For some, a marriage or long term relationship without sex can be temporary, caused by everyday stresses, new babies or incompatible schedules, and for others it’s a mutual decision. Sometimes sex declines as the relationship ages, but not every aging relationship becomes sexless.
The sourced articles below should provide you more information on a relationship that does not include sex, or much sex, the potential implications for the couple, and the possible solutions for those who want to end a dry spell in a sexless relationship.
- In A Sexless Relationship? Here’s How To End The Dry Spell
“I want to push back on the mainstream narrative that sex is the most important part of a partnership and that you have to have it all the time. Sex is fluid. And you can have a healthy relationship with as much or as little sex as you want.”
Mike Mantell, mikemantell.com, accessed 10/21/2025
- Can a Sexless Marriage Be Saved?
“A sexless marriage is clinically defined as having sex fewer than 10 times per year, or less than once a month. While this definition captures the number of sexual experiences, it doesn’t capture the emotional pain this can cause a couple. …
Side note: A sexless marriage is only a problem if it causes distress to one or both partners. If there is no distress, then there is no problem. About 20% of long-term couples (Laumann et al., 1992) are in a sexless marriage, so please know that you are not alone.”Jordan Rullo, gottman.com, updated 10/15/2025
- Sexless Relationships Aren’t Uncommon – 5 Things To Do If You’re In One
“Many people don’t talk about their dry spells, because it can feel embarrassing to imply that something is ‘wrong’ in your relationship, says Shannon Chavez Qureshiz, PsyD, CST, a licensed psychologist and sex therapist based in Beverly Hills. But actually, it’s a common experience. ‘Most couples go through a period of being sexless,’ she says.”
Gabrielle Kassel, womenshealthmag.com, 4/30/2025
- A Sexless Relationship: What It Is, Signs, And How to Fix It
“The key is understanding whether this is a temporary phase or a more profound misalignment of needs. That’s where attachment styles come in; understanding how you and your partner connect emotionally and physically can help you navigate this challenge with clarity and intention. So, is a sexless relationship always a problem?”
Thais Gibson, personaldevelopmentschool.com, 3/20/2025
- Happiness In A Sexless Marriage
“… While sexual intimacy plays a vital role in many relationships, couples can still find deep emotional satisfaction, companionship, and happiness even when sex is infrequent or absent. The key lies in understanding the reasons behind the lack of intimacy, adjusting expectations, and nurturing other aspects of the relationship.”
JennKennedy, rivieratherapy.com, 2/28/2025
- Sexless Marriage? Got Kids? Why Not Try A Parenting Marriage
“Even if just a few of these descriptors apply to you, you may be a good candidate to try this new alternative: the Parenting Marriage. For those of you who don’t know, a parenting marriage is one in which you and your spouse decide (or, in some cases, accept) that the romantic aspect of your relationship is over. However, because you are parents, you agree that putting the needs of the children first and foremost is paramount.”
Susan Pease Gadoua, LCSW, psychologytoday.com, 2/24/2019
- When The Cause Of A Sexless Relationship Is — Surprise! — The Man
“Of course, libido ebbs and flows, and there will be times when one partner is temporarily uninterested.”
Jen Gunter, nytimes.com, 3/10/2018
- Why Sexless Marriages Happen And 1 Way To Prevent Them
“Something like 15 percent or more of American marriages are sexless.”
Dr. Stephen Snyder, today.com, 3/9/2018
- 7 Sex Therapists On How To Fix A Sexless Marriage
“But what happens if one finds themself in a sexless marriage? That is, what if getting busy has become a non-starter? Such a scenario is more common than many think and is often a sign of deeper relationship issues.”
Carrie Weisman, fatherly.com, 3/9/2018
- What No Sex In A Relationship Really Means For You And Your Partner
“If you’re really lucky, the sex can last that way well into a long-term committed relationship, and you’ll live happily sexually ever after. That said, sometimes, coupled-up sex starts to dwindle over time — and it’s totally normal.”
Anjali Sareen Nowakowski, elitedaily.com, 7/12/2017
- ‘I Don’t Think We’ll Ever Have Sex Again’: Our Happy, Cuddly, Celibate Marriage
“Threesomes, sex with props and role play, open marriages, indeed, hating your partner, all are discussed more readily than what is perhaps the last taboo in a marriage: no sex at all.”
Joan McFadden, theguardian.com, 4/15/2017
- 8 Times Being In A Sexless Marriage Is Totally Normal
“If things are more than a little quiet in the bedroom – apart from his snoring, that is – it’s easy to worry that your relationship is in trouble.”
Naomi Chrisoulakis, prevention.com, 10/26/2015
- In A Sexless Relationship? Here’s How To End The Dry Spell