{"id":8157,"date":"2015-05-06T07:31:50","date_gmt":"2015-05-06T14:31:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/about.zoosk.com\/en\/?p=8157"},"modified":"2021-05-31T23:53:37","modified_gmt":"2021-06-01T06:53:37","slug":"why-sex-changes-over-time-in-a-relationship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zoosk.com\/date-mix\/relationship-advice\/relationship-stages\/why-sex-changes-over-time-in-a-relationship\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Sex Changes Over Time in a Relationship"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From the first day we meet the love of our life, till decades into a marriage, there is a lot that changes. Feelings for the other person tend to morph from attraction, lust and intrigue to companionship, loving and a sense of being one. Sex within the relationship goes through its phases, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sex will only grow more intimate over time, says sex therapist and author of \u201cGetting the Sex You Want\u201d Dr. Tammy Nelson<\/a>. \u201cThe older and more mature you get, the more you realize [sex] isn\u2019t about getting to the finish line or the performance. Sex is about loving your partner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, we take a look at how sex changes over the years of a relationship and the different phases you can expect to go through:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Heat Phase:<\/em><\/strong> In the early stages of a relationship, sex is the most passionate because you\u2019re really experiencing \u2018the heat of the moment\u2019. When the attraction kicks in, the yearning and the anticipation of sex is what makes even the thought of sex really hot. Since we tend to long for what we don\u2019t have, that\u2019s when the desire and attraction really takes over our feelings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Conquer Phase:<\/em><\/strong> Now, you\u2019re more comfortable in your relationship. You\u2019ve succeeded in conquering the other person or allowing yourself be conquered. Sex becomes more than just a hot physical act, because it creates a strong and loving bond.  \u201cThe chemicals surging through your brain during sex change, some of which include Oxytocin, often known as the \u2018bonding hormone\u2019,\u201d says Nelson.  This makes the sex feel more intimate and emotionally charged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Commit Phase:<\/em><\/strong> Once engaged, there is a realization that the relationship is permanent. Couples can finally relax to the fullest knowing they\u2019ve \u2018committed to forever\u2019. \u201cSex can be better because you are really revealing your true desires and you aren\u2019t afraid to be naked in front of one another,\u201d says Nelson. There is also a true vulnerability that comes with knowing this is \u2018IT\u2019. There may be more fighting during this phase as couples work more to figure out their future life together. \u201cMake-up Sex\u201d is very helpful in putting disputes to rest.  Nelson says, sometimes the best sex is the sex you have to smooth things over and remind one another that the only thing that matters is your love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Roommate Phase:<\/em><\/strong> After officially tying the knot, couples will find that they\u2019re settling into being friends and the business of running a marriage. Acitivities becomes more routine, including sex. “While it\u2019s great and important to be companions, don\u2019t forget you\u2019re lovers,” says Nelson. “Keep it exciting by reminding each other why you got married and think back to that Heat & Conquer Phases.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Maintenance Phase:<\/em><\/strong> Years into marriage, sex may move down on the priority list and feel like a \u2018must do\u2019. That is why it is important to not fall asleep on the job. “You have to work as hard on your erotic life now than you ever have before, even more than your companionship,” says Nelson. “Many think that the sex life will work itself out, but it\u2019s really the \u2018roommate life\u2019 that will.  Never stop thinking about and having sex.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Aging Phase:<\/em><\/strong> Now, you\u2019re celebrating your 20th<\/sup> anniversary. According to Nelson, the best sex you will ever have is in your 50s and 60s. Why? You\u2019ve been connected for decades and lived through the ups and downs of life. The kids will likely be out of the house and many of the major bills paid off. You also definitely know what you like in bed. \u201cDon\u2019t think that menopause or the need for an occasional Viagra will slow you down,\u201d says Nelson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see the role that sex plays in relationships–it’s vital to a lasting, loving relationship or marriage. Don\u2019t take sex for granted. Making your sex life a priority will keep you and your partner closer and happier for the rest of your life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sex therapist Dr. Tammy Nelson shares the six phases of sex in a relationship. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":74,"featured_media":12129,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[894,893],"tags":[764,796,779],"class_list":["post-8157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthy-relationships","category-relationship-stages","tag-expert","tag-healthy","tag-stages"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhy Sex Changes Over Time in a Relationship<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sex will only grow more intimate over time, says sex therapist and author of \u201cGetting the Sex You Want\u201d Dr. Tammy Nelson. 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