Sex Survey: 39% of people who never used sex toys before the pandemic now do

For the love-hungry singles, the coronavirus pandemic completely halted the dating game and waved goodbye to the excitement of meeting new people out and about. Now that we’re back on track to normality and ready to get back out there, it’s got us wondering, has the pandemic killed off the world of dating?

A survey of 2,000 U.S. adults age 18-45, (with 200 respondents identifying as LGBTQ), revealed that 47% of Americans experienced sexual problems during the pandemic but 65% going on to find new sources of pleasure.

65% of singles said that they’ve found new sources of pleasure or sexual turn ons. 40% say they’re masturbating more often than they did before the pandemic. 39% of people who had never used sex toys before the pandemic now do so.

Affecting our lives in more ways than one, the Covid pandemic saw big changes for us all. This is no different when it comes to our sex lives, with 47% of Americans experiencing at least one sexual problem during the pandemic. From low sexual interest to difficulty orgasming the changes around us meant that our outlook on sex changed completely and for many of us, our bodies were unable to focus on sexual pleasure.

For us single folk, our dating lives were put on pause and just 23% of singles dated someone new during the pandemic, with 36% of these consisting of virtual dates only. With so much free time on our hands and a whole lot of sexual frustration, we all learnt new things about our bodies by exploring masturbation and toys.

Getting back out there:

Now that we’re back on track towards normality, the playing field is open for business but it can be overwhelming to know where to start after such a long time out of the game. If you’re ready to start meeting some local singles and see where things go, Lovehoney sexperts have revealed top tips on how to minimize time wasters and maximize success.

Turn to the apps:

More than half (52%) of singles say they are more likely to use online dating services now more than ever, turning to the apps to help find matches in their local area. As well as utilizing modern dating platforms, the pandemic has taught us that not all dates need to be flashy and expensive. If you’d prefer to get to know someone better online before meeting up with them in public, plan a virtual date and spend some time together through the screen!

Set expectations:

There’s nothing more disheartening than chatting to a potential partner before finding out you’re on totally different wavelengths. Not looking for anything serious? Tell them. Still prefer to social distance? Tell them. Looking to settle down? Tell them. Don’t hesitate to be up front with what you’re looking for, communicating your end goal in the early stages as 33% of Americans disclosed communication as a key issue between them and their partner. 

Don’t jump in too fast:

Following the pandemic, 52% of singles are less interested in casual sex so developing more meaningful relationships beforehand is preferred. There’s no rush to jump under the sheets and after two years spent at home, why not get out there and enjoy each other's company over a fun activity? 50% of Americans say their interest in trying new non-sexual activities with a partner has increased, appreciating quality time over sex.

Go with the flow:

When you’ve met the right person, the process should feel effortless. If you’re chasing up their messages, doing all of the planning yourself and being faced with endless excuses, the likelihood is that they’re not as interested as you deserve. The early stages should be nothing but fun and exciting as you make time in your busy schedules to see each other and enjoy getting to know more about each other.

Unleash your adventurous side:

Once you’ve found the right person who makes you want to rip off their clothes, take the opportunity to experiment! 47% of people said that their interest in trying new sexual activities has increased since the pandemic and over half said their sexual interests have shifted, making them more experimental in the bedroom. In fact, 73% of these are looking to bring a kink into the bedroom so open up the conversation with a partner and tell them what you want to try, whether that be phone sex, a new position, a public location or a new toy.

With special thanks to www.lovehoney.co.uk for the research data.