From Catholic sexual ethics to biology to foreplay to positions, our articles are a reference point for all your Catholic sexual queries.
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Every so often we like to open the floor to your questions!
Have a question about Catholic sexual morality? Ask anything from challenging marital intimacy questions to moral questions about NFP, or even about chaste dating. All questions will receive a thoughtful, faithful reply.
Why Does My Husband Always Want Sex? (And How to Respond Without Feeling Pressured)
Why does your husband always seem to want sex? For many wives, this can feel overwhelming or frustrating, but the issue is rarely just his desire. In this article, we break down why this dynamic happens and how to respond in a way that builds connection instead of tension. You’ll also learn what realistic expectations look like and how to move toward a more satisfying rhythm in your marriage.
Another Renowned Moral Theologian on Sexual Morality in Marriage
Thomas Slater, SJ (1855-1928) was an English Jesuit and one of the most respected moral theologians of his generation in the English-speaking world. His Manual of Moral Theology was the first of its kind in native English, ran to five approved editions, and was written for priests who heard confessions. Trained in the tradition of St. Alphonsus and subsequent moralists, he knew the sources of moral theology very well. On questions as delicate as marital chastity, there are few safer guides available in English. Few writers in English are better placed to tell you what the Church’s confessors actually held on marital chastity.
Sexual Intimacy with Chronic Pain: How to Stay Connected Without Ignoring Your Body
Chronic pain can make sexual intimacy feel difficult or even impossible, but it does not have to end your intimate life. Many couples fall into cycles of avoidance that increase tension and disconnection over time. With practical adjustments, clear communication, and the right mindset, intimacy can remain meaningful and even become a source of comfort and connection. You do not need to ignore the pain, but you also do not need to surrender your relationship to it. Help is available, and this is a problem that can be worked through together.
You’re Not Stuck, You’re Unintentional
Many couples feel “stuck” in marriage, but the real issue is often a lack of intentionality. Without deliberate effort, relationships naturally drift into routine and surface-level connection. Small, purposeful actions like initiating conversation or planning time together can quickly restore movement and depth. This article encourages couples to take ownership and begin pursuing each other again with intention.
Intimacy After Baby: Navigating the Postpartum Season
The postpartum season can leave many couples feeling disconnected, unsure, or even discouraged when it comes to intimacy. Pain, exhaustion, hormonal changes, and postpartum depression can all impact your desire and ability to reconnect. But this is not a setback. It is a season that calls for patience, communication, and a new approach to intimacy. With the right guidance, couples can rebuild connection in a way that is even deeper and more meaningful than before.
Am I Using My Spouse for Pleasure?
What does it really mean to “use” your spouse as a means to an end during sex? This article brings John Paul II’s personalistic language into conversation with traditional Catholic moral theology to clarify when the pursuit of sexual pleasure remains within conjugal love—and when it risks reducing a spouse to an instrument.
The Purpose of Pleasure in Marriage: Why It Matters More Than You Think
If sex isn’t pleasurable, it’s not working the way it’s supposed to. In this article, we explain why pleasure is not the goal of sex, but an essential guide to doing it well. When both spouses experience real pleasure and satisfaction, desire, frequency, and connection naturally improve. We also address why orgasm matters for both husband and wife and how to start “following the pleasure” in a practical way. If intimacy feels like a chore, it’s time to fix the system.
We Haven’t Had Sex Yet… Now What?
You’re a few months, maybe even a year into marriage… and sex still hasn’t happened. If that’s your reality, you’re not alone, but it is something that needs to be addressed. Many couples quietly fall into patterns of avoidance after awkward or disappointing early attempts, slowly building a marriage without physical intimacy. The good news is this is fixable with the right mindset and intentional steps. Here’s how to move forward with clarity, confidence, and support.
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When You’re “Touched Out”: Intimacy During the Nursing Season
Breastfeeding can leave many women feeling “touched out,” making the transition to marital intimacy difficult. While this experience is normal, it often creates a disconnect between spouses if not understood and addressed. This article offers practical guidance for navigating this season, including communication, support, affirmation, and prioritizing the wife’s experience in intimacy. With intentional effort, couples can turn this challenging phase into an opportunity for deeper connection and love.
Operations Coordinator (Position Filled)
The Apostolate for Marital Intimacy (AMI) is seeking a part-time Operations Coordinator to help support the day-to-day operations of our growing Catholic nonprofit. This remote, independent contractor position (approximately 5 hours per week to start) is ideal for a highly organized, mission-driven individual who enjoys coordinating projects, managing communications, and helping a team operate effectively. Responsibilities include scheduling, communication management, project tracking, website updates, and basic administrative and bookkeeping tasks. If you are passionate about strengthening Catholic marriages and would like to help build a growing apostolate, we encourage you to apply.
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist: Witness to Life, Marriage, and Hope
St. John the Baptist stands as a powerful witness to life in the womb, the truth of marriage, social justice, and humble discipleship. This article explores why Catholics should look to him as a martyr for marriage, the “best man” of Christ the Bridegroom, and a hopeful intercessor for families, the unborn, and those experiencing grief.
Marital Intimacy with Physical Disabilities: When the Body Limits, Love Must Lead
Many couples facing physical disabilities quietly assume that a fulfilling sex life is out of reach. But the truth is, intimacy is not reserved for the physically perfect, it simply requires a different approach. With the right mindset, clear communication, and a willingness to adapt, even significant limitations can be navigated. Your marriage is not disqualified from deep, meaningful intimacy. Sometimes, it just needs a new path forward.
Must Couples Intend to Conceive Each Time They Have Intercourse?
Must Catholic married couples intend to conceive every time they have sex? This article examines recent magisterial teaching on procreation, conjugal love, and why openness to life does not require an explicit intention to achieve pregnancy in every marital act.
How to Turn Your Wife On (A Guide for Husbands)
Struggling to turn your wife on? Most husbands are starting too late and missing what actually builds desire. In this article, we break down how arousal really works and why connection, playfulness, and consistency matter far more than last-minute effort. If you want your wife to respond differently, it starts with changing your approach long before the bedroom.
Why Should You Trust Our Apostolate on Catholic Sexual Ethics?
With conflicting Catholic voices offering competing views on sexual morality within marriage, finding a trustworthy source can be difficult. This article explains how our Apostolate grounds its guidance in Church teaching, rigorous moral theology, and the wisdom of trusted Catholic moralists.
When Trauma Affects Intimacy in Marriage: A Path Forward Together
When intimacy feels tense, painful, or avoided, trauma is often part of the story. Whether from past sexual experiences, medical events, or life stress, trauma can deeply impact both the body and the relationship. The good news is that healing is possible, and couples can rebuild intimacy in a way that feels safe, connected, and even stronger than before. With the right approach and support, you do not have to stay stuck in this cycle.
Can an Orgasm Outside of Sex Be Permitted if the Other Spouse Asks?
Can a Catholic spouse ever permit an unintended orgasm outside of sex when the other spouse asks for sexual affection? This article examines a difficult question in marital chastity, the principle of double effect, and why Catholic moral theology distinguishes between deliberately procuring orgasm and tolerating an unintended one for a proportionately serious reason.
How Often Should Married Couples Have Sex? A Catholic Guide to Frequency, Desire, and Fulfillment
How often should married couples have sex? While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, most couples who ask this question aren’t having enough. In this article, we cut through the confusion and offer a practical starting point, along with clear guidance for finding the right rhythm in your marriage. If your sex life feels inconsistent or frustrating, this is where to start.