A new study released today shows nearly 8 in 10 married women say sex is 'very important' to their marriage.

USAToday.com reports of the 1,001 wives ages 18-49 who were surveyed last month, 75 percent say a good sex life with their spouse is "very or extremely important"; 16 percent say "somewhat important."

The married women surveyed said communication translates action into the bedroom; 44 percent said they get in the mood for sex when their spouse "says nice things" while 67 percent said linked their sex life to "feelings of love".

The survey also found almost half of those surveyed said they had better sex before they had children, while 34 percent said having children did not change their sex lives.