The One Quality That Makes You Hotter to Women

Don’t take a cue from Kanye: Women are more attracted to humble men than cocky guys, finds a recent study from Hope College. 

Researchers created fake online dating profiles that varied only in how humbly—or arrogantly—the men described themselves. Women rated the modest guys as hotter and were more likely to want to date them.

Women take humility as a sign that you’ll treat them well in a relationship, says study author Daryl Van Tongeren, Ph.D. And they’re right: Humble people put the needs of others—like their partners—first, Van Tongeren says.

The best part: Humility isn’t a fixed trait. You can cultivate it with a little effort, says Van Tongeren. 

First, acknowledge your shortcomings. Don’t have any? A close friend or family member will happily fill you in. Having an accurate view of your strengths and weaknesses is a key part of being humble, Van Tongeren says.

Next, think of ways to share credit with others when telling a date—or anyone—about your accomplishments, he says. 

Most importantly, practice putting your relationship before yourself. For example, instead of trying to win a fight with your partner, think about how to achieve the best outcome for the both of you—even if it means making a sacrifice or admitting you’re wrong. 

7 Men Share Their Uncensored Thoughts About Anal Sex

Do men really think of anal sex as the holy grail of bedroom activities? If you pay attention to pop culture, it certainly seems like it: Take that“accidental anal” episode of The Mindy Project, for example. We went straight to the source to find out dudes’ uncensored opinions on exploring your poop chute, and IRL guys’ thoughts on this somewhat taboo act vary from gung-ho to meh. If you’re into anal action, what you’re about to read is proof that you won’t have to look too far to find a guy who’s on the same page as you. But if you’re not, we're guessing these men's insights will offer some major relief.

“I have had anal sex exactly one time. Well, I count it as anal sex, even though it was more of a ‘stick it in and see how it feels’ kind of situation. My ex-girlfriend and I tried it one afternoon just for the hell of it. She'd actually lured me away from the college football game we were at with a promise that we could try anal if we left at halftime, which seemed like an okay deal to me. [I'm pretty sure] every guy wants to at least try anal, if for no other reason than to say they've traveled that path. There wasn't really anything too special about it, to be honest, and she certainly wasn't enjoying it, though that was probably due to lack of proper preparation and lubrication. I would do it again, but I don't think I'll ever be one of those dudes who is constantly asking his girlfriend if she wants to ‘do butt stuff.’ Afterward, all my friends kept asking me if I had gotten poop on my penis. I had not.” —Scott

“Why go to the sewer when there’s a playground right next door? Okay, I’m joking. But I’ve just never felt the need to explore that area. From what I’ve heard, it’s not all that enjoyable from the woman’s perspective, physically speaking, and the tightness aspect isn’t convincing when it already feels so good elsewhere. But if a girl seemed really into it and wanted me to try it, I would.” —Paul

“Anal sounds like a good idea when you’re tipsy or really horny. It’s like if you’re binge-eating cake: another piece seems like a good idea because it’s more of what you’re already loving. Sometimes you just want more of everything she has. But the vagina is where it’s at. As soon as you finish with anal, you’re no longer as turned on so you’re just kind of wondering why you thought it was a good idea. The vagina is right there, and it’s clean and self-lubricating. The poop thing is a real risk. A little got on the condom when I was 16 or 17, and I didn’t try it again until my mid-20s. The thought still makes me shudder.” —Mauricio

“Anal sex feels great, although not greater than vaginal sex to any exponential degree. There's more pressure on your penis, which provides more stimulation for it. It's like having vaginal sex with someone who knows how to engage their pelvic core.” —Dan

“Anal sex is interesting, great—for me, at least—and not what I expected. It’s very different from vaginal sex. A friend of mine had explained that to me, but I didn't fully understand until I tried it. To put it bluntly, vaginal sex puts pressure all over your penis when it's inside. With anal sex, there’s not much past the hole, so during the act itself, I had to focus on a lot more movement than I was expecting. Lucky for me, my partner was far more comfortable with it than I think I would have been! Although she did emphasize the need for ‘lots of lube.’” —Alex

10 Things Her Body is Telling You

The female body. It's a work of art and well deserves to be admired, while clothed or naked. And if you peel your eyes away from her butt and breasts for a few moments, you can improve your chances with the one you're after. Just look for these 10 subtle signs to understand what she's thinking and feeling. For more sex, relationship, and dating advice, follow our Girl Next Door on Twitter!

