How often are married people having sex? What to know about the intimacy standard in America

New survey data offers a snapshot of how often married Americans are having sex, while researchers say the findings challenge common assumptions about relationship health.

National demographic studies suggest that lower sexual frequency is often a normal part of aging and long-term relationships, and that there may be a "sweet spot" associated with marital satisfaction.

Data from the General Social Survey, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, found that married Americans report a wide range of sexual frequency.

WEIGHT-LOSS MEDICATIONS COULD IMPACT SEXUAL HEALTH IN UNEXPECTED WAYS

The survey asked how often couples have had sex during the last 12 months. Among the 1,893 married respondents surveyed in 2024, the responses were as follows.

The average American adult has sex 53 times a year — or a little more than once per week, according to research by the telehealth platform Hims.

While marriage is often associated with less frequent sex, research has found the difference to be relatively small. A 2014 study found that married people had sex about 55 times a year, compared with 59 times a year among their unmarried peers.

"Experts aren’t sure precisely why this difference exists or why what used to be an advantage has become a disadvantage, but some believe it may be related to the increasing age at which most people get married," Hims wrote in a medically reviewed article.

"There’s no ‘perfect statistic’ or ideal amount of sex. In other words: You like what you like, and that’s perfectly OK."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Clinical data suggests that aiming for a daily or high-volume sexual quota does not actually improve relationship quality.

A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science in 2015 evaluated more than 30,000 individuals over four decades and discovered a drop-off in additional benefits.

While overall happiness increased as physical intimacy moved from monthly to weekly, couples who had sex two, three or four times a week experienced no additional statistical boost in marital satisfaction compared to those hitting the weekly threshold.

Experts emphasize that sexual desire naturally fluctuates as couples navigate career demands, parenthood and biological aging.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Despite some research suggesting a slowdown with age, intimacy remains an important factor in healthy aging, linked to improved physical and emotional well-being.

AARP survey data indicates that physical connection remains routine for many older Americans, with roughly 17% of adults aged 70 and older engaging in sexual activity on a weekly basis.

When a couple experiences an intimacy dry spell, medical professionals recommend evaluating physiological factors rather than jumping to conclusions about incompatibility.

Educational resources from the International Society for Sexual Medicine note that the following physical conditions can influence libido.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Rather than trying to force a weekly goal, healthcare providers encourage couples dealing with mismatched sexual desire to discuss the issue openly and consult a doctor to evaluate baseline hormone levels, medication profiles and overall metabolic health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/XJWvt0Y

Read More

No cure, no vaccine: Experts warn of rare Bourbon virus after first NY case

A rarely diagnosed tick-borne virus with no vaccine or specific treatment has been confirmed in New York for the first time, prompting researchers to warn that additional infections may be going undiagnosed.

The Bourbon virus, "transmitted through the common lone star tick, could soon begin to complicate diagnoses if it becomes more prevalent this summer and in coming years," Stony Brook Medicine warned in a news release reporting on a study of the virus.

Only six human cases have been reported since Bourbon virus was first identified in Bourbon County, Kansas, where the first known patient was diagnosed in 2014. That patient later died.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS

The virus has been associated with at least two deaths, including the original 2014 case and another reported in 2026. Researchers believe, however, that additional infections have likely gone undiagnosed.

Symptoms of Bourbon virus include fever, fatigue, rash, headache, body aches and nausea. Because there is no commercially available diagnostic test, doctors have a difficult time identifying it.

Many healthcare providers are also unfamiliar with the virus, "thus increasing the possibility of misdiagnosis," the release said.

A team of researchers led by Stony Brook Medicine confirmed the first case of Bourbon virus in New York in a patient from Long Island who developed very severe symptoms and an eight-fold rise in antibody titers of the Bourbon virus. The patient was hospitalized.

"There are a lot of lone star ticks in New York and in the Northeast, we have dense populations, and when someone is infected with Bourbon virus symptoms they are similar to other tick-borne infections," Luis Marcos, MD, Stony Brook Medicine professor and director of the Tick-borne Disease Clinic, said in the news release.

"For these reasons, the Bourbon virus is likely more prevalent than we think in our region and other cases are likely not being diagnosed."

Marcos and his co-authors said their findings show the need for expanded surveillance and better testing to improve diagnosis and track the spread of Bourbon virus.

"Without identifying the cause of an infection, the chances of developing accurate diagnostic tests or effective treatments are minimal," he said. "That is why it is so important to first understand the true impact of the virus in high-risk areas."

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), "The lone star tick is widely distributed in the Northeast, South and Midwest United States."

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

The tiny, blood-feeding, parasitic arachnid has established populations in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, per the CDC.

Lone star ticks are an "aggressive tick," according to the agency.

"The adult female is distinguished by a white dot or ‘lone star’ on her back. The nymph and adult females most frequently bite humans and spread disease," the CDC reports.

Despite the Bourbon virus’ severity, "only a select few [ticks] bite and transmit bacteria, viruses and parasites (pathogens) that cause diseases in people," according to the CDC.

