Doctors Agree On How Often People Should Have Sex

It seems like one of the most common relationship questions has finally been addressed, and it comes from none other than medical professionals.

Yes, doctors have weighed in on how often couples should aim to have sex in a week to maintain optimal relationship satisfaction.

According to a study published in 2015 by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, researchers examined the frequency of sexual activity and its correlation with greater happiness.

Lead researcher Amy Muise explains, "Although more frequent sex is associated with greater happiness, this link was no longer significant at a frequency of more than once a week."

"Our findings suggest that it's important to maintain an intimate connection with your partner, but you don't need to have sex everyday as long as you're maintaining that connection," she reveals.

This study, based on surveys from over 25,000 Americans collected over more than 20 years, challenges the long-held belief that more sex equals more happiness.

However, it's important to note that this study specifically pertains to individuals in romantic relationships. For single individuals, there appears to be no correlation between sexual frequency and wellbeing, according to social psychologist and postdoctoral researcher Muise, who is based at the University of Toronto-Mississauga.

The study examined sexual frequency and happiness among 11,285 men and 14,225 women who participated in the General Social Survey from 1989 to 2012.

Conducted by the University of Chicago, this biennial survey revealed that frequent sexual activity among couples was associated with happiness. However, it was discovered that the threshold for optimal happiness is once a week.

Couples engaging in sex more than once a week did not exhibit any greater happiness compared to those who were intimate just once. Previous studies, along with this one, indicated that established couples typically engage in sex once a week on average.

Interestingly, the study found that factors such as gender, age, or the length of the relationship did not influence the results. Consistent findings were observed across all variations of these factors, according to Muise.

In addition, an online survey involving 335 individuals yielded similar results to the previous study, particularly among those in long-term relationships. This survey also inquired about annual income.

It was discovered that there was a larger disparity in happiness between individuals who had sex less than once a month compared to those who had sex once a week, compared to the disparity between individuals with an income of $15,000-$25,000 (£12,000-£20,000) and those with an income of $50,000-$75,000 (£40,000-£60,000) per year.

Muise remarked: "People often think that more money and more sex equal more happiness, but this is only true up to a point."

Another study, involving 2,400 married couples in the US, similarly observed that the correlation ceased beyond engaging in sexual activity once a week.

Muise emphasized that these findings don't imply that couples should aim to meet the average frequency. She explained, "It's important to maintain an intimate connection with your partner without putting too much pressure on engaging in sex as frequently as possible."

However, in contrast to these studies, some doctors strongly advocate for the belief that sexual frequency is dependent on the couple and not dictated by science.

Kameelah Phillips MD, an OBGYN based in New York, shared her perspective: "Every couple is unique, and as long as they have a mutually agreed-upon routine and fulfillment, then there is no external recommendation that applies."

Natasha Bhuyan, MD, a family physician from Arizona, concurs with this view, suggesting that personal satisfaction can vary based on mood, health, and life circumstances.

Highlighting the individuality of sexual preferences, the doctor noted, "There is a truly wide variation among people and their preferences."

Couples may discover that different forms of intimacy, such as hugging, cuddling, and kissing, are equally fulfilling. Additionally, while testosterone is associated with sexual libido, its impact varies from person to person.

It's also important to acknowledge that same-sex relationships may operate differently, as these studies primarily focused on heterosexual relationships.