A recent study has revealed that women who engage in sexual activity at least once a week tend to be significantly more satisfied in their relationships. According to findings from nearly 500 heterosexual women, 85% of those who had sex weekly described themselves as sexually content.

In comparison, only 66% of women who had sex monthly expressed similar satisfaction, while the number dropped sharply to 17% among those with even less frequent intimacy.

Lead researcher Alexandra Janssen of the University of Manchester emphasized the role regular sexual activity may play in enhancing relationship satisfaction. However, she noted that the study shows a correlation, not causation.

“We cannot say for sure whether women are happier because they have more sex, whether happier women tend to have more sex, or whether other factors—such as not having children—contribute to both,” Janssen explained. “It’s also not unexpected that women who have less sex report lower satisfaction.”

Overall, just over half of the participants described themselves as sexually satisfied. The study also found that women who experienced orgasms more frequently and considered sex an important part of their lives reported higher satisfaction levels.

Janssen highlighted a surprising insight: “While more frequent orgasms generally contributed to happiness in sex life, women who achieved orgasm every single time were not necessarily the most satisfied. This challenges the assumption that orgasm in every encounter is the key to fulfillment.”

She added that this finding may help ease pressure on women who struggle to orgasm consistently.

The study also found that women who valued sex highly reported more fulfilling love lives. Age also played a role, with women aged 18 to 24 most likely to be sexually satisfied, while those over 45 were the least likely to report satisfaction.

Published in the International Journal of Sexual Health, the study surveyed 483 New Zealand women who had been in committed relationships within the past year. The authors acknowledged limitations, including the lack of diversity in the sample and the reliance on self-reported data, which could not be independently verified.

Beyond emotional benefits, previous research has linked regular sexual activity to improved mood, better overall health, and even increased longevity.