Have you recently broken up with your partner or are you just too busy? Maybe work and small children contribute to the fact that in the evenings you instantly switch off as soon as your head touches the pillow? The reasons for the absence of sex can vary. The consequences, however, will be the same for everyone and not very pleasant.
A few days of break turn into weeks, and weeks into months. At first, there is just a slight lack of sex, and then it becomes something habitual, an integral part of life. We begin to notice not only strange emotional reactions but also tangible physical problems. The absence of sex does not just make us a bit bitchy. It threatens very real diseases.
Immunity decreases
Dr. Cory B. Honickman believes that the immune system weakens as soon as we stop having sex for a long period. Studies show Melissa Pillote. Sex And Its Positive Effects On The Immune System, The Brain, And Pain Management. that people who have a regular sex life have 33% higher immunity.
Stress levels increase
Sex increases the production of serotonin, the happiness hormone. Consequently, the absence of this act halts this pleasure factory and raises stress levels. Studies Stuart Brody. Blood Pressure Reactivity to Stress is Better for People Who Recently Had Penile–vaginal Intercourse Than for People Who Had Other Or No Sexual Activity. , conducted at the University of Paisley (UK), show that people after regular sex cope with stressful situations much better than those practicing other forms or abstaining.
Problems with arousal arise
Men suffer from erectile dysfunction Juha Koskimäki, Rahman Shiri, Teuvo Tammela, Jukka Häkkinen, Matti Hakama, Anssi Auvinen. Regular Intercourse Protects Against Erectile Dysfunction: Tampere Aging Male Urologic Study. . These can be both problems with erection and premature ejaculation.
Dream content changes
During periods of sexual abstinence, people often start to dream about sex. Sometimes they are so realistic that you may achieve orgasm. Since a sexual life isn't happening in reality, why not try your luck in a dream? Of course, dreams are just a faint echo of reality, but it's better this way than nothing.
Libido decreases
Dr. Honickman notes that as a result of prolonged sexual abstinence, sexual desire also decreases. Why torment an already tormented body if sex is not on the horizon? This is quite normal. A natural reaction during quiet periods.
Alienation between partners appears
A break in sexual life can not only lower libido but also lead to cooling of feelings. Moreover, the absence of sex is quite noticeable. Those around subconsciously receive a signal that, if you are attractive to someone, may prompt them to start showing interest and take more active actions towards you.
Self-esteem decreases
You may start to feel less attractive. It is believed that semen is a kind of natural antidepressant. Its deficiency can also lead to a deterioration in mood. This applies not only to those who have made a forced break but also to partners who prefer condoms as a means of contraception. Of course, condoms should be used. But if you have a steady partner or husband/wife, you can use other methods of contraception.
The risk of developing prostate cancer increases
Studies Jennifer Rider, Kathryn Wilson, Rachel Kelly, Erika Ebot, Edward Giovannucci, Lorelei Mucci. Ejaculation Frequency and Risk of Prostate Cancer: Updated Results from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. prove that the longer the break in sexual activity for men, the higher the chance of developing prostatitis or prostate cancer.
The walls of the vagina weaken, and the risk of developing gynecological diseases increases
Sex for women is like exercise for kegel muscles. Ladies, if you are lacking sex for some reason, at least do some light warm-up exercises.
Furthermore, the consequence of prolonged abstinence can be blood stagnation in the pelvic area, which threatens the development of diseases such as adnexitis and mastopathy.
Hormonal disorders occur
Another unpleasant consequence of sexual abstinence for both men and women.
In women, there is an increase in male hormones, leading to skin problems (rashes, dryness). Premature wrinkles may also appear. Engaging in sex stimulates the production of collagen A. O. Abubaker, P. C. Hebda, J. N. Gunsolley. Effects of Sex Hormones on Protein and Collagen Content of the Temporomandibular Joint Disc of the Rat. , which makes the skin elastic. No sex - hello, premature aging!
Men also start having skin problems in the form of rashes, and an excess of male hormones can trigger bursts of aggression Nigel Barber. Sex, Violence, and Hormones. and the emergence of obsessive thoughts.
In addition to the aforementioned, a prolonged break in sexual life can also lead to obesity (attempts to eat away sadness and seek pleasure), alcoholism, insomnia, chronic pain, and the appearance of unwanted hair growth in women.
The only positive moment of abstinence is the absence of sexually transmitted diseases. But this is quite a dubious plus if you have had a steady partner for a long time, right?
