Our love affair with mobile phones , iPads and other gadgets is ruining our sex lives , research shows . In-depth interviews with couples from across England revealed that modern technology is playing havoc with our relationships . Some 40 per cent of those questioned said they had put off having sex to make a phone call , send a text message or surf the web . Others said they had rushed romance in order to respond to messages . And one third admitted to answering their phone during sex . Scroll down for video . Couples are using their smartphones so much in bed they 're 'living in different worlds ' , researchers found . One woman who spoke to the Durham University researchers described her husband ’ s smartphone as the ‘ third person in our marriage ’ . Another said : ‘ Sometimes I ’ ll be on Facebook and he ’ ll be on a sporting app while we are both in bed ; we realise that we are sitting next to each other but living in different worlds. ’ Researcher Dr Mark McCormack , who carried out detailed interviews with 15 couples , said that taking phones and laptops into the bedroom has ‘ potentially serious costs to relationships ’ . His study , commissioned by Durex , also revealed more than a quarter of couples had filmed themselves having sex and that 40 per cent had sent sexy pictures to each other . Taking phones and laptops into the bedroom has ‘ potentially serious costs to relationships ’ Susie Lee , of the Siren dating app , warned that technology can never completely replace human interaction . She said : ‘ True chemistry comes from intimacy . ‘ So whilst we need our tech – it has enhanced our lives , enabling us to reconnect with old friends , reach wider social groups and meet new people – we need to recognise the times and places when social networking doesn ’ t enhance our experience . ‘ We really need to learn how to focus on each other in the bedroom , rather than on our smartphones or tablets . ’
Durham University researchers highlighted our love affair with gadgets . 40 per cent of those questioned had put off having sex to use technology . One third even admitted to having answered their phone during sex . Phones led one couple to feel like they were 'living in different worlds '