SEX MAY BE KEY TO HAPPINESS IN MARRIAGE; STUDY REVEALS --MEDICINE NEWS DAILY

Written by Honor Whiteman
What is the recipe for a happy marriage ?
According to a new study , sex is a key
ingredient. Researchers have found that
sexual intercourse produces an " afterglow "
that lasts for 2 days. What is more , this
afterglow may boost long - term relationship
satisfaction.
Researchers suggest sex leads to an afterglow that
plays a role in long-term marital satisfaction.
Lead author Andrea Meltzer, of Florida State University, and
colleagues recently reported their findings in the journal
Psychological Science .
A number of studies have shown that sex contributes to
short-term bonding between partners, but the researchers
note that the majority of couples do not engage in sexual
activity every day.
According to the International Society of Sexual Medicine,
only 21 percent of married men and 24 percent of married
women have sex on 4 or more days each week.
So what bonds partners in between sexual activity?
Meltzer and colleagues speculated that sex produces an
afterglow, or a period of sexual satisfaction, that enhances
partner bonding in the periods between sexual activity, and
that this boosts relationship satisfaction in the long term.
The researchers tested this theory by analyzing the data of
two studies, which included a total of 214 newlywed
couples.
As part of the studies, the couples were required to
complete a daily diary for 14 days. Each day, spouses were
asked to report whether they had engaged in sexual activity
with their partner, as well as how satisfied they were with
their sex life.
Couples were also asked to rate their relationship
satisfaction, marital satisfaction, and partner satisfaction
on a daily basis.
Additionally, the marital satisfaction of each couple was
analyzed at study baseline and 4-6 months later at a
follow-up assessment.
Stronger sexual afterglow linked to greater
marital satisfaction
During the 14-day study period, couples reported having
sex on an average of 4 days.
Not only was sexual activity associated with same-day
sexual satisfaction, but also the researchers found that a
single act of sex produced an afterglow that persisted for 2
days.
This finding remained after accounting for a number of
possible confounding factors, including age, gender, sexual
frequency, personality traits, and length of relationship.
On looking at martial satisfaction, the researchers identified
an overall decline between study baseline and the follow-
up assessment.
However, they found that couples