We’ve all heard that saying about feeling butterflies in your stomach, which usually refers to the nerves and excitement that come with having a crush or falling in love. But what happens when you suddenly feel butterflies in... well, other parts of your body? You probably caught a glimpse of your crush, were catching up on your fave romance novel, or watching Bridgerton when intense feelings and tingles began to run through your body. If this is the case, you may be feeling horny, which is a common occurrence once you hit puberty.
These sexual desires can be exciting, but also confusing and a little intimidating at first — especially when they pop up unexpectedly. When the mental and physical cravings for make-out sessions (among other things) start to happen, you may not know where to go from there. Does being horny always feel the same? Is there a way to stop feeling horny? Are there different levels or horniness!? These are valid thoughts, and when the tingles are tingling after seeing your celeb crush or cute classmate, know that these are totally normal feelings that begin to surface when people hit puberty. You’re not alone in these experiences, and tbh, your besties are probably going through it, too. Ahead, we break down what it means to be horny and how to tell if you’re feeling it.
What does being horny mean?
Planned Parenthood defines horny as “wanting to have sex or being sexually aroused or excited.” There are tons of different scenarios that play into feeling horny, whether it’s daydreaming about your celeb crush or having your period. It’s not just steamy scenes on your favorite shows — your hormones play a role in your horniness, too. A 2013 study in Hormones and Behavior found that changing levels of estrogen and progesterone (the two primary sexual and reproductive hormones) affect sex drive. These fluctuations occur during your period, and later in life, during pregnancy and menopause.
Of course, there are other ways to tell if you’re actually feeling horny, and we’ve outlined them below.
1. You keep having fantasies
If you’ve found yourself daydreaming of situations where you’re making out with a fictional character from that one Netflix show you can’t stop binge-watching, or even taking things to the next level with a friend, odds are you’re feeling horny. When you’re going through puberty, your brain is still developing — including the orbitofrontal complex, which processes the images and feelings that come with your newfound sexual desire, according to a 2019 study published in Brain and Behavior.
2. You can’t sleep
Yep, it’s true. If you’re having trouble sleeping, it may be an underlying sign that you’re horny. Now, that’s something they don’t typically mention in sex ed. According to WebMD, releasing the sexual tension — be it through masturbation or sex with your partner — actually helps release prolactin, a hormone that makes you feel sleepy.
“[Masturbation has] been linked to helping people fall asleep, so if you’re suffering from insomnia, you might want to try it out,” Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, the Medical Advisor for The Body Agency, told Seventeen. She also noted that solo sex is worth a shot to relieve yourself of stress and sexual tension.
3. You feel sensations in your genitals
When you’re sexually aroused, it’s natural for your body to respond. People with vaginas may feel a tingly sensation down there and may feel wetter than usual. According to the National Health Service of England, blood flows to the vaginal walls and perks them up in dilation when you are horny, which is why you may feel these sensations. Meanwhile, those with a penis typically feel it harden (aka get a boner) when they are sexually aroused.
Sam is an assistant news editor at Cosmo, covering all things pop culture, entertainment, and celebrity news. She previously covered those same topics along with health, lifestyle, and beauty at Seventeen. When she isn't draping her cheeks in blush, you can probably find her live-tweeting awards shows or making SwiftToks.
