The most Googled sex-related question of 2024 was ‘What is autosexual?’, according to new data.
Autosexuality refers to a person who is sexually or romantically attracted to themselves. Some people experience this exclusively, while others may also be attracted to others.
Sex therapist Katherine Hertlein explained that autosexual individuals are primarily attracted to their own bodies. However, autoeroticism includes different behaviors, and some people may feel attraction to both themselves and others.
Some autosexuals only feel aroused when thinking about themselves, and many say they can only reach climax by imagining their own body.
The term became widely known in 2020 when Kourtney Kardashian shared a blog about it. She suggested that most people experience some level of autosexuality, even if only slightly.
In her blog post on Poosh, she quoted Casey Tanner, a sex therapist, who described autosexuality as being turned on by one’s own eroticism. Tanner explained that feeling attractive can naturally increase a person’s sense of desire.
Some autosexuals seek satisfaction by using mirrors or looking for partners who resemble them.
One autosexual individual, Chris from California, shared with Dazed that he uses a five-foot mirror to enhance intimacy. He described his experience as “true lovemaking,” imagining that he is engaging with another version of himself.
Another person, Justin, said he can only reach climax by watching recordings of himself. He described this as feeling like a “dual connection” between himself and an alter-ego.
For some, autosexuality is purely sexual, while for others, it also includes romantic feelings toward themselves.
Dr. Hertlein emphasized that autosexuality is not the same as narcissism. Narcissistic Personality Disorder involves self-obsession, a need for admiration, and lack of empathy. Autosexuality is about personal pleasure rather than an inflated ego.
Other top trending sex-related questions included ‘Is masturbation a sin?’ and ‘What is an orgasm?’. Many also searched for answers about sex after childbirth and intimacy in marriage.
In relationship-related searches, people were curious about ‘What is a DINK relationship?’, which stands for ‘dual income, no kids’. Despite being an older term, it became popular again due to TikTok trends.
People also searched for ‘What does exclusive mean in a relationship?’ and ‘How to spot a narcissist in a relationship?’.
Another trending search was ‘What is a hard launch relationship?’. This term refers to posting a new partner openly on social media, while a “soft launch” means only showing small hints of the relationship.
Lastly, many looked up ‘What is a karmic relationship?’, which is believed to be a relationship that brings past experiences into the present.
Relationship expert Samora Suber explained that these relationships are seen as connections with unfinished emotional business from a past life, influencing current interactions.