Abstinence from sex does not cause significant harm to the body. But often it is caused by relationship problems and negative attitudes. Then the sexual “hunger strike” can turn into depression and dissatisfaction with oneself.
Sex is not the icing on the cake. Most will not agree to voluntarily give it up. Sex makes life more enjoyable and healthier for many reasons. But is it safe to say that abstaining from sex for whatever reason is necessarily unhealthy?
Not really, experts say. At least physiologically. The good news is that you will not die from abstinence – and most likely, it will not lead to negative consequences like cancer or heart disease. Unlike food, sex is not an essential part of life.
Long-term abstinence, however, can become psychologically unhealthy – when you want sex but can’t or don’t dare to have it.
The heaviness of repressed sexual desire creates tension
At what age do people start having sex? The results of a study on this topic, published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2008, showed that those whose sexual debut occurs well into their twenties or even thirty years of age are more likely to be anxious.
“Our culture places great value on the ability to attract partners. If you do not find confirmation that you are desirable, this can affect your sexual self-esteem, ”explains sexologist Jessica O’Reilly.
Sex therapist David McKenzie adds that this is especially important for men: “The more you abstain from sex, the more insecure and tight you become.”
The negative effects of prolonged abstinence include sexual dissatisfaction and a drop in desire.
“If you abstain from sex because of unresolved relationship problems, intimacy with a partner can gradually fade away, and feelings can lose tenderness and intimacy,” warns Jessica O’Reilly. However, in some cases, abstinence can affect how a person responds to sexual stimuli.
“The brain is the most powerful sexual organ. It is he who feeds all our sexual sensations, says the sexologist. “Attitudes in society and in the family that force women and men to suppress sexual desires can negatively affect the development of sexual identity, create a persistent aversion to sex in a person.”
In the end, it all depends on what was the reason for abstaining from sex.
Jessica O’Reilly claims that voluntarily giving up sex for a while helped her clients learn more about their bodies.
“This is especially important for those women who have never experienced orgasm during intimacy with a partner,” explains the expert. “When they learned to please themselves through masturbation, without pressure and high expectations, they began to better understand their own desires and feelings.”
Sex in a couple is important not only in itself. It creates a feeling of emotional intimacy and affection. