Prudish Brits have sex less than once a week on average, but one in three would dump their lover if disappointed in bed, a survey has found.
Men and women typically romp only 46 times a year – once every eight days – and most are so shy that they talk even less about their love lives.
The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) survey of 2,000 British adults found that couples talk about sex an average of 41 times a year and their relationships 37 times.
Men feel most comfortable talking about sex with their partner (42 percent).
However, women tend to feel more comfortable talking about sex with their friends (40 percent) than with their other half (35 percent).
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Just over one in five (22 percent) adults do not feel comfortable talking about sex with anyone, rising to more than two in five (41 percent) among those over 65.
Millennials aged 25 to 34 reported having sex most often, with almost three in ten (29 percent) having sex more than once a week, compared to 26 percent among 35 to 44 year olds and 24 percent in the 18 years. to 24 year olds.
One in three (30 percent) people surveyed said they would break up with someone if they talked nonsense about sex.
However, the same percentage said they would continue the relationship, while four in ten people did not know what they would do.
According to the RCOT, this is concerning because almost half of adults (47 percent) have seen their sex lives hampered by illness, injury or disability, the study found.
Additionally, two in five (41 percent) say health problems have affected their relationship.
One in seven (15 percent) say that their or their partner’s lack of insight into the other’s health status has caused problems in their relationship.
And the same percentage (15 percent) said the impact of their or their partner’s health condition has caused relationship problems.
Experts say that with around half (48 per cent) of adults in Britain affected by long-term medical problems, there is a ‘clear need’ for more support for people with health problems to maintain stable relationships.
The three main causes of problems in a relationship are poor communication (26 percent), stress (22 percent) and financial pressure (19 percent), the research shows.
Other problems include having different values (16 percent), conflicting interests (15 percent) and fatigue (13 percent), as well as different sexual urges (13 percent).
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Lauren Walker, professional adviser at the RCOT, said: ‘There’s more to a relationship than just sex, and – as our research shows – communication is absolutely crucial.
‘While sex is an important part of a relationship for many of us, there are many more components to a stable and healthy relationship.
‘It’s surprising to see how many relationships and sex lives of adults in Britain have been affected by long-term illness, injury, health problems or disabilities.
‘And it is worrying that so many of these people feel their relationships are being affected by a lack of understanding or simply the impact of a health problem.
“This is where occupational therapists come into the picture.
‘We work with people to address both physical and psychological challenges around sex and intimacy.
‘We help them overcome the barriers they face in their romantic and sexual relationships.
‘For Valentine’s Day it is best to start with a conversation with your partner about your relationship and your sex life.
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The research, conducted by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, studied 2,000 adults and found that couples are typically intimate only 46 times a year (stock image)
‘It can be difficult and uncomfortable, so make sure you’re in a relaxed environment.
‘Possibly ask a friend if you can role-play the conversation beforehand, or practice it in the mirror, so that you have an idea of what you want to say.’
Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who have a wide range of conditions, helping them overcome challenges in performing everyday ‘occupations’, also known as tasks or activities.
This may include intimacy and sex, within the context of long-term health problems, illness, injury or disability.
They look at an individual’s environment and may suggest equipment, lifestyle changes, stress management or communication techniques to help them improve their relationship, intimacy and sex life.