Swap “sex” for almost anything else, and you’ve got your answer. Too much of anything can be bad. And that includes sex.

That’s not to say that sex doesn’t have its perks. The right amount can combat anxiety, boost your mood, improve your heart health, and even minimize pain, among other benefits. If you’re in a relationship, your sex life can be the glue that keeps you together. The right kind of sex can increase intimacy, improve communication, and help you overcome insecurity. Sex is natural.

So how much is too much?

Couples Have Sex Between Once and Twice Per Week

According to the General Social Survey, married couples in the United States have sex about 58 times per year, on average. In other words, just over once per week. Unfortunately, this result lumps all married couples — including newlyweds — with senior citizens. When we break down the numbers, younger couples in their 20s have sex around 111 times per year, or twice per week. Not surprisingly, as couples age, they have less sex.

Some sex therapists suggest that couples should be having sex at least once or twice per week. But for couples still in the infatuation stage, it’s normal to have more.

When It’s Too Much

Chances are, if you’re having too much, you’ll feel it. Having too much sex can lead to soreness, numbness, and difficulty performing. Men might have trouble getting it up, while women might struggle to stay lubricated.

Other signs of too much sex are harder to pick out. For one, if sex is getting in the way of your job or studies or time with your friends and family, it might be a sign of a more serious problem. Sex can become an escape — from loneliness, depression, or anxiety. If you seek out sex even when it’s risky, it’s a sign that something’s not quite right.

Sex addiction, hypersexuality, compulsive sexual behavior, and sex obsession are all different terms for the same condition. If sex is getting in the way of your relationships, work, financial stability, or health, you should talk to a doctor or therapist.

The Takeaway

In the end, sex comes down to a simple equation: quality over quantity. Having sex every day isn’t bad, so long as both partners are into it. For others, having great sex once or twice a week can be just as fulfilling.

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