Pupils

If she's feeling stimulated by you (not just sexually), her pupils will dilate. That's because her body is programmed to want to see more of whatever's exciting her, so her brain tells her irises to let in more light. Bonus: As the inkiness spreads, she'll start looking better to you, too. Research shows that men rate women with larger pupils as more attractive. Time to make your move.

Eyelashes

Hold her gaze for a minute. If she's blinking more than normal (which is about 15 times a minute), there's a good chance she's on the Pill; women on birth control blink 32 percent more than those who aren't. Aside from the obvious, what does that mean for you? Put on your toughest, most confident mug as you look at her. Because of the shift in hormone levels, research says, women on the Pill are more attracted to men with rugged features, such as strong, wide jaws.

Brain

She's matching you drink for drink, you're starting to feel like reenacting Animal House, but she seems like her same old self. What's the deal? Men and women get different kinds of buzzes: Men lose inhibitions, while women become sedated. If you're looking to get her into the party spirit, don't feed her more alcohol. Instead, feed the jukebox. Research shows that mid- to fast-tempo music will make her more social.

Belly

Want to know if it's a good or bad time to broach a tricky conversation? You can tell if she's suitably relaxed by her breathing pattern. If her stomach pulls in with each inhalation, she's taking shallow breaths from her chest, which indicates stress. Keep your distance. If her abdomen and chest expand with each inhalation, she's taking deeper, more rhythmic breaths—a sign of relaxation. Go for it.

Nose

Her sense of smell is sharpest first thing in the morning, which, aside from being a good reason to brush your teeth immediately, makes it the best time to impress her with your culinary skills. That's because 90 percent of taste is really smell. Treat her to a breakfast in bed consisting of warmed banana-nut bread, which has an aroma that, according to one study, increases bloodflow to the vagina. And that may lead to a different kind of morning treat.

Chest

Sex flush, a pinkish look to the skin of her chest, occurs during foreplay. It stems from changes in blood pressure and circulation, along with pulse and respiration rates. Think of it as her coy way of telling you that if you keep doing what you're doing, you just might get lucky. Another sign that things are working: A woman's breasts grow by as much as 25 percent as things turn hot and heavy.

Small of Her Back

As she moves toward orgasm during sex, she'll begin to arch her back. Hold her tight around the small of her back at this point and stay attuned to how much she's arching. And, for God's sake, do not let up; maintain the same rhythm and intensity of stimulation until she climaxes. She'll pay you back for this later, with interest.

Fingernails

Pay attention to her fingers; among the surest signs of anxiety or depression in a woman are body-focused repetitive behaviors, such as skin picking and nail biting. If you see her doing that, don't nag her to stop; that can send her deeper into a spiral. Instead, gently pull her hand away, give it a squeeze, and hold on to it. Feel the tension ooze right out.

Hands

If it seems as if she always has cold hands, that's because she does—almost 3 degrees colder than yours, possibly more if she's stressed. Women's bodies, even more than men's, are programmed to keep their cores warmer than their extremities. So to warm her hands up, don't massage them; wrap your arm around her waist. This will warm her core and allow blood to flow back into her hands.

Between Her Legs

Okay, you know enough about your partner's menstrual cycle to know when to leave her alone. Now add this to your arsenal: Two weeks after her period begins, she will be at her horniest, guaranteed. Female sexual motivation is highest when she's ovulating. Warning: This is also when she's most likely to get pregnant.

