Men's Health > Male Sexual Health > importance of a sex life

Is a Sex Life Really That Important?

For most people...well O.K., maybe not her... making love is very important.

More than simply a means of achieving physical pleasure, the sexual act is a powerful source of self-esteem.

It makes a person feel attractive, gives them a sense of self-worth, and puts men and women alike fully in touch with their bodies.

Sexuality, which can be expressed in various ways, is beneficial to a sense of personal balance.

What sex says...and doesn't say

In a couple, sex is the most intimate way a person has of saying "I love you" or "I want you" to his or her partner. Ideally, a couple's sexual relationship is an aspect of their communication and should therefore be an integral part of every couple's dynamics. Indeed, a couple's sexual relationship is often considered to be a barometer of the solidity of their relationship as a whole.

Not surprisingly, then, when a couple experiences some kind of sexual problem, a number of certainties can be called into question: doubts arise about self-image, how well the partners get along as a couple, the level of everyday personal satisfaction, etc.

This kind of questioning more times than not is more pronounced in men, for whom ideas of virility and performance are fundamental to defining their image as a man in society. Additionally, as well as worrying about his health, a man dealing with sexual dysfunction may also feel diminished and incapable, as though he were "not the man he used to be."

Drew Voight