Intimacy in a relationship is essential but quality matters most.
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In a healthy romantic relationship, there are of course many benefits to having more sex.
Just how important is sex in a relationship, and how much should you be having?
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The answer is entirely dependent on the couple.
Why Sex in Relationships Matters
Can a relationship survive without sex?
Sex isn’t always necessary.
Illustration by JR Bee, Verywell
But it can be an important part of ahealthy, fulfilling relationship.
How important sex is can vary from one individual to the next.
Some people may feel that being a sexual couple is absolutely vital.
Others may feel that other types of intimacy and connection are more important.
Having sex often is linked to more affection.
When couples experience more affection, they are also more likely to then have more frequent sex.
For instance, theoxytocinreleased during sex enhances a sense of bonding and improves emotional intimacy.
Sex in a monogamous relationship increases your level of commitment andemotional connectionwith the other person.
Expressing love through sex increases the likelihood of couples staying together.
As a result, sex is positively associated with a lower divorce rate.
Some of these include:
Sex is good for you in so many ways.
It can help support healthy relationships and may improve overall well-being.
One sexual encounter per week is fairly consistent with the current average.
However, our increasingly busy lives may be getting in the way of having more sex.
Average Sexual Frequency
Although frequency often decreases with age, sexual activity in older adults remains important.
Since prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men,this effect worth noting.
For some, sex may increase the chances of a heart attack.
Despite this risk, higher sex frequency may help.
A 2011 study found that regular sexual activity diminishes heart attacks.
Sex, along with other forms of physical activity, is protective.
Unsafe sex could tip the scale of benefits and risks in the opposite direction.
verify you are familiar with safe sex practices.
Humans are wired to crave the intimacy of sex.
Lacking sex can lead individuals in a relationship to grow distant and, perhaps,look elsewhere.
Working with a licensed couples therapist can help address this gap and prevent issues from permeating throughout your marriage.
But that doesn’t mean sex frequency has to be an unstoppable downhill slide.
Sex and intimacy can improve as your relationship matures.
It may just require a little extra work.
There are a number of ways to spice up your sex life.
Looking at the non-sexual parts of your relationship can help.
It’s often said that the biggest sex organ is the one between the ears.
Managing stress is another key factor for a healthy sex life.
“It just meant that they experienced desire differently.”
Instead, communicate your needs and work together to find a happy medium.
How frequently you have sex may change over the course of your relationship.
Communicating with your partner can help strengthen your relationship and improve sexual satisfaction.
Keep in Mind
Sex can be a beneficial part of a healthy relationship.
Research suggests that the average couple in the US has sex about once a week.
Sexual couples that want to increase their frequency should focus on communicating their needs and working together.
That being said, growing intimacy is still possible if you are unable to have sex.
If you arenot having sexregularly, ask yourself why.
Sex in relationships may also boost happiness levels and help couples bond.
The importance of sex depends on the individual and the couple.
Not everyone needs sex to feel close to their partner or to feel happy in their relationshipbut some do.
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