Five things that lead to a longer and happier relationship

Five different types of communication were found to lead to sexual satisfaction in long-term relationships

Frequent intimacy maintains a couple's connection - but it does not improve the more sex you have (REX Features)

A new study is set to be released detailing the key elements to a fulfilling and sexually satisfying relationship.

Those behind the research, due to be published in the Journal of Sex Research, noted there were five different types of communication that led to sexual satisfaction.

And, according to the Wall Street Journal, the researchers concluded that each of the five types contributed to a happier relationship for women and men.

They are:

1) Being praised by their partner for something they did in bed

2) Being asked by their partner for something they want

3) Asking for something they want from their partner

4) Teasing during the day over the phone or via email

5) Asking for feedback on how something felt

Results also highlighted five types of mood setting that were more common among satisfied couples, ranked in importance:

1) Saying "I love you" – 75 per cent of satisfied men and 74 per cent of women said their partner said "I love you" during their last sexual encounter

2) Engaging in "sexy talk"

3) Laughing about something funny that happened during sex

4) Lighting candles or dimming the lights

5) Playing background music

• Read more: Three things that lead to real happiness
• Three things that can lead to a stronger relationship
• When couples stop feeling sexually satisfied in relationships

The study was conducted by researchers at Chapman University in Orange, California, California State University, Sonoma State University, and at the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University.

It saw almost 39,000 married or co-habiting heterosexual men and women asked to rate their current sexual satisfaction, and during the first six months of the relationship.