From Catholic sexual ethics to biology to foreplay to positions, our articles are a reference point for all your Catholic sexual queries.
Articles
Mission Sponsors
-
Truth & Fertility Project
-
Walther Institute for Marital Intimacy
-
Married Dance
-
Become a Sponsor
Every day, couples come to us seeking faithful, practical guidance for building holy, healthy marriages.
Your support helps us create articles, courses, webinars, coaching resources, and formation rooted in authentic Catholic teaching.
Whether through a ONE-TIME GIFT or ONGOING MEMBERSHIP, you become a partner in bringing hope, healing, and truth to marriages around the world.
Help AMI Save Up to $800 a Month
Help AMI make your support go further. We’re raising $800 to bring our courses, coaching, and resources together on one platform—with the potential to save up to $800 a month and simplify access for couples. Give by October 31 to help us make the move.
Webinar - When Sex Hurts: Understanding Painful Intimacy in Catholic Marriage
Painful intercourse is a common but often misunderstood difficulty among married couples, particularly newlyweds. Join James Boyd Walther, Marriage and Family Therapy Intern and Certified Sexologist, for an informative webinar exploring the physical and psychological causes of painful sex, including dyspareunia, vaginismus, and related sexual difficulties. We'll discuss common contributing factors, the impact of sexual shame and trauma, and practical treatment options that help couples overcome these challenges while remaining faithful to Catholic teaching. The webinar will conclude with an opportunity for questions and answers.
I’m Not Gatekeeping: Why Some Questions Need More Than a Quick Answer
Why can’t a sexual intimacy coach simply tell you what to try in an email? James Walther explains why some difficulties require sustained, individualized guidance and how coaching fees support that work. He also shares free articles and guides that give couples practical places to start. When a quick answer isn’t enough, it isn’t about gatekeeping; it’s about providing the help your situation needs.
Coaching Is Opening Again & Group Sessions May Be Coming
James Walther is opening space for up to ten new individual or couples coaching clients. His coaching addresses common sexual concerns, including pain during sex, difficulty reaching orgasm, erectile dysfunction, ejaculation concerns, performance anxiety, and differences in desire. He is also exploring a weekly women’s group and, if there is enough interest, a separate men’s group as more affordable options for guidance and support. Those interested in coaching can complete the coaching inquiry; those interested in a group can fill out the interest survey.
Catechism of the Catholic Church Excerpt 2360-2379 III. The Love of Husband and Wife
The following excerpt from the Catechism of the Catholic Church gives the teaching of the Church on sexuality in marriage, the obligation of fidelity and fertility, as well as Church teaching on NFP, responsible parenthood, and immoral methods of conception. “Excerpts from the English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for use in the United States of America Copyright © 1994, United States Catholic Conference, Inc. -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with Permission. English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Modifications from the Editio Typica copyright © 1997, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops—Libreria Editrice Vaticana.”
Should Sex Be Scheduled or Spontaneous?
Should sex be scheduled, spontaneous, or should married couples have a mix of both? There is nothing wrong with spontaneous moments of intimacy, but in this article, Theo McManigal argues for the value of scheduling sex.
Don’t Assume Your Spouse Has Negative Intentions
Catholic marriage calls spouses to assume the best of one another rather than fall into rash judgment. The Catechism teaches us to interpret our spouse’s words and actions favorably, a simple principle that can reduce conflict, strengthen communication, and build a more loving marriage.
A Simple and Satisfying Remedy For Premature Ejaculation
Premature ejaculation is one of the most common challenges married couples face, but it does not have to diminish intimacy or satisfaction. This article shares a simple, faith-based and practical approach that can help many couples transform frustration into a more relaxed, fulfilling experience together.
What If I’m Not Attracted to My Spouse Anymore?
Attraction in marriage can fade, but that does not mean your relationship is over. More often, it reflects a loss of connection, attention, and intentional effort rather than a permanent loss of love. The good news is that you have more control than you think. By shifting your focus, improving how you show up, and rebuilding connection, attraction can grow again. This article will show you where to start.
Painful Sex After Menopause: What’s Normal and What You Can Do About It
Painful sex after menopause is more common than most couples realize, but it is not something you have to accept. If intimacy has become uncomfortable or frustrating, there are real solutions that can restore comfort and connection in your marriage. From medical treatments to practical changes in the bedroom, this is a problem that can be addressed in most cases. With the right support and approach, this stage of life can still be marked by deeply fulfilling intimacy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When Sex Hurts: What Married Couples Need to Know
If sex has been painful in your marriage, you’re not alone and you’re not stuck. Painful intercourse is a common issue for many wives, and it often creates a cycle of avoidance and tension that only gets worse over time. The good news is that in most cases, this can be resolved with the right approach. This article outlines why it happens, what not to do, and where to start. If you’re ready to fix it, there is real help available.
How to Initiate Sex in Marriage (Without Rejection or Awkwardness)
Struggling with awkward or rejected attempts to initiate sex? Most couples don’t have a desire problem, they have an initiation problem. This article breaks down the difference between verbal and nonverbal initiation, active and passive consent, and how to align with your spouse to reduce rejection. If you want a more natural and consistent sex life, it starts with how you initiate.