Dirty Talk: Hidden Benefits and How-To for Beginners

You might find dirty talk a little intimidating, but this beginner’s guide will help you ease into it to make both you and your partner comfortable and aroused!

Conversations about respect and consent in sexual relationships have become a growing topic within politics, pop culture, education, etc. since the spark of the Me Too Movement, a campaign started by Tarana Burke in 2006 to help promote empowerment and healing among women of color who experience sexual assault.

Even with the increasing awareness of consent, there’s still a common misconception that consent ruins the mood. People tend to misconstrue what consent really is by viewing it as a monotonous, repetitive check-in that interrupts a sexual encounter every six seconds, but that belief is out of touch with how stimulating consent can be. Above all else, the brain is the most powerful sex organ so it only makes sense to give it the same kind of stimulation and attention that we give our genitals.

So. what if you’re new to dirty talk or you’ve tried to do it but you’re not sure where or how to begin? Well have no fear because I’ve consulted with a sexpert on how to incorporate dirty talk as a form of consent into your sexual escapades:

First things first. How can consent be sexy?

Dr. Megan Stubbs, a board-certified sexologist and relationship expert based in Michigan, tells us, “When teaching, I always say that consent talks are boring if you are. You don’t have to make it a robotic conversation where you are asking ‘is this ok?’ every minute. Think of your consent talk as foreplay and I promise that it will not seem boring or robotic. And more important than that, if you aren’t able to articulate what you want to do with someone else, chances are that you’re not ready to be engaging in that kind of activity.”

And she’s right. If there is a disconnect in communication between you and whoever you’re hooking up with, that will carry into the bedroom. If you’re excited and eager about having sex with someone, you should feel comfortable being direct with them without fear that it will ruin the experience.

Why is dirty talk automatically a turn on for many?

“Our imaginations are powerful things, so the mere mention of something hot and steamy can have our minds shift into sex mode,” Dr. Stubbs continues. “It’s like telling someone not to imagine a pink elephant. You’re seeing it in your mind now already aren’t you?”

“People tend to misconstrue what consent really is by viewing it as a monotonous, repetitive check-in that interrupts a sexual encounter every six seconds, but that belief is out of touch with how stimulating consent can be.”

What are some examples of dirty talk that express consent?

Dr. Stubbs suggests asking, “‘How would you like it if I took that shirt off of you and sucked on your hard nipples?’ First of all, that sounds super hot. Secondly, you’ve formed it as a question so they can say ‘OMG yes, please! What would you do next?’ Or they have the opportunity to say ‘You know that doesn’t sound great to me, but what if we did [insert alternate activity here]?’”

I agree that expressing your desires while leaving room for the other person to confirm that they want the same thing, decline completely, or suggest something else is key. Here are more examples that you can use:

• “I want you to tease me until I can’t take it any longer.”

• “Tell me how you want me to please you.”

• “I love what you’re doing to me right now. I never want you to stop.”

• “I want you to take control of me.” What can people do if they want to express more dirty talk but feel awkward or shy doing so?

Dr. Stubbs explains, “An easy way to dip your toes into the dirty talk pool is to just say what you’re feeling. It doesn’t have to be complex or super detailed, but just express your desires. Tell them ‘I can’t stop thinking about what I’m going to do to you when I get out of work’ or ‘My mind just keeps replaying everything from last night. It’s distracting me from my conference call.’”

I can relate to what she said about dipping your toes in the dirty talk pool because this is exactly how I started out. I didn’t get completely comfortable with dirty talk until I incorporated it into sexting first. Here are examples of sexts you can text your partner to get them in the mood beforehand:

• “I want you naked by the time I get home.”

• “I had the sexiest dream about us and it gave me some ideas on what I want you to do to me after our date this weekend.”

• “I can’t stop fantasizing about your lips on my pussy.”

• “I’m still sore from the night before. Let’s do that again tonight.”

What can people do to create a comfortable space for using dirty talk?

Let’s say you’re not the one who feels shy and awkward about using dirty talk and you love doing it, but your partner doesn’t talk dirty to you as much as you do to them. How can you to create a safe and comfortable space for them to be more expressive and erotic with their sexual communication? Follow some of these tips!

