New MyIQ survey frames waning sexual desire among committed partners as a symptom of emotional and cognitive exhaustion rather than declining love.
A nationwide MyIQ survey of 2,412 adults in relationships finds that 62% reported their sexual desire diminished this year as a direct result of stress, even while the vast majority said affection and commitment remained intact. The data reframes a familiar marital narrative: partners are not falling out of love so much as running out of the psychological and emotional energy required for desire.
Respondents were asked whether stress affected their romantic connection in 2025, with targeted prompts about fatigue, emotional availability, and cognitive preoccupation. Among those who reported diminished desire, 71% cited chronic stress or burnout as a primary factor; only 18% linked it to reduced affection. Those in relationships longer than five years were disproportionately represented in this group, suggesting a cumulative effect of duration and stress exposure.
The data highlights how desire is undermined by exhaustion. Participants described being physically depleted at day’s end, mentally distracted by work or caregiving demands, and emotionally overloaded by persistent concerns. These conditions erode the attention, spontaneity, and responsiveness that sustain erotic connection. According to MyIQ’s interpretation, the issue is one of depletion, limited psychological resources repeatedly taxed by daily stressors.
Importantly, the survey reveals a disconnect between emotional closeness and sexual engagement. While many couples maintain affection and commitment, they report frustration at the loss of intimacy. This aligns with research distinguishing attachment (which secures emotional bonds) from desire (which requires active psychological engagement). When cognitive and emotional bandwidth is compromised, desire tends to be the first casualty.
Geographic and demographic patterns suggest the issue is widespread. Urban and suburban respondents showed similar rates of stress-linked desire reduction. Among long-term couples aged 28 to 39, incidence was slightly higher, reflecting the strain of early family life and dual-career pressures. Notably, nearly half of those experiencing reduced desire had not discussed it with their partner, citing embarrassment or a wish to avoid worry.
According to MyIQ analysis, the findings underscore how sexual desire functions as a measurable outcome of cognitive and emotional bandwidth. The platform’s assessment tools consistently show that when individuals experience prolonged stress, whether from work, caregiving, or economic pressures, key cognitive faculties such as attention, regulation, and motivation are compromised. These are the same faculties that sustain desire. MyIQ data suggests that restoring intimacy is not primarily about relationship repair but about cognitive recovery. In this sense, interventions that reduce cognitive load may be more effective than those focused solely on romantic communication. Desire, in this framing, becomes a psychological indicator, not of affection, but of internal capacity.
About MyIQ:
MyIQ was launched in 2024 and is used by over a million individuals worldwide. It is a digital self-knowledge platform that offers more than an IQ score, with over 9 million completed tests across the various test categories, cognitive, personality, and relationships, all with personalised, actionable insights. The platform offers over 25 brain games, more than 150 intelligence puzzles, over 20 hours of expert video content, and 300+ available lessons on emotional intelligence, problem-solving, innovation, confidence-building, and decision-making. Through its IQ test, full-spectrum personality assessment, and relationship insight quiz, MyIQ delivers structured, personalized feedback that helps individuals better understand their inner world and behaviour.
MyIQ was launched in 2024 and is used by over a million individuals worldwide. It is a digital self-knowledge platform that offers more than an IQ score, with over 9 million completed tests across the various test categories, cognitive, personality, and relationships, all with personalised, actionable insights. The platform offers over 25 brain games, more than 150 intelligence puzzles, over 20 hours of expert video content, and 300+ available lessons on emotional intelligence, problem-solving, innovation, confidence-building, and decision-making. Through its IQ test, full-spectrum personality assessment, and relationship insight quiz, MyIQ delivers structured, personalized feedback that helps individuals better understand their inner world and behaviour.