7 secrets scientists know about the sex lives of ordinary people

Let's talk about sex.

Everyone's interested, but it can be taboo to discuss the most intimate details of your bedroom in social situations. So how do we learn about sex?

The answer is science.

Sex researchers get wide berth to ask people the down-and-dirty details of their sex lives.

A quick caveat: Sex research is tricky because people lie, from inflating their sexual prowess to downplaying their most shameful (or just stigmatized) secrets. And researchers often rely on samples that are not terribly diverse.

Still, sex scientists learn more about your neighbors and friends than you probably would ever want to. Here's what they know.