Can love between a couple exist without sex?

Absolutely. Intimacy is important, but that doesn't have to mean sex.

by Jennifer Muirhead

I think that a successful relationship has to include sex as it is "natural" if you love someone to also have these feelings for them and want intimacy.

There are of course exceptions as we get older, if one partner is not well, but basically I think it is important.

by Finy

Mmm perhaps this would be a good question to ask those people who have an unsatisfactory sex life? Or those couples who have had a partner struck down with a health issue which has ended their sex life? I might be inclined to say that relationships are as unique and diverse as the people involved in them, and when we apply universal dictates of what they should look like we ignore this diversity.

by Shelley Murphy

Sure it could. There's a lot more to a relationship than just sex.

by Sarah Bell

It's a very important part of a relationship. But there are lots of important factors to make a good relationship

by AJ

I think sex is an important part of any romantic relationship. However, it is not always possible to be intimate in that way, so other forms of intimacy must come into play. Without intimacy, a romantic relationship cannot last.

by Vee

I think it can exist. I also think the opposite is true i.e. there is sex but no love. The two are mutually exclusive in my opinion.

by Happy Mom

My old Aunt back in the 1920's was engaged for 9 long long years!!
Even in those days, it was spoken of a tad toooo long.
She only ever had one child.
They were a funny couple, more friends...than anything else.
So Yes, if the couple were like my old Aunt and Uncle.Maybe it could happen.

by jonaja

I feel love is prerequisite for sex but sex may not be for love. The physical bonding and intimacy is important for a relationship but it may not always be sexual only

by Smita

Most definitely. Sometimes,whether due to long distance between partners,or illness,this element of the relationship has to take a back seat(for want of a better expression,NOT the back seat of the car!!!!Hee Hee!!)and it does not mean that there is any less love there.In fact it can prove the exact opposite is the case!

by Jules

Of course! There are many types of love, not just physical - think siblings, parents, grandparents, best mates.....I met my partner (we have a non sexual relationship) on platonicpartners; thank goodness for them believing in love sans sex. Open your minds and hearts, people, love is here to stay!

Of course a relationship will last without sex but the question is how long for. Regardless of urges etc. If there is no sex it could be an issue if you were to want children. Sex is part of human nature an is a must

by Rich Nicolls

I'd ask the question a different way - "if you don't think a relationship with someone would survive without sex, is it really genuine love you're feeling?" If the answer to this is "no" I wouldn't bother going through any marriage vows...

by kimp

Of course that's not to say I'd choose no sex if I had a choice!

There are people whose partner becomes disabled in a manner that prevents sexual activity. Challenging as it may be, they still manage to maintain a monogamous relationship without sex.

by Gia

I can't understand why not, as a woman and going through menopause my libido is low, but that doesn't mean I don't think about it!

by Diana Nairn