11 things that totally changed our sex lives in 2016

TurnON Britain (turnonbritain.co.uk) teaches Orgasm Meditation (totally a thing), which focuses on the pleasure you both get from him stroking your clitoris. "OM is a practice that combines the power and attention of meditation with the deeply felt and connected experience of orgasm," explains Justine Dawson, Director and Senior Faculty of TurnON. "By orgasm, we don’t mean climax, but a heightened state of sensation, arousal and consciousness. When harnessed, this kind of orgasm can enhance your whole life – intensifying everyday experience, and cultivate greater empathy, connection and generosity. 15 minutes of partnered connection that changes everything.” While students don't actually practice OM within the classes, they learn the philosophy and steps of the practice so they can take them home to practice. Justine says that OM has spread like wildfire this year, with regular classes and trainings now being offered in London, Copenhagen, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Paris and Amsterdam. "Thousands of singles and couples have learned the practice this year," she says. And its set to become even more common in 2017. [Photo: Getty]

Ah, the pelvic floor. We know we're meant to exercise it, but toning up our bits? Isn’t that just a bit, well… #awks? Well, seems like 2016 was finally the year we got over our blushes. And a good job too because with one in three women suffering pelvic floor problems, such as incontinence, prolapse, and a reduction in sexual satisfaction, it's a sex issue we need to be doing something about. Thankfully this year saw the introduction of a wave of high-tech aids to help us stay on track with our pelvics, starting with Elvie, (£149, elvie.com) a Kegel trainer for women that connects to your smartphone. Inserted like a tampon, Elvie connects to an app to give you real-time results while you do a five-minute down-there workout. Using motion sensors to check technique, it gives you a score, taking you to the next level when you meet your goals. Then there's the innovative Neen products, which have this year helped thousands of women master their kegels and improve their sex life as a result. Easy to use, the products claim to improve your pelvic floor in just 12 weeks. So if you've not yet jumped on the kegel bandwagon, make 2017 the year you do. [Photo: Getty]

While women have been proudly flouting their sex toy ownership for years, men have been hiding their sexcessories in the back of the wardrobe. Until now, that is. According to research from Ann Summers 2016 has seen sales of male sex toys, er rise, by a whopping 60%. "I've been extremely pleased to see attitudes towards male sex toys changing during 2016," explains Alix Fox, Sex & Relationships Expert for Durex. "In modern times, it's become largely accepted for women to own vibrators - having a rabbit stashed in your bedside drawer as a lass is seen as a normal, empowering, and sexy thing. But for a long time, sex toys aimed at men – such as masturbation sleeves and cock rings – were still viewed with disdain, and seen as something taboo, sad and shameful." Alix says that this year people started to realise that it's entirely healthy for men to experiment with toys and savour new sexual sensations - and in fact, a lot of these products can improve sex with a partner too. "Take the Durex Pleasure Ring: a soft, stretchy loop of silicone worn at the base of the penis, that helps guys sustain a firmer, fuller erection so they and their lovers can enjoy intercourse for longer. It also enhances the intensity of a gent's orgasm. These are being sold in high street stores like Boots, Tesco and Sainsbury's, normalising the idea that toys are A-OK for boys, too." [Photo: Getty]

And it wasn't just men who lucked out in the sex toy stakes this year, 2016 was the year sex toys became more inclusive. "This year, famous female-to-male transsexual porn performer and activist Buck Angel released The Buck-off: the first ever sex toy specifically designed for transmen to use," says Alix Fox, Sex & Relationships Expert for Durex. "American toy company Tantus launched the Rumble, a vibrator intended to be easier to hold for older people and those with arthritis in their hands or wrists. And Brit firm Hot Octopuss expanded their range of Pulse vibrating toys, which can help men achieve orgasmic sensations even if they can't get hard. It's been a great 12 months in terms of products being launched that help a wider range of people experience sexual pleasure." [Photo: Getty]

According to recent surveys, 80% of 16 to 25-year-olds say it’s easier to communicate and express themselves using emojis than words, and an even higher 84% prefer using emojis over words when talking about sex. That’s why earlier this year Durex launched a campaign to lobby for a safe sex condom emoji. But while the campaign garnered amazing support, it hasn't yet got the official go ahead. "Durex's campaign to get a condom emoji incorporated into mobile phone keyboards has still not been granted by the Unicode Consortioum – the industry body who decide which little icons we all get to use in our texts," explains Alix Fox, Sex & Relationships Expert for Durex. "I believe that adding a picture of a condom packet would make it much easier for young people to start constructive conversations about safer sex. It will certainly do more to prevent the spread of STIs and HIV than a drawing of a burrito!" Fingers crossed that in 2017, the #CondomEmoji will become a reality. [Photo: Getty]

