Top Sexual Health & Wellness Trends To Get Excited About In 2023

As a clinical sexologist and expert in human sexuality I have teamed up with iPlaySafe to predict 2023 sexual health and wellness trends. I’m Ness Cooper, a sexpert with over 15 years’ experience, and I’ve seen sex trends come and go. 

This past year, we’ve seen new sex technology rise, particularly the popularity of suction sex toys. We’ve been made aware of newly discovered sexual health woes such as Monkeypox.

iPlaySafe has been supporting many people to navigate sexual health trends and surprises throughout 2022 by providing accurate sexual health and wellbeing support and information. In 2023 we’re predicting some amazing sexual wellbeing trends that are bound to lead to fun-filled erotic exploration and adventures. 

Here are our top 10 sexual wellness trends for 2023!

1. Showing Sexual Vulnerability

2022 was all about learning boundaries and red and green flags. It’s now the right time for many who have discovered theirs to start exploring their sexual vulnerability. Being able to show your sexual vulnerability during sex is empowering and it can make sex more pleasurable. In 2023 more people will be understanding their sexual boundaries than ever before. This will allow room to be vulnerable with their partner in the bedroom. 

Sexual vulnerability is about showing your authentic self during sex. It’s about creating and finding an environment where intimate interactions allow you to feel safe and authentic. And doing this even when you’re nervous and vulnerable about exploring new sexual possibilities. 

2. Sustainable Sex

This isn’t just about eco-friendly sex toys made from sustainable materials and batteries. It's about adding sustainability into your sex life as a whole. From things that help turn your partner on, to dating rituals that may lead to bedroom adventures, in 2023 more people than ever will be aiming for sustainability in their intimate relationships to help lower the impact on climate change.

Start “green dating” by focusing on anything from eco-friendly travel to and from your destination. Make sustainable choices when it comes to restaurants or food selections for a romantic picnic.

Try wearing sustainable lingerie made from recycled materials. ECONYL® fishnets are made from yarn derived from repurposed materials (including old fishnets that can’t be recycled!) and are available from various companies. Lovehoney offer multiple lingerie styles that are eco-friendly and are “sustainable without sacrificing sex appeal”. 

Choose brands that are making a difference in the world. Underwear brand Lemonade Dolls works with the amazing charity Choose Love to donate underwear to refugees across the world. 

Use sustainably made sex toys that can be repaired when they break, such as Make Love Not War. Add in sustainable lube and condoms from brands like Roam and Into the Wylde to help you keep that eco flow during your bedroom activities.

3. Accessible Sex

People are becoming more aware of accessibility needs within the bedroom. They are learning how to have an awesome sex life with accessible sexual rituals, routines, and gadgets. Media platforms are now filled with sex positive disability activists and this has increased awareness of the need for accessibility within the bedroom. It’s giving people the confidence to bring up the conversation about how their disability can affect their sexual enjoyment, and how this can change. In 2023 I expect more and more play partners. Those looking to hook-up or those in committed relationships will bring up the conversation around accessible sex before they hit the sheets together.

4. Therapy App and Sexual Health App Guided Sex

Whether single or in a relationship, people are turning to the support of sex therapy apps and sexual health apps. They not only help to navigate conversations around sexual wellbeing, health and consent, but also educate on sexual pleasure and erotic techniques.

Communicating our sexual needs, wants and worries can be hard. It makes sense that there is an expected rise in people looking to sexual wellness apps in 2023.

Sex Therapy App Lover is an FDA-approved app that helps individuals and couples learn more about their sexual likes and dislikes. It also educates users on methods to increase sexual pleasure. It has supported over 90,000 individuals and couples to learn about sexual pleasure and communicate with partners. I suspect in 2023 it will continue to help more people in their desire for a more fulfilling sexual-wellbeing.

Making sure your sexual wellness apps have verified information is key. iPlaySafe makes sure all medical information on it come from verified healthcare professionals.

