How does body confidence affect women's sex lives?
Suze, also 33, feels similarly: In the throes of passion, I do usually feel confident, but it also depends on the partners reaction to me. Like, if they have positive affirmations or compliment my body. Both verbally and physically  you can tell if that desire is there and that in turn makes me feel confident and sexy. But, when I think about it rationally, I know that a partner could not give a fuck about a squidgy belly.  When it comes to being naked after sex, Suze says that she always becomes more critical of her body: I wouldnt just lay there tit-naked  I wouldnt feel comfortable. I never want them to touch my stomach because I dont like it. And I dont like walking around the room naked even though Ive had sex with them two minutes before.  For Ally, 31, she generally feels good during sex but becomes more self-aware in specific situations: To my surprise, I usually become much less self-conscious about my body during sex. I know were both just happy to be there and our brains are just screaming OMG THEYRE NAKED THIS IS FANTASTIC. I dont assume theyll be scrutinising my body the way I do when Im alone at home. And if they are BYE! The only time I feel self-conscious is if Im with a guy and Im on top. I cant look them in the eye. But thats maybe less about bodies and more about feeling vulnerable?