"Well, in my experience, my partners have given me just as much as I have given them. Whether there was emotional intimacy, or it was a one night stand, consensual sex has, for me, always been a petal trade rather than me giving a petal away."

That's beautiful! I hate the idea that sex ruins women, or makes them dirty, undesirable or "damaged goods". (And it is a huge double standard.) I think that as long as the sex was consensual and mutual, then you're taking just as much as giving.