While sex is a wholly natural thing, and an integral part of being in a healthy, fulfilling relationship, it can be tricky. From miscommunication to those dreaded awkward moments, it's much easier to inadvertently have bad sex, rather than the good kind which leaves you begging for more. But while you'd think that being in a long-term relationship would solve all these under-the-cover woes, the reality is far more complicated. Sure, you know each other's bodies as well as your own, and by now you should know exactly what gets each other off; but just because you've done the dirty more times than you can count doesn't mean that your romp sessions are guaranteed to be groundbreaking every single time. In fact, these 10 things are bound to happen when you've been together for ages...

1. The moment when you realise the dog has been watching, the whole entire time 

Poor little Jerry.

2. When you both burst out laughing, just 'cause 

The best couples have fun time in bed, too.

3. When you stop mid-coitus to ask what you're going to have for dinner

Because food is far more important when you've been together for ages...

4. The first time you have morning sex without brushing your teeth 

It shows that you've established a new level of trust. I mean, #CoupleGoals?

5. When you default to the sure-fire thing to get each other off because you're both tired 

You both work long hours and have active social lives, so sometimes you just have to cut to the good stuff...

6. That time you realise that you both share the same fantasy 

There's no better feeling than realising that your significant other just gets you.

7. When you just do it because there's nothing good to watch on Netflix 

I mean, doing chores and all the laundry that has been piling up is much more boring.

8. When one of you makes a sound, and the other doesn't care, at all 

It's natural, after all.

 9. When you realise that your flatmate could hear absolutely everything

Geez, those walls sure are thin...

10. When one of you gets a weird cramp

Let's just say that it can really put a cramp in the whole situation.

Well there you have it. Sex doesn't always have to mind-altering, in fact, sometimes it's the quick, routine sessions which leave you feeling closer than ever to your partner. In other relationship-related news, this is how the five "love languages" can help you win at relationships.

If you've ever been in a relationship for a significant amount of time, you'll know that something strange starts happening after a while. It's like a weird sort of symbiosis, wherein both of you start doing things in accordance with the other - things you never would have done before, and certainly never would have considered normal had you witnessed it happening from outside of your partnership. It just seems to be how human relationships work, though, as it's a universal phenomenon. In fact, here are 11 things that pretty much any long-term couple will be able to relate to in some form or another...

1. You never stop talking about them

You know people probably get a bit annoyed when you do it, too, but you just don't care. Your other half did a really awesome/adorable thing, and everyone needs to know about it.

2. You recall their childhood memories as well as they do

You know all about that trip to the zoo with Great Auntie Janet, and you've heard the story about their fifth birthday so many times it almost feels like you were there. But you don't mind.

3. You enjoy the Netflix without the chill

Obviously, the chill part is still great - but you're content without it. Sometimes, just watching a movie together or binge-watching three seasons of Dexter is exactly how you want to spend your Saturday, and nothing would make you happier.

4. You talk about your bodily functions in way too much detail

You don't care whether your partner wants to hear about it or not, you're definitely going to tell them about the experience you just had in the bathroom because it needs to be shared.

5. You replace "I" with "we"

When talking to your friends, if you say, "we went to the movies last night", or "we're going on holiday in June", they know you're talking about yourself and your partner.

6. You basically have the same Facebook page

You've added all their pals on Facebook and they've added all of yours, every picture or video you upload has both of you in it, and any status either of you posts has the other one tagged in.

7. Your inside jokes have inside jokes

You guys will say something to one another that doesn't make any sense at all, and only the pair of you will get it because the origin story is like two years and eight degrees of separation away.

8. You share all your secrets

If someone shares something with you in confidence, they need to realize that you're definitely going to share it with your other half pretty much the second you see them.

9. You don't even hide when you're in a bad mood

If you're having an off day or something bad has happened, you don't want to put your significant other through the hassle of working out what's wrong, so you just straight up tell them that you're miserable and need to be left alone for a bit.

10. Your interests are now their interests

Stranger Things might have started off as your thing, and Game of Thrones might have been their thing before you met, but now you're both fans. And it's great to have someone to share that with.

11. You steal all their stuff

They left a hoodie at your place? It's yours now. You bought yourself a snack for after work? Yeah, don't expect it to be there when you get back. Sharing is caring, but pinching each other's stuff is true love.

If some of these things haven't happened in your relationship yet, you've just got to wait a little longer. And when they do happen, you'll learn to love it.

