The quest for ultimate orgasm never ends. We all dream of one, but only a few can reach it. Does it have to be that way, though? After all, we’re (almost) all having or had sex—and I don’t know about you, but I’m certainly planning on getting some this Valentine’s Day. It shouldn’t be that hard to reach the climax of your dreams, right?

Well, the answer is more complicated than most people think. Sure, some couples have a fantastic sex life from the very start. In most cases, though, reaching an intimate sexual connection takes time and experience.

Keep in mind that Rome wasn’t built in a day and that everything can be fixed. Your sex life is not an exception to these two rules. To help you with that, we’ve prepared the following guide. Below, you’ll find some useful tips on how to maximise your sexual pleasure and take your orgasms to the next level this Valentine’s Day.

The worst thing that can happen is falling into a sex routine. Unfortunately, it’s something that many relationships, especially long-term ones, experience. To avoid that, you need to experiment. Fortunately, when it comes to sex, there is a load of things you may try.

For instance, using toys can be a great way to make your orgasms more intense and fun. And if you’ve already tried that and are looking for ways to make things kinkier, why not investing in a sex doll? What about a sex simulator?

Sure, it may sound a little extreme, but hear us out: sex dolls, like the ones from Silicon Wives, can be a great addition to your bedroom. For example, if you’ve always dreamed of having a threesome, practising on your doll can save you a lot of awkward conversations with your friends. Besides toys and dolls, you can also try out different positions, role-play, or bondage. A good idea can also be to take your sex outside the bedroom.

It’s tempting to skip foreplay and get straight down to business, but if there is one thing to know about sex, it is that you should take your time. You shouldn’t underestimate the power of foreplay, as it’s often key to sexual pleasure.

Your foreplay should include kissing, touching, and caressing. You can also include oral sex to make things spicy and prepare each other for some intense lovemaking. Tell your partner what turns you on and listen to them telling you the same. Taking your time to learn each other’s bodies leads to much more enjoyable and intense sex!

If you’re not entirely sure what you want from your partner, a great idea is to first learn a thing or two about your body. Find out what turns you on and gives you an orgasm. Then, use that knowledge to tell your partner what they need to do.

Some people believe that masturbation isn’t something positive, but self-stimulation is an integral part of learning how to be better in bed. Think of it as a practice before the game—a rehearsal to explore what you like and how you feel.

Sex is a team sport. Only by cooperating can you and your partner maximise your orgasms. That’s why you need to remember that your partner’s desires should be equal to yours. You might think it’s not related, but knowing that the other person has as much fun as you can lead to a more fulfilling sexual act. Focus on giving your partner pleasure, and you’ll receive the same love.

Don’t forget that sex is not just about physical, but also mental connection. And it’s the latter that usually leads to a more satisfying feeling.

It’s a well-known fact that the healthier you are, the better your sex. If you’re in good shape, your orgasms and overall pleasure will improve, as you’ll be able to last longer in bed. However, it’s not only your physical shape you should worry about. Your head plays a crucial role in your sexual performance. For instance, anxiety and depression can lead to erectile dysfunction, hurting a person’s self-esteem and confidence.

With that in mind, you should do everything possible to take care of your well-being. Exercise regularly, maintain a healthy diet and seek professional help if needed.

Sex without orgasm is like a muffin without filling: it tastes ok, but something’s missing. The thing is, though, many factors can affect your bed adventure, both negatively and positively. The first thing to know is that it usually takes time to get to know each other. Chances are you won’t receive the sexual pleasure you want at the beginning of your relationship, but it doesn’t mean you have to break up.

Sometimes, even long-term couples really struggle with satisfying sex. Fortunately, as you can see, there’s a lot of ways to maximise your sexual pleasure. Considering them all is a great start when trying to make things better. Explore new things, understand how your body works, and how your partner might feel about certain experiences. The quest for pleasure is a long journey, but it’s up to you and the person you love to get what you want. So why not try to do so on Valentine’s Day?

“Love is a losing game” sang Amy Winehouse in 2006.

