Are Couples Starving Themselves Sexually?

Newswise — Recent studies show that after 2 years of marriage 20% of married couples and 40 % of non-married couples make love less than 10 times per year. When a person's sexuality is restricted, it negatively impacts their personal relationship and every aspect of their life.

Many people have impoverished sex lives because lovemaking is a low priority. While they are avoiding sex and starving themselves sexually, they are finding other sources of gratification. They often substitute addictive behaviors for sex; overeating, drinking, smoking, TV-watching, Internet surfing. Author and relationship expert Joyce Catlett, and Psychologists Lisa Firestone and Robert Firestone state in their new book Sex and Love in Intimate Relationships (APA Books) that "most of the help offered to people struggling with sexual issues focuses on techniques; our book and work focuses on a neglected aspect of sexual intimacy " LOVE." In the beginning phases of a relationship, partners usually experience mutual feelings of sexual attraction, friendship, affection and love. These feelings gradually seem to fade away. Why is this? How can this be prevented?

Authors and Psychologists Lisa and Robert Firestone PhD along with Joyce Catlett, MA draw on their 40 years of combined clinical experience and unique longitudinal study with couples and families to address the core issues at the root of many intimacy and sexual problems. Their tenth book Sex and Love In Intimate Relationships offers insight and helpful methods for those wanting to establish or sustain a loving and fulfilling sexual relationship.