Does Better Sex = Better Health? The Truth About Sex, Stress, & Satisfaction - With Dr. Nicole McNichols

Feb 4, 2026

Dr. Nicole McNichols, human sexuality professor and author of You Could Be Having Better Sex, breaks down sexual health, pleasure, and desire. She covers why shame and media myths distort expectations. Short, practical takes include pleasure diversity, responsive desire, connected sex, the hierarchy of sexual needs, and how stress and the menstrual cycle shape desire.

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INSIGHT

Sexual Health Predicts Overall Health

Sexual wellness links to longevity, cardiovascular health, immunity, and better sleep.
Nicole McNichols says sex boosts psychological well-being and relationship forgiveness.

INSIGHT

The Sex Paradox: Shame Versus Exposure

Society teaches shame while media and porn deliver performative sexual scripts.
Nicole McNichols argues this mismatch creates disconnection and unrealistic expectations.

ADVICE

Don't Use Porn As A Roadmap

Don't use pornography as your sexual script; treat it as fantasy instead.
Learn real anatomy and communication to replace porn-derived expectations, Nicole McNichols recommends.

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Our sexual health is a critical part of our overall health and well-being, yet it’s one that can be easily overlooked or dismissed. Understanding the role of sexual health can help you better understand yourself, your relationships, and your body. On today’s show, we’re going to have honest and approachable conversations about sexual health, sexual education, pleasure, and desire.

On this episode of The Model Health Show, our guest is nationally renowned human sexuality professor, Dr. Nicole McNichols. Her new book, You Could Be Having Better Sex, is a guide to understanding desire, improving pleasure, and busting common myths about sex. She’s here to discuss the connection between sexual health and overall health and how to have better sex.

This conversation covers how your sex life can impact your psychology and sleep, what pleasure is, and how to have better sex and connection. Dr. McNichols is known for her ability to help folks understand how to apply the latest research to their real lives, and I hope you find this interview both entertaining and educational. Enjoy!

In this episode you’ll discover:

The relationship between sexual health and overall health. (2:47)
Why our society has so much shame around sex. (4:42)
What the media gets wrong about sex. (10:25)
How long the average sex session lasts. (13:01)
What pleasure diversity is. (15:30)
The difference between vaginal and clitoral orgasms. (18:35)
What it means to have connected sex. (31:00)
The most common myths about female pleasure. (31:59)
What responsive desire is. (34:42)
The #1 thing robbing women of desire. (38:39)
What the hierarchy of sexual needs is. (56:14)
How the menstrual cycle can impact pleasure. (1:06:56)

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You Could Be Having Better Sex by Dr. Nicole McNichols - Grab your copy today!
Connect with Dr. Nicole McNichols Website / Instagram / TikTok

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