{"id":974457,"date":"2026-08-01T23:14:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T23:14:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/974457\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T23:14:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T23:14:20","slug":"how-often-are-married-people-having-sex-american-intimacy-numbers-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/974457\/","title":{"rendered":"How often are married people having sex? American intimacy numbers revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/video\/6392875182112\" data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_health_article_main-content_featured-video_5_1\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">US fertility rate hits record low, seasonal allergies on the rise<\/a> <\/p>\n<p data-v-7b1896ea=\"\">Fox News Senior Medical Analyst Dr. Marc Siegel discusses the alarming decline in the U.S. fertility rate to a record low of 1.56 children per couple, highlighting impacts on population size. Dr. Siegel then explains the surge in seasonal allergies nationwide due to a cold winter and wet spring, emphasizing the &#8220;hygiene hypothesis&#8221; in immune system development.<\/p>\n<p>NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!\n  <\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">New survey data offers a snapshot of how often married Americans are having sex, while researchers say the findings challenge common assumptions about <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_health_article_main-content_article-body_6_5761713\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/lifestyle\/relationships\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">relationship health<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">National demographic studies suggest that lower <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_health_article_main-content_article-body_6_5761714\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/health\/reproductive-health\/sexual-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">sexual frequency<\/a> is often a normal part of aging and long-term relationships, and that there may be a &#8220;sweet spot&#8221; associated with marital satisfaction.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Data from the General Social Survey, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, found that married Americans report a wide range of sexual frequency.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_health_article_main-content_article-body_6_5761715\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/health\/weight-loss-medications-could-impact-sexual-health-unexpected-ways\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><strong>WEIGHT-LOSS MEDICATIONS COULD IMPACT SEXUAL HEALTH IN UNEXPECTED WAYS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">The survey asked how often couples have had sex during the last 12 months. Among the 1,893 married respondents surveyed in 2024, the responses were as follows.<\/p>\n<p> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/older-adults-in-bed.jpg\" alt=\"Older adults in bed\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/> <\/p>\n<p>New survey data offers a snapshot of how often married Americans are having sex, while researchers say the findings challenge common assumptions about relationship health. (iStock)<\/p>\n<ul data-layout-index=\"5\">\n<li>32.5% said not at all<\/li>\n<li>11.3% said once or twice during the year<\/li>\n<li>11.7% said about once a month<\/li>\n<li>15.3% said two or three times a month<\/li>\n<li>12.9% said about once a week<\/li>\n<li>12.2% said two or three times a week<\/li>\n<li>4.1% said more than three times a week<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">The average American adult has sex 53 times a year \u2014 or a little more than once per week, according to research by the telehealth platform Hims.<\/p>\n<p> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/married-couple-kissing.jpg\" alt=\"A mature couple shares a kiss.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/> <\/p>\n<p>The average American adult has sex 53 times a year \u2014 or a little more than once per week, according to research by the telehealth platform Hims. (iStock)<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">While marriage is often associated with less frequent sex, research has found the difference to be relatively small. A 2014 study found that <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_health_article_main-content_article-body_6_5761716\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/entertainment\/events\/marriage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">married people<\/a> had sex about 55 times a year, compared with 59 times a year among their unmarried peers.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"pull-quote\">\n<p class=\"quote-text\">&#8220;There\u2019s no \u2018perfect statistic\u2019 or ideal amount of sex.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;Experts aren\u2019t sure precisely why this difference exists or why what used to be an advantage has become a disadvantage, but some believe it may be related to the increasing age at which most people get married,&#8221; Hims wrote in a medically reviewed article.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;There\u2019s no \u2018perfect statistic\u2019 or ideal amount of sex. In other words: You like what you like, and that\u2019s perfectly OK.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/newsletters?cmpid=fnfirstnl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Clinical data suggests that aiming for a daily or high-volume sexual quota does not actually improve relationship quality.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science in 2015 evaluated more than 30,000 individuals over four decades and discovered a drop-off in additional benefits.<\/p>\n<p> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/older-couple-kiss.jpg\" alt=\"Senior man kisses senior woman while lying in bed together.