9 Signs You’re in a Sexual Rut and How to Get Out

Is your sex life feeling more blah than amazing? Check.

Lack of Sleep - Your body needs an adequate amount of sleep to fully function and keep your skin rejuvenated. Not receiving the proper amount can be written all over your face, literally and figuratively, because it can create wrinkles, dark circles and heavy bags underneath the eyes.  (Photo: BDLM/cultura/Corbis)

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Need a Push? - Lately, your sex life is feeling more blah than amazing. It happens to the best of us, but that doesn’t make it any more fun. The good news is you can do something about it! Here, the top signs that you’ve been waylaid and how you can get back on track. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel  (Photo: Getty Images)

What’s Coerced Sex? - Coercion is a tactic that perpetrators use to intimidate and force you to have sex with them without using physical force. Manipulation, fear and threats can be used to coerce a woman into sex. A 2013 study found that almost half of Black women experienced sexual coercion in their lifetime.  (Photo: Steven Errico/Getty Images)

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You Choose Sleep - Every time. We know you’re tired, but think of how soundly you’ll sleep after a good romp. Get it in.  (Photo: Steven Errico/Getty Images)

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You Know Exactly How to Finish - You have the routine down: First position, second position, done, goodnight. Yeah, it’s great that you know how to get you both off, but it’s much more fun to explore alternate ways to get there. Try some new moves and you’ll remember how thrilling things were when you were still learning each other’s bodies.  (Photo: Simon Watson/Getty Images)

You’re an Amazing Actress - If you’ve taken to faking your climax to please your partner, you have gotten way off track. First, stop — you’ll never get what you need if you praise things that don’t work. Next, speak up so you can get off for real.  (Photo: Michael Keller/Corbis)

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You’re an Amazing Actress - If you’ve taken to faking your climax to please your partner, you have gotten way off track. First, stop — you’ll never get what you need if you praise things that don’t work. Next, speak up so you can get off for real.  (Photo: Michael Keller/Corbis)

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You’re Goal Oriented - Foreplay? What’s that? If you’re diving right in and swimming hard toward the other end of the pool with little warm up time, you’re missing the best part. Slow down and enjoy some time on the edge of the pool. (You know what we're getting at.) (Photo: carolinemaryan/Getty Images)

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You Reduce Your Chance of Having Unprotected Sex - Being under the influence can lower our inhibitions and usher in riskier sexual behavior because you are not thinking as clearly. By not getting drunk, you are lowering your risk of STDs and HIV.(Photo: Adamsmith/Getty Images)

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Your Bed Is Getting All the Attention - If you can’t remember the last time you did it somewhere other than your bed, inject some spontaneity and innovation into your sex life — there’s a whole wide world of stuff out there waiting for y’all to have sex on it!  (Photo: Adamsmith/Getty Images)

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Your Bedroom Looks Like an Office - It can be hard to feel in the mood if your work bag, laptop and assorted project folders have taken over your private space. Evict your work and make your bed a play-only zone.  (Photo: Marc Romanelli/Getty Images)

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Your PJs Are, Uh, Less Than Sexy - That airbrushed T-shirt from high school and those sweatpants with the hole in the butt? No bueno. Get yourself something sexy. Or better yet, sleep au naturel to get things going.  (Photo: Safia Fatimi/GettyImages)

You Haven’t Groomed in Ages - Why bother when you never take off your sweatpants for bed, am I right? Whether you prefer to break out the razor or go for a wax, you haven’t tended to your nether regions in who knows how long. Clean up things down below a bit, then show your mate — we guarantee you’ll get something started.  (Photo: Blend Images/Visual Ideas/Corbis)

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You Haven’t Groomed in Ages - Why bother when you never take off your sweatpants for bed, am I right? Whether you prefer to break out the razor or go for a wax, you haven’t tended to your nether regions in who knows how long. Clean up things down below a bit, then show your mate — we guarantee you’ll get something started.  (Photo: Blend Images/Visual Ideas/Corbis)

Rise and Shine - Are you the type who pushes the snooze button at least three times before actually opening your eyes? Mentally, it seems helpful, but in actuality, it’s not! After hitting the snooze button, your body begins the sleep cycle all over again. But this time when the alarm triggers, your body tends to be in a deeper sleep, which causes you to feel groggier than you did the first time around. Here are some tips to help break the bad habits keeping you from becoming a productive morning person. By Dontaira Terrell (Photo: Heide Benser/Corbis)

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You Never Fly Solo - If your attitude toward doing the do alone is “Why bother?” you are missing out on opportunities to have fun and learn more about what you love. And studies show that women who take matters into their own hands have more — and more satisfying — sex with their partners.  (Photo: Heide Benser/Corbis)