The Vitamin You Need So Your Penis Can Perform

Lacking enough of the sunshine vitamin might snuff out the lights on your bedroom game.  New research from Italy suggests that low levels of vitamin D may increase your risk of erectile dysfunction.

When researchers tested 143 men with varying degrees of erectile dysfunction, they found that nearly half of them were coming up deficient in D, and only one in five had optimal levels of the nutrient. What’s more, men with severe cases of ED had vitamin D levels that were about 24 percent lower than those of men with mild forms of the condition. 

Insufficient levels of D may spur the production of free radicals called superoxide ions, according to study author Alessandra Barassi, M.D., and her research team. These free radicals deplete your nitric oxide, a molecule that helps your blood vessels function properly. The result: It makes it hard to, well, get hard. 

“Nitric oxide causes the blood vessels to relax, which increases the blood flow and causes an erection under normal circumstances,” says Larry Lipshultz, M.D., a Men’s Health urology advisor.  Without the necessary amounts of nitric acid, though, your blood vessels may not relax enough to allow for an erection.

If you suffer from ED, ask your doctor to check your vitamin D levels. For ED patients with low levels, the study recommends taking supplements to get back to the optimal level of 30 ng/mL or above.

As for men with normal erectile functioning, Dr. Barassi says she’s currently studying whether vitamin D supplementation may act as a preventive measure to delay ED.

The Best Bean You Can Eat

Trying to identify the healthiest bean is like trying to pick the hottest Victoria's Secret model.

But here goes: While all legumes are nutritious, the tiny garbanzo is a class-leading bean. A cup of canned garbanzos (a.k.a. chickpeas) provides 18 grams of protein, including every amino acid necessary for muscle growth, says Rebecca Scritchfield, R.D., a dietitian in Washington, D.C. In other words, hummus could make you huge. (Musclewise, that is.)

(Just don’t neglect the gym.)

Want more bean-efits? Researchers in Canada found that people who regularly consume garbanzos have healthier cholesterol levels than those who don't. Credit a high dose of soluble fiber, the kind that sucks up water, forming a gel in your intestines that blocks cholesterol from being absorbed. Soluble fiber also fuels gut probiotics, the healthy bacteria that promote digestion, protect your colon, and give your immunity a boost.

Garbanzos are super easy to add to your diet. “You can add chickpeas to anything you’re making,” Scritchfield says. “They’ll take on flavor of whatever seasoning you’re using.”

Just rinse and drain and toss them into any salad, soup, or stew. You can also roast them in the oven and keep them on hand for a crunchy snack. Or develop a hankering for carrots and celery dipped in hummus. Feeling ambitious? You can evenMake Your Own Hummus with This Easy Recipe.

Another versatile option: kidney beans. These legumes are an excellent source of thiamin and riboflavin, which help your body use energy efficiently. Plus, they contain 14 grams of cholesterol-fighting fiber per cup. Throw them into chili or a salad, or whip up some Southern-style beans and rice.

And don't worry about tooting your own horn. An Arizona State University study found that while all beans may cause flatulence when you first introduce them to your diet—partly because they’re so rich in fiber—the fallout fades after a few weeks.

What Each Sex Position Feels Like for Guys

It’s highly likely that you have a ranking of your favorite sex positions. Maybe girl on top makes you feel like the hottest cowgirl-goddess hybrid at the rodeo but doggy style just ends with your cervix feeling like one giant bruise. It’s the same for guys; here’s a glimpse inside a man’s mind when you’re getting it on.
 

YOCO/DUTCH UNCLE LTD.

Missionary
“It’s classic. I like starting this way the most, so it has the added benefit of being associated with the feeling of first entry. There's nothing like slipping into her warm wetness down there. It makes me think there's a reason humans evolved to have sex this way. Plus, if I get too close to coming early, I can just think about the name of the position, and it keeps me from going over the edge. Missionary: sexy position, unsexy name.” —Sam J.

