Subjective feeling of interest in intimacy or sexual activity. It may arise spontaneously or develop in response to safe, pleasant contact and appropriate context. It varies from person to person and changes over time. Desire itself is not consent to a certain behavior; boundaries and willingness to participate in contact require a separate, mutual agreement.

Cravings can appear in different contexts

Lust doesn't always have to precede intimacy as a sudden impulse. For some people it develops in favorable, safe conditions, while for others it is more spontaneous. Interest is influenced by everyday stress, fatigue, relationships and health, but it cannot be reduced to one number. Comparing frequencies with an advertising pattern is sometimes of little use. What is more important is whether the change is burdensome for a given person and whether they have space to talk about their needs.

Talking about changing desires is useful when it describes your own experience rather than imposing a frequency standard. The goal does not have to be to achieve the number of contacts known from advertising. In the event of a troublesome change, it is helpful to assess its context rather than automatically combining subsequent preparations.

Meaning and application

The level of interest in closeness may change and does not have to correspond to the other person's expectations. Before purchasing the preparation, name the problem you want to solve: lack of comfort, uncertainty, difference in needs or disturbing change in well-being.

In practice

Base the conversation on your current preferences, without setting a mandatory frequency of contact. If the change worries you, prepare information about its timing and circumstances for consultation. Do not discontinue self-administered medications to check the effect on desire.

Don't equate desire with erection, lubrication or orgasm. Supplements and cosmetics are not tools for obtaining consent. When there is a persistent, disturbing change, the right course of action depends on assessing the cause, not on ranking marketing promises.

Short definition in the glossary

Sources and further reading