Mrs Everiss, 34, a social media consultant, says: "We still turn each other on, but we don't want to take it any further. We don't have the time or the energy.

"I find it hard switching off knowing that our four-year-old, Addison, is in the next bedroom. I think if Chris really missed sex he would tell me, or I'd catch him watching porn on the Internet as a substitute.

"Even though I'm only 34 and Chris is 40, to us, that is contentment."

The article also cites a recent survey that estimated 15 to 20 per cent of couples have sexless relationships - defined by experts as making love fewer than 10 times a year - while around 5 per cent go without altogether.

In Singapore, our search yielded five couples willing to talk about their sexless marriages. Experts say the situation isn't rare.

All five said they were fine with the lack of sex.

The wives said they were not concerned about their husbands looking for affection outside the marriage.

Madam Shanice Chung, 47, a freelance writer, admits that she had been worried at first that the lack of sex would drive her husband to another woman.

"But I know now that the fears are unfounded.

He's okay with it because he's busy getting his tuition centre going."

The couple, who have no children, have been married for 11 years. They stopped having sex about three years ago, soon after her husband, Mr Alvin Chew, set up the tuition centre.

Mr Chew, 48, says: "Aiyoh, please lah. I am so tired by the time I return home each night that I just drop dead on the bed."

Ms Lily Yong, 41, a fitness trainer, has been married for five years. After her baby girl was born in 2010, she and her husband stopped having sex.

"The reasons are all the same - not enough time, too tired etc. I think we cherish each other more as companions.

"I guess I'm one of the luckier women... I don't have to see sex as an obligation of a wife."

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