BY ALLISON YOUNG

Women’s emotions can change faster than NASCAR tires and her expectations change with each lap around the track. Depending on what’s going on in her head, she needs a different kind of lover. Here are two ways to meet her expectations between the sheets.

SEX AFTER WEIGHT-LOSS 
"Losing weight makes you horny—this is a known fact," says Barbara Keesling, a sex therapist and author of The Good Girl’s Guide to Bad Girl Sex (M. Evans and Company, Inc., 2009). Not only do women have a better body image after shedding pounds (check) but they also have increased testosterone—which boosts sexual desire (check)—improved flexibility (check), better stamina (check) and heightened confidence, which can open up sexual doors. "Because she feels more confident, her sexpectations increase," says Mabel Iam, a psychotherapist and author of I Love You. Now What (Atria Books, 2008).

What to Do
With her new body come new fantasies, and it’s your job to ignite them. "Go for a more daring kind of sex-like quickies or striptease games and generate fantasies that rev up desire," suggests Iam.

What not to Do
"You should just enjoy the increased sex drive and not say anything to indicate that she used to be fat!" warns Keesling.

PRE- AND POST-PERIOD SEX (OR CYCLE SEX)
When are women the horniest: pre- or post-period? If you answered pre-period, give yourself a pat on the back. According to research, her sex drive revs up during ovulation (14 days before her next period), thanks to an influx of estrogen and testosterone. After that, it’s a roller coaster of hormones and horniness.

But beware: Mood swings and menstrual cramps can stop her sex drive dead in its tracks. Her no-sex attitude can turn into a pro-sex attitude once her "friend" arrives. Many women report an increase in libido during their periods, thanks to hormones and increased blood flow and lubrication. Three cheers! Some women, however, are squeamish about doing the deed during menstruation and would rather opt for sex after their cycle ends.

What to Do
Every woman’s cycle is different. One day, she might feel fat and frumpy; the next day, her hormones could turn her into a horny beast. Go with the flow (no pun intended).

What not to Do
"It’s important that men don’t put too much pressure on their partner during her period," says Iam. "But post-period, take advantage of all the sex she’s up for!"

Now that you can meet her expectations, find out how you can go the distance in the sack every time. Pick up the September/October 2009 issue of Maximum Fitness—on newsstands August 25, 2009—to start your game plan.