For this study, researchers analyzed existing research on sexual responsiveness as it relates to relationship quality and satisfaction. They define sexual responsiveness as “the understanding, accommodation, and desire or motivation to satisfy a partner’s sexual desires.”

And based on existing research, as you can imagine, when two people offer each other mutual sexual sensitivity, which they call “high sexual joint power,” it’s linked to everything from maintaining sexual desire to high sexual desire to sexual satisfaction, and even better quality of relationships in general.

These benefits are even stronger when partners have different sexual needs, interests, or are dealing with any sexual issues or traumas.

However, this analysis also found that the benefits of sexual responsiveness are absent if one partner feels that they need to neglect themselves in the response process.

As the study’s authors write, “Being a sexually responsive partner does not necessarily mean meeting your partner’s sexual needs, but rather involves seeking to understand and be open to your partner’s sexual interests while asserting your own needs and boundaries.”

They add that when a sexual response involves self-neglect (such as having sex when you don’t want to in order to satisfy your partner’s needs), it is associated with lower desire and pleasure, and more sexual distress.