Objective To investigate whether better sexual health is associated with improvements in overall health and wellness, a more loving and intimate relationship, and a more positive outlook on life. Methods The Sexual Health and Overall Wellness survey used self-administered questionnaires to collect data from men and women aged 25–74 years who had had sexual intercourse at least once within the previous 12 months. Results Across nine countries, 3780 self-administered questionnaires were completed: 1893 from men (mean age, 44.6 years); 1887 from women (mean age, 44.2 years). The majority of men and women were satisfied with the frequency of sexual intercourse over the previous 4 weeks (59% and 66%, respectively); the majority (67% and 55%, respectively) reported that having sex was ‘very important’ or ‘absolutely essential’. For men and women, there was a strong association between satisfaction with sex and overall health, and between satisfaction with sex and an overall positive outlook on life. Conclusion For men and women, satisfaction with different aspects of sex was important, and was strongly associated with satisfaction with general health, relationships and other aspects of wellbeing.