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/> <\/p>\n<p>Roughly 17% of adults aged 70 and older engage in sexual activity on a weekly basis, according to AARP data. (iStock)<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">While overall happiness increased as physical intimacy moved from monthly to weekly, couples who had sex two, three or four times a week experienced no additional statistical boost in marital satisfaction compared to those hitting the weekly threshold.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Experts emphasize that sexual desire naturally fluctuates as couples navigate career demands, <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_health_article_main-content_article-body_6_5761718\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/lifestyle\/parenting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">parenthood<\/a> and biological aging.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_health_article_main-content_article-body_6_5761719\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><strong>CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Despite some research suggesting a slowdown with age, intimacy remains an important factor in <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_health_article_main-content_article-body_6_5761720\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/health\/geriatric-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">healthy aging<\/a>, linked to improved physical and emotional well-being.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">AARP survey data indicates that physical connection remains routine for many older Americans, with roughly 17% of adults aged 70 and older engaging in sexual activity on a weekly basis.<\/p>\n<p>Reasons for declining intimacy<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">When a couple experiences an intimacy dry spell, medical professionals recommend evaluating physiological factors rather than jumping to conclusions about incompatibility.<\/p>\n<p> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/young-couple-face-away-in-bed.jpg\" alt=\"Young couple lies face away from each other in bed.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/> <\/p>\n<p>Healthcare providers encourage couples dealing with mismatched sexual desire to discuss the issue openly and consult a doctor. (iStock)<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Educational resources from the International Society for Sexual Medicine note that the following physical conditions can influence libido.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/foxnews.onelink.me\/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&amp;af_dp=foxnewsaf%3A%2F%2F&amp;af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fapps-products\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<ul data-layout-index=\"5\">\n<li><strong>Hormonal shifts:<\/strong> Age-related drops in testosterone in men and fluctuations in estrogen during perimenopause or <a href=\"https:\/\/foxnews.com\/category\/health\/endocrine\/menopause\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">menopause<\/a> in women can reduce sexual desire.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Vascular and metabolic health:<\/strong> Poor cardiovascular health, <a href=\"https:\/\/foxnews.com\/category\/health\/sleep-disorders\/fatigue\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">chronic fatigue<\/a> and thyroid dysfunction can all contribute to lower libido.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Prescription side effects: <\/strong>Common <a href=\"https:\/\/foxnews.com\/category\/health\/healthy-living\/medications\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">medications<\/a>, particularly SSRI antidepressants and blood pressure drugs, frequently impair sexual function, according to experts.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stress response: <\/strong>Elevated cortisol levels from ongoing <a href=\"https:\/\/foxnews.com\/category\/health\/mental-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">mental stress<\/a> directly disrupt the body&#8217;s reproductive hormone output.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Relationship issues:<\/strong> The state of an intimate relationship can play a role in sexual desire, potentially leading to communication issues, unresolved conflicts or lack of emotional intimacy.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lifestyle factors: <\/strong>Poor diet, lack of exercise and <a href=\"https:\/\/foxnews.com\/category\/health\/mental-health\/addiction\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">substance abuse<\/a> can drive down libido.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_health_article_main-content_article-body_6_5761722\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/lifestyle\/quizzes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><strong>TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Rather than trying to force a weekly goal, <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_health_article_main-content_article-body_6_5761723\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/health\/health-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">healthcare providers<\/a> encourage couples dealing with mismatched sexual desire to discuss the issue openly and consult a doctor to evaluate baseline hormone levels, medication profiles and overall metabolic health.<\/p>\n<p>Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"US fertility rate hits record low, seasonal allergies on the rise Fox News Senior Medical Analyst Dr. Marc&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":974458,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5],"tags":[210,10236,1165,50,1087,56001,103],"class_list":["post-974457","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-world","tag-health","tag-healthy-living","tag-lifestyle","tag-news","tag-relationships","tag-sexual-health","tag-world"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/117022798114878449","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/974457","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=974457"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/974457\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/974458"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=974457"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=974457"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=974457"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}