Despite being a perfectly natural and biological process, sex can get pretty awkward at times. And whilst we're given sexual education at school, university and the like, I think we can all agree that not only was the "talk" terribly inconclusive, but it also failed to go into all of the intricacies of being sexually active, of which there are many. Eventually, you only really end up getting to grips with doing the deed after doing it an awful lot. And before you become a so-called maestro of sexual exploration, you have to go through periods where the sex is just abominably terrible, rife with all sorts of embarrassing and awkward moments that will leave you cringing for days afterwards. Personally, however, I think that the world would be a much better place if we were all open enough to have a little chuckle about all of the weird and sometimes downright awkward things that can happen when you're in the throes of passion. So in the spirit of transparency, here are 10 awkward things that anyone who's ever had sex has undoubtedly experienced...

1. When you realise that your walls aren't soundproof 

Personally, I think there's nothing worse than having to look your family and friends in the eye after having a cheeky rendezvous the night before, especially when you've realised that the walls are basically paper-thin.

2. Sometimes someone accidentally walks in on you... 

I mean, nothing kills the mood faster. Bonus points if it's a family member.

 

3. Falling asleep 

When you're in a long-term relationship, it becomes easier and easier to lose some of the spiciness in the relationship. And there's where falling asleep comes into play.

Now, I know that your partner wants nothing less than to take a nap mid-coitus, but sometimes you've just had a really long, tiring day and need a teeny-tiny little slumber... at the worst possible moment.

4. When they just *lose* it 

And the defiant protests that it's never, ever happened before...

5. When they *lose* it too fast 

Seriously, again?!

6. When bodies just make weird noises 

Even though it's completely out of our control, you can't help but blush when your body just decides to do its own thing.

7. When your pet walks in on you 

Have you no shame, Rover?!

8. When that new frisky position doesn't work out as planned

While the majority of us thought that sustaining injuries whilst you're in the middle of it was just a myth, a select minority of us know that it can be a very unfortunate reality...

Sometimes it's just better to take it a little slow.

9. Condoms can be a real struggle for some

I mean you'd think that sex education classes with their cucumbers and condoms would have made people better at keeping themselves protected, but some people really have a difficult time with the humble condom.

10. When you get your period without any prior warning 

Oh, is there anything worse than the floodgates opening right when you're about to get down and dirty? After you've finished having a mini aneurysm regarding the fact that you're obviously dying and realise that you've just gotten your period a week early, the mood is pretty much dead anyway, isn't it?

Well, there you have it - although you probably don't want to admit it, you know deep down that you've had one or more of these incredibly awkward sex-related things happen to you. And so what? They've happened to us all.

When you're in a long-term relationship, certain things begin to happen. After spending a certain amount of time together, the worries and stigmas that you have when you first hook up tend to disappear. You no longer try and look presentable at all times, and smelling nice isn't something that comes into the equation anymore. While it may be hard for those of you who aren't in a long-term relationship to imagine slipping into gross/strange habits, these are 10 weird things that are extremely common in long-term relationships.

1. You can shower without having sex

The bathroom may still get steamy, but what's going on inside isn't anymore. Plus, if you shower together, you save money on bills.

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2. You can use the bathroom together

When you first hook up, discussions regarding the toilet are few and far between. However, once you're comfortable with each other, one of you will be using the loo while the other showers or brushes their teeth.

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3. Checking the laundry

While sniffings someone's underwear is commonly associated with strange sex pests who get off on human scents, the same can't be said for when you're in a long-term relationship. If you live together, you will more than likely take a sniff of your partner's clothing to decide if it needs to go in the wash.

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4. Inspecting your bodies

Popping your partner's spot is a favourite past-time for anybody that's been in a long-term relationship. When you're comfortable with someone, you're more than likely to be happy to let them check your weird hairs and moles for you.

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5. You've worn each other's clothes

If you're in an LTR and haven't at least tried on your partner's clothes, well you're just not doing it right. Most relationships have seen men in dresses and women in oversized football shirts, it's just part of the course.

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6. You text each other when you're both in

We've all been there - you're upstairs in your room and you're unbelievably hungry. However, the pizza is downstairs and you just cannot face the descent. If you're in an LTR, you'll just pull out your phone and try and convince your partner to bring you up a slice by using a load of suggestive emojis.

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7. Tickle torture

Even though absolutely nobody enjoys it, tickle torture is something that is extremely deep-rooted in the foundations of a long-term relationship.

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8. You have pet names

Pet names are the type of thing that cringe absolutely everybody out, apart from the people in the relationship. BooBoo, Flower, Bear, Sweetie - no matter what they are, they're usually stomach churning when said in a public place.

