15 Signs of Sexual Tension & How to Move Forward

Have you ever been in a situation where the air crackles with unspoken attraction? Where every glance, laugh, and interaction seem to carry an undercurrent of something more? 

This enigmatic and often exhilarating experience is known as sexual tension, a complex dance of unspoken desires and subtle cues that can leave you questioning what’s going on.

With this complex combination of feelings (& hormones!), it can be pretty difficult to think straight, as the desire for this person builds and builds. Even though our instinct is to break the tension (we’re only human after all), it’s important to be able to correctly read these sexual tension signs so that you can ensure your feelings are reciprocated! 

And if that’s the case… prepare for quite the release! 

What can cause sexual tension?

Sexual tension is caused by feelings of attraction and desire, which trigger a release of hormones that compel you to act on these feelings! 

According to research, sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm are a complex combination of interactions of the somatic and autonomic nervous systems operating at the central and peripheral levels. 

Studies show that this process begins with sexual excitement when you first meet someone (those are the butterflies in your stomach!), followed by sexual desire, and then if all goes well — resulting in orgasm. 

The interruption of this pattern results in sexual tension, as while you may have started a flirtation with someone (with many awkward conversations!), you haven’t acted on these desires. This is a very common phenomenon that can occur in both men and women and isn’t limited to just new relationships, as long-term couples can still feel these butterflies building (and is often a fun element of foreplay!) 

What does sexual tension feel like?

Some telltale signs include sweaty palms, increased heart rate, and a preoccupation with this person in your daydreams! Therefore, sexual tension feels quite overwhelming, resulting in both positive and negative side effects. 

However, if you share a mutual attraction with a particular person, and you finally take things to the next level — it’s rumored to result in the best sex of your life! 

Can other people sense sexual tension?

“You can cut the sexual tension in here with a knife!”

This famous phrase might answer your question, as oftentimes sexual tension can feel palatable in the air. While it may not be written on your faces, or you haven’t acted on anything, the chemistry can often be super visible. 

For example, if you’re experiencing sexual tension with a colleague, your other co-workers might be able to pick up on this tension, especially if you’re in a cramped office set-up. 

Signs of sexual tension to look out for! 

1. Eye contact

Research shows that eye contact has also been a clear sign of reciprocating interest, as it’s a clear signal sent out to effectively communicate with others. Therefore, if you consistently hold sustained eye contact with someone, it’s denoting clear interest and intention. 

Furthermore, studies show that individuals showcased the highest degree of arousal while making clear eye contact with someone they were attracted to. So eye contact not only denotes a sign of attraction but also spurs feelings of sexual tension. 

2. Constant awareness

When you’re experiencing sexual tension with someone, you’re constantly aware of their presence and find yourself gravitating towards each other.

If they’re around, you may find yourself being self-conscious or fidgeting, as you’re more aware of how you appear to them. This kind of awareness showcases your attraction towards this person, as you’re clearly crushing hard! 

3. Awkwardness 

What’s a crush without a dollop of awkwardness? 

If you’re experiencing sexual tension with someone, all of these emotions often have some more embarrassing side effects. Even though you’re trying to get your flirt on, it can result in a lot of awkward conversation, usually because you’re skirting around what things you really want to say (or do!) 

4. Sweating 

When you’re around this particular person, you might notice your body temperature rising and yes, you will probably start sweating!

(It’s getting hot in here…) 

Research shows that sweaty palms are a telltale sign of attraction, as your hormones start to go into overdrive. If you’re worried about sweaty palms, remember to practice some deep breathing and you can always wipe your hands on a napkin. 

5. Blushing 

Another side effect of your temperature rising around this person, you're also likely to blush in their presence!

With all the flirty banter and proximity, it’s natural for your cheeks to get a little rosy. If your partner enjoys making you blush, then it’s likely that they’re enjoying the chase too… 

6. Increased heart rate 

When your partner approaches you, research shows that it’s normal for your heart rate to spike, as your overall body temperature reaches new highs!

This rise in heart rate usually heightens your self-consciousness and makes it much harder to focus. As your heart rate increases, it’s like your desire is pumping around your body… with the obvious side effects of arousal for both men and women. 

7. Voice changes 

With all of these feelings and physical side effects, it’s impossible to escape without a little bit of embarrassment! 

As the sexual tension rises, you might even find it hard to string a sentence together without a shift in your vocal patterns, or even stuttering as you try and keep it together. This is another sign that you’re struggling to play it cool around this person. 

