People are having less sex now than in previous decades, especially among married and partnered couples. Average-frequency research identifies once-a-week as a common happiness 'sweet spot,' but frequency alone does not reliably predict relationship satisfaction. More frequent sex is not necessarily linked to higher relationship happiness, and population averages obscure individual variation. Sexual satisfaction hinges on feelings of connection and fulfillment during sexual encounters. Sexual communication influences sexual and relationship satisfaction as much as, or more than, frequency. Couples with less frequent sex can report high satisfaction when they communicate openly and feel emotionally connected.
"How often should we be having sex?" I hear this question at least once a week. From my therapy room to my circles of friends to social media. This question is out there, lingering. And like most people, I've seen countless opinions. I'm not here to offer another one or add to the confusion or pressure. Instead, I want to explain why this is the wrong question to be asking in the first place.
The key issue is that sexual satisfaction isn't just about how much sex people have, but how connected and fulfilled they feel during it. A recent study by Roels & Janssen (2020) found that sexual communication mattered just as much, if not more, than frequency when it came to sexual and relationship satisfaction. Ultimately, partners who have sex less often, but talk openly a
Collection
[
|
...
]