Ideas worth spreading

The uncomplicated truth about women's sexuality

2,598,514 views |

Sarah Barmak |

TEDxToronto

• October 2016

Is women's sexuality more complicated than men's? Well, not really, no, says author Sarah Barmak. In this frank, eye-opening talk, she shows how a flawed understanding of the female body has shaped this discussion for centuries. She debunks some age-old myths (you're welcome) and offers a richer definition of pleasure that gets closer to the simple truth about women's sexuality.

Is women's sexuality more complicated than men's? Well, not really, no, says author Sarah Barmak. In this frank, eye-opening talk, she shows how a flawed understanding of the female body has shaped this discussion for centuries. She debunks some age-old myths (you're welcome) and offers a richer definition of pleasure that gets closer to the simple truth about women's sexuality.

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxToronto, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

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About the speaker

Sarah Barmak

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Sarah Barmak teaches journalism and writes about women's health and sexuality, gender and sexual consent.

Emily Nagoski | Simon & Schuster, 2015 | Book

Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Life

If I only had one book to recommend, it would be this one. Nagoski's fact-based guide to difficulty with orgasm, mismatched desire, shame about sex and every other possible sexual concern that affects people who have vulvas is a revelation, offering effective worksheets that help you understand your body and yourself in a new way. Her overarching message — "you are normal" — has changed many lives.

Dr. Lori Brotto | Greystone Books, 2018 | Book

Better Sex Through Mindfulness: How Women Can Cultivate Desire

Dr. Lori Brotto has pioneered an effective, compassionated treatment based on mindfulness for women's sexual dysfunctions such as lack of desire, pain during sex and other issues. Her treatments have been clinically shown to work better than almost anything out there. Her book makes her techniques accessible beyond her lab, with tons of exercises that use mindfulness to transform women's relationship with desire.

omgyes.com | Explore

This remarkable research-based interactive tool features real people guiding you in how to give them pleasure. Using touchscreens, users learn explicit techniques in how best to touch a vulva and clitoris, including strokes, variations, speed and other essential skills. People guide you in how to master edging, staging, multiples and other kinds of techniques.

Learn more

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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxToronto, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.