Is Sex the Key to a Lasting Marriage?

Want the recipe for a happy marriage? Hint: sex is a key ingredient.

Satisfaction between sexual encounters

A study published in Psychological Science tested the researchers’ theory that intercourse produces a two-day “afterglow” that bonds partners between sexual encounters, increasing marriage satisfaction over the long term.

The Florida State University researchers analyzed the data from 214 newlywed couples who were required to complete a daily diary for two weeks. The couples were asked to record when they had sex and how satisfied they were with their sex life, as well as relationship, marital and partner satisfaction.

After four to six months, the couples were asked again about marital satisfaction.

Newlywed sex

During the 14 days, the newlyweds had sex, on average, four days.

Although there was an overall decline in marital satisfaction at the follow-up assessment, that was to be expected as “the honeymoon was over.”

But the researchers found that couples who had a stronger sexual afterglow reported greater marital satisfaction at the follow-up assessment than couples with weaker sexual afterglow.

Maintaining a great sex life

It’s easy to have an active sex life when you’re newlyweds, but what about when you’ve been married for 30 years? Or 50 years?

There are things you can do to keep sex fresh and frequent.

1. Listen to your partner. Don’t just listen when you’re in the bedroom, but also when you’re at dinner or on a walk. There’s an old saying about men needing to have sex to feel connected emotionally and women needing to feel connected emotionally to have sex. Take the lead and connect with your wife outside the bedroom.
2. Don’t chalk up erectile dysfunction (ED) to being a necessary evil of aging. Not all seniors get ED and those that do often respond very well to erectile dysfunction drugs, such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. Talk to your doctor about getting a prescription, as all three ED drugs require it.
3. Make time for each other. Go on date night. Spend a night without technology. Meet up for lunch. Go on a vacation without the kids. Then watch your sex life bloom!