’s sexiest city with a total sexual wellness score of 494 out of 500. London achieved a high ranking when looking at search volume data across PornHub, OnlyFans and masturbation. The UK’s capital city ranked number one in the world for people searching for STI tests which is an excellent reflection of the health-conscious population. The city also ranked number one when looking at the number of searches for sexual products, ranging from more traditional vibrators to more experimental toys, showing Londoners are open to spicing up their sex lives.
NYC ranked as world’s second sexiest city
New York City comes in second place with a score of 491 out of 500, ranking in the top three cities for searches across all five metrics, making it one of the most sexually empowered cities in our study!
LA, Sydney and Chicago round out the top 5
Los Angeles, California follows with a score of 486, with Sydney, Australia coming in fourth place thanks to its high score of 471.7. Chicago rounds out the top five with a score of 470.7. These big cities are all pretty liberal when compared to other smaller locations within the same regions. Larger cities are always much more likely to be sexually liberal due to the melting pot of people and personalities allowing a more relaxed attitude towards sex and sexuality.
Here is the List of countries that are on top the charts for the title Sexiest Cities in the world. –
1 ) London – UK
2) New York City – USA
3) Los Angeles – USA
4) Sydney – Australia
5) Chicago – USA
6) Melbourne – Australia
7) Houston – USA
8) Toronto – Canada
9) Paris, France
10) Atlanta – USA
When it comes to the UK, where takes the top spot on the sexual wellness leaderboard? While London leads the world as the sexiest city, Norwich leads the list of sexiest city in UK.
Here are the sexiest cities in UK –
- Norwich
- Newcastle
- Manchester
- Liverpool
- Lincoln
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- Reading
- Glasgow
- Leeds
In the UK, Norwich surprisingly claimed the top spot, with Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, and Lincoln rounding out the top five. The study noted that sexual health awareness is important across all age groups, as STI rates are increasing even among older populations.
Norwich has claimed the top spot as the UK’s sexiest city, boasting an impressive score of 98.36 out of 100. This small Norfolk city leads the nation with the highest number of sex-related Google searches relative to its population. Norwich also tops the charts for searches related to Pornhub, OnlyFans, and sexual products per capita, surpassing all other cities in the UK.
Newcastle comes in second with a score of 91.02 out of 100, which is perhaps less surprising given the city’s reputation for its vibrant party scene and dynamic nightlife. Newcastle ranks in the top five for per capita searches related to sex products, OnlyFans, and STI tests.
Manchester takes third place with a score of 89.82 out of 100. The city stands out for ranking in the top two for masturbation-related search terms per capita, second only to Nottingham.
Liverpool follows in fourth place with a score of 88.58, and Lincoln completes the top five with a score of 87.36. Notably, Liverpool ranks first among all UK cities for per capita searches for STI tests, indicating that while Liverpudlians are enjoying themselves, they also prioritize their sexual health and are diligent about getting tested.
Birmingham secures the second spot in this category, with Norwich in third. Leicester and Newcastle round out the top five sexual health-conscious cities in the UK.
Contrary to common stereotypes, STIs are not just a concern for younger people. To promote sexual wellness for individuals of all ages, it’s essential to recognize that there are no age limits when it comes to contracting common infections.
A report by the Local Government Association indicates that sexual behavior is evolving, leading to an increased demand for sexual health services. Notably, the report highlights a rise in STI diagnoses among those over 65, signaling the need for greater awareness of sexual health as part of overall wellness in this generation.
Embracing sexual wellness fully means practicing safe sex and getting tested regularly to minimize the risk of contracting or transmitting infections.
UK’s Sexual Health Hotspots
UK’s Pleasure Capitals
The conversation around pleasure and masturbation has surged into the self-love mainstream. Statistics suggest that 27% to 40% of women and 41% to 65% of men masturbate monthly, though these figures are likely higher due to the ongoing stigma around the topic. A 2019 survey found that 25% of people watch porn every time they masturbate. To identify which cities are embracing self-pleasure the most, we analyzed the number of searches for sexual products and toys relative to the population.
Norwich once again leads as the UK’s top city for sexual wellness, boasting the highest number of searches for sex products per capita. Liverpool and Lincoln follow closely, with Bristol securing a spot in the rankings as the city with the fifth-highest demand for sex products in the UK.
The Irreplaceable clitoral suction stimulator emerged as the best-selling sexual wellness product in the UK. Clitoral suction toys have dominated the sex-toy market in recent years, and So Divine offers an affordable option for this popular style.
