When you're in the honeymoon phase of a relationship, your sex life has got it going on (basically, all you do is each other). But once you've been together for a while, it can be hard to tell whether dips in bedroom bliss are par for the course—or a sign your sex life's about to take a serious nosedive.
Here are six simple ways to know if you're on the right track, according to sex experts. (And how to keep it that way!)
"Both of you have a good sense of your sexual esteem and feel attractive and desirable. Even if you miss a week, or one of you isn't in the mood, it doesn't define your entire intimate life. As a result, neither of you take these moods personally. The key to maintaining this confidence is staying proactive in expressing (and acting upon) your desires to sexually connect with your partner." —Jane Greer, Ph.D., sex therapist and author of “What About Me? Stop Selfishness From Ruining Your Relationship”
"Making your partner feel like number one is key to a healthy sex life (even if you have kids). Make sex a priority by scheduling a sex date once a week. When couples do this, it's a sign that they want to please each other." —Ava Cadell, Ph.D., author of “NeuroLoveology”
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"Feeling emotionally connected and wanted by your partner makes you more interested in sex. A good exercise to keep this up is to choose to spend at least an hour per week catching up on your feelings towards each other—one-on-one, no interruptions." —Board-certified clinical sexologist Debra Laino
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"While orgasming is not the whole point of sex, the absence of orgasm is a signal that something else is missing, like comfort, info about what turns you on, arousal, time, and mutual respect. If you're not on the same page as far as the timing of sex, take each other's specific needs into account and alter your sexual schedule accordingly." —Carol Queen, Ph.D., staff sexologist for Good Vibrations"There isn't a certain amount of times a couple should have sex per week, as long as there's consistency in how often you get at it. If sex becomes absent, bring it up. Someone should always take the initiative during a dry spell to keep your sex life on track." —Kelley Kitley, L.C.S.W. a Chicago-based psychotherapist
"There isn't a certain amount of times a couple should have sex per week, as long as there's consistency in how often you get at it. If sex becomes absent, bring it up. Someone should always take the initiative during a dry spell to keep your sex life on track." —Kelley Kitley, L.C.S.W. a Chicago-based psychotherapist
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"Masturbation is good for both of you. Sex begets sex, thanks to our biochemistry. That means more masturbation leads to more partnered sex. Win/win." —Certified sex therapist Kat Van Kirk, Ph.D.
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