Yes? No? Maybe?
Is it necessary to have sex in a love relationship? There is no answer to this question.
Everyone is different, and what matters to some may not matter at all to others.
It all comes down to your personal beliefs, physical urges, and the nature of your partnership at the end of the day.
Sex isn’t needed all the time, they say
Without having intercourse with their partners, many people can have happy, fulfilling, and healthy romantic relationships (or only having sex with their partners once in a while).
There are a variety of reasons why people do or do not want to have sex. This could involve the following:
- having a low libido (also known as “sex drive”)
- living with an underlying medical condition, such as chronic pain
- wanting to date for a longer period of time before having sex
- being unmarried and wanting to abstain from sex before marriage
This does not, however, imply that the connection will be unhealthy. And it surely isn’t a hint that your partner doesn’t love or cherish you!
The bottom line? Sexual activity isn’t necessary for a healthy relationship.
Sex is still needed for some
For some, sex is an essential component of love relationships. A sexual connection with their romantic partner is something that many individuals desire.
There is a spectrum of sexuality. Asexual persons have little to no sexual interest (and rarely have sex, but each person is different), whereas allosexual people have sexual attraction.
We all have different attitudes to sex because we all have different feelings about sex and different capacity for sexual desire, but none of them are bad.
There are a variety of reasons why sex may play a significant role in your relationship. Consider the following scenario:
- It could be an opportunity to bond with your partner.
- It could be an opportunity to show your partner love and affection.
- You might feel more secure in your relationship if you’re having sex often.
- It could simply be pleasurable and fun.
- You could be trying to become pregnant.
And there are a slew of advantages to engaging in sexual activity on a regular basis.
Outside of pleasure, sex has numerous advantages, and there are numerous reasons why having sex is beneficial to your brain, body, and relationship.
Emotional
Many people engage in sexual activity for emotional reasons. Sex has a wide range of emotional advantages, including:
- It could improve your self-confidence.
- It could help you connect with your own body in a pleasurable way.
- It could help you bond with your partner, and it could be a way of expressing love and care for them.
- It can relieve stress.
Physical
Sex can also be beneficial to your body and physical wellbeing. Some study implies, for example, that sex can:
- Boost immune function. A 2004 study showed that people having sex more frequently have better immune systems.
- Light exercise. A 2013 studyTrusted Source showed that it’s a very good work out to burn calories.
- Strengthen heart condition. A 2010 study found that frequesnt sex may reduce the chances of heart disease.
- Boost cognitive function. A 2016 study found that sexually active people have better memory power.
- Cures headaches. A 2013 study showed that sex can cure migraines or cluster headaches.
This isn’t to say that people who don’t have sex will become physically ill or have emotional problems; it merely implies that people who do have sex may notice improvements in other areas as well.
These benefits should not be exploited to persuade people to engage in sexual activity if they do not want to.
Intimacy feedback loops can be created by sex.
A 2017 study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Trusted Source, found a link between frequent sexual engagement and overall happiness.
It also reveals that sex predicts affection, and affection predicts sexual activity frequency. To put it another way, more sex breeds more sex.
So, if you want more sex, the best thing you can do is have more sex! It may appear ridiculous, but it has the potential to increase your sex drive and general sex life.
However, sex isn’t the only way to feel close to your mate.
We frequently associate sex with intimacy. While sex can be a wonderful form of intimacy, it is by no means the only way to be close to someone.
Touch, for example, can be a wonderful way to be intimate. The following are some examples of non-sexual kinds of physical intimacy:
In addition to physical intimacy, many people value emotional intimacy in their relationships, which includes honest, sensitive interactions.
One Important thing is: Sexual compatibility matters
It might be tough to deal with a situation in which one person believes that sex is necessary in a relationship while the other does not.
Similarly, if one person has a high libido and the other has a low libido, it can be challenging.
It is, nevertheless, not difficult to handle. Communication can be very beneficial.
Some people believe that practising ethical non-monogamy allows them to meet their sexual demands without jeopardising their non-sexual partner’s connection.
It’s natural to go through various adjustments over time.
Your libido may fluctuate over time due to a variety of factors.
Here are some possible causes of decreased libido:
- Stress. Stressful circumstances and stressful lifestyles may stifle your desire for sex.
- Relationship difficulties. Arguments, dishonesty, and a lack of trust may all contribute to a decrease in libido. Age. As you become older, your libido may vary.
- Hormonal changes. Hormonal changes, such as those caused by menopause, pregnancy, and other events, can alter your libido.
- Medication. Changes in libido are a common side effect of several drugs.
- Certain medical conditions. Low sex drive has been linked to diseases like arthritis and coronary artery disease.
- Trauma. Traumatic events can generate psychological stress, which can contribute to libido issues.
If you’re having trouble with your libido, see a doctor or other healthcare provider.
It’s not always a problem to not want sex, and it’s not always a problem to fix, unless it’s causing you grief.
The underlying clinical causes of a low libido can usually be treated, or your libido may return to its previous level with time. There are several natural techniques to increase your libido.
Incompatibility is a major problem in long term Relationship
Some people are willing to wait for their partner’s libido to return. Others are content to satisfy their partner’s libido and sexual wants while having little or no sex.
In the long run, some people may struggle with a lack of sex. When sex is highly essential to you but not to your spouse, it can be difficult to handle.
So, if you and your partner appear to be sexually mismatched, it’s critical to discuss it. It could be able to make things right so that you’re both happy.
You may try this if you feel like you are out of track
It is critical to communicate about intimacy. If your sexual preferences change, it’s critical to talk to your spouse about it.
Here are some ideas about how to start a discussion about it:
“My libido has just shifted, and I’d like to discuss it with you.”
“I don’t want you to take it personally if you realise I’ve changed in bed. Here’s what’s going on.”
“Recently, my libido has been poor. Is it okay if we attempt XYZ in bed?”
“I’ve observed you haven’t been interested in having sex recently. Is it okay if we talk about it?”
“We don’t have sex as often as we used to, and that’s something I’d like to change. What are your thoughts about it?”
Are you having trouble with this? Make an appointment with a couple’s counsellor or a sex therapist. They can assist you in communicating with your partner and working together to find a solution.
It’s possible that your sex life has become stagnant for no apparent reason. A romantic weekend away, a new sex position, or new sex toys can all help to rekindle the flame.
Summary
Some people, however, do require sex in order to maintain a good and happy relationship.
What matters is that you find a partner who is aware of your needs and desires, regardless of their nature. Every love and sexual relationship requires open communication.
