Inside the rise and rise of spicy content.

Put away your pearls — the days of frantic clutching are long gone.

It's 2025, and sex is in.

And not just sex. Smut. Kink. Every which way people are getting off is up for discussion, and damn, if that isn't a beautiful thing.

Watch: Women react to Mamamia's audio erotica series Butter. Post continues below.

Sex is big business, baby.

We're in the golden age of X-rated content, where steamy stories are served straight to our earbuds and e-readers. And if TikTok is anything to go by (which it… definitely is), we're not shy about our new consumption habits.

The platform has racked up more than a million posts under the hashtag #smuttok, proving that this once-guilty pleasure is now a full-blown cultural movement.

While erotic fiction has been on the rise for a few years (ahem, ACOTAR anyone??), it's been quietly paving the way for the newest wave in sexy content: audio erotica.

"Erotic fiction, or the romantasy era has been on a steady rise. We're seeing femmes embrace a new genre of literature and audio — and discovering sexual empowerment in the process," Bumble's sexologist Chantelle Otten told Mamamia of the surge.

"And while the format of audio is new, sexually explicit content is not — Mills and Boon were the pioneers more than 100 years ago."

But let's be clear: your mum's Mills and Boon this is not.

Why are women embracing erotica?

While women's sexuality is a famously under-studied area, there is enough research around to give us some interesting insights — and they really speak to why we're loving smut so much.

According to psychologist Gina Ogden's research, "the most important organ of sexual pleasure is the brain".

"Sexual imagination is integral to women's pleasure," she has said, and tell us something we don't know, Gina!

No but seriously, a woman's largest erogenous zone is her imagination, which is by no means a small part of why audio erotica and spicy books are having such a moment.

Audio erotica platforms, like Mamamia's Butter, provide a safe, private space where we can reconnect with our sensuality and indulge our wildest thoughts. Plus, they provide a "low-stakes way to find out what does and doesn't turn you on", said Otten — "and you may be surprised."

Listen to an episode of Mamamia's audio erotica series, Butter. Warning — explicit content. Post continues below.

"Femme-focused erotica is a really good way for femmes to explore their sexual desires, learn new things that can empower their own sex lives, and consume explicit content that promotes consent, safe sexual practices and healthy sexuality," she explained.

The psychological benefits of audio erotica and erotic novels.

The rise in popularity isn't just about getting hot and bothered, mind you. It's a major step forward for female sexual empowerment.

Research from Bumble found that more than one in four singles in Australia feel pop culture's depictions of sex have created a negative impact, expressing they feel "sex and intimacy should be more about closeness", explained Otten.

"So it makes sense that femmes are seeking out erotica that places value on both physical and emotional connection, intimacy and character development."

Someone who has seen this firsthand is Tierney Page (AKA Tierney Reads on TikTok and Instagram), whose reviews of spicy novels have seen close to a million people hitting the follow button on social media. And now she's written her own spicy novel, The Other Brother.

"Steamy romance does such a great job of balancing emotional depth with sexual exploration in a way that feels both safe and empowering," she told Mamamia.

"The characters and relationships are well-developed, and I love that these stories give readers characters they can actually see themselves in — characters who validate their wants and needs without judgment. The genre doesn't discriminate. With so many sub-genres, from dark romance to rom-coms and everything in between, there's something for everyone.

Love and intimacy, she continued, are universal, and spicy stories — whether you're reading or listening — make space for both, Page added, "celebrating sex as a natural, meaningful part of a love story rather than something taboo.

"Women are finally breaking down the stigma and feeling more comfortable being open about what they're reading. There's no shame in it, nor should there be."

Yes, smut can even improve your sex life.

Women taking matters of pleasure into their own hands (pun… intended??) isn't something to be dismissed as just another trend.

According to Mamamia's Sex and Pleasure Survey 2024, women are taking charge of their pleasure more than ever. Sixty-two per cent of women surveyed said they're embracing self-pleasure at least weekly, if not more frequently, with Gen Y (AKA millennials) leading the charge at 66 per cent.

An impressive 67 per cent added that they use sex toys to get them there, with Gen Y again showing slightly higher numbers at 68 per cent.

The fact that women are even feeling empowered enough to report these stats is something not to be sneezed at. It's not just okay to own our pleasure; it's vital to our sexual health and wellbeing, and the increase in consumption of spicy content has helped the drive to normalise it.

Oh, and in case there are any people out there whose partners are scared that smut will replace them?

No.

Quite the opposite, actually.

Research published in The Journal of Sex Research found that women who read erotic fiction have 74 per cent more sex than non-readers, and report better quality intimate experiences.

"Listening to or reading sexual stories can make femmes feel the desire to self-pleasure as well as engage in acts with a romantic partner," said Otten. And she has science to explain it, too (we love science!).

"From a scientific perspective, engaging with erotica — whether through reading or listening — activates the brain's mesolimbic dopamine system, also known as the reward pathway," explained Otten.

"This is the same system involved in pleasure, desire, and motivation, which is why erotica can heighten arousal and deepen sexual self-awareness.

"Audio erotica, in particular, stimulates the temporal lobe, where auditory processing and emotional connection are intertwined, creating a more immersive and intimate experience."

Translation? Your brain on erotica is living its sexiest life.

Listen to The Quicky undress the rise of written and audio erotica. Post continues below.

The rise of audio erotica in modern culture.

The digital revolution has made it easier than ever to access female-centred pleasure.

"The modern digital world, with e-books, audiobooks, and apps dedicated to romance and erotica, has made access easier, while #BookTok and social media have normalised and encouraged this consumption on a wider scale than the traditional book club," explained Otten.

Platforms like Mamamia's Butter are leading the charge in providing high-quality erotic stories that centre female pleasure — and the fact that we can listen discretely on our morning commutes doesn't hurt either.

"When you listen to audio erotica on the train to work, it's a lot less conspicuous than reading it — if you're more of a private person," said Otten.

And for those who maybe… aren't so private? Romance and erotica girlies are forming communities through online discussion groups, social media and themed events. It's like book club, but… spicier.

"It's such a safe, supportive community, all about women uplifting women," Page told Mamamia.

"I've had so many conversations about intimacy that I probably wouldn't have had if I hadn't read these books. They open up discussions that might never have happened otherwise, and it's amazing to see intimacy finally being normalised.

"Not only have I seen a massive wave of sexual empowerment, but I've also seen indie authors land major traditional publishing deals and women connecting through book clubs and meet-ups.

Erotica, it seems, has led to a huge shift — not just in how we view sex, "but in the way [it brings] bring people together," Page added.

"Sexual empowerment is a huge part of it, but so is the sense of community, opportunity, and confidence these books inspire."

Whether you're a curious newcomer or a seasoned listener, there's never been a better time to plug in and tune out.

Just remember to check your headphones are actually connected before hitting play on public transport. Not that we're speaking from experience or anything...

Feature Image: Liv James/Mamamia.