The Lonelyheart/The Break-Up Girl/The In-Betweener

“I guess I was looking for something that would take my mind off things. I figured sex might help.”
--Marie, 34, dental hygienist, Cleveland, Ohio

Sometimes it is more than just a pure desire to fuck that leads you to sleep with someone you are not that into. Sometimes you’re just feeling lonely or in the throes of a recent breakup. Can sex help you get over someone else? Perhaps, though it can also make things worse. Can casual sex be a positive thing while you are waiting around for the love of your life to appear? Sure, as long as the casual sex is not keeping you from finding him or leaving you to confuse the in-betweener for the real thing.

Women sleep with men for a variety of reasons that have little to do with their libido. If you’re aware of this, great. Go for it. Just deal with the consequences that may arise. But if you’re looking to repair your self-esteem or exorcise the ghosts of boyfriends past through casual sex, you’re probably setting yourself up for a disappointment.