It’s no secret that most people were sexually repressed during the Victorian era. Homosexuality was illegal, masturbation was thought to make you crazy, and people avoided “spicy” foods like mustard and pepper because they believed it made you horny. But below the era’s clean, “proper” surface flowed an underbelly of naughtiness. Here’s what sex in the Victorian era was really like.

1. Anti-masturbation devices for men was a thing
   “It was thought that if men weren’t consumed by sexual desires, they’d have more time to focus on being productive members of society. So, anti-masturbation devices were born,” explains Ranker. Imagine a tiny bear claw for the dick—i.e., instant boner killer!
2. The 1890s were known as the “Naughty Nineties”
   In any repressive society, a counter-culture will flourish, and the sexually “proper” Victorian era was no different. Prostitution and pornography became popular during this time—though were never openly discussed. See Penny Dreadful for some prime examples.
3. Masturbation was thought to make you insane
   During this time, it was considered a scientific fact that rubbing one out would cause insanity. “Soon, anyone who was too pale, too fat, or just plain weird was thought of as a masturbating fiend.”
4. Two quickies a week was the maximum amount of sex you should have
   A popular book called Sex Tips For Husbands and Wives explained: “The wise bride will permit a maximum of two brief sexual experiences weekly – and as time goes by she should make every effort to reduce this frequency. Feigned illness, sleepiness and headaches are among her best friends in this matter.”
5. Stay away from spicy foods—they make you horny
   Men were encouraged not to fuck their wives or masturbate, so to help with this tortuous endeavor, they were instructed to eat bland foods. They avoided mustard, pepper, rich gravy, beer, wine, cider, and tobacco. Nothing too hot and spicy!
6. Homosexuality was illegal
   Gay sex was made a criminal offense—and Oscar Wilde was famously imprisoned.
7. Couples were supposed to orgasm at the same time 
   It was thought that unless couples got off at the same time, the sex was a failure. “In fact, women were justified in outright refusing sex if they and their husbands couldn’t achieve ‘the orgasm of the woman and the ejaculation of the semen of the man at the same instant.'”

Want to exercise your sexual freedom? Come get naughty and spicy right here!

Check out more about what sex was like in the Victorian era here: https://www.ranker.com/list/sex-in-the-victorian-era/aaron-edwards