A recent study has revealed that a common behavior among couples may be harming their relationships. While anyone in a long-term partnership understands that a strong relationship requires much more than physical intimacy, what happens in the bedroom still plays a significant role.
The research highlights that a particular habit, often practiced by couples, could lead to significant damage if it becomes a regular occurrence. Conducted by MDPI, the study gathered insights from 675 individuals who had been with their partners for at least one year. The aim was to explore the connection between three sexual motivations—rewarding, intimacy, and enhancement—and their impact on sexual and relationship satisfaction.
The researchers were essentially questioning whether couples engage in the practice of exchanging sex for everyday favors.
Once the initial honeymoon phase has passed and couples are settled into cohabitation, some may start using intimate moments as a bargaining chip. Over time, this practice can prove to be detrimental.
Research conducted by Haifa University in Israel discovered that up to two-thirds of participants admitted to this behavior.
Dr. Wafaa Sowan noted: “While occasional sexual reward may not impact relationships, frequent use appears to undermine both sexual and relational well-being. Sexual rewards may become a transactional or alienating experience.”
Nearly 30% of the participants reported engaging in this habit regularly, leading to a noticeable decrease in their sexual satisfaction.
The study’s findings were: “The rewarding motive was present among many participants, with approximately 10% reporting frequent use. Rewarding was negatively associated with both relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction. It also showed a negative correlation with enhancement motivation and no significant correlation with intimacy motivation. While occasional sexual reward may not impact relationship dynamics, frequent use of this motive appears to undermine both sexual and relational wellbeing. The findings suggest that sexual reward is a distinct and measurable motivation with potential implications for couple dynamics and therapeutic intervention.”
Meanwhile, another study has investigated the average time it takes for men to reach orgasm during sex. The research found that 95 percent of sexually active heterosexual men typically achieve climax, whereas women report a 65 percent rate.
Further analysis by Lovehoney examined how age affects the speed of orgasm. For instance, males aged 18 to 24 tend to last around 16 minutes on average.
Sarah Mulindwa, Lovehoney’s sexual health expert, told Metro: “In your 20s, excitement and novelty are high, which can lead to quicker climaxes, but recovery is fast, and stamina is generally good. At this stage, it’s all about pacing – using edging, breath work, or condoms strategically can help build control. However, what matters most at any age is communication, technique, and pleasure – not the stopwatch.”
For those aged 25 to 34, the duration extends by about two minutes. Mulindwa explains: “Experience, rhythm, and better communication usually make sex feel smoother, though stress or time pressure can shave off minutes.”