How often do couples have sex Statistics and affecting factors Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe How often should couples have sex Medically reviewed by Lori Lawrenz, PsyD — By Jenna Fletcher on May 25, 2022How often a couple has sex will vary. Their sex life will be unique to them and their own set of circumstances at the time. Different factors can affect a person’s libido and how often a couple has sex. If people are not satisfied with their sex life, there are some steps they can take. This article examines how often couples have sex and breaks down the statistics and affecting factors. How often do couples have sex Share on PinterestVladimir Tsarkov/Getty ImagesAccording to the International Society for Sexual Medicine, there is no “normal” frequency of sex, providing everyone in the relationship is happy. How often a couple should have sex depends on what the people in the relationship decide works best for them. This can range from no sexual activity at all to a few times a day, week, or year. Based on 2020 research, the following percentage of adults aged 18–44 with a steady partner engaged in weekly sexual activity:MenWomen Heterosexual50.8–55.8%52.6–57.2%Gay, lesbian, or bisexual32.8–53.7%44.7–59.2% The following table outlines the frequency of sexual activity for married couples in 2016–2018:Frequency of sexual activityMenWomennot at all1.7%1.3%once or twice a year5.2%5.5%1–3 times a month35.4%32.4%weekly or more57.7%60.9% The same research noted the frequency of sexual activity for those who had one or two partners in the last year in 2012:Frequency of sexual activity1 partner2 partnersnot at all60once or twice a year3013once a month4882–3 times a month9811weekly9092–3 times per week177184 or more times per week5818 The authors of a 2019 article found that the median number of times people who were cohabiting or married had sex was three times per month. Married or cohabitating couples are more likely to have sex more often than people who are single, divorced, or widowed. Affecting factors There will be times when couples have more or less sex than is typical for them. Factors that can affect how often a couple has sex include:A person’s overall health: Medical conditions, medications, and other treatments can affect a person’s sex drive. For example, people may experience hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Males with low testosterone may become less interested in sex. Antidepressants can also decrease a person’s libido.Age: People may be more likely to have less sex as they age. This can have an association with a person’s health and hormonal changes.Relationship changes: As people are in a relationship for longer, it may become more routine. It is important for couples to maintain open communication to discuss their sexual needs.Life events: Work, familial responsibilities, and day-to-day responsibilities may result in people being tired and preoccupied. Couples may find it beneficial to schedule date nights and nurture their relationship. World events can also affect how often couples have sex. For example, during the height of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, overall sexual frequency declined among young people. Conversely, in the United Kingdom, sexual activity increased in those who were in serious relationships compared to those who were casually dating during social lockdown. Research from 2022 found that the pandemic led to a more active sex life for married people, which appears to have persisted after the lockdown ended. What are the benefits of an active sex life Having sex can benefit a person’s health. Research shows participating in regular sexual activity benefits health, well-being, and quality of life. Additionally, people who have an active sex life may:be more physically fitbe happierhave better cognitive functionhave an increased life expectancyhave a better immune functionhave a lower heart rate and blood pressureexperience less stress However, while sexual activity may enhance health, these findings may be true because people who have sex more often tend to be healthier from the outset. Having sex can also promote relationship satisfaction in couples. Research shows that sex and affection have a positive association. Sex and the increased affection that accompanies it affects relationship satisfaction. How can not having enough sex impact people A 2015 study reported that sexual frequency is not as important to well-being as previously thought. It indicated that for those in relationships, the frequency of sexual activity does not have a significant association with well-being. However, sexual experiences are an essential part of the quality of life for some people. Not being able to meet their sexual desires can result in sexual frustration. It may also lead to higher levels of depression. Learn more about sexual frustration and how to manage it here. Should couples be planning sex A couple that finds making time for sex challenging may want to plan when they have sex. Scheduling sex has some benefits, including:being able to prepare physically and mentally for sexlooking forward to the experienceprioritizing the relationship What to do if one partner has a higher sex drive than the other People may find that their sex drive fluctuates throughout their lives. At times, this may lead to one partner having a higher sex drive than the other. If a couple finds they have mismatched libidos, it is possible to find solutions. People should:Communicate: Couples may benefit from talking about sex and their needs. Compromise: According to 2020 research, masturbating alone or with their partner may be an option for those who have a higher sex drive than their partner. If people do not want to engage in penetrative sexual activity, they