By Lisa Ryan

What’s the ideal number of sex partners? MSN’s survey highlights what men and women say, plus relationship expert Susan Winter.

Some people want their significant other to divulge how many sexual partners they’ve had, while others would rather keep that information under wraps.

But those who choose to share may be curious to know how their numbers “line up” with others — and whether the number of sex partners they’ve had would be considered ideal.

And now, a new survey of 2,000 adults in the U.S. and Europe from Superdrug Online Doctor has revealed that men and women believe the ideal number of sexual partners a person should have in their lifetime is around seven.

To be specific, female respondents reported that they felt 7.5 was the ideal number, while men said that 7.6 was the ideal figure.

Furthermore, female survey participants said that they consider a person who has had 15 or more partners to be “too promiscuous,” while men think people who have had 14 or more partners are promiscuous.

A RELATIONSHIP EXPERT REVEALS THE ONLY DATING RULES YOU SHOULD FOLLOW

Dating is complicated enough without tripping over tons of extraneous “rules” about how relationships are supposed to work. (Who made those rules, anyway?) Author and relationship expert Susan Winter shared the only guidelines you should follow in order to create the relationship you want.

FORGET THE “RULES” ABOUT WHEN TO CALL OR TEXT

Ditch those “rules” about how long to wait before calling or texting and don’t overthink it. If you had a good time, let your date know in a way that feels unstilted. “Whether it’s the ‘two-day rule’ or the ‘one-week rule’, that formula is guaranteed to backfire,” she said. “The unedited, natural approach is a far better choice.

DON’T SKIMP ON RESPECT

It’s called “The Golden Rule” for a reason. Being a decent human being never goes out of style. “Today’s dating protocol is far more relaxed than in former generations, but that doesn’t mean it should be stripped of polite behavior, kindness, respect, and thoughtfulness,” she said.

BE DIRECT AND PROACTIVE

Do you want to be friends? Friends with benefits? Is there long-term potential here? If you want to know where your relationship is going, don’t wait around for the other person to say something. Share your expectations right off the bat to avoid awkward misunderstandings. “State what you’d like to experience in your initial conversations,” she said. “That way, your prospective partner knows the rules of engagement.”

STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF

It seems like everyone has an opinion about who you should or shouldn’t be dating. Focus on what makes you happy, not what will placate everyone around you. “Do not listen to your peer group, to your friends, or to your society,” said Winter.” “If they are not beating to your drum, go to your own drum … You do your thing, and you will find your match.”

Female survey respondents reported having an average of seven sexual partners themselves, compared with 6.4 partners for male participants.

Additionally, nearly 90% of female respondents and 88% of male respondents said a person should disclose the number of sexual partners they’ve had to someone they’re dating.

© Superdrug Online Doctor© Superdrug Online Doctor

Around 30% of both genders said the figure should be revealed within the first month of dating, while close to 35% said the figure should be disclosed in the first one to four months.

And if they think their significant other has had too many sexual partners, only 30% said they might break up with the person. In contrast, if they think the person hasn’t had enough partners, only 8% said they would consider breaking up.