How often should a couple have sex to stay happy?

It’s common to think that you need to swing from the chandeliers most nights of the week to feel fulfilled in your relationship.

But, according to a recent survey, couples who have sex once a week are actually the most content.

So how often is often enough for these husbands and wives? Here, they reveal all to Alison Palmer...

Every day

Amanda and Darren Gent live in Stockport, Gtr Manchester. Amanda, 42, is a personal trainer and Darren, 32, works in airport cargo.

Amanda says: “Darren and I just can’t get enough of one another. And it’s not because we’re both hugely sexual people.”

"For us making love it just that – it’s showing our love; a deep, physical need to express ourselves.

"We need to be together physically at least once a day or we’d boil over!

"Darren works shifts so we have to be a little creative, but our bed is our everything.

"In it we talk, hold one another, kiss and then one thing leads to another.

"Making love so often is about more than sexual urges, it’s a physical closeness we need.

“I’ve definitely never had this much sex in a relationship. It sounds clichéd but I know she’s the one.

“If we didn’t make love every day it would feel like I hadn’t told her that, hadn’t said ‘I love you’. It’s as important as kissing to us.

“It’s an emotional bond that I absolutely love. Happy doesn’t come close to how I feel.”

Once a week

Sara, 36, is a stay-at-home mum and Darren, 33, is a data analyst.

Sara says: “Darren would definitely like more sex than he gets at the moment.

"He says he’d do it every day if he could – although whether he could manage it is another thing!

“But all that said, we’re content with the once a week we do it. It’s quality not quantity, isn’t it?

“We had our daughter, moved house, planned a wedding... my eyes are closed before I even get into bed most nights and we’re not morning people.

“We don’t have a set pattern but we tend to make love at the weekends when there are two of us to share the load with Talia.

"Then we’re doing fun things and are more relaxed. And we both really enjoy it when it happens. What we have together is great.

“We’ve actually moved closer to Darren’s parents and they’re keen to see more of Talia, so hopefully we’ll soon be able to have some more quality time together – date nights that will lead to other things.

"And hopefully a calmer 2016 will mean a busier bed!”

Darren says: “Of course I would like more sex – what man wouldn’t? – but this is just how a relationship goes isn’t it? There are peaks and troughs.

“I know things will change and we’ll have more sex eventually. Besides, we’re happy. I can’t ask for more than that.”

Once a year

Babs Daniels, 44, a mature student, and husband, Graham, 43. Graham is currently not working.

Babs says: “I suppose if you average it out over the last decade or so we have sex once every 12 months – although almost two years has lapsed since the last time we did it.

“Neither of us, but particularly me, has much of a sex drive. And more to the point we find other ways to show our love for one another. We kiss, hold hands, cook for one another. That’s enough for us.

“We’ve been like this for about 12 years. When we first married 21 years ago we’d have sex about once or twice a week and enjoyed it.

“But with each child that came along I got more and more tired, had less time and fancied the whole act less.

"It’s never been a problem, though. Graham’s never moaned about it. Eventually sex fell off the agenda altogether.

"The last time we did it was at a holiday camp nearly two years ago when the kids all happened to be out of the chalet at the same time. It was really special.

"And I know the next time – which is likely to be next month when Graham and I go to Cornwall on our own – will be equally lovely.

"I believe sex is healthy for a relationship, but it’s friendship and love that give it a solid foundation.

Graham says: “I admit sometimes I would like to make love to Babs more frequently.

"But it’s not everything. Just having one another is what’s key to me. We touch and kiss and do other things that can be just as special as actually having sex.

“And there would be no pleasure in making love to someone who doesn’t really want to.“I always say marriage is a marathon not a sprint, and because we are so comfortable and don’t make sex the be-all-and-end-all, I know we’ll be together forever.”