Is It Normal to Do It Once a Week?

For both men and women, having sex can help relieve physical stress and maintain a pleasant mood. Generally speaking, having sex once a week is considered normal, but this also depends on personal lifestyle habits, physical condition, and age. Normally, having sex around three times a week is within a reasonable range. However, it is also important to avoid having frequent sexual activity in daily life to prevent it from affecting physical health.

1. Newly recovered from a serious illness: Generally, sexual activity should be avoided during illness. Due to the variety of diseases and varying severity, it is best to seek advice from a doctor frankly.

2. Over-exhaustion, drunkenness, or bad mood: It is not advisable to have sexual activity when one is overly tired, drunk, or in a bad mood. When a man is drunk, his sperm may be deformed, which can affect the fetus if conception occurs.

3. Menstrual period: During menstruation, the vaginal secretions of women are acidic, which can kill foreign bacteria. However, during menstruation, the vaginal secretions are neutralized by menstrual blood and become alkaline, creating a good bacterial culture medium. When menstruation occurs, the endometrium sheds, there are wounds in the uterus, and the cervix is slightly open, making it easy for bacteria to be introduced during sexual activity and causing inflammation of reproductive organs. If a woman has chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, menstrual sexual activity can cause acute exacerbation. Menstrual sexual activity can also increase uterine congestion, leading to increased menstrual blood, prolonged menstrual period, or worsened menstrual discomfort.

4. The first three months and the last three months of pregnancy: Sexual activity should be avoided during these periods. In the early stages of pregnancy, the placenta is not firmly attached to the uterus, and sexual activity can stimulate uterine contractions and lead to miscarriage. In the later stages of pregnancy, sexual activity can cause premature birth, uterine bleeding, or puerperal fever. Sexual activity should also be moderated during the other months of pregnancy, with gentle movements and avoiding excessive pressure on the woman's abdomen.

5. After childbirth until the uterus has recovered (about 6-7 weeks): Having sexual activity during this period can cause inflammation of reproductive organs, uterine bleeding, or interfere with the healing of perineal and vaginal wounds and the recovery of postpartum health. If there is a prolonged duration of vaginal bloody discharge (lochia) after childbirth, the period of abstinence should be extended accordingly.

6. After a woman has a ring placed (or removed) or a man has a vasectomy, sexual activity should be avoided for two weeks. After a woman has a tubal ligation, sexual activity should be avoided for one month.

7. Other situations where doctors advise against sexual activity, such as physical discomfort, moodiness, or anxiety.

The misconception that the first night of sexual activity (generally referring to the first time having sex) must be painful. The correct understanding is that, generally speaking, the rupture of the hymen during the first night may cause mild pain for the female partner.