8. Body language 

When you’re near this person, it’s difficult to hide how you feel, with your body language naturally showcasing your desire for closeness. 

You naturally want to be in their personal space and desire close proximity to them at all times. 

9. Desire for touch 

When you’re around them, you constantly find yourself subtly touching them. Whether it’s grazing their hand, or playfully touching their shoulder, this desire for physical contact is too much!

This subtle touching is a clear physical sign that they desire to be close to you too. If they do touch you, it’s common to experience a charge or rush of electricity, as all of the sexual tension suddenly rises to the surface. 

10. Flirty behavior 

Everyone loves a bit of flirty behavior, especially when you’re trying to gauge if your sexual desires are reciprocated by your partner. 

It goes without saying that flirting is one of the most noticeable signs of attraction, as you’re both participating in cheesy jokes and flirty banter — which is noticeable for anyone to see! 

11. People teasing you 

If you’re experiencing sexual tension with someone, likely, other people will eventually start to notice. 

You might experience teasing from your friends in group settings, with comments like ‘God you could cut the tension in here with a knife!’ or that you guys ‘Clearly belong together!’ While these comments are meant in jest, they usually serve to heighten the tension even further, as your clear attraction is out in the open for all to see. 

12. Sexual dreams 

While it’s common to daydream about someone you’re attracted to, as the sexual tension grows, they’re also likely to appear in your dreams! 

As your sexual fantasies start to feature this person, it only serves to enhance the tension between you, as you imagine various scenarios in which you are finally together… 

13. Frustration

If sexual tension carries on over a long period, there can start to be a build-up of negative emotions, as you get frustrated with the situation. 

This build-up can start to affect your mental health, as you crave the release of oxytocin that this interaction offers. As you long for release, it’s best to step away from the situation and try to clear your head, especially so you don’t take out your frustrations in a negative way. (Or, on your crush!) 

14. Smiling 

With all of the embarrassing side effects, there are some more pleasant ones too!

When you’re around this person, you naturally find yourself smiling and laughing together, as your attraction grows and grows. 

15. Butterflies

Ah, the infamous butterflies in your stomach!  

While they feel like butterflies, these feelings are a result of the burst of adrenaline when this particular person appears. These butterflies are responsible for wreaking havoc on your emotional responses, and while they usually suggest nervousness — they can signify sexual tension when accompanied by some of the other signs. 

What to do if you feel sexual tension with someone? 

If you have sexual tension with someone, there are likely reasons why this tension hasn’t been broken. Therefore, it can be difficult to know how to proceed! 

However, if you don’t address these feelings, they have the potential to develop into sexual frustration — which can have several unwanted side effects. Therefore, sexual tension needs to be released, whether that means through physical intimacy, or just communicating your feelings. 

Even though it may be the last thing that you want to address, it’s important to bring up your feelings to this person. While we all want to play it cool, expressing your feelings of attraction makes your intentions clear, and also gives the other person the opportunity to express themselves. 

This prevents any actions or intentions from being misinterpreted, and could spare you a lot of blushes down the line! If the person expresses a mutual attraction, then it’s also a good opportunity to discuss what you might want from a relationship — whether it’s a casual fling or something more serious. 

“If you think this sexual tension might be something epic, remember to take care of other things that might have been in the way of the sex actually happening, such as another relationship that needs to possibly end, or real conversations about other consequences if you have sex,” says Moraya Seeger DeGeare, a licensed marriage and family therapist and In-House Expert at Paired.

“If you have those conversations and the sexual tension goes away, it can be a clue for you that the tension was wrapped up in the feeling that you can’t complete the desire and is less about the person. Now if you have those conversations and it only goes up……well you might have something magical here.”

Once all of this is cleared up, and you’ve gotten the green light to proceed, go for it! Breaking that sexual tension will often have some incredible results, with your natural chemistry influencing your intimate interactions! 

With the sexual tension finally released, there’s bound to be some fireworks! 

Can sexual tension be one-sided? 

While in some cases, your feelings can be reciprocated, sometimes it may not lead to the kind of fireworks displays you were hoping for. 

Even though you might feel that there is sexual chemistry, these feelings could be one-sided, and your crush might turn your advances and express the desire to keep things platonic, or they may not know what they want to do yet! 

However, it isn’t necessarily a bad ending, as sometimes getting these feelings off your chest can be a good place to start, so you can both move forward.