“Good old faithful. Though I think missionary is over-used, it serves several good purposes. It's the position where I feel most in control of what is going on, probably partially due to my familiarity with it since it’s over-used. When I have that control, I’m more capable of making myself orgasm, and I'm all for orgasms. It's also a good go-to position when you are working with inexperienced girls. They feel more comfortable when you’re on top doing the work. The drawback is that women sometimes feel like their role here is to just lie back and enjoy. As much as I love seeing a woman's face as she experiences pleasure, so much more can be done while you're on your back. Just because you're on your back doesn't mean you're out of the fight. You have hands, lips, a voice, etc.” —Adam K.

“This is obviously a go-to. I use it if I'm trying to draw things out. My problem with missionary is that it seems that the ladies can't do much to change up the tightness down there by squeezing, and I can't do anything fancy from this position. It’s really good when you're feeling romantic and want to do the whole eye-contact thing, especially when you finish.” —Nathaniel Z.

“This is the most mercurial of all positions. It can be terrible, but it can also be out-of-this-world intimate. Looking into the eyes of your lover and seeing either ecstasy or embarrassment is truly a moment of trust and fear. It’s great for your first round of sober sex or after you said ‘I love you.’” —Cal A.

YOCO/DUTCH UNCLE LTD.

Doggy Style
“This feels rough and dirty to me, in a good way. I really like it because of the view of her whole back. Plus, the slapping sound this position makes can be really sexy in the right context. Maybe not the right pick for a super romantic night, though.” —SJ

“Doggy style forfeits a bit of the control aspect of missionary style in exchange for a wonderful view. Not much better things to look at than a woman's ass as you penetrate her. There is something sexy and animalistic about making love to someone this way. Some people say it makes you feel powerful, but I don't think that's the right word. I think it's feral.” —AK

“Fantastic. It’s not just her butt slapping against me but the access to her boobs if I lean forward, a nice view of her butt, and the ability to grab and thrust hard—and in any angle I want. I love the control. I think this is the most visceral, and it appeals to the animal in all of us. Plus, how long and hard you can go? C’mon!” —NZ

“This is the most dominant position for a guy there is. I control the pace, depth, and the girl in general. Spanking, squealing, and hair pulling are highly encouraged and a major ego boost. I would hope she enjoys it when my balls smack against her clitoris repeatedly. It’s great for drunk Saturday nights.” —CA

 

YOCO/DUTCH UNCLE LTD.

Girl on Top
“This is my favorite position. It feels like I go really deep when I thrust up, while she can always back away and maintain control so I don't have to worry about, uh, overdoing it. There are so many good places to put my hands: cupping her face, caressing her boobs, just pulling her in from her sides and back as she rides...wow.” —SJ

“Ever since Game of Thrones came out, this position reminds me of Daenerys. You know, the scene where Khal Drogo tries to have sex doggy style but she stops him and says, ‘Tonight, I will look upon your face.’ I love a girl that likes being on top. It shows confidence, and it makes my attraction for her grow. Though I rarely can orgasm from this position, it does help me reach orgasm later because it makes me feel way more attracted to my sexual partner.” —AK

“I love it for the view, and bouncing boobs are hot. But how much can you enjoy sex when you're thinking about how weird it's going to be next time you see your neighbors who live below you? Cowgirl seems loudest because a vertical bounce shakes the floor. With the others, I can kind of brace my weight so it doesn't sound like we're playing basketball.” —NZ

“Girl on top is a great position because it's an awesome show, like Cirque du Soleil. I don't have to do anything except watch everything bounce. I can be lazy but still have the power to surprise with a thrust. Mainly, I let the girl do the work while she is gyrating on top of me. It’s great for Sunday mornings.” —CA

 

YOCO/DUTCH UNCLE LTD.

