Sex and intimacy are crucial to every relationship, yet it’s a common issue that one or both partners may feel unsatisfied with the frequency and quality of sex. This can be a sensitive topic to bring up, and many couples avoid having an open conversation about their concerns. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the topic of sexless marriages and what a urologist has to say about it.
What Is a Sexless Marriage?
A sexless marriage is defined as having sex less than ten times a year. However, this number can be subjective, and what may be satisfactory for one couple may not be for another. It’s important to note that a low frequency of sex doesn’t necessarily indicate that there’s a problem in the relationship. The average number of times that people in relationships have sex per week is approximately once. This frequency changes over the course of a lifetime, with younger people in their twenties having sex an average of 80 times a year.
Read also: Frustrated with your sexless marriage? A Urologist
The Causes of a Sexless Marriage
There are various reasons why couples experience a decline in their sex life. It can be attributed to physical and emotional challenges, including hormonal problems, body image issues, medical conditions, medications, situational grief, anxiety, and depression. Stress can also be a major factor affecting sex drive. Millennials today face various challenges, including demanding jobs, financial concerns, caring for children or older parents. Compared to earlier generations, millennials are getting married and buying homes later, facing more financial stress and student debt, which can lead to higher rates of depression and anxiety in this generation. These mental health issues can reduce the likelihood of sexual activity.
The Impact of Technology on Intimacy
Technology and the Internet have drastically changed the way we entertain ourselves and spend our leisure time. It’s common to see couples scrolling through social media instead of engaging with each other. Social media users tend to post carefully curated and edited images, leading to self-consciousness about body image, which can be detrimental to wanting to have sex with a partner. Moreover, constant distractions from technology can decrease a person’s desire for sex, which leads to a sexless marriage.
How to Improve Intimacy
It’s crucial to address intimacy issues and communicate openly with your partner. However, it’s important to approach the subject delicately and with sensitivity. Constantly persuading a partner to have sex can be stressful for both parties. Feeling rejected can make one feel bad, and the other partner stressed out. Instead, use “I” statements to communicate your feelings without being accusatory and avoid bringing up intimacy issues in inappropriate places.
Scheduling time for intimacy, not necessarily for sex, is an excellent way to spend quality time with a partner, free from distractions. This can help rekindle responsive desire and excitement for being together. Similar to how dating was exciting without the expectation of sex, spending time together without distractions can help rebuild emotional connections with your partner and strengthen emotional intimacy. As hormones like dopamine and oxytocin decline over time, passion, and excitement naturally decreases too, but effective communication is necessary to maintain a happy and healthy sex life in long-term relationships.
Moreover, it’s essential to address sexual difficulties that may affect one’s relationship. Shame can often limit individuals from discussing these issues with their partner, and failure to address them can lead to frustration and unhappiness in the relationship. The key is to have an open and honest conversation with one’s partner in a neutral place.
Final Words
Sex and intimacy are essential parts of any relationship, but it’s also common for couples to experience a decline in their sex life. While a sexless marriage isn’t necessarily an indicator of problems in a relationship, it’s essential to communicate openly and work on intimacy for the benefit of the relationship. Scheduling time for intimacy, communicating effectively, and addressing sexual difficulties are all ways to improve intimacy for couples. Remember to approach the subject delicately, with sensitivity, and avoid getting frustrated or angry if progress isn’t made right away. Open communication and patience are key.
Read also: Exploring the Prevalence of Sexual Disorders and Intimacy Impact
https://renamalikmd.com/having-challenges-in-the-bedroom-urologist-explains-you-are-not-alone/
