If you read the books, GeronL, you will find that sex is in there, and it plays an important role.
I would say that the way it is described in the books between Danaerys and Khal Drogo is critical to understanding the subtlety of their relationship.
Sadly it is not done this way in season 1, but it would be very difficult to portray this fine detail via film.
I would agree with you though that it is unnecessarily injected in ways that it was not meant to be, for example the scenes between Renly and Ser Loras were not in the book, and the scenes with the red haired whore were also invented for HBO, I assume just to add spice.
it doesn’t have to be so graphic, which adds nothing to the story
You’re right. I went to the library and checked out the book, 2300 pages of marvelous storytelling.