BBC Science Focus Magazine

THINKING OF SEXUAL DESIRE AS AN ON/OFF SWITCH ISN'T HELPING ANYBODY

COLUMNISTS COMMENT

Sexual desire is often confused with both libido and arousal. These three terms are usually spoken about and used interchangeably, but are rarely fully understood.

Libido is commonly used to describe sex drive, but it's usually seen to be binary, so it's either high or low. Arousal is the collective term for the physical changes that enable the body to be ready for sex, such as raised heart and breathing rates, and increased blood flow to the genitals.

But in medical

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from BBC Science Focus Magazine

BBC Science Focus Magazine2 min read
What Causes Rainbow Clouds?
In the depths of winter, when conditions are just right, glittering clouds turn the polar skies into a spectacle of colour. Rainbow clouds – also known as ‘nacreous’ or ‘mother-of-pearl’ clouds after their resemblance to the iridescent shells of some
BBC Science Focus Magazine3 min read
Why Older Women Face A Greater Risk Of Broken Bones
The world's population is undergoing an enormous shift because the average person is living longer. According to the World Health Organization, in 2020 there were more people aged 60 and over, than there were children under five. In the UK, there are
BBC Science Focus Magazine2 min read
Video Is First Evidence Of An Orca Killing A Great White
Orcas may not have the same fearsome reputation as great white sharks, but, as surprising new footage reveals, they're more than a match for Hollywood's favourite predator of the deep. Videos captured by tourists and scientists aboard a boat off the

Related Books & Audiobooks