5. Finding Your Sexual Spark

Finding your sexual spark is all about taking responsibility for the spark in your love life rather than relying on another person to provide that spark all the time. Research shows that more relationships are leaning towards equality in the bedroom. In 2023 there’s a high chance that many relationships will be looking into how they can be more present within the bedroom and also ignite the spark of passion and pleasure, rather than just rely on their partner. iPlaySafe’s app is filled with amazing pleasure tips that can help to regain your sexual spark in 2023.

6. Exploring your Erotic Orientation

Things that turn you on can be different to sexual orientation. Sometimes our sexual orientation doesn’t match up with our sexuality, but are erotic acts or fantasies that really turn us on and feel pleasurable. Sometimes the things we’re into can conflict with our sexuality. Exploring your sexual orientation is about breaking down the social concept of what sexuality you are and what you enjoy, and reducing the shame around erotic orientation that may not match your perceived sexual orientation.

7. Looking beyond Dating Apps

There’s already a rise in people exploring online avenues other than dating apps for potential relationships. In 2023 it’s expected that more people will be using websites and social media apps to find connections. That’s where iPlaySafe comes in. It’s important to stay up to date with your sexual health status when you’re dating and meeting potential new sexual partners. iPlaySafe provides home STI testing kits that are integrated with an app, where you receive your results in the form of a ‘play badge’. You can share that info within the app with a potential partner if and when you want to. It’s a quick, simple, and sexy way to confirm your sexual health status. Enjoy verified safe hook-ups.

8. VR Sex

Virtual reality is helping people explore sex and sexual fantasies they wouldn’t have had access to before. VR sex tech use is expected to rise in 2023. With VR sex it’s not just about VR porn. Sexual wellness brands and educators are starting to explore the possibilities of creating VR sex education content to help guide people to happier sex lives. Compatible sex tech is also expected to rise in production and sales, with many working alongside household VR headset brands, not just sex focused designed headsets.

9. Navigating Sensory Overwhelm and Sex

In the past, sex trends have been overly focused on adding more sensations. Now we’re seeing that it’s more about the right sensations, rather than adding more. For many, particularly neurodivergent individuals, too much sensation or the wrong type of sexual sensation can lead to overwhelm and not always a great time. In 2023 people will be more open about the sensations they find too much. They will be more open to talk about it, and how to reduce sensory overwhelm within the bedroom. 

10. The Rise of Sex Workshops and Events

It’s become less taboo to talk about exploring sexual wellness and our sexuality. Seeking sex education is becoming pretty standard practice. This has led to a flurry of sex positive educational workshops starting to pop up, with more predicted for 2023. Some of these are where committed partners can explore their erotic tastes or learn new ones together and others even have the opportunity to meet up with future play partners.

Kate Lambert runs female empowerment and masturbation workshops she calls pussy power workshops, that help you learn how to activate your sexual pleasure power. Sexfluencer Scotty Unfamous offers sex education workshops and has more planned for 2023 (she is also a guest on the iPlaySafe podcast, Play Pod!) Kink and BDSM workshops to help explore erotic orientation can range from Madam Caramels Mistress Workshops and even sissy training. For a dip into the history of BDSM there’s always Anne O Nomis’s course Dominatrix Seven Realm Arts™. If you’re interested in workshops and events for women, Killing Kittens have been hosting sex workshops and play parties that are inclusive, body positive and sexually liberal, since 2005.

If you’re hoping to set out and make your own sexual wellness trend, then checking the iPlaySafe app resources can help. Not only supporting you to stay safe, but also to learn about new sexual wellbeing possibilities. Let’s face it, 2023 is going to be pretty amazing as far as sexual health and sexual wellbeing is concerned. It will be one of the most accessible and liberating years we’ve experienced yet. And home STI testing kits are the way forward when it comes to being able to make sure you safe safe between exploring your sexual wellness trends in 2023. Learn more about them and order here. 

Find out more about Ness Cooper and her work here.