Can you guess how often these Sun readers have sex?
People are generally having a lot less often than we assume
WHEN it comes to sex, how often is enough?
You know the amount of time you spend between the sheets but you can only guess how much others are enjoying. And as it turns out, it’s a lot less than you think.
An Ipsos MORI survey for King’s College London found we assume those in their late teens and twenties have sex around 15 times a month.
Yet the true figure is just five. Researcher Bobby Duffy said: “There are a lot of misperceptions around sex, with people believing the old myth that men think about it every second and women can have sex whenever they want. This is not quite the reality.”
JENNY FRANCIS asked six Sun readers across the age scale how much action they get — the results may surprise you.
Jethro, 25 - Once a week
TELECOM engineer Jethro West lives in Hackney, East London, with his fiancee Emmie Harrison, 25, a writer. They have been together for four years. He says:
"After we met at summer camp in America, we returned to the UK and to our separate universities.
We’d only see each other every six to eight weeks so, when we did, we’d be having sex five or six times over a weekend. It was the same when we lived apart after university.
When we finally moved in together in April 2017 we started having regular sex. But once we got into our routine of working every day, it dropped off to once a week.
We have very busy lives and the initial new-relationship lust has worn off. But we’re in tune with what the other wants and try to keep things exciting.
Emmie tends to initiate sex as I often don’t have the energy after a day at work. We don’t need to have sex every day to validate our relationship. I’m very much in love."
Kirsty, 26 - Once a month
SINGLE Kirsty O’Keefe enjoys playing the field after spending two years tied down in committed relationships. The cleaner, from Chelmsford, Essex, says:
"I’ve been single for eight months and if I like someone I’ll usually go on a couple of dates with him before it becomes intimate.
I’m not into regular one-night stands, which is why I only have sex once a month, and I think that’s an appropriate amount. I sometimes meet guys on nights out and I have a few “friends with benefits” arrangements.
I’ve been in long-term relationships and I used to get bored of the same routines in bed. I feel I need to enjoy myself before settling down for good.
Now I’m young, free and single – and enjoying every moment."
Bryoni, 29 - Once a year
STAY-AT-HOME mum Bryoni Collins says looking after her two kids, aged six and two, means she rarely has time to date, let alone have sex. The singleton from Cardiff says:
"My sex life is non-existent. I’ve been single for 15 months and haven’t had sex in that time. My main focus is bringing up my children.
It’s not that I don’t want to be having sex, I do enjoy the physical side of a relationship, but I just don’t have time to meet men. Every now and then I look on dating sites, but I blame dating apps for the reason I’m having less sex. There’s zero romance or flirting involved.
I get requests from married men looking for sex on the side, and receive requests for intimate pictures. What happened to the old-fashioned way of getting to know one another first?
It’s nigh on impossible to make an actual connection as there are so many other options out there, so women like me are missing out."
Ruth, 66 - Every day
RUTH LEVESON says sex keeps her feeling young. The part-time teacher, who has two sons and two grandchildren, lives in Golders Green, North London, with partner Jack, 68, a retired lawyer. She says:
"My sex life is very important to me. I have sex most days. My sons might be shocked by those figures, but it’s about time the world knows us women in our sixties are sexually active.
It should be celebrated that we still feel sexy and have the energy to move around in the bedroom. When my ex-husband walked out on me in 2013, I was single for three years and very lonely.
I met Jack 18 months ago and it’s brought me back to life. I love snuggling up in bed together, then one thing leads to another. When I was younger the children were my focus and sex was at the bottom of my to-do list. Today it’s at the top."
Marc, 31 - Twice a year
HUNKY personal trainer Marc Burgum, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, has been dating fellow fitness instructor Sarah Jones, 27, for six months – and admits sex is not a priority. He says:
"Training days are more important than sex and my life is structured around that.
Some days I train clients for eight hours non-stop then do my own workout. By the time I get home at 9pm I’m good for nothing. I feel like an old man sometimes.
I’m really not bothered that I don’t have sex more often. In my twenties I was having it five times a week, every week, without fail. I fully embraced my youth. Now I go to the gym five times a week and run for 45 minutes every morning. I need it for my mental well-being.
Sarah is a personal trainer so she understands and is just as tired as me. We’re still very cuddly and have romantic, cosy nights in."
Sophy, 22 - Three times a week
SINGER Sophy Lewin, from Grantham, Lincs, has been with her boyfriend for 18 months. She always tries to make time for sex with the railway consultant even though they don’t live together. She says:
"Sex is a key part of a relationship. You don’t need to necessarily do it every day, but it’s important to have that special intimacy.
We have sex three times a week usually and I always feel closer to him after.
To be honest, we’d probably have it more, but sometimes we get home late so we’ll stay at our own houses, or we can be quite tired. I never get any complaints from Andy, we’re open and honest so he’d tell me.
We’re moving in together in a couple of months and I think this could increase how often we make love. A healthy sex life is good for your relationship, health and confidence, so I make it a priority where I can."