Nearly 1 in 3 married Americans aren't having sex — expert reveals how to bring back the spark

Warning signs families shouldn't ignore Beer, wine or liquor? Anna Elton discusses why stressed partners may lose interest in physical affection — and how regular check-ins, gratitude and intentional time together can change the dynamic at home.

Physical intimacy isn’t a regular occurrence for every married couple in America, research suggests. Anna Elton, a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical sexologist in Massachusetts, told Fox News Digital that although sexual frequency varies by couple, the national standard is about once.

What Happened

The expert defined a "sexless marriage" as being physically intimate 10 or fewer times per year. Decline in intimacy can be caused by a variety of factors, from juggling busy families to hormone imbalances, she noted.

• Recent data from the General Social Survey, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, shows that 32.5% of married adult respondents said they have not had sex "at all" during the last 12.

• Just 4.1% reported that they have sex more than three times a week.

• The expert shared small steps that can help produce the love and bonding hormone oxytocin, boosting connection both personally and between partners.

Key Details

In most cases, however, the original relationship spark has faded. Elton, author of the book "The Formula of Desire," shared some tips and exercises for livening up a relationship, with the goal of reigniting intimacy in the bedroom.

• With women, [with] changing bodies and aging and stress, sometimes we don't feel our best and we may think, ‘I don't know why my partner wants me.

• A lack of self-desire as people age can also get in the way of accepting advances for intimacy from partners.

• Oftentimes, an attempt at flirting gets lost in translation, the expert noted, so creating a "new language of flirting" can help spice up the relationship and spark moments of intimacy.

Why It Matters

For couples who may be struggling with their marriage or sex life, Elton suggested that the first step should be to focus on what is going well. For one week, Elton recommended focusing on the positive aspects of the relationship, making mental.

• With fun comes flirting, Elton added, which typically fades as a relationship ages.

• I pick a movie and still get a massage...

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