“That said, for those looking for some longevity in their partnered sex life, it’s important to think about sex in a holistic way.” That means caring for your physical and mental health, she said, and talking through your feelings with your partner to maintain a sense of intimacy and connection. “It can help to normalize these periods of little to no partnered sex,” Dr. (Researchers have hypothesized that the decline has to do with factors like the rise in sexting and online pornography, as well as decreased drinking among young people.) She also points to research she has worked on showing that sexual activity has declined in recent years for reasons that aren’t fully understood. Herbenick said, referencing several nationally representative surveys. “It’s pretty typical to find that about one in three people have had no partnered sex in the prior year,” Dr. This myth can make older people in long-term relationships feel lousy, too - like they are the only ones in a so-called dry spell, when they may simply be experiencing the natural ebb and flow of desire. Many teenagers think “everyone is doing it,” she said, leading them to jump into sex that they simply are not ready for.
