1. 1-Sentence-Summary:
1.1. Come As You Are is sex educator Dr. Emily Nagoski’s explanation of the truth about female sexuality, including the hidden science of what turns women on, why it works, how to utilize this knowledge to improve your sex life, and why sexual myths make you feel inadequate in bed.
2. Favorite quote from the author:
2.1. "Love is having. Desire is wanting. And you can want only what you don't already have." - Emily Nagoski
3. 3 lessons:
3.1. You have needs as unique as your sexual personality, and that’s okay.
3.1.1. The author had a patient named Laurie who, after having a baby, lost all desire for sex with her husband.
3.1.1.1. She did, however, enjoy pleasuring herself.
3.1.1.2. The problem was that she began to feel bad for not wanting penetrative sex.
3.1.2. But Laurie wasn’t in the wrong for this, she just needed to understand that she, like you, has a sexual gas pedal and brakes.
3.1.2.1. Whenever you get stimulation, it pushes the gas pedal, and there are many things that can push your brakes.
3.1.2.1.1. Even something as simple as a sound or smell can make your brain shut down your sexual desire.
3.1.3. Most people that struggle with sex just have overactive sexual brakes.
3.1.3.1. Women that feel anxious about how long it takes them to become aroused or who only get the urge for sex in perfect circumstances have a harder time with sex.
3.1.4. But everybody is unique with varying levels of brake and gas pedal sensitivities and what makes each of these go.
3.1.4.1. Pay careful attention to yours and your partners if you want to improve your sex life.
3.1.5. One of the author’s clients, Camilla, for instance, didn’t feel any arousal when looking at her partner or when having sexual fantasies.
3.1.5.1. The problem was that she simply had a weak gas pedal and needed more time and attention to get going.
3.2. Stress smothers your desire for sex.
3.2.1. Stress makes sex unattractive.
3.2.1.1. And you can’t just wish your stress response away.
3.2.1.2. Animals, for instance, when they play dead while being hunted, will have spasms even after the predator is gone.
3.2.1.3. Humans are the same way, but with the stresses of family or work.
3.2.2. We have what’s known as a stress response cycle, and we can’t just turn it off at will.
3.2.2.1. So don't try to push through and still have sex when you’re stressed.
3.2.2.2. Instead, calm down first through exercise, sleep, sharing affection, crying, or relaxing.
3.2.2.3. Unfortunately, those who’ve been through sexual trauma have it a little more difficult.
3.2.2.3.1. Their past experiences make them perceive any sexual experience as a threat.
3.2.2.3.2. This can make the path to healing take longer, but mindfulness and therapy will help.
3.3. Your sex life will be worse if you don’t pay careful attention to what media you consume.
3.3.1. It’s hard not to peek at the smutty fashion magazines as you’re in the checkout line at the grocery store, right?
3.3.1.1. Even if you rarely goes to the store because of delivery services, you still get exposure to the dangerous world of pop culture messages that harm your sex life.
3.3.2. At its core, the only thing that these media companies communicate to average people is that they’re incompetent in the bedroom.
3.3.2.1. Take women’s bodies, for example.
3.3.2.1.1. It’s easy to see how unrealistic and lying portrayals of women make them feel self-conscious and inadequate.
3.3.2.2. Looks aside, the media also is toxic to women for making them feel like they have to agree and go along with all kinds of sexual activities.
3.3.2.2.1. From games to positions and more, every side of sexuality gets misconstrued in the media.
3.3.2.3. And what’s worse is that women are prudes if they don’t do these things and sluts if they do.
3.3.2.3.1. There’s no winning, and it’s horrific!
3.3.3. But you can beat this, and it starts with carefully selecting the media you consume.
3.3.3.1. Ditch those awful magazines and focus on your own beauty.
3.3.4. Scientists have studied how the appreciation of your own body affects your sex life.
3.3.4.1. The results showed that improved self-image enhances all aspects of sex, from arousal to orgasm and more.
3.3.4.2. It even can reduce pain during intercourse!
3.3.5. So be gentle with yourself, love your body, and courageously conquer any feelings of low self-esteem.