Exploring Female Pleasure and Reclaiming Desire: Insights from Good Luck to You, Leo Grande
Emma Thompson’s latest film, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, is not just entertaining—it’s groundbreaking. With humor and authenticity, it dives into complex topics like female sexuality, aging, body image, and the often-overlooked subject of female pleasure and self-discovery. In a recent interview, Thompson highlighted a stark reality: female pleasure has been largely ignored by science. And she’s right.
The Science Gap: Why Women’s Pleasure Remains a Mystery
Did you know that the anatomical equivalent of the G-spot was only identified in 2012? Or that female ejaculation is still debated, often dismissed as incontinence rather than acknowledged as a natural function? The truth is, mainstream medicine has historically overlooked women’s sexual health, leaving many to navigate their own journeys of female pleasure and self-discovery.
Nancy, Thompson’s character in the film, embodies this journey beautifully. She seeks out new experiences, guided by curiosity and a desire for fulfillment. Her story mirrors the experiences of many women I work with as a Somatic Sex Coach—women who are reclaiming their pleasure, often for the first time.
Returning to Pleasure: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Many of my clients share a common theme: returning to intimacy after a long period of abstinence. They come to me seeking confidence, longing to explore a more fulfilling way to experience their sexuality. Often, they’ve read about pleasure but haven’t felt truly connected to their own sensations.
And yet, amidst this desire, I hear the pressures they place on themselves:
- I should feel sexual.
- I should love my body.
- I should prioritize self-pleasure.
But female pleasure and self-discovery isn’t a switch we turn on and off. Our bodies, with their thousands of nerve endings, are always available to us. Sometimes, it’s simply about redirecting our attention—tuning into sensation, using breath, and allowing ourselves to explore without expectation.
Choosing Aliveness Over Suppression
Then there’s that undeniable moment—a deep knowing that there’s an experience we need to have, something we can no longer suppress. That’s when transformation happens. Good Luck to You, Leo Grande captures this beautifully. As Nancy steps into her full self, she comes alive in a way she hasn’t in years.
“I haven’t felt this alive for ages,” she says in the film. And isn’t that what so many of us seek? To release the energy spent on suppression and redirect it toward truly living?
If this resonates with you, know that your journey toward female pleasure and self-discovery is valid, and you don’t have to navigate it alone. Exploring your desires—free from judgment or expectation—is a powerful step toward embracing all of who you are.