Modern Australian couples are spicing up their household admin with a whole new type of contract: a sex contract. Yep, you read that right. The Fifty Shades of Grey world could be more of a reality than you think.
These contracts aren't legally binding but they're becoming an increasingly popular tool, recommended by some sex therapists and relationship experts, for couples who find their sex lives need a little attention.
Aussie mag Cleo interviewed a couple, Lydia and Troy, who entered into their own sex contract 18 months into their relationship when their sex lives had become almost non-existent.
The terms of their contract are simple: they have to have sex three times per week, including foreplay.
More: 50 percent of women fantasise about someone else while with their husbands
"I was keen to do a sex contract with Troy because I felt like we weren't having sex like we used to," Lydia told Cleo magazine, as reported in the Daily Mail. "I would come home from work feeling so tired all the time and it got to a point where we were barely sleeping together."
The couple also agreed to be more open-minded about what each of them wanted in bed. And it worked: both Lydia and Troy say the contract brought them closer.
"It was nice because I felt like she really did want me and it wasn't just me making the moves on her all the time and it definitely made our sex lives, as well as our relationship, a lot better," revealed Troy. "It's a form of therapy… a good relationship is about being vulnerable."
Another couple, Ada and Luke, told Cleo that their contract includes an agreement to experiment with different things every time they have sex, including watching porn together.
In their case things did venture into Fifty Shades territory…
"I discovered things I never thought I'd like… like choking," said Ada. "I wasn't sure about it; I didn't want to have marks on my neck… or die! But he was so sweet; he was scared, but still suggested it because it was something he was curious about but didn't know how to say it.
"I think he probably would never have approached a girl about this unless the sex contract existed," she continued. "We had a safety word and did it a few times. That was one thing I wasn't sure about, but I ended up liking it."
Some relationship experts agree that a sex contract is a good way for new couples to work out what kind of sex life suits them both and for long-term couples to relight the spark.
What do you think? Would you sign a sex contract? Would you feel comfortable suggesting one to your partner? Let us know in the comments section below.
More on sex
7 Lousy reasons women aren't achieving orgasm
Sex in your 40s puts 20-something sex to shame
5 Meditation tricks to boost your sex drive