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9. You have your own language

Whether it's winking, noises, or hand signals - you and your partner are able to communicate with each other without anybody else having any idea of what you're on about.

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10. Farting and burping

Unfortunately, farting and burping are just part of what we do as human beings. While they are both gross, they are unavoidable. However, while they were taboo subjects when you first began dating, you now have a competition over who can be the grossest.

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/xlmco/status/935067179443109889]] While long-term relationships might seem strange to those who aren't involved in them, when you're in one, these 10 things seem perfectly normal.

For something that is supposed to be so natural, sex sure can be complicated. I mean, once you pass the honeymoon phase where everything is hot and heavy and you and your partner can't get enough of each other, it's quite easy to fall into a dry spell where Netflix and chill has no sexual undertones whatsoever. However, if you're finding yourself not getting it on with your significant other as much as you would like, don't fret, here are seven little things you can do (without leaving your bed, being the important caveat) that will have your partner going crazy. 

1. Sleep naked 

While this may not be the most subtle of come-ons, it's a clear invitation, and one that your partner won't be able to miss.

2. Wear your sexiest perfume to bed

Not only will this having him begging for it, but it will also leave his bed smelling of you. He won't be able to stop thinking about you long after you've left.

3. Purposefully "forget" your bra 

This and some tactical snuggling whilst you're binge-watching that new television series will have your partner reaching for something that's not more popcorn.

4. Ask them to spoon you 

Yes, there's nothing better than cuddling, but the only thing that can make it better is having an ulterior motive for doing so. I mean, you both know where it's going...

5. Brush up against him "accidentally"

Try softly stroking their chest and arms, and if you're feeling brave you could even venture down below.

6. Suggest watching a raunchy film 

Nothing gets you in the mood quicker than watching two people get it on. As such, if you're experiencing a dry spell, it might be a good idea to show your partner what exactly they're missing out on.

7. Arch your back suggestively during your morning stretch 

This move definitely gives off those "come hither" vibes, I mean, who doesn't love an early morning session?

Well, you can consider your dry spell over with these seven little tips. But if you're still in need of some advice about what to do when you actually get under the covers, here are nine things guys secretly hate about sex with the woman on top...

Are you starting to lose your passion in the bedroom? Then tell your partner to lose some weight. It's all his or her fault. Just kidding. It's normal. As your relationship goes on, the excitement fades, and you and partner fall into a predictable routine.

But don't worry. There's still hope. Sex researcher Dr. Justin Lehmiller conducted a massive study, surveying 40,000 people about their love lives. The couples that kept the spark alive, having hot, passionate sex on a regular basis, had these five habits in common:

1. Spent time setting the mood

Foreplay is important establish chemistry. So, take some time to light scented candles, play sexy music and give a sensual massage. There's a reason they lead to "happy endings" so often.

2. Practice sexual communication

Let your partner know what feels good, so they can keep doing it. And let them know what feels bad, so they can stop that nonsense. Make sure your partner feels comfortable giving you honest feedback as well. If you're not listening to each other, you're not both going to be happy.

3. Give and receive

Take turns doing oral sex. After all, relationships should be equal. Sure, you might not like going south of the border, or you might be nervous about skills. But it's only fair. Practice makes perfect, and if you level up your game your partner might reward you.

4. Be happy with their relationship

This is pretty self-explanatory. If you're not happy with your relationship, you're probably not going to have amazing sex. I mean, I guess "hate sex" is a thing. But hate will probably not fuel the greatest sex life, in the long term.

5. Try new things

Why keep doing the same thing all the time, and expecting a new result? Try new sexual positions, purchase some toys, and try role-playing with each other as Bert and Ernie. Well, maybe not Bert and Ernie. You know what I mean. Variety of the spice of life. When you experience new pleasures, your brain releases more dopamine - the chemical that literally makes you happy.

Well, there you have it. This article is reaching its climax, and I hope it was as good for you as it was for me. If you're interested in more info, here are some statistics from Dr. Lehmiller's study, in which the men and women rank what bedroom activities satisfied them the most:

The top three most satisfying activities are giving a massage, wearing sexy lingerie and taking a shower or bath together. Meanwhile, the three least satisfying activities are taking Viagara, videotaping sex and inviting another person into bed. So, now you and partner can hopefully improve your sex life. And if not, just give up, and get a sex robot.

In a related story, here are ten things all women do after sex, but they never talk about...