Reverse Cowgirl
“Combining the view of doggy style with the deepness and excitement of woman on top! What could possibly go wrong? My dick, that's what. It's just not that flexible. Okay, I can enjoy this position gently, but how many ladies really want to be gentle if they're requesting reverse cowgirl?” —SJ

“I don't have much experience with this one. The view is great, and it’s something different, which adds to its sex appeal. It's a less feral version of doggy style. I believe part of the reason I’m not all for it is that I haven't been with a woman who does it well. Perhaps—and hopefully—that will change.” —AK

“I’m not a fan. If she starts getting into it and gets over-ambitious in the height of her bounce, my penis could fall out. That could be a medical emergency for my junk if she comes down hard and something happens. Any time I get a mental image of my dick breaking, it kills the mood.” —NZ

“It’s a little more complex than girl-on-top, but I can still slide in easily. I like that my hands are free to spank, grab, and help out. It’s not necessarily a favorite, but can be timed so you both climax together.” —CA

 

YOCO/DUTCH UNCLE LTD.

Spooning
“This is tricky if I don't want to be big spoon. Seriously though, spooning is great and really brings out the intimacy in sex. When so much of your body is pressed against hers, the friction is super hot.” —SJ

“I guess you could have sex from the spooning position, but I honestly haven't done it much. I'm not too into spooning in the cuddling realm, either. Actually, when it comes to spooning, I prefer being the little spoon, which I'm sure is not the norm, but whatever.” —AK

“Where is the leverage? There’s nothing to press off of. I can't keep this going more than 10 or 20 thrusts.” —NZ

“This one’s great because I can do long, slow strokes as a tease, and I like that my hands and mouth are free to seduce her. I see it as mainly the second act of foreplay before moving on. I love the sensation, hate the work, respect the outcome and process. It’s ideal for Wednesday night date night.” —CA

Bonus Round:
“One of my favorite positions is where I am standing on the edge of the bed and my partner is lying down. I basically hold her legs apart and thrust while I am standing. Great view of everything for both people. She gets to see my body working to please her, and I get to see her flexible legs spread out in front of me and her breasts bouncing back and forth as I thrust. Sweet memories.” —AK

“Spooning is a fantastic transition position into my favorite: guy on top, both face-down, like lying-down doggy style. This gives full boob access, an easy reach to the clitoris if you're feeling it, and she can tighten or loosen up how it feels down there easily from that position. It’s the best way to finish, too.” —NZ

“My favorite position is what I call the koala/monkey pick-up. It’s the most carnal thing I can do. Picking her up, slamming her against a wall, and thrusting is a monster boost to both parties. It shows I’m strong and feels great when I finish because of the strain. It’s perfect in the shower.” —CA

11 Ways to Make Doggy Style Even SEXIER

We like to think of doggy style as the original bad girl sex position. There's something a little wild, naughty, and titillating about it that just amps up the passion and makes you lust for more. Plus, it feels freaking amazing.   

"You can get the deepest penetration possible in this position, and you can also reach the G-spot," says Ava Cadell, Ph.D., author of Neurolovology. So if you're already a fan of this position, get ready to make it even more memorable. Here are 11 super-easy tweaks to raise the stakes: 

Get Vertical 
The classic doggy style set-up—kneeling on all fours—can feel great for a while, but eventually it may strain your body. "A lot of women complain that they get sore knees, or that it hurts their back or their neck," says Cadell. Fix that by getting off your knees and on your feet. Stand up and lean forward slightly against a wall, or bend over onto a table or a desk.  

Use Pillows   
Another surefire fix for rug burn on your knees: Prop yourself up with pillows, giving yourself a cushy foundation to rest on. Or lay completely flat on the bed and place a few pillows underneath your waist. This will create a great angle for him to enter you from behind, says Sadie Allison, Ph.D., author of The Mystery of the Undercover Clitoris. 