Two different lubricants are among the top five most popular products. Lubricants enhance pleasure by reducing friction and increasing sensation, making them a valuable addition according to experts.
The Ribbed Vibrator ranks as the third most popular sex toy, especially favored for providing more internal stimulation than a classic vibrator.
Sex toys and products play a significant role in sexual wellness and self-pleasure for many women. It’s estimated that around 50% of people with vaginas have used a vibrator.
Cameron Long-tel, Sexpert and Sex Educator at LELO, offers advice on choosing the right products:
“When selecting a toy, consider what you want to achieve. Are you looking for external stimulation with something simple like a bullet or clitoral vibrator? Or do you want something more versatile that can be used both internally and externally, like a rabbit or g-spot vibrator? Maybe you’re interested in a toy to use with a partner for an enhanced experience? Remember, there’s no one perfect toy—just as with a healthy sex life, it’s good to mix things up from time to time.”
Studies show that the average number of sex toys owned by both men and women is three. Whether you’re in the market for your first toy or adding to your collection, exploring different options can help you discover what brings you the most enjoyment.
2023 Sexual Wellness Predictions
1. Ethical Erotica Gains Traction
As awareness grows around the issues behind mainstream adult content platforms, the demand for ethical erotica is rising. Ethical porn prioritizes the rights, safety, and fair treatment of performers. According to sex educator Evie Plumb, this includes ensuring that consent, sexual health, and proper credit are central to content creation. Many Gen Z individuals are moving away from traditional porn videos, instead exploring alternative forms of erotica like audio-focused platforms such as Dipsea or erotic novels, which are rapidly gaining popularity.
2. Increasing Popularity of Sex Toys for Men
Men’s sexual wellness is a rapidly expanding field, with search interest in the topic increasing by over 200% in the last year. Sex toys are no longer just for women seeking additional stimulation; they’re also becoming popular among men looking to enhance their pleasure. Some of the top male sex toys include the So Divine Men Vibrating Stimulator and the LELO Hugo Prostate Massager.
3. Investment in Higher Quality Lubricants
Consumers are becoming more mindful of the products they use, particularly in intimate areas. To reduce the risk of infections that can result from using low-quality lubricants, many are choosing higher-quality, condom- and toy-safe lubes that maintain vaginal health. Products like the LELO Personal Moisturizer, which offers a pH-balanced formula, are increasingly favored. CBD-infused lubricants are also seeing a huge surge in demand, with Google trends showing a 2500% increase in interest. CBD lube is reputed to enhance sensation, reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, relax muscles, and provide better orgasms, especially for women who experience pain during intercourse.
4. Aftercare Becomes Mainstream
Originally a practice rooted in the BDSM community, aftercare is becoming a widely recognized part of all sexual encounters. This practice helps prevent the post-sex blues by providing the extra TLC needed after a rush of feel-good hormones. Much like the growing focus on love languages and personality types, aftercare is likely to become more common even in casual sexual encounters.
5. The Rise of Sexfluencers
Social media influencers now exist in nearly every niche, and sex is no exception. “Sexfluencers” are breaking taboos, addressing shame, and closing the pleasure gap by sharing educational and empowering content online. Among the most prominent sex and relationship experts in the UK is Oloni, author of The Big O and host of the podcast Laid Bare. She’s joined by a growing number of sexperts on platforms like TikTok, where people increasingly seek sexual wellness advice and tips for their relationships. Millie G Shields is another emerging voice, empowering women to embrace and share their self-love journeys.
To explore your own sexuality and discover the best products for your needs, check out our range of sexual wellness products today.
Methodology
Search volume data for relevant keywords was collected for each city and then ranked out of 100 based on total searches. Internal data provided insights into the number of sexual wellness products purchased in each country, with these figures also ranked. Additionally, search volume data for the keyword “Sexual Wellness” was analyzed for each city, and the year-over-year trend percentage was ranked out of 100 to identify the cities with the highest increases in sexual wellness searches. In cases where multiple cities had the same search volume for a specific keyword, the city with the higher trend data ranked higher.
References –
https://thesociologicalreview.org/journal-collections/featured-papers/anything-goes/
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-021-02071-z
https://bespokesurgical.com/2019/11/08/masturbation-survey/
https://www.local.gov.uk/publications/breaking-point-securing-future-sexual-health-services
