Is your SEX LIFE normal?
Find out with our frank quiz
Two-thirds of British couples feel they are a flop in the bedroom – with the number of people seeking to spice things up between the sheets at its highest for years.
Just one-third is satisfied with their sex life, according to a survey from relationship charity Relate, with porn, poor communication and erectile dysfunction all being blamed as reasons.
Relate counsellor and sex therapist Denise Knowles said: “I often see couples sweep problems under the carpet, sometimes turning to the ‘quick fix’ of porn to meet their needs rather than working on their relationship.”
The study also showed men and women have very different views on cheating – with one in five men believing that kissing another person did not count as infidelity, compared to just one in 10 women.
But with the nation’s sexual satisfaction at an all-time low, is it time to give your own romantic life an honest check-up?
Here’s our frank and intimate quiz to ask yourself: how healthy is your sex life?
1
First things first, how much of a priority is your sex life? a It’s not a top priority but it does matter to me b It’s one of my top priorities c It’s not a priority at all
2
Do you feel like you’re having enough sex? a
Most of the time, although we go through periods where we’re too tired or not interested b Yes, I feel we have enough sex, and I know my partner thinks the same c No, I don’t get to have as much sex as I would like to
3
Do you plan in time for your sex life? a If my partner and I haven’t had sex for a really long time then I will make the effort to find time for sex b Yes, I love the anticipation! c No, I think it should happen spontaneously
4
Do you and your partner still flirt with each other? a We do flirt occasionally but sometimes we might flirt more with other people than each other b Yes, we like to build up the sexual tension throughout the day with sexts and flirty comments c
We have no time for flirting – what with the stress of work, children, money worries and everything else
5
Do you still passionately kiss your partner? a We do kiss passionately but mainly only during sex, or as a way of initiating it b Yes, we love a good snog c I can’t remember the last time we kissed like that 6 What do you think about your partner using porn? a I’m OK with it but prefer not to think about it b I’m happy with them using porn as long as we agree on what was acceptable c I’d be really angry and feel betrayed if I found out they were watching porn
7
Are you comfortable with your partner seeing you naked? a I don’t always feel confident and attractive but usually I’m OK getting naked in front of them b Yes, I know they love my body and I regularly show it off to them c My body has changed a lot over the years and I don’t feel comfortable being naked in front of my partner
8
Are you still happy to explore new positions in the bedroom with your partner? a Perhaps, though I’m be a bit nervous b Absolutely, we’re always prepared to try something new c No, I just can’t see it happening
9
Would you be willing to play out your partner’s fantasies in the bedroom? a I’d be open to the idea, but nothing too outrageous b Yes, we already do c Not at all. That’s not my thing
10
Have you told your partner about your own fantasies? a I say some things but I wouldn’t tell them everything b Yes, we both talk openly about what we want to try c I’m far too embarrassed. I would rather keep them to myself
11
If you had a sexual problem that was affecting your relationship, would you… a Try to talk about it with my partner and hope we could sort it out between us b Talk to my partner and discuss going to see a sex therapist c Ignore it. It’s best not to make a big thing of it
12
How connected do you feel to your partner? a Fairly. But sometimes I feel there’s a distance between us b We regularly check in with each other and we’re very affectionate c It feels like we’re practically strangers. I don’t know how it got this bad
13
Do you feel that you trust your partner? a Mostly, but sometimes I think they could be hiding something b Yes, I feel they’re very open and wouldn’t do anything to hurt me c No, they are very secretive and I often think they are lying to me