An active sex life is directly linked to our physical and mental health. Sex is an important aspect of our lives and lack of sex can have many adverse health effects. Sex elevates our mood and makes us happier and satisfied individuals. Some studies have even linked sex to slimmer waistlines, stronger hearts and a lower risk of prostate and breast cancers.1 Psychologists also associate an active sex life with a reduced chance of depression and improvement in happiness.
How Often Should You Have Sex?
There is no set number for the number of times that you should have sex and it greatly differs among couples. Newly married couples may have sex three or four times a week while older couples may do it just once a month. The level of attraction, your physical health, and many other factors are involved in the frequency of sex among couples.
But, according to a study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, Americans today are indulging in sex less than what the Americans did a decade ago.2 Although many diversions are interfering with the sex lives of couples, they still seem to make time for sex albeit a lot less than two decades ago.
As per studies, between 2010 and 2014, the average American adult had sex nine times less per year than what Americans did between 2000 and 2004. This reduction in frequency was even more prominent among married couples who live together, who had sex 16 fewer times a year.
Data from research shows that the average American adult indulges in sex 54 times a year, which amounts to just a little over once a week. The numbers are slightly lower among married couples who live together. They still have sex about 51 times a year, which is less than once a week!
What’s The Cause For The Drop In Frequency?
Experts speculate that multiple factors are responsible for this alarming trend.3 One major reason was the increase in time spent working and parenting, which may be a possible explanation for the drop in sex among married people.
Another factor is the sharp increase in quality and accessibility of streaming entertainment, which takes up a lot of the free time. Technology and entertainment have given us numerous options to spend leisure time at home. Internet, gaming, and other device-based activities are nudging sex out of the competition.
But, sex once a week is still OK for a healthy relationship. According to experts, couples getting cozy at least once a week is a good thing because this frequency is considered as “optimal” if you’re hoping to increase happiness in a relationship. Researchers have found that couples who have frequent sex tend to experience better well-being.
Sex can boost the feelings of satisfaction between couples and ultimately improve their relationship. But, the researchers also observed that having sex more than once a week did not increase the well-being and satisfaction any further and the benefits stagnated beyond once-a-week-sex.
But, that doesn’t mean that you should not have sex more than once a week. It just doesn’t seem to make couples any happier.
Does Frequent Sex Improve Your Health?
Even researchers find it difficult to scientifically prove that frequent sex can improve health. Ascertaining the cause and effect when it comes to sex and your health is quite hard. But, it’s a fact that happier and healthier people indulge in sex more often, although the act itself doesn’t necessarily improve your physical and mental wellness. More research is required to find out if sex is a symptom or a cause of well-being.
If your frequency of having sex is less than once a week, then increasing the frequency is recommended by experts as long as it does not feel imposed or forced. A study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University in 2015 observed that couples who tried to have more sex did not necessarily feel happier. 4
However, the researchers involved believe that this study was misguided. Instructing couples to double their frequency may cause them to feel compelled and may have turned sex into a chore for them. Also, since the couples in the study were already having sex once a week, it’s possible that they were already maximizing the association between sex and well-being.
The Verdict
There’s really no number. Despite all the studies, researchers still think that couples could benefit from a bit of encouragement to have more sex. This is especially true in the case of couples who have been married and living together for many years. When couples have been together for a considerable duration, the mere presence of the other person even if they are unclothed, ceases to be exciting or arousing.
However, that does not mean that sex will not be as much fun and refreshing as it used to be. By being creative and experimental, couples can easily rekindle the fire and spice up their sex lives.
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