Why Britons are losing out on sex

The pressure of having "amazing sex" tonight has actually left many Britons without action between the sheets for a month, finds an interesting survey.

The research involving 6,000 adults by British relationship charity Relate found that just 45 percent were "fairly satisfied" with their sex life while 51 percent said they had not had sex in the past month.

"Sex definitely does not have to be disappointing - there is plenty that can turn your situation around so you can enjoy a sustained, fulfilling sex life," Cate Campbell, pychosexual therapist and lecturer at Relate Institute was quoted as saying in a Daily Mail report.

"What constitutes a satisfying sex life can vary wildly from one person to the next, so working out what makes you tick is a great starting point," she added.

Relate, which provided more than 20,000 sessions of sex therapy in 2013-14, said couples often say they want to bring the spontaneity back, but sex is rarely truly spontaneous and busy people sometimes have to plan for intimacy.

"People may feel concerned if they haven't had sex in the past month but there are plenty of other ways to be sexy," the findings showed.

Many found the steamy antics in the erotic film "Fifty Shades of Grey" more intimidating than inspiring.

Couples should not shy away from kissing and cuddling in front of their children, the survey noted.

"It is sad that so few people are sexually satisfied and put pressure on themselves to perform," added Campbell, the author of "The Relate Guide To Sex And Intimacy."

Previous research by Relate found a lack of intimacy in many relationships, with nearly a fifth of people saying they never or rarely felt loved in the two weeks before they were questioned.

"The first step in improving sex for most people is to start talking honestly about what you want from your sex life," the authors advised.