The gender divide

One point worth mentioning is that women and men generally have different reactions towards their partner's sexual history. "When it comes to the amount of partners, usually less is more for men," Huemer points out. "A man likes to think that he is only man she's ever been with...or will be with. And, if there have been men in the past, less is better. A guy doesn't want a girl who has slept with more people than he has." This may not sound fair, but blame it on the competitive nature that's inbuilt in men -- any previous partners you had are sub-consciously viewed as rivals, which automatically threatens his ego.

On the flip side, women don't generally see our men as 'cheap' or 'easy' because they have had more than a few partners. "Women like a man who has had more experience than she has," continues Huemer. For many, more experience translates into more knowledge of how to make a woman happy. "Too few partners does not bother a man but could bother a woman if he doesn't know how to please her," Huemer notes. "She might also be afraid that he still wants to go out in the world and experience more."

Look beyond the "number"

While it's easy to become fixated on the number of sexual partners your man has had, the more important issue is the habits leading up to it. Perhaps a big number was the result of habitual cheating, sexual addiction or a commitment phobia. Those issues will negatively impact a budding relationship more so than the actual digit. It's easier to look past a long list of names than it is to overcome a deep-rooted addiction or habit.

If the number of sexual partners on either end of the relationship causes discomfort, hesitancy to move forward or an urge to judge, open communication is by far the most effective tool to ensure a solid partnership.