#CouplesTherapy

In a world where relationship advice is often boiled down to grand romantic gestures or marathon conversations, new psychological research suggests that the secret to lasting love lies in three subtle, nearly automatic habits practiced by emotionally healthy couples. The insights, highlighted by a clinical psychologist and featured in a recent Forbes article, offer fresh guidance for couples in Thailand who hope to build stronger, more enduring partnerships in the face of modern-day pressures (Forbes).

A recent global headline has caught the attention of couples everywhere: experts warn that having sex less than once a week could spell trouble for relationship satisfaction. The warning comes off the back of a study by a University of Manchester researcher, published in the International Journal of Sexual Health in September 2024, which surveyed nearly 500 heterosexual women. The findings: 85% of women who had sex on a weekly basis reported being “sexually satisfied,” compared to only 66% for those having sex once a month, and a stark drop to 17% satisfaction for couples with less than monthly intimacy. This result has stirred debate, especially in Thailand, where cultural, religious, and generational dynamics around intimacy remain complex.

For decades, millions of women in Thailand and around the world have relied on birth control pills (“ยาคุมกำเนิด”) not just to prevent pregnancy, but also to help manage acne, painful periods, and hormonal imbalances. But as more young Thais engage in open conversations about relationships and sexuality, an intriguing urban legend has gained traction online: could the pill secretly shape not just your menstrual cycle, but also your feelings towards your romantic partner? Recent expert commentary and scientific research—together with lived experiences—shed light on whether hormonal contraceptives can actually influence who you find attractive or even cause you to fall “out of love” with your partner.