Would you take your clothes off in front of an online camcorder?

While most people's instantaneous reaction would be a resounding NO, what if the person on the other end of that camcorder was your loving partner?

They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but can the absence of your partner also lead you to have Skype sex?

While we are used to the concept of phone sex, especially for those lonely nights when we couldn't physically be with our partners, technology has made it possible for us to not only have sexy talk with our partners, but also see them in action.

But what is Skype sex, and how does it work?

Well, one person who has tried it with her partner is Centurion resident *Nonkululeko, who says that after her boyfriend left for Sweden on a year-long assignment two years ago, Skype sex kept the spark in their relationship burning.

"At first it was really weird, and we both could not stop chuckling. Also, when we Skyped, it was mostly to catch up on how things were going, so switching from a casual conversation to dirty talk was kind of weird. But we gradually got into it, and it was really mind-blowing.

"It was much better than phone sex, because I personally know that whenever I had phone sex, I would lie whenever I was asked to 'slip into something sexy', whereas I was still in my jeans and track top. So with Skype sex, because you can actually see that your partner is getting naked, it turns you on so much more. Then you guys can have fun," she says.

Nonkululeko says that Skype sex also ensured that neither she nor her partner were straying during the time they were apart.

"Obviously Skype sex will never replace actual physical contact, but one of the most difficult things about being in a long-distance relationship is the fact that you wonder what your partner is up to, and with whom. So with Skype sex at least you are reassured that your sexual needs, as well as his, are still being taken care of. I'm a big fan of Skype sex. It's definitely a solution to long-distance love."

Sexologist Dr Eugene Viljoen tells us what makes Skype sex such a popular option.

Viljoen says that in order to fully grasp the concept of Skype sex, we need to distinguish between two sexual needs.

"One is the need for self-stimulation and self-gratification - without the hard work of trying to satisfy a partner. This is when masturbation happens, and it is all done in its own time and place. It's therefore an act within the self.

"Two, we need interactive sex, as it is not only about self-gratification, but more to satisfy an emotional need to feel wanted, sexy, desirable and accepted. For many couples who work and live far from each other, or those who travel a lot, the Internet has provided apps within social media to connect. One such is Skype, which makes it easy to hear and see the person you are interacting with in real time. Therefore, many of these couples use Skype as a means of sexual interaction."

Phone sex VS Skype sex

Viljoen's stance is that in order to get full sexual gratification, there are different senses that need to be stimulated as phone sex only helps with one.

"Phone sex utilises audio stimulation only, whereas with Skype sex, both the audio and visual senses are stimulated, making it the better way of gaining sexual gratification."

He says the question could be asked about how different Skype sex is from normal masturbation.

"In the brain during sexual stimulation, we make use of all our sensory mechanisms. They refer to vision, audio, taste, smell, sensations on the skin and emotional injunctions like feeling safe. With Skype, visual, auditory and the emotional injunctions of being safe are present. This makes a sexual interaction on Skype far more satisfactory than a session of stimulation through solo masturbation. The levels of arousal and excitement are heightened, working towards a shared experience with a partner."

Viljoen also agrees with Nonkululeko that Skype sex can also be used as a method of mate guarding. He says most people would rather have sex with their partner through Skype, as opposed to being continuously worried that the partner would stray during separated periods.

Doors open in a fantasy world

Viljoen says that one of the benefits is that for someone who is not in a relationship and needs more than one sexual outlet, Skype can be regarded as a safe way to be promiscuous.

"You cannot contract any sexually transmitted infections. It is my estimation that this type of sexual interaction is free from abusive sexual practices like coercion or violent sex. It usually happens between two people who give each other consent for what they want," he says.

"Skype sex has no limitations and what happens and how it happens depends on the creativity of the couple.

Many people find it easier to role play their sexual fantasies more, as opposed to bedroom sex where all people become quickly habitual and predictable in terms of sexual play and positions. Skype sex opens doors in the and fantasy world which will add to arousal and excitement as it leaves room for experimentation with couples staying apart."

As a word of caution, one has to be careful about where they choose to have Skype sex, and one should make sure their home or hotel room curtains are closed.