From Cosmopolitan · Kaitlyn Rosati · · 1m
Experts Say There’s No 'Normal' Amount of Sex Couples Should Be Having
Experts say there’s no 'normal' sex frequency for couples, with stress and boundaries driving changes.
In brief
Experts say there’s no 'normal' sex frequency for couples, with stress and boundaries driving changes. Experts state there’s no fixed number of sexual encounters per week that defines a healthy relationship. Originally reported by Cosmopolitan.
Sex Frequency Myths
Experts say comparing your sex life to others is a trap with no universal standard for healthy frequency.
“Right off the bat, a rule of thumb was that comparison is a trap, and there’s no one-size-fits-all standard for how frequently or infrequently you’re doing it.”
Stress and Digital Impact
Rising stress from economic uncertainty and digital device use lowers sexual frequency compared to past decades.
“People today are having less sex than they were in the past.”
Sex Recession Term
Sex educator Justin Lehmiller calls the trend a 'sex recession' due to stress, parenting, and screen time.
“There’s even a term for this, he says: 'sex recession.'”
Boundary Shifts
More people prioritize quality over quantity, saying they’d rather avoid bad sex than have it at all.
“More and more people are saying: if the sex isn’t good, I’d rather not have any at all.”
No Fixed Number
Experts state there’s no benchmark for healthy sex frequency, as it varies by individual needs and relationship satisfaction.
“The truth is, a healthy number of times to have sex per week is as many times as you want or don’t want.”
When to Talk
Address sex frequency concerns when one partner feels dissatisfied, focusing on needs rather than comparisons.
“It’s worth talking about when at least one partner feels concerned or dissatisfied.”
Here's the gist
Experts state there’s no fixed number of sexual encounters per week that defines a healthy relationship.
