By Ekaterina Mironova

Believe it or not, an active, mutually satisfying sex life is a factor in an individual’s happiness and health. It’s also crucial to the health and happiness of your relationship.

I think it’s sad that some people, especially women, view sex as a nice addition to a relationship, but don’t consider it to be vital to the health of that relationship. In reality, a healthy, fulfilling sex life is both a result of, and a contributor to, a strong relationship.

Great Sex = Great Relationship, Great Relationship = Great Sex
It’s a chicken and egg kind of quandary, isn’t it? When we’re very lucky, we meet someone and everything just clicks into place. You seem to have a strong bond from the very beginning and you’re completely in tune with each other during intercourse.

Those kind of relationships are wonderful, but we’re fooling ourselves if we think they’re a dime a dozen. In the vast majority of cases, great relationships and great sex are ‘made’, not merely stumbled across.

Your first sexual encounter with a new lover, is likely to be a little awkward; you’re both nervous and unsure of how to please the other person. As time passes and you got some practice, you become more in sync with each other’s desires, turn-ons and erogenous zones.

The Sex Effect

So, how does sex effect your relationship? Well, simply, after sex, a rush of hormones makes a couple feel bonded and in love. Admittedly, this is stronger for women than men, but men experience it nonetheless.

In addition, a mutually satisfying sex life ensues that both people in a relationship feel desired, loved and secure. All good things.

Of course, sex is not the only thing that bonds a couple and any form of physical intimacy; cuddling, kissing or holding hands, will also help the bonding process. In addition, being able to talk openly, share troubles or worries are all important.

And, although I’m keen to endorse the benefits of great sex, it’s a good idea not to overrate the importance of it. Because, if it is the most important factor, there’s a good chance your relationship won’t survive.

Therefore, it’s wise to put sex into perspective. Yes, it’s important (otherwise infidelity would seem unimportant), but it shouldn’t be the only great thing about your relationship.

Sex Won’t Always be Something to Write Home About

It’s perfectly natural for there to be an ebb and flow in your sex life, just as there are ebbs and flows to your sex drive. Chances are, sex won’t always be of the earth-quaking variety – sometimes you’ll be stressed, sometimes he’ll be depressed. In short, life has a habit of getting in the way.

And during these times, other factors of your relationship; companionship, trust, a sense of humor and affection, come into play. However, throughout these tough times, it’s important to maintain physical intimacy, even if it’s not of the full intercourse kind, because once lost, it’s a tricky thing to rediscover.