Glossy mags and TV soaps may give the impression the nation is constantly at it, but a recent University of Southampton study revealed that women tire of sex with their partner more quickly than men do.

Women are four times more likely to stop caring about sex as men. Frequently, it can be as early as the one-year mark when a yawn replaces a yes, please!

“A drop in sex drive isn’t always a problem,” says social psychologist Dr Petra Boynton, drpetra.co.uk.

“Sex drive naturally fluctuates and if you’re happy having sex occasionally – or even not at all – that’s fine. But it can be a problem for couples when there are mismatched expectations.”

If you’ve gone off sex, it’s worth ­rekindling an interest if only for the health benefits. “Orgasm stimulates production of the body’s natural killer cells, which fight infection, boost immunity and even offer some ­protection against cancer,” says ­psychotherapist Marisa Peer, author of You Can Be Younger.

“You also release oxytocin, dubbed the love hormone, which boosts mood, ­alleviates stress and reinforces the bond between you and your partner.”

These are some of the ways you and your partner can help to bring a little spice back into the bedroom and ramp up the passion.

Prepare a sex ‘pleasure chest’

Many busy couples come unstuck because they’re not prepared for getting playful when they suddenly have some time.

The easiest solution is to stock a pleasure chest and keep it in your bedroom.

Include massage oil, a blindfold, a sex toy or two – anything you two enjoy during sex.

Get adventurous in the bedroom

Give each other permission to try new things in bed

Doing your tried and tested A-to-B style sex snuffs out the spark. You might fancy giving a new position or technique a go – and your partner might too.

Try taking turns choosing something from a sex guide. Close your eyes and point to a random page.

Dare yourselves to do what’s on that page.

Get in the mood for sex with a kiss

Don’t underestimate the power of kissing. When you kiss your partner, he passes on to you, through his saliva, testosterone. This sex hormone can work wonders to increase your libido. Not only this, the art of kissing has anti-anxiety properties; so kissing is a perfect way to reduce tension. And it will create more intimacy between you as a couple. So many couples get complacent and kiss their partner without thinking. So start kissing as passionately as you did at the beginning of your relationship and it will work wonders for your love life.

Love your body

Love your body and your other half will too

Women who see themselves as ­unattractive are more likely to report a drop in sexual desire with age, according to a study from Penn State University, US, on women aged from 35 to 55.

So Dr Boynton says: “Concentrate on what you like about your body and remember that you’re almost certainly your own worst critic.”

Love your body and better sex will follow.

Sex doesn’t have to be ‘static’ – time to mix it up

Mix up your sexual positions

Most couples begin sex in their favoured position and finish in it.

Why not start in one position and after a time move into another?

You might begin in Missionary position (still one of the country’s favourites) with him on top.

But with a bit of manoeuvring you can roll into Lover’s Embrace position – on your sides, facing each other.

It’s a lovely position for sensual lovemaking where you can kiss and cuddle.

Try taking up the new Ann Summers 30-day sex position challenge with its list of 30 sex positions to help people spice things up in the bedroom.

Each position is assigned a difficulty level. Ann Summers wants couples to ease in on day one with 'The Speed Bump', a beginner's move, and progress to the likes of 'The Carry on Climax', which apparently guarantees "deep penetration".

Try the Ann Summers 30-day sex position challenge

Consider a quickie

Too busy? According to Marisa Peer, satisfying sex need only take 10 minutes. “Get out of your routine, try a different time of day, a different room, watch a sexy film or try role play,” she suggests.

And don’t wait till you’re in the mood. “If you’re not interested to begin with, once you get started, the chances are you soon will be.”

take 10 minutes out of your busy life to have a quickie

Chill out

High levels of the stress hormone cortisol can lower sex drive, says the Society for Endocrinology. Set aside five minutes a day for relaxation. Try the Mental Health Foundation’s free podcasts at mentalhealth.org.uk.

Ditch the cigs

Smoking damages arteries, affecting circulation. It affects a man’s ability to get and maintain an erection and impedes men’s and women’s ability to orgasm, says Dr Michael Roizen, author of The Real Age Makeover. To quit, visit nhs.uk/smokefree.

Get fitter

“Studies have shown women who exercise frequently experience an increase in speed of arousal and ­intensity of orgasms,” says Relate ­counsellor and psychosexual therapist Denise Knowles.

Aim for at least five half-hour sessions a week of moderate exercise like brisk walking or three 25-minute sessions of vigorous aerobic exercise.

Sort your sleep out

Lack of sleep will make you grumpy and reduce your sex drive

Men who had less than five hours of sleep a night for a week had reduced levels of testosterone, the libido hormone, a study in Chicago found. Not enough zzzzs also makes men and women grumpy – not an aphrodisiac!

Keep a diary

“Record everything for a week – how much sleep you got, whether you exercised, what you ate, if you were stressed and how you and your partner got on. Then you can see what may be getting in the way,” says Dr Boynton.

Get talking

If you’re rushed off your feet all day and flop in front of the TV every night, you may feel emotionally distanced from your partner, leading to a drop off in sex. “Think what would make your relationship more enjoyable, regardless of sex, then share that with your partner,” says Dr Boynton.

Tone up down there

Pelvic Floor diagram
Tone up your pelvic floor to improve your sex life

A third of new mums and half of ­menopausal women have a weakened pelvic floor – the muscles that support the uterus, bladder and bowel. Besides leading to accidental urine leakage, it also reduces sexual sensation.

“Strengthening the pelvic floor improves blood flow, improving the intensity and frequency of orgasm,” says Barry Fowler, manufacturer of the Pelvic Toner, the only device for stress incontinence available on the NHS, £29.99 plus postage. Visit iwabo.co.uk or call 0117 974 3534.

Resolve niggles

Unresolved resentment can lead to sex problems, says Denise Knowles. “I often see couples where one partner doesn’t realise they’re withholding sex because they feel resentful about something – perhaps doing more than their share of the housework. Talking is key to addressing these issues.” Counselling service Relate offers a free online live chat, visit relate.org.uk .

Check your meds

Certain medications, including some antidepressants and contraceptive pills, can affect libido. If you think this affects you, talk to your GP, who may be able to prescribe an alternative.

Check your diet

Munching chocolate can boost your libido

There are numerous studies that suggest chocolate helps increase desire. Good news, right?

Jaya Jaya Myra , an internationally acclaimed author and natural lifestyle expert, has a list of more foods that can help.

"Celery is a great one that will work for both men and women," she says. "Foods like oysters only work for men, as they help increase testosterone. Figs are considered potent for men and women, although they may affect men more strongly."

Herbs, too. Eating plenty of garlic and basil works wonders, according to some scientists. While all herbs and spices supposedly do you good.

Healthline says: "Ginkgo biloba, an extract derived from the leaf of the Chinese ginkgo tree, is another herb found to treat antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction."

Finally, fruit and veg generally. Figs, bananas, and avocados are considered aphrodisiacs. It's because they contain important vitamins and minerals that increase blood flow.

Have an MOT

If you’ve tried all these with no result, see your GP to rule out conditions that could affect your sex drive.

“Diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease all affect the circulatory system and can make erections more difficult in men and orgasm more difficult in women,” says Denise Knowles. “Underactive thyroid, ­menopause, stress and depression can all lower libido,” she adds.