Whether your sentimental status is currently on the same page as her anguishing words or not, you must feel it coming too—the dreadful Valentine’s Day. And if love is a losing game, Valentine’s Day is, without a doubt, the lamest one ever. The festivity has the reputation of being a materialistic celebration of monogamous and heterosexual traditional couples, and fairly so. In other words, Valentine’s Day is the feast of love’s many stereotypes, not Saint Valentine’s Feast.

In order to break free from Valentine’s Day traditional outcomes and survive this heart-shaped day that feels like a week for most of us, I shortlisted five sex tech products that will improve your love life, whether you’re coupled-up, single, or somewhere in between. Each of these products and devices will not only make your sex life and relationships more festive, but these might even open up your spectrum of pleasure by breaking the boundaries and taboos surrounding it and by empowering you to feel more comfortable with your sexuality. Okay, I’ll stop teasing you now, here we go.

1. The Osé, and all things Lora DiCarlo

This is a fundamental one, and not only because it was the sex tech company’s first device, but because it is amazing. Osé uses micro-robotics inspired by human movements to give its users a full-bodied climax. How? By aiming for both clitoral and G-spot orgasms simultaneously. The award-winning robotic massager designed for hands-free orgasms made the headlines in 2019 after getting banned from CES.

Shortly after that, DiCarlo’s founder Lora Haddock DiCarlo fought the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and rewrote the rules to create a safer and more inclusive environment at CES. This gave sex tech the space and recognition it deserves. This year, Lora DiCarlo introduced its two additional devices at CES 2020: the Baci, a “microrobotic pleasure device that simulates the feel and motion of the human lips and tongue,” and the Onda, a product which replicates the movements of human fingers.

So even if the Osé isn’t for you, don’t stress, Lora DiCarlo has plenty of other high-end choices.

2. OMGYes subscription

Not all sex tech comes in the shape of a vibrator. For those who are interested in discovering more about sexual pleasure, female orgasm, or just to expand their sex and body education, OMGyes is the right platform for you. This website merges academic research with catchy insights on the universe of sexuality, providing subscribers with two seasons of episodes covering new innovative investigations presented through engaging videos.

Because, at the end of the day, pleasure is all about knowing your body.

3. The Lioness

The Lioness is that one product that blurs the line between sex tech and digital health. By using AI and data visualisation, this vibrator delivers way more than just orgasms: it provides users with all the information required to know more about their orgasm’s patterns. The Lioness’ sensors track pressure, tension and temperature and lets users access the information via the app that comes with it. Charts will show repetitive patterns, forwarding the understanding of female sexual pleasure through data-based technology.

4. Interactive sex toys

For those who are in a long-distance relationship, I haven’t forgotten about you. Interactive sex toys could help you bridge the geographical gap. Regardless of the distance, many of Lovense’s products allow couples to have long-distance sex by connecting both sex toys via Bluetooth. Once the partners are both online and active on the app, one of the two can send a notification to start the session.

The toys respond to the person’s movements and send feedback to their partner. This way, one has the impression of feeling the other person’s touch from a distance (the whole practice can be accompanied by a video call or texts). In case of privacy concerns: all data that passes through Lovense’ servers are fully encrypted, so go for it.

5. XConfessions subscription

Everyone loves PornHub and its genius marketing strategy, but if this year’s Valentine’s Day is about expanding your understanding of sex and relationships, it might be good to subscribe to alternative film platforms too––you know, for research.

Famous director and producer in the porn industry Erika Lust started XConfessions in 2013 as an online space for people to share their sexual confessions, but over the years, it has grown into a global community of like-minded people seeking inclusive and varied erotica film.

Today, the website has organically grown into a platform where filmmakers, performers, and artists turn people’s sexual confessions into explicit short movies. If someone’s anonymous confession is picked to be turned into a film, the person gets rewarded with a free access pass to the site. XConfessions is a creative way of exploring pornography while keeping this gigantic industry challenged and diverse.

Based on this list, it looks like love doesn’t have to be a losing game after all.