Why Sex Once a Week Could Save Your Relationship

A growing body of research is shedding light on a topic many couples are reluctant to discuss: how often they have sex, and how it affects their relationship satisfaction.

For South Asian couples, where cultural taboos around intimacy remain prevalent, the findings are particularly revealing.

A study published in the International Journal of Sexual Health has found that couples who are sexually intimate less than once a week are significantly less happy in their relationships.

The data reveals that 85% of women who had sex weekly reported feeling sexually satisfied.

That figure dropped to 66% for those intimate once a month, and just 17% among those engaging even less frequently.

The research challenges the common perception that sexual frequency is less important in long-term relationships.

Instead, it suggests that regular physical intimacy may play a more critical role than often acknowledged, particularly in helping couples feel emotionally connected.

Frequency and Fulfilment

The findings reinforce the idea that regular sex contributes to a greater sense of well-being and closeness within a relationship.

While the notion of “once a week” may appear arbitrary, researchers argue that it represents a healthy balance between physical connection and everyday life demands.

The study’s results indicate that sexual satisfaction is closely tied to consistency.

Those in the weekly category reported not only greater happiness in their sex lives but also stronger emotional security and communication with their partners.

These results may be especially relevant in South Asian households, where extended family structures, social expectations and time constraints often overshadow personal or romantic needs.

Carving out space for intimacy can feel secondary, yet the data suggests it may be essential for maintaining relationship quality over time.

Experts stress that regular intimacy is not simply about physical gratification.

It serves as a key emotional barometer, offering reassurance, mutual validation and a sense of shared closeness.

Cultural Barriers to Intimacy Conversations

Within South Asian communities, discussions around sex often remain limited, if not entirely avoided.

For many couples, especially women, the absence of open dialogue around sexual needs can lead to long-term dissatisfaction and emotional distance.

The reluctance to speak about intimacy stems from deeply rooted cultural norms surrounding modesty, respectability, and privacy.

In practice, this means couples may find it difficult to express their needs or identify issues until tensions begin to show.

Although sex is frequently framed as a private matter, its absence or irregularity can have a noticeable impact on emotional well-being.

Experts point out that silence around sexual expectations may leave one or both partners feeling disconnected or undesired, even if the relationship appears stable on the surface.

In this context, the study’s findings point to the need for greater openness and normalisation of conversations about physical closeness.

Researchers note that framing sex as an emotional connector, rather than a purely physical act, can shift perspectives and encourage healthier relationship habits.

Intimacy as Maintenance, Not Luxury

Modern life has made it increasingly difficult for couples to dedicate time to each other.

Work, parenting, digital distractions and social obligations can leave little energy for intimacy.

But according to the research, this is precisely when physical closeness becomes most valuable.

Health experts note that sex triggers the release of hormones such as oxytocin, which help reduce stress, increase feelings of bonding and improve trust between partners.

These effects are cumulative, meaning that regular intimacy can build a stronger emotional foundation over time.

For South Asian couples balancing traditional responsibilities with modern pressures, sustaining intimacy can feel like a luxury.

However, the evidence suggests it should be treated as a priority, on par with financial planning, parenting or household responsibilities.

Even small gestures such as holding hands, physical affection or open conversations about desire can help maintain a sense of connection.

When couples make time for each other, the emotional impact often extends beyond the bedroom, influencing communication, cooperation and long-term satisfaction.

Redefining Relationship Success

The study’s findings raise broader questions about how relationship health is defined and maintained.

In cultures where marriage is often seen as a long-term commitment, there is little room to question the dynamics that evolve, especially those related to intimacy.

But the research suggests that intimacy is not a static aspect of a relationship.

It requires regular attention and mutual effort.

A once-a-week rhythm may not suit everyone, but it offers a benchmark for consistency, communication and physical connection.

For South Asian couples, the challenge is not simply about increasing sexual frequency, but creating space for more honest conversations around emotional and physical needs.

Doing so could help remove the stigma around desire and reframe intimacy as a shared responsibility rather than a silent expectation.

Experts believe that embracing intimacy as an essential part of emotional well-being could help couples not only stay together but also feel genuinely fulfilled in their relationships.

Sex may not be the only factor in a successful relationship, but mounting research confirms that it plays a crucial role in how satisfied partners feel over time.

The idea that once-a-week intimacy could “save” a relationship is not about rigid rules, but about recognising the emotional weight of physical connection.

For South Asian couples navigating complex cultural and personal expectations, the findings offer a compelling reason to revisit how intimacy is approached, prioritised and understood.

In doing so, couples may find themselves not just staying together, but thriving, with deeper emotional trust and mutual satisfaction.