There’s a common misconception that most men don’t enjoy going down on women, that it’s just something dudes put up with to please their partners and/or get their dicks wet. And really, who’s to blame us for believing that—especially when certain high-profile men have been shamelessly vocal about their disdain for eating pussy? Ahem, remember when DJ Khaled announced that he doesn’t go down on women? Or maybe you protected your peace by blocking this disturbing moment in history from your memory—in which case, please teach me your ways.
Fortunately, the reality is that there are a lot—like, a lot, a lot—of men who not only go down on women as an “obligatory” part of sex but who actually enjoy doing it. In fact, a recent study on the sexual habits of Americans found that 77 percent of men said giving oral was very or somewhat appealing to them, compared to only 58 percent of women.
Before you roll your eyes in disbelief, let’s discuss the very real and totally valid reasons why so many men might genuinely love eating pussy.
One of the reasons men love to give oral sex is because they love to see their partner in their highest state of pleasure—and to know they are responsible for that. (Which, potentially problematic issues there for sure re: the male ego driving most straight sexual encounters. But, to be fair, who doesn’t get off on getting their partner off?) Anna Richards, a sex educator and founder of the ethical porn site FrolicMe, says that many men “also love the sensory elements, such as being able to smell and taste a partner, see them up close, feel them against their tongue, and hear them moaning.”
Plus, when you take into consideration that a lot of women don’t orgasm through penetrative sex alone (*cries in orgasm gap*), a lot of men might take pride in doing their part to make sure their partner is satisfied.
Board-certified sexologist and AASECT-certified sexuality educator, Lilith Foxx, points out that men also might especially enjoy giving cunnilingus because of the deeper connection involved with such a sensory experience.
Sure, the taste, smell, and psychological thrill of being in control of their partner’s pleasure is great, but the sense of intimacy is just as important for some men as it is for women.
“There’s something incredibly intimate about being so close to your partner in such a vulnerable way,” Foxx says. “For many men, knowing they’re the source of their partner’s pleasure is a huge turn-on. It’s not just about giving, it’s about sharing an experience.”
So yeah, if you’ve got a man going down on you these days, chances are he genuinely wants to be there—and for a wide variety of very good reasons. Don’t want to take it from us experts? No worries, we took the liberty of asking real, live, enthusiastically pussy-eating men to put in their own words. Here’s what ten guys had to say about why they absolutely love eating you out.
10 Men on Why They Love Going Down on Women
1. “It's lots of fun, extremely erotic, and a huge turn-on. And most women need oral to come anyway, so it’s a win-win, which is part of what good sex is all about.” —Ryan, 28
2. “It feels like this incredible erotic secret between us that my fingers and tongue can make her respond in that way, and feeling her climax into a happy puddle on the bed is just the best.” — Adam, 48
3. “I’m a visual guy, so I appreciate any chance I get to be in between my girlfriend’s legs, especially if she hasn’t gotten a bikini wax in a while.” — Jason, 32
4. “I like that it’s a very emotional experience. She’s trusting you and exposing herself to you. She’s showing you her most vulnerable parts, the sounds she makes, her smell and her taste, and how she moves when she’s feeling good. I do it out of respect for women and to show them that I don’t just view their bodies as a fleshlight.” —Jordan, 28
5. “My favorite part about it is how much it pleases the woman. Like, I enjoy the taste and it turns me on, but I’m not doing it as an ego boost for myself. I’m doing it for her.” —Scott, 23
6. “The arousing feeling afterward is the best part. I usually have a beard, so things get a bit messy on my end. One time after my ex came, I came up for air, wiped her juices off my beard, and tasted it from my hands. Once she saw this, she immediately grabbed my face to kiss me.” —Tony, 30
7. “I like the flavor, the scent, the texture, and her physical and audible reactions. I like the power play that comes with being incredibly dominant in controlling her pleasure and then switching to a more submissive role in being directed by her hand in my hair, guiding me where to aim my tongue.” —Jabari, 29
8. “It’s a natural instinct, like a craving. Pleasing women is almost like an addiction.” —Mike, 27
9. “Maybe this is a nerdy answer, but I like being analytical about the experience. I’m dating someone who noticeably smells and tastes different depending on the day and what she eats, so whenever I plant my face between her legs, I like to guess what she’s done that day. Sometimes her taste is sweaty and sometimes it’s sweet like dessert. I’ll gradually find myself thinking, “Ahh.. a hint of strawberry shortcake. Yum.” —Anthony, 29
10. “I’m Italian, so romance is a strong part of my culture. Pleasuring my woman in multiple ways in and out of the bedroom is the ultimate sign of romance. I take pride in being a good lover, and eating pussy is part of that. ” —Marco, 24
