Lack of sex in marriages happens- you may call them lulls, low points, or dry spells. Long-term sexless marriages happen too- we've all heard about it, seen it (popular talk shows,etc.), and possibly experience it. The general statistic is about 15-20% of couples experience a sexless marriage, which is defined as having 0-10 sexual encounters per year with their partner. Think "Happy Birthday honey. See you next year"A dramatic lack of sex in relationships has people asking, 'How does this happen? How does a couple go two years or 10 years without sex?'. Everything may be normal- no illnesses, chronic issues, or disorders. So what's going on?Please Note: this hub isn't for the incurably happy and sexually satisfied couples, even though I know some of you will feel compelled to leave your gushy comments. This is truly for those of us who are curious or experience this in our marriage.It's Complicated: Those of you who think dating is tough, try making a marriage work. It seems marriages get complicated as time goes by; resentment for things said or done can accumulate, having children, other family that lives with you or gets involved, illnesses, stress, work overload, and the B word- boredom. Almost all of these listed is inevitable. Not much can really prepare us for the demands of marriage. There is so much involved, it can be difficult to pinpoint just one single aspect that led to senselessness. Quantity Versus Quality: Once married, instead of sex simply being an aspect of a couple's relationship they enjoy, it becomes an expectation. Expectations are usually things we avoid or procrastinate. Often times, from the women's point of view, "sex is just another chore". From the man's viewpoint, sex is expected, but he must realize it takes work to get her into it.Men tend to keep score on how often they get sex. Women tend to barter- give sex in return for something they really want, like a massage. Society focuses on quantity of sex. It gets more attention than whether the sex is good or great (quality). If you want to improve the quantity, then focus on quality- maybe this means foreplay or trying new things or finding what relieves stress for your partner.
The number one rule of human nature is to seek pleasure and avoid pain; therefore if the sex is good or rewarding in some aspect, a person will seek it. Likewise, they will avoid it if they are tired, the sex isn't good, bad mood, not interested, stressed.Men Vs. Women: Women derive all pleasure from how good her sexual experience is- did the man mentally stimulate her and was he willing to please her physically, not just for his own agenda. For a woman, 'good' doesn't always mean orgasm, it means fulfilling emotionally- made her feel closer to her husband, made her feel sexy and wanted. Once married a woman does a lot of little things for a man and he may not notice- she cooks, does laundry, makes his appointments. Men enjoy these little things and women do too, but in the form of little things to help her relax or enjoy a sexual experience.Men need sex for different reasons- if they cheat it's not because of the quality of sex within their marriage, instead they reported/complained about the quantity (lack of sex). In fact, cheaters state the sex was good with their spouse when it happened, but it did not happen enough. For men, a sexual experience is predominately physical, but satisfies an emotional closeness to his wife as well. Sometimes it's the only way he feels close to her so you can understand the immense importance of sex to a man.Many men view sex as part of the foundation for a healthy relationship- if the sex is happening, then there are no problems as far as they're concerned. In actuality, sex is an expression of the relationship. For some people, they don't need sex to have a good relationship. It's important for men and women to discuss their own needs of sex with each other.
Sex Vs. Desire: As a couple, people need to realize sex and desire will obviously be different for each person. Sex is different for women, physically, because women ovulate once a month for a few days. During that time they are most fertile and at a natural sexual peak- they desire the intimacy of sex. There are also times in her cycle when she will naturally want to be left alone. Women who are pee, currently menopausal, or post will experience a fluctuation (highs, lows, and unpredictability) with their sex drive. Also women on birth control pills do not ovulate, therefore a possible decrease in sex drive may occur.When the desire between a couple fades away, sex becomes an act of just going through the motions. Some people don't need to feel desire or desirable to have sex and others do. If you want to be regarded as desirable by your spouse, take pride in yourself and your body (no matter your size or limitations. Desire is all in the mind- whether it's you or your partner's mind, desire is purely a perception.
Routine Vs. Spontaneity: Many of us married folk have fallen into the routine called marriage. It's the same thing every day for my husband and I; he goes to work, I stay home with kid, he comes home, dinner time, he plays with kid while I get a mini mini-break, I put kids to bed, and then we watch TV or read until we're both asleep.Kids create routine; dinner time, bed time, bath time, etc. It's healthy for kids, but not for marriages. So you're probably thinking I'm going to argue that spontaneity needs to be rekindled in order for sex to increase. Wrong! Most sex in marriages with kids, is spontaneous sex- get it when or while you can. I miss the days when my husband (before he became my husband), had to call me up and ask me on a date, I got dressed to impress, and we both knew what would be happening that night- it was planned, but hot, and something we could look forward to. I like to plan to have sex, then I can put make-up on, dress up, etc and the anticipation is like foreplay. Same can happen in a busy marriage- planning can be hot. Make a date in the schedule and flirt throughout the day.
Communication Vs. Relationship: Often times, lack of sex in a relationship has nothing to do with sex, it's a symptom of something else going on. There is a problem that needs to be resolved before sex happens. Unfortunately, communication breaks down or ceases altogether when sex diminishes, and communication is the only way to detect and resolve problems within the relationship. If one or both of you are not willing to talk, then divorce becomes likely. Lack of communication and lack of sex is more detrimental to a relationship than thingy. A good clue to where the problem lies is at what point the sex began to slow down significantly. If communication is abrupt, then the sex life will be, and soon the relationship will completely suffer.Ask Yourself: If you are the partner putting sex on hold, then you need to know exactly why your motivation is to do so. Once that hurdle is demystified, then it's best to go to your partner to tell them what you need to be physical again.Likewise, if you are the partner doing without, then it's wise to bring the topic up comfortably with the other person. Make it not about sex only. Ask if there is anything stressing the other person out or how you can help them in some way.
Related Hew Should You Have a Plan B When Married At the earliest age I can remember, another option, another plan, was usually the better route. From the time I was a kid and fighting over a toy with another kid, mom says, 'Why don't you find a different toy to play with or something else to do' (p
How To Write a Naughty Love Lettie The great thing about writing dirty is that some people feel uncomfortable or silly talking dirty and honestly tingeing dirty is impersonal and the abbreviations (text speak) just don't translate the same. As...Bowell- thanks for the encouraging comment. If you would have told me five years ago, when I was dating my husband, that our sex life wouldn't be GREAT, I would have laughed at the thought. It WAS great, but life happens, and sex hardly ever does.I think you are so right about marriages that once had a great sex life are definitely at risk for slowing down- great point. Literally "better or worse and sickness or health", but they should add "kids" too.
Shani Kala~ I agree with you about what we hear and see in media images portraying what sex should be like; the sweat, the hours of pleasure, the screaming orgasm, and perfect glistening bodies. The definition of "good" sex varies from couple to couple. There is no one-size-fits-all definition.
I think that sex is just one aspect (and not even the most important one), of a relationship. A relationship that is purely based on sex will not last long. However, a relationship that is strong in other aspects, but not really sexual can be very enduring.It is unfortunate that we are taught, through popular media and what-not that everybody is out there having lots of perfect sex; and if we are not doing the same, we are losing out or in an unsuccessful relationship. In reality, I think that most relationships, at least long term relationships, are more on the less side. It would be interesting to see some surveys or statistics on this.
Also, I honestly struggled with the fact that my husband will potentially be the last and only person I have sex with. It stems from the realization that I already know everything about him and this is why I believe each person should have a life, hobbies, interests, outside of their marriage and that way there is something interesting to talk about and it's not the same boring routine and daily chit ha, Etti, married people have more sex on average than single people. A brutish study of people in 59 countries found that married couples had a lot more sex than singles.
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