One of the most common roadblocks to experiencing sexual pleasure for women is their natural anxiety about their bodies. Nothing can kill the mood for love than feeling bad about your physical appearance. It’s difficult to become sexually aroused with a partner when you find your own body to be a total turn-off. Once you do make it into the bedroom, constantly sucking in your stomach, concealing your least favorite body parts, or trying to maintain your most flattering position can make it nearly impossible for your partner to feel close to you.

Body image anxiety doesn’t stop at stressing over jiggly thighs and asymmetrical breasts. Many women are also self-conscious about how they look, smell, or taste "down there." They throw up so many obstacles to physical enjoyment of the process, it's a wonder some folks ever have sex at all.

So how can women learn to overcome these arousal-killing stressors? The first step is to become intimately familiar with your own body. Why? Familiarity breeds comfort. Set aside some time to spend simply being naked, so you can get used to the feeling. Figure out what makes you feel beautiful, whether it’s romantic candlelight, an indulgent, luxurious-smelling body lotion, or splurging on a professional massage. Also, try a new exercise program that helps the body as well as the mind such as yoga, Pilates, or tai chi. When you learn to appreciate your body for both what it is and what it capable of, you will find it that much more beautiful. You'll automatically feel sexier too.

Finally, remember that every person’s body is different. Think about how much you enjoy the individualities of your partner’s body, and expect that he or she feels the same about you. While you are with your partner, you shouldn’t be focusing on competing with somebody else’s body. That isn't what lovemaking is about. You are there to share in a wonderful, physical expression of your feelings for each other, together. A good and healthy relationship makes for passionate and wonderful lovemaking. It doesn't get better than that!