Get Out of the Bedroom
The best part about doggy style is that it doesn't require a bed—you can have sex all over the house. Try it in the shower, standing on a staircase while holding onto the bannister, or leaning over the kitchen counter. "My favorite is bending over a dryer that's on the spin cycle, so it's like a giant vibrator," says Cadell.

Skip the Strip
For a take-me-right-now kind of romp, pull up your dress or skirt and push aside your underwear, says Cadell. We promise, every time you wear this outfit, you'll have very fond memories.  

Give Yourself a Hand
Using your fingers or a vibrator, stimulate your clitoris as your partner thrusts for a climax that's twice as powerful. In fact, this is one of the top ways to increase your orgasm chances during doggy style, says Allison. 

Bring in the Nipples
If you like breast stimulation, doggy style is the perfect position to incorporate them, says Cadell. Grab your partner's hands and place them on your breasts. Then, by keeping your hands over his, you can show him exactly how you want him to fondle you. Think of this as naughty show and tell. 

Turn Up the Volume
During doggy style, "a lot of women feel more uninhibited because the guy can't see her face," explains Cadell. So let it go: Moan, grunt, talk dirty, and do all the things that you may be too shy to do in missionary position.  

Get a View 
Position yourself in front of a mirror so you and your partner can sneak a peak at each other from another angle, says Allison. And don't be surprised if it inspires you to put on a show. Toss your hair, arch your back a little more, and catch his eyes for a sultry look.

Go Out of Bounds 
If you're into it, this is the easiest position to switch from vaginal sex to backdoor play, says Cadell. Just make sure to switch the condom to avoid infection, and if it's your first time, be sure to use plenty of lube and goslow.  

Make it Sensual
Who says doggy style has to be rough all the time? Make it a little more romantic by opting for a side-to-side position—like spooning—or getting into position in the bathtub, suggests Cadell. 

Take Control 
Though it sometimes seems like your partner is calling the shots in this position, there's plenty you can do to take the reins. Arching your back more or less will let you control the depth (arching less won't let him go as deep), says Alison. Or you can reach behind and grab his hips to help control the speed of his thrusts.  

The Future of Female Orgasms May Not Be in Your Hands

Who doesn't love a good sheet-tearing orgasm? But are you willing to risk your health to have the most intense O possible?

Erotic toy manufacturer Fun Factory just released Orgasmia, a motorized medical implant that can be controlled by a Bluetooth device.

 

The contraption looks like a silicone wishbone and is surgically inserted in a woman's clitoris to help her orgasm via vibration. The device, along with the reversible outpatient procedure required to get it implanted, costs $6,500.

Meanwhile, the new Afterglow vibrator uses low-level laser energy to increase blood flow and arousal. The gadget also claims to form new blood vessels, to thicken older tissues with new collagen, and to decrease pathogenic bacteria and fungus such as yeast.

Afterglow™ Vibrator with Pulsewave™ Light Technology from Ralph Zipper on Vimeo.

How do doctors feel about the new devices? In short, not great. "There's inherent risk in just the procedure [to implant Orasmia] itself," says board certified ob-gyn Felice Gersh, M.D.

Hilda Hutcherson, M.D., a professor at Columbia University, echoes that concern: "As in any procedure where skin is breached and/or a foreign body is placed in your body, there are risks of infection, bleeding, scarring, as well as allergic reactions to the implant," she says. Plus, complications from anesthesia are always possible.

Afterglow is troubling, too, say experts. "This is potentially a very powerful tool," says Gersh. "My understanding of this process is it can create proliferation. It can activate the expression of genes, which can be involved in healing. [But] uncontrolled proliferation can be involved in an increase in the risk of cancer."

This is probably where the old adage "the cure is worse than the disease" would apply. And these products aren’t even marketed to people with dysfunction; they're being sold to perfectly healthy women.

The unknown potential adverse health effects are another seriously scary factor to consider, says Gersh. Since these products have no long-term data to support their use, "you're playing with fire." Makes using your hand to get the job done sound pretty amazing, huh?