1. Don’t be over the top with profanity if it’s a turn off for your partner. Even the people who don’t mind being as wild as possible with their language may still have trigger words that’ll automatically make them drier than the Sahara desert. Words such as cock, pussy, cunt, whore, etc. might be cringey for some people.

2. Use descriptive language in a way that worships your partner’s body or positively affirms the sexual act. People feel the most comfortable when they’re the most confident. You could easily keep saying “I like that,” but after a while that might sound repetitive. Go from “Yeah, I like that,” to “This feels so good I never want you to stop.” You can also be specific about what it is that you like in that moment, such as “I love the view of your ass bouncing up and down on me right now.”

3. Have fun with it! I think people get shy with dirty talk because they feel like they have to put on a show, but as long as you’re having fun while doing it then it will come naturally to you, and your partner will feed off the playful energy.

Ultimately, dirty talk can easily be filled with consent, expression of desire, and encouragement between all parties involved. The more a person gets comfortable with expressing what they want in bed, the more anticipation and pleasure they’ll get out of unlocking the limitless erotic desires of their mind.

Header image illustrated by Leonor Carvalho

Must be looooooove on the braaaaain 🧠. Or was that s£x? 👀🤭 Our brains are our largest s£x organs and sometimes they get a little sad, hyperactive, anxious, or overwhelmed. You won’t always be in the mood for s£x and that’s okay! Keep communication with your partner open and ongoing, check in with yourself and your mental health, and lean on the support of a trusted therapist or doctor if you need some extra guidance. 🫶🏽 Anything you would add?

I mean 😏

It is not wrong nor should it feel shameful to ✨seek pleasure.✨ I think those of us who grew up more religious were taught that you should always be in service of others and giving of yourself rather than concerned with our own needs or passions. While it is wonderful to be generous with giving (and can in fact be a source of pleasure), it should be equally encouraged to pursue your own pleasure — it whatever form it may take! It may feel self-indulgent, but why is that a bad thing? Pleasure boosts our mental health. It helps us cope with a difficult world, with anxiety, depression, and stress. It makes us feel good! It gives us something to look forward to. Pleasure helps us connect with others and with ourselves. Pleasure (as long as it is not at the expense of someone else’s safety or well-being) should be a priority, for our joy and for our health. It really is so important! Where do you find pleasure? I personally love a good massage… 💆🏽‍♀️

It’s time for a talk, friend. Let’s be clear, you nor your partner ever has to do *anything* you’re not comfortable with. That said, if it’s something you enjoy and that’s pleasurable to you, it’s okay to ask your partner for it! They can say no, but if they invalidate your pleasure, much less expect you to do something they won’t do?? The ball is then in your court to decide if this is the partner for you. You deserve someone who cares about and prioritizes your pleasure. Who is thrilled to be acquainted with your body, all of it! S-x can be vulnerable to talk about, but when you do…it’s so much better. 👅 included. Ask your partner what their hesitations are and have a *conversation.* Maybe they’re nervous, intimidated, or struggling with shame. Maybe they’re down to try other things you would enjoy and build up to it. The point is, it shouldn’t just be automatically dismissed. You can decide what’s right for you and what makes you feel aroused, validated, and appreciated. Whatever you do, don’t internalize their rejection. Your body is beautiful, desirable, and definitely worthy of pleasure. 😋🥰

A UK study published in the International Urogynecology Journal found that only 46% of participants correctly identified that a female has 3 holes in the external genitalia. 😬 Not great. We’re taught so desperately little about our bodies and so discouraged from exploring them that we don’t even know what we’ve got going on down there! Understanding your own anatomy (and getting educated on your partner’s anatomy) can boost pleasure 1000x!! So take a mirror, use your hands, and get comfy exploring! 🪞🕵🏽‍♀️ And if you really want to get informed (and inspired 😉), head to our website for our basics on pleasure and anatomy. What do you think? Could YOU correctly label a diagram of what lies beneath?

Modern sex essentials

Related reading

Check out the pod

Plant-based, Science-backed Supplements

use code TABU for 20% off

---

This article may contain affiliate links. Meaning? If you click one and make a purchase, we earn a commission.  This helps us keep creating fire content so you can stay informed and empowered. 🔥 Thank you!