Couples who have sex about once a week are significantly happier in their relationships compared to those who are less intimate, a new study shows.
EDMONTON, Canada – Couples who maintain weekly intimacy are just as happy as those having sex more frequently—and significantly more satisfied than those who are intimate fortnightly or less, according to research from the University of Alberta.
The study, published in the Journal of Family Psychology, analyzed 2,000 couples (mostly aged 20–40) in long-term relationships. Researchers compared sexual frequency with self-reported relationship satisfaction, finding:
✔️ Weekly intimacy correlated with higher emotional connection and fewer arguments.
✔️ No added benefit was found for couples having sex multiple times per week.
✔️ Satisfaction dropped sharply for those intimate every few weeks or less.
A 2020 YouGov poll contextualized the findings, showing:
- 11% of British couples have sex weekly.
- 19% of 40-year-olds and 57% of 70-year-olds reported no sex at all.
“Frequency matters, but there’s a ceiling effect,” said lead researcher Dr. Amy Muise. “Weekly intimacy strikes a balance—it maintains connection without becoming a chore.”