Therapy for Sexless Marriages

Coping with Disconnection & Restoring Intimacy Bonds

There are many reasons why sex can go out of marriages. For some, it’s a matter of lost interest, less excitement, or need for a reset. For others, it’s about the loss of emotional intimacy or feelings of closeness. Some have a significantly diminished sex drive as they get older. Others realize that, while they love their spouses, sex isn’t something that makes them feel satisfied anymore. Whatever is going on in your marriage, it’s important to talk, find solutions, and ensure both partners are receiving the love and intimacy they deserve to be fulfilled in their marriage. As an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Rhode Island, I have the tools and resources to help you do just that. I’m Dr. Michael Stokes. If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of therapy for sexless marriage, I hope you’ll reach out to me or keep reading this page.

What Is a Sexless Marriage?

Sex is an important part of establishing and maintaining intimacy bonds with our partners, but many people find themselves losing interest in engaging in sex with their spouses over time. It may seem odd, but nearly 20% of couples who are married or in committed relationships experience long periods where they don’t engage in sex.

How Did We Get Here?

Sexless marriage often occurs as a result of a loss of interest, one partner’s decreased sexual desire, decreased libido, lack of time, other responsibilities distracting from the sexual relationship, and general issues within the marriage. Often becoming parents can create added strain and take up a lot of time in the marriage, leading to long stretches without sex. Moving up in careers and spending more time at work can also contribute. A lot of millennials and Gen Z partners report social media and screen time interfering with their sexual relationships. Possibly the biggest reason people find themselves in a sexless marriage is boredom. Whatever the reason, sexless marriages can happen even for those who start out with a healthy, thriving sexual relationship within their marriage, but if you’re not happy with your sexual relationship, you don’t have to learn to accept a sexless marriage. There are ways to restore and improve sexual intimacy.

Can Therapy Help Us Restore Our Sexual Relationship?

During sex therapy sessions, individuals and spouses can work together to restore their sexual relationship and increase intimacy in their marriage. Therapy can also help spouses decide if the best option is to change something about their relationship. For some, that might mean divorce. For others, it can be beneficial to discuss alternative sexual arrangements like consensual non-monogamy to achieve sexual gratification without placing excessive strain on the already struggling marriage.

How Do I Get Started?

You don’t have to just live with any romantic relationship that doesn’t give you what you need to feel fully satisfied. If you’re ready to start making changes and improving or restoring your sex life, I’m here to support you through this potentially complicated situation at Rhode Island Sex Therapy. Getting started working with me individually or as a couple is simple and easy. Just call (401) 236-5021, email DrMichaelStokes@gmail.com, or use our contact form. I look forward to chatting with you soon.