can try oral sex or using sex toys.Engage in other forms of intimacy: People can engage in other forms of intimacy, such as hugging, kissing, and washing together. Learn more about mismatched sex drives and how to manage them here. Getting help If a couple feels dissatisfied with their sex life, they may want to consider a sex therapist or a couples therapist. Couples therapists specialize in working with couples on relationship issues. To search for a couples therapist, a person can visit the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists website. They can use the search feature to locate a nearby therapist. Learn more about the best online couples counseling here. A sex therapist has particular training to help people with their sexual issues. To find a sex therapist, a person can try the referral directory on the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists website. What happens during sex therapy Sex therapy typically involves meeting a sex therapist in an office setting. People can attend these sessions alone or with their partners. Sex therapists will assign homework tasks, such as:Experimentation: This can include role play, using sex toys, or trying various positions.Sensate focus: This can help to build trust. Couples will begin with touching that is not sexual, then progress to touching the genitals, and ending with penetration.Education: The therapists may provide learning resources, such as web content or books.Communication: The therapist may ask people to practice communication about their sexual needs. Learn more about sex therapy here. Cost Costs of couples therapy or sex therapy can vary widely, and insurance may not cover it. However, some diagnostic sexual disorders such as erectile dysfunction and female sexual interest/arousal disorder may qualify for sex therapy under a person’s insurance. A person looking for more cost-effective options may want to try online therapy. A person can also enquire with different therapists about sliding scale fees. Frequently asked questions The following are some common questions about how often couples have sex. Is it normal or healthy for couples to have sex every day There is no set amount of sex a couple should be having. While research indicates that having sex once a week is associated with greater relationship satisfaction, there is no research that indicates that having sex more often increases relationship satisfaction. A couple will find that the frequency of sex may vary and can occur every day or less frequently at other times. Does having less sex than usual mean people are not happy in their relationship Having sex less often may indicate a person is not happy in their relationship, but the decrease in sexual frequency may stem from other issues such as:stressfamily lifehormonal changesillness Summary There is no correct number of times a couple should have sex. People may find that they engage in more or less sexual activity depending on factors such as age, health, life events, and relationship changes. It is important for couples to communicate their sexual needs with their partner. If a couple feels that they are experiencing challenges with their sex life, they may benefit from consulting a couples counselor or sex therapist. Last medically reviewed on May 25, 2022Sexual Health / STDs 12 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Carcedo, R. J., et al. (2020). Association between sexual satisfaction and depression and anxiety in adolescents and young adults.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7036876Debrot, A., et al. (2017). More than just sex: Affection mediates the association between sexual activity and well-being.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28903688Flynn, K. E., et al. (2016). Sexual satisfaction and the importance of sexual health to quality of life throughout the life course of US adults.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5075511Li, W., et al. (2020). Challenges in the practice of sexual medicine in the time of COVID-19 in China.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7188657Muise, A., et al. (2015). Sexual frequency predicts greater well-being, but more is not always better [Abstract].https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1948550615616462Ueda, P., et al. (2020). Trends in frequency of sexual activity and number of sexual partners among adults aged 18 to 44 years in the US, 2000–2018.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7293001Wellings, K., et al. (2019). Changes in, and factors associated with, frequency of sex in Britain: Evidence from three national surveys of sexual attitudes and lifestyles (natsal).https://www.bmj.com/content/365/bmj.l1525Wignall, L., et al. (2021). Changes in sexual desire and behaviors among UK young adults during social lockdown due to COVID-19.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00224499.2021.1897067Tan, P. L. (2022). Changes in frequency and patterns of marital sexual activty during COVID-19: Evidence from longitudinal data prior to, during and after lockdown in Singapore.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8763353Vowels, L. M., et al. (2020). Strategies for mitigating sexual desire discrepancy in relationships.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7058563What happens during sex therapy (n.d.).https://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/what-happens-during-sex-therapyWhat is the "normal" frequency of sex? (n.d.).https://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/what-is-the-normal-frequency-of-sexFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Lori Lawrenz, PsyD — By Jenna Fletcher on May 25, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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