How often are married people having sex? What to know about the intimacy standard in America

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.

National demographic studies suggest that lower sexual frequency is often a normal part of aging and long-term relationships, and that there may be a “sweet spot” associated with marital satisfaction.

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.

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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.

• 32.5% said not at all
• 11.3% said once or twice during the year
• 11.7% said about once a month
• 15.3% said two or three times a month
• 12.9% said about once a week
• 12.2% said two or three times a week
• 4.1% said more than three times a week

The average American adult has sex 53 times a year — or a little more than once per week, according to research by the telehealth platform Hims.

While marriage is often associated with less frequent sex, research has found the difference to be relatively small. A 2014 study found that married people had sex about 55 times a year, compared with 59 times a year among their unmarried peers.

“There’s no ‘perfect statistic’ or ideal amount of sex.”

“Experts aren’t 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,” Hims wrote in a medically reviewed article.

“There’s no ‘perfect statistic’ or ideal amount of sex. In other words: You like what you like, and that’s perfectly OK.”

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Clinical data suggests that aiming for a daily or high-volume sexual quota does not actually improve relationship quality.

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.

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.

Experts emphasize that sexual desire naturally fluctuates as couples navigate career demands, parenthood and biological aging.

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Despite some research suggesting a slowdown with age, intimacy remains an important factor in healthy aging, linked to improved physical and emotional well-being.

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.

Reasons for declining intimacy

When a couple experiences an intimacy dry spell, medical professionals recommend evaluating physiological factors rather than jumping to conclusions about incompatibility.

Educational resources from the International Society for Sexual Medicine note that the following physical conditions can influence libido.

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• Hormonal shifts: Age-related drops in testosterone in men and fluctuations in estrogen during perimenopause or menopause in women can reduce sexual desire.
• Vascular and metabolic health: Poor cardiovascular health, chronic fatigue and thyroid dysfunction can all contribute to lower libido.
• Prescription side effects: Common medications, particularly SSRI antidepressants and blood pressure drugs, frequently impair sexual function, according to experts.
• Stress response: Elevated cortisol levels from ongoing mental stress directly disrupt the body’s reproductive hormone output.
• Relationship issues: 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.
• Lifestyle factors: Poor diet, lack of exercise and substance abuse can drive down libido.

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Rather than trying to force a weekly goal, healthcare providers 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.