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The survey identified 78 difficulties that long-term couples run into (Image: Getty Images/Glow RM)

Study finds top reasons couples in long-term relationships stop having sex

Hundreds of volunteers dished the details of their sex lives as part of the ground-breaking study.

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Psychologists have revealed the top reasons married couples stop having sex.

Hundreds of volunteers dished the details on why the spark has gone out in their romance for the ground-breaking study.

The survey identified 78 difficulties that long-term couples run into while trying to keep the antics alive in the bedroom - with cheating featuring surprisingly low on the list.

Of the 1,099 people who took part, the most common reason was simply 'fading enthusiasm' - a reason given by 32 per cent of participants.

Second was 'lack of personal time and space', with many feeling pressured to constantly report on what they are doing being responsible for killing their sexual desire.

'Long work hours' was the third most popular answer and 'bad sex' was fourth, with people putting it down to sexual incompatibility with their partner and disagreements on how often to have sex.

'Bad sex' was mentioned by 29 per cent of those in the study, with more women than men using it as a reason, Daily Mail reports.

Other reasons include the inability to resist temptation, comparing their current partner to an ex and getting bored having sex with the same person.

Top reasons couples stop having sex

  1. Fading enthusiasm (32%)
  2. Lack of personal time and space (31%)
  3. Long work hours (30%)
  4. Bad sex (29%)
  5. Infidelity and abuse (24%)
  6. Character issues (24%)
  7. Clinginess (22%)
  8. Children (20%)
  9. Lack of effort (18%)
  10. Not being monogamous (16%)
  11. Social circle issues (15%)
  12. Behavioural issues (10%)

'Social circle issues', which came at number 11 on the list, covered friction created by people not getting on with their partner's relatives or friends.

Meanwhile, 'behavioural issues' commonly included problems such as drinking and gambling.

Almost 70 per cent of the 1,099 people involved in the study, published in the academic journal Evolutionary Psychology, said at least one factor had taken its toll on their sex life - with 41 per cent pointing to three or more.

Professor Meneleos Apostolou at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus, who conducted the research with colleagues in China, said: "Having and keeping an intimate relationship is central to most people’s lives.

"Yet, many people face considerable difficulties in doing so.

"Difficulties in keeping an intimate relationship could potentially cause considerable emotional pain to people.

"Identifying these difficulties is the first step toward addressing them and improving people's emotional wellbeing."

Top reasons couples stop having sex