Sex brings a lot of positive emotions and pleasant sensations. Moreover, we know about its beneficial effect on the physical state of the body: blood pressure normalizes, stress hormone levels decrease, and productivity increases. But if sex disappears from your life, the free time you gain will be accompanied by a rather long list of unpleasant problems.
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 turn off as soon as your head touches the pillow? The reasons for the absence of sex can vary. The consequences 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 familiar, an integral part of life. We begin to notice not only strange emotional reactions but also noticeable physical problems. The absence of sex does not just make us a little mean. It threatens real diseases.
Immunity decreases
Dr. Cory B. Honickman believes that the immune system weakens as soon as we stop having sex for a long time. Studies showMelissa Pillote. Sex And Its Positive Effects On The Immune System, The Brain, And Pain Management., that people who lead a regular sexual life have a 33% higher immune response.
Stress levels increase
Sex increases the production of serotonin, the happiness hormone. Accordingly, the absence of this act halts this factory of pleasure and increases stress levels. StudiesStuart 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 dysfunctionJuha 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.
The content of dreams changes
During periods of sexual abstinence, people often begin to dream sexual dreams. Sometimes they are so realistic that you can have an orgasm. Since sexual life is not working out in reality, why not try your luck in a dream? Of course, dreams are just a faint echo of reality, but it's better than nothing.
Libido decreases
Dr. Honickman points out 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 of the body during calm periods.
Alienation between partners arises
A break in sexual life can not only reduce libido but also lead to cooling feelings. Moreover, the absence of sex is quite noticeable. The people around you receive a signal on the subconscious level, which, if you are attractive to a person, may prompt them to start showing interest in you and move on to more active actions.
Self-esteem decreases
You may start to feel less attractive. It is believed that sperm is a kind of natural antidepressant. Its deficiency can also lead to a worsening mood. This concerns not only those who are on forced abstinence but also partners who prefer condoms as a method of protection. 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 prostate cancer increases
StudiesJennifer 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., conducted by the American Urological Association, prove that the longer the break in sexual activity in men, the higher the chance of developing prostatitis or prostate cancer.
The walls of the vagina weaken and the risk of gynecological diseases increases
Sex for women is like exercise for the Kegel muscles. Ladies, if for some reason you lack sex, at least give yourself a light warm-up.
Moreover, prolonged abstinence can lead to blood stagnation in the pelvic area, which threatens the development of diseases such as adnexitis and mastopathy.
Hormonal disruptions occur
Another unpleasant consequence of sexual abstinence for both men and women.
In the female body, the level of male hormones increases, leading to skin problems (rashes, dryness). Premature wrinkles may also appear. Engaging in sex stimulates the production of collagenA. 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 provoke bursts of aggressionNigel Barber. Sex, Violence, and Hormones.and the emergence of obsessive thoughts.
In addition to the above, a prolonged break in sexual life can also lead to obesity (trying to eat away sorrow and gain pleasure), alcoholism, insomnia, chronic pain, and the appearance of hair growth in unwanted places in women.
The only positive aspect 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?
