New Study: Is a Bad Marriage as Bad for Your Health as Smoking?

October 05, 2018 0 Comments

Leading couples therapist explains research which links marital conflict with poor health.

While many studies have found that being married is good for a person’s physical and emotional health, it seems that the quality of your marriage might negate those benefits. In fact, a new study from the University of Nevada and the University of Michigan has found that a bad marriage is as bad for your health as smoking cigarettes in many cases.

“The researchers found that marital conflict was very bad for a person’s health, especially as it related to sleep quality, anxiety, work performance, and much more,” says Dr. Laura Berman, a leading sex therapist, radio host, New York Times bestselling author, and frequent television guest. “But here’s the funny thing — it was the husbands who were most negatively impacted by a bad marriage. While women also suffered as a result of relationship strife, the researchers found that it was the men who suffered the most from these difficulties.”

Why might this be?

“For many men, their wives are their only source of emotional support,” says the L.A.-based sexual health and relationship expert. “They might not have deep, emotional conversations with their buddies, while women tend to be more skilled at creating these intimate connections with one another. So, when their home life is in trouble, women have friends and family to talk with, whereas men often find themselves suffering in silence.”

Dr. Berman says that intimacy also plays a major role in a couple’s satisfaction. “Husbands and wives both need intimacy in order to feel connected and desired. And when sexual pleasure falls by the wayside, the marriage can be negatively impacted across the board.”

The popular radio host of the nationally-syndicated program “Uncovered” explains that sexual aids can be very beneficial in helping to repair marriages. “All-natural aphrodisiacs like Forta Daily which help to support and enhance a man’s sexual performance as well as his energy and well-being can go a long way in helping couples to reconnect both inside and outside the bedroom.”

For more on this topic or to speak to Dr. Laura Berman, contact us here at any time.