'Shallowing' is a sex trend that started gaining attention after a 2021 research study

There’s a sex trend making waves right now called ‘shallowing’, and while the name might sound new to some, it’s actually a technique that’s becoming pretty popular in the bedroom. But what exactly is it?

Many couples are always on the lookout for fresh ways to connect and try something different under the sheets. And with experts backing this one up, it’s easy to see why shallowing is catching attention.

This latest trend is called shallowing, and although it might sound a little mysterious, it’s actually fairly straightforward once you understand how it works.

While it might sound like something brand new, shallowing was actually first recognized in sexual health literature back in 2021. So, it’s not some futuristic or unheard-of bedroom technique.

It was a study by the Indiana University School of Medicine that brought this trend into the spotlight about four years ago, putting it on people’s radars in a big way.

The trend came to light in 2021Getty Stock Photo

According to that study, which surveyed more than 4,000 women, nearly 84 percent of women in the United States—ranging in age from 18 all the way up to 93—reported feeling ‘increased pleasure’ from this form of outercourse. That’s when the name ‘shallowing’ really started to stick.

This trend involves a gentle kind of sexual play where the focus is on lightly stimulating the entrance to the vagina. People exploring shallowing might use fingers, a toy, a tongue, or a penis to create that sensation and bring pleasure to their partner.

Explaining this technique in more detail, Cecile Gasnault, who is the brand director at sex toy company SmileMakers, shared her thoughts with Glamour in 2022: "If you practice penetrative sex, you might have already found it pleasurable when the head of the penis creates pressure at the vaginal entrance before or at the very beginning of penetration."

"[It's the] same with a toy or fingers. The idea is to go in only by a few centimeters."

Meanwhile, sex expert Ness Cooper explained in a chat with Metro: "Dirty talk can make the body release feel-good hormones, such as dopamine and oxytocin, which can not only turn us on but help us bond further with our sexual partners."

"Testosterone is also released which can help with arousal and orgasm."

The sex trend 'shallowing' has been explainedGetty Stock Photo

One common concern people have when getting intimate is the possibility of injuries. To help avoid any mishaps in the bedroom, sex expert Annabelle Knight recently shared a few helpful tips.

Speaking on behalf of Lovehoney, Knight suggested: "Placing a pillow under the lumbar spine can reduce back injuries or flare-ups. It may also help increase pleasure during penetration."

"If the individual on top finds they have discomfort in their knees during this position, moving to a standing position whilst the receiver is on the bed may avoid this."

"Changing how close you are to your lover's body may make it easier or harder for you and reduce muscle fatigue - it's all about experimenting!"