Lubes have come a long way from the sticky varieties sold on supermarket shelves and 2016 was the year we finally learnt to embrace the lube. "The nation loves lube!" says Ann Summers, resident sexpert, Eve Fifer. "Our customers purchase a variety of lubes; edible, heat, cool or extra slide and over the past year we've seen a 30% unit uplift in sales." "This suggests that lube isn't only being used as a problem fixer, but rather customers agree, that the wetter, the better! Ann Summers lubes are extremely versatile and also sensation changers when used with toys, or even to elevate the lowly hand job. [Photo: Getty]

Gone are the days when getting a sexual health check meant heading to a very public GUM clinic, this year we got more savvy about sexual health. "Just as finding a potential partner online has now become commonplace, increasing numbers of people are now using digital services to keep their sexual health in check," explains Dr Nitin Shori of the Pharmacy2U Online Doctor service. "Many people embarrassed about going to see their own GP or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic are much more comfortable having an online consultation about their sexual health," he continues. "It's now possible to use online services to have yourself diagnosed and treated for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) so it's little wonder that 2016 was the year when digital daters started to use online health services in increasing numbers." [Photo: Getty]

The male contraceptive pill has been in the pipeline for quite some time now. But this year we saw a bit of a breakthrough. Researchers at Wolverhampton University and Portuguese scientists created a pill taken just before having sex can be effective for days afterwards that works by stopping sperm being able to swim. But, before you hot-foot it to the bedroom to chuck out your own contraceptive pill, this year also saw a bit of a spanner thrown into the works. Earlier this year, in a trial of 320 men, researchers found that, over a one-year period, the new male contraceptive was 96% effective in preventing pregnancy. Great! So what's the problem? Well, it seems that the trial has already been halted. Because 20 of the 320 men taking part found the side effects so intolerable that the trial operators decided that more research needed to be done to counteract them. So, while we did take one step closer to men taking a bigger slice of the contraception responsibility, looks like we might have to hold onto our pills that little bit longer. [Photo: Getty]

Forget flying solo, this year's rise in his 'n' hers sex toys have meant you and your partner reach dizzying and orgasmic heights together. “There has been a huge growth in the use of couples’ toys this year – increasingly sophisticated products which can be used simultaneously by couples while they are enjoying intercourse or other sex games," explains Jess Wilde, sex expert for Lovehoney, Britain's biggest online sex toy retailer. "Gone are the days of myths likes "sex toys are for single people" or "sex toys are for people who can't get a real partner" (Thank goodness!). Finally, people are seeing sex toys as "the cherry on top" of their regular sex, rather than a replacement to sex or a dirty secret," she continues. “Whereas in previous years our biggest sellers have been toys like classic vibrators, rabbit vibrators and butt plugs (toys often used in solo play), 2016's feedback shows that it's couples toys like strap-ons, electro stimulation toys (a way of stimulating the genitals and erogenous zones with a safe amount of electrical energy) and tie and tease gear which are dominating the show." Jess says one of this year's best-selling couples’ toys is the Bionic Bullet Vibrating Love Ring which is worn over the penis during intercourse, turning him on and also providing spine-tingling clitoral stimulation for her. [Photo: Getty]

"Despite on-going debate, there is still no conclusive evidence to suggest that men pass through a menopause in the same way that women do," explains Dr Nitin Shori of the Pharmacy2U Online Doctor service. "What we do know is that testosterone levels begin to fall as soon as men leave their mid-20s. In 2016, increasing numbers of men woke up to the idea that there is something that they can do about testosterone deficiency. Many men are now interested in finding out whether testosterone supplements might improve their health and wellbeing, with evidence that it can provide some patients with a new lease of life." [Photo: Getty]

Australia's University of Wollongong is working on a hotly-anticipated new condom that feels just like skin. It's made with latex-alternatives called hydrogels. In the meantime, LELO, the world's leading designer brand this year announced the launch of its revolutionary new condom, LELO HEX™. Marking the first time the humble condom has had a re-boot since the 1950s, HEX condoms have altered the actual structure of the condom. Comprised of 350 hexagonal 'plates', the new condom design combines a thicker structure for strength, with thinner plates for sensation. [Photo: Getty]