Having sex has amazing effects on your body, mind, and spirit. So what happens when you stop having sex?
For sexually active people, going through a “dry period” can feel like a major change in body and mind.
Some people may feel irritable and anxious, while others simply feel overwhelmingly agitated with no viable ways to relieve it.
But some people may not feel any change at all, no longer nostalgic for the sex they used to have or craving more sex, reports Body+Soul.
But when does drought actually start to change your biology? And does not having sex have a measurable effect on how we feel?
Christine Rafe, sex and relationships expert at sex toy brand Womanizer, also weighed in.
How will your body change if you stop having sex?
It may feel like your body has undergone a huge change since you stopped feeling full on a regular basis, but science says that's not the case.
“While it is recognized that there are physical, emotional, and psychological benefits to engaging in sexual activity alone or with a partner (including external or non-penetrative sex), this This does not mean that there are any negative consequences associated with it. Leif told Body+Soul.
However, we may experience what experts call “deconditioning.” This essentially means you won't be ready for intercourse.
“Just as we experience decreased self-confidence, muscle tension, and a decline in overall condition from not exercising, people who have never had sex or have gone for long periods of time experience decreased self-confidence, muscle tension, and overall condition. “You may experience decreased sexual conditioning and realize that you have muscles, such as pressure, pain, difficulty controlling ejaculation, and loss of confidence in sexual activity,” Reif said. “These are not long-term biological changes.”
benefits of sex
“There is no substantial research or evidence to conclude that there are negative health effects for people who choose not to have sex or to stop having sex,” she added. But there are certainly advantages for those who choose to do so.
When it comes to hormones, “chemicals released during sexual pleasure, whether you're alone or with another person, include oxytocin, endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine,” Leif explains. did. “These are chemicals that make us happy/feel good and can improve our mood and energy levels.” [and] Motivation increases. ”
Similarly, sexual activity and pleasure can help reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels, which “can affect mood and the immune system,” she continued.
When it comes to relationships, for many people, sex is a big part of developing closeness and intimacy with their partner, which also has the knock-on effect of feeling better.
One area supported by research is the correlation between “increased ejaculation frequency in adulthood and decreased incidence of prostate cancer in men with penises, which is generally not noted after adulthood.” ,” Reif said.
But the good news is that while sex can trigger many of these chemical reactions and cause ejaculation, “there are other things that can promote the same physical, relational, and psychological health without sex.” There is a method.
How to enjoy the benefits of sex without actually having sex
“Just because you don't experience sexual pleasure doesn't mean you can't experience the same chemical benefits as people who have sex,” the sexual health expert said.
When it comes to feel-good hormones, “we can release these chemicals through many other activities, such as exercising, dancing, getting massages, meditating, singing, listening to music, laughing, and experiencing things that are new and moderately challenging.” It can accelerate the generation of
You can also produce these hormones through non-sexual connections, such as hugs, eye contact, holding hands, having meaningful conversations, and feeling heard.
Similarly, “sexual pleasure and activity can reduce cortisol, the stress hormone that affects mood and the immune system, but other ways to reduce cortisol include meditation, exercise, sleep, and healthy eating.” These include healthy eating, setting boundaries, and more,” Reif said.
Other forms of relationship intimacy, however, include non-sexual contact and affection, “emotional connections and things that help you feel supported and secure by another person.” she added.
Similarly, when it comes to ejaculation frequency, it's entirely possible to maintain that number without having sex with anyone else.
A pleasure, not a necessity
Having less sex may feel like a physical and mental adjustment, but there's no evidence that it's bad for you. In fact, it's quite normal for your sexual desire to change as you age.
“Throughout life, we are very likely to experience fluctuations and changes in our experiences of desire, arousal, and pleasure, and this may occur weekly, monthly (particularly for people who menstruate), or across different life stages, including adolescence. It can change over time: relationship dynamics, parent-child relationships, menopause, aging, etc.,” Reif said.
So if you're feeling dry, don't feel like having sex, or don't have anyone to have sex with, don't worry.
In fact, the worst thing that can happen from not having sex is feeling distressed about it, which can affect your mental health and relationships.
Sex has great health benefits. It strengthens intimacy and resilience in couples, increases body confidence, reduces anxiety and depression, and improves mood.
But even without sexual contact, you can definitely activate these benefits in other ways, promoting intimacy, mental acuity, and feel-good hormones.
“Sex is certainly part of a healthy lifestyle, but it's not necessary to be healthy,” Leif says.
“It's absolutely possible to live a healthy and fulfilling life without sex, as long as it doesn't cause you anxiety or negatively impact your life.”