To avoid tick bites, people should wear protective clothing, such as pants they can tuck into boots and long-sleeve shirts.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

Experts also recommend applying insect repellent, such as permethrin, to clothing and outdoor gear – not directly on the skin.

Stay out of tall grass and on well-beaten trails whenever possible, as ticks thrive in overgrown and heavily wooded areas.

Check for ticks after spending time outdoors and remove them as soon as you find them. Seek medical attention if you develop fever, rash, fatigue or other flu-like symptoms in the days or weeks following a tick bite.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/3uUyGKs

Read More

Skin condition under the eyes goes viral as doctors warn it could signal hidden health issue

Dark under-eye circles may be more than a cosmetic concern. Doctors say they can sometimes signal low iron stores — a condition that's gone viral on social media under the name "ferritin face."

Experts say there's some truth behind the trend — with important caveats.

Ferritin can be thought of as the body's "iron storage vault," according to Dr. Josef Hadeed, a double board-certified plastic surgeon at Hadeed Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, California. It is a protein that stores iron inside the body's cells and releases it when needed.

LOW TESTOSTERONE? HEGSETH SPARKS CONVERSATION AS DOCTORS REVEAL WARNING SIGNS EVERY MAN SHOULD KNOW

"When ferritin levels drop, the body struggles to produce hemoglobin, which is the iron-rich protein within your red blood cells that transports oxygen to the tissues," Hadeed told Fox News Digital.

Low iron levels can compromise skin elasticity, which can make the tissue appear thinner and less resilient, the doctor said.

When hemoglobin is low, the skin can lose its healthy color and appear pale, making the naturally darker tissue beneath the eyes more noticeable, Hadeed noted.

Besides pale skin and dark under-eye circles, other symptoms may signal that someone is lacking iron.

CARLY SIMON REVEALS THE COMMON CONDITION THAT MASKED HER PARKINSON'S DIAGNOSIS

"The severity of these symptoms generally increases as ferritin decreases," Dane Thomas, a Texas-based hematology/oncology physician’s associate who specializes in the care of patients with hematologic disorders and cancer, told Fox News Digital.

Low energy, fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches, fainting, brittle or thin nails, hair loss, cravings to chew ice, and restless legs syndrome are a few signs, according to Thomas.

"Some patients also experience decreased exercise tolerance, difficulty concentrating or shortness of breath with exertion," he said.

Other symptoms can include pounding or "whooshing" in the ears, a sore or smooth tongue, rapid heartbeat, intolerance to cold and poor sleep, according to the American Society of Hematology.

Beyond cosmetic concerns, ferritin face may signal an underlying medical condition, including chronic bleeding, gastrointestinal disorders or cancers, or malabsorption, according to hematological experts.

With the rise in bariatric surgery, more patients are developing iron deficiency due to impaired iron absorption, Thomas said. Certain over-the-counter acid-suppressing medications, including proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2-receptor blockers, may also contribute to low iron.

While treating iron deficiency is important, identifying and addressing its underlying cause is equally critical, he said.

"Whenever possible, I work with my patients to determine why their iron deficiency developed so we can reduce the likelihood that it will recur," Thomas told Fox News Digital. "This often involves collaboration with gastroenterologists, gynecologists or other specialists to evaluate for sources of blood loss or malabsorption."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Pregnancy, heavy menstrual bleeding and frequent blood donation can also contribute to lower iron levels. Vegetarians, vegans and those who follow diets that do not include iron-rich foods may also be at risk, according to the American Society of Hematologists.

If a person thinks they may have low ferritin, it is important to see a physician.

"This is not something that someone should self-treat, and I always advise them to seek professional help," Hadeed advised. "Unlike water-soluble vitamins, the body has no easy mechanism to excrete excess iron, and over-supplementation can lead to increased levels of iron in the body, which can affect the liver and heart."

A simple blood test by a healthcare professional can determine iron levels. Further evaluation may include stool and urine tests to look for blood, along with endoscopy to examine the esophagus, stomach and colon. Women may also undergo a gynecological evaluation, according to experts.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Treatment for iron deficiency may include oral supplementation and, in cases of severe anemia, intravenous (IV) iron or blood transfusions.

"The biggest drawback of oral iron is gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, constipation, abdominal discomfort and stomach upset," Thomas noted.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

"These side effects can often be minimized by taking iron every other day rather than daily, a strategy that also maintains excellent absorption for many patients."

He also recommends spacing them apart from calcium supplements, dairy products and antacids, which can affect absorption.

Following a diet that includes iron-rich foods can also help, according to the American Society of Hematology website.

Some examples include beef, pork, or lamb; organ meats like liver, chicken, turkey, duck and fish (especially shellfish, sardines and anchovies); leafy greens, such as broccoli, kale, turnip greens and collard greens; legumes, including lima beans, peas, pinto beans and black-eyed peas; and iron-enriched pastas, grains, rice and cereals.

Ferritin face is reversible, Hadeed emphasized. 

Once iron stores are safely restored and hemoglobin levels rebound, the skin recovers its healthy capillary flush, and dark under-eye circles tend to fade over several months.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/ZqiD26y

Read More