How Sexual Responsiveness Impacts Relationship Satisfaction & Quality, According To Research

Relationship satisfaction plays a huge role in our overall well-being, and there are so many things that go into that satisfaction, like communication, trust, and of course, sex. While everyone has different sexual preferences and needs, your partner's willingness to explore and accommodate those needs can be thought of as "sexual responsiveness."

For this study, researchers analyzed existing research on sexual responsiveness as it relates to relationship quality and satisfaction. They define sexual responsiveness as "understanding, accommodating, and being willing or motivated to meet a partner's sexual desires."

And based on the existing research, as you might imagine, when two people offer each other mutual sexual responsiveness, which they call "high sexual communal strength," it's associated with everything from sexual desire maintenance, to higher sexual desire, to sexual satisfaction, and even better relationship quality overall.

These benefits are even stronger when partners have different sexual needs and interests or are dealing with any sexual issues or traumas.

However, this analysis also found that the benefits of sexual responsiveness are not present if one partner feels they have to neglect themselves in the process of being responsive.

As the study authors write, "Being a sexually responsive partner does not mean meeting a partner's sexual needs unequivocally but instead involves aiming to understand and be open to a partner's sexual interests while still asserting your own needs and boundaries."

The findings of this research suggest that there's a fine line between meeting your partner's needs while also honoring your own boundaries, and given everyone has their own preferences, finding that line within your relationship can help increase your relationship quality and satisfaction—both in the bedroom and in general.

As psychologist and AASECT-certified sex therapist Lauren Fogel Mersy, PsyD, previously told mindbodygreen, "The first thing I recommend is for partners to have a discussion about their feelings and needs," adding that it's important that these things get explicitly verbalized so there aren't any miscommunications or assumptions.