HOW IMPORTANT IS SEX IN A RELATIONSHIP?
Would you be surprised if we were to tell you that having more sex in the relationship doesn’t always lead to more happiness? However, it doesn’t mean that sex is not an important part of a relationship, because it can be for many people. Having sexual activity is even known to improve health. The real question is, how important is sex in a relationship?
Beyond the physical aspect, sex plays a pivotal role in fostering and maintaining a healthy, robust relationship. It serves as a powerful means of establishing and nurturing emotional, psychological, and physical bonds between partners. In this article we will discover sex’s place in relationships.
Contents
Significance of Touch
Just feeling the touch of our partners can make us happy. With “just a touch”, our body releases oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone". Engaging in sex promotes the release of oxytocin even more, which stimulates feelings of trust, affection, and closeness. Sex helps release this hormone even more than just by touch, and can even make you feel better in general for as long as two days!
So does it all mean that sex is really important within a relationship ? Our answer to that would be yes, but not always. While some relationships thrive on frequent intimacy, others may prioritize emotional connection over physical closeness. The key lies in open communication, understanding each other's needs, and finding a balance that satisfies both partners.
Do Sexless Relationships Work?
Sexless relationships can work for some couples. Successful partnerships are built on various factors beyond physical intimacy, but this does not negate the important place of sex in a relationship. While societal norms often highlight the importance of a vibrant sexual connection, individuals in sexless relationships may find fulfillment through emotional, intellectual, or companionship bonds. Open communication, understanding, and shared values become paramount in these relationships, allowing partners to navigate challenges and maintain a strong connection.
Research revealed that individuals who were driven to fulfill their partner's sexual desires demonstrated a greater willingness to participate in sexual activities with their romantic partners. This occurred even in instances where their personal desire was low. Consequently, both partners reported heightened levels of satisfaction in both their relationship and sexual experiences. While we can’t say that a sexless relationship can’t work, it may be harder to keep it going.
What Changes Over Time
We’ve all heard of couples losing interest in each other as they grow old. But is it because of a lack of sex? How much of a role does sex actually play in this?
Research done by analyzing data from 700 couples shows that there was a pattern over the course of relationships; sexual satisfaction almost always declined while relationship satisfaction increased. Despite age differences, initial correlation between sexual and relationship satisfaction was observed. Regardless of the starting point, individual trajectories varied. Yet, as marriages progressed, sexual and relationship satisfaction tended to change together.
Noteworthy was the lasting effect of initial sexual satisfaction on relationship satisfaction. Couples starting with higher sexual satisfaction were more likely to maintain overall relationship satisfaction. Conversely, lower initial sexual satisfaction increased the risk of a steeper decline in relationship quality. The only significant gender-related finding revealed that women's relationship satisfaction declined more slowly than that of men.
So maybe, we can say the couples that have sex regularly, even if they don’t maintain the pace and have less sex over time, are more likely to be more happy within their relationship or marriage. But what about the rest? The ones that didn’t have much sex to begin with? Well sadly, they are more likely to lose the spark to keep the relationship going and see a sharp decline in their happiness.
Conclusion
To summarize, the significance of sex in a relationship extends beyond physical pleasure. It serves as a powerful catalyst for fostering emotional connection, communication, and overall relationship satisfaction. While not a must and not the most important part of a relationship, it can still be a very important one. Understanding and nurturing the role of sexual intimacy can significantly contribute to the health and longevity of a loving partnership.
