Facial expressions and body movement are more effective than dirty talk during sex, study says

The eyes are the window to the soul — and your sexual desires.Nonverbal cues are more effective than verbal communication during sex, according to a study recently published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior.

Researchers at Missouri State University conducted in-depth interviews with 78 participants of varying ages, backgrounds and sexual orientations — though the group included no lesbians — to determine what keeps them going during a romp in the hay.Perhaps unsurprisingly, the team found that people are significantly more likely to communicate during sex with partners they trust and feel comfortable with.

However, that communication — which often enhanced the sexual experience — was predominantly non-verbal. Most people felt that verbal cues disrupted the flow and intimacy of the erotic moment — so keep those cheeky oneliners to yourself.Instead of getting turned on by dirty talk, people prefer non-verbal indicators — such as body movements, facial expressions and other physical responses — to help get them there.

Communication is always key, and many studies have shown a link between sexual dissatisfaction and poor communication, yet many people struggle to express what they want or need during sex — especially women.“All of that matters because sexual communication increases our likelihood of sexual satisfaction.

So, the more openly and more clearly we can communicate during sex the better sex we’ll have,” study author Alicia M.Walker, an associate professor of sociology at Missouri State University and author of “Chasing Masculinity: Men, Validation, and Infidelity,” told PsyPost.

The new research found that women often refrain from honest verbal communication about their sexual dissatisfaction to avoid hurting males’ feelings, particularly when the man’s masculinity or self-esteem seems fragile.This comes as many surveys suggest that about half of all women are not satisfied with how often they reach climax — and 1...