Linda Shrieves

MORE than a quarter of women aged 35-plus say they “never” have sex, new research shows.

Couples therapist Paula Hall, who works with the relationship charity Relate, told the Daily Mail newspaper in the UK that the results of the survey highlight the immense pressure women feel when it comes to sex.

This in turn could lead them to underrate their sex lives.

She said celebrity kiss-and-tell stories fuel the notion that frequent sex is the norm, but the reality is very different with the daily grind of work affecting the libido of many women.

“It has led to exaggerated expectations, that everyone else is getting it three or four times a week and your behaviour isn’t normal,” Miss Hall said..

“This may result in women saying they never have sex when they may only occasionally be having sex.”

The research, taken in the UK, showed the highest number of women celibate was in Scotland, with 38 per cent saying they never have sexual intercourse.

Women in England’s Midlands are most likely to make love regularly, with 32 per cent saying they have sex every week.

The survey, released by the Sky Real Lives cable channel to mark the launch of a series called The Secret Guide To Women’s Health, also looked at the effect of hormones on women’s lives and their health fears.

It found most women admit to violent mood swings at certain times of the month, with 35 per cent of those aged 35 to 44 saying they feel violent tendencies towards themselves or someone else during their period.

The poll of 745 women also found 42 per cent of those aged 35 to 64 have sought medical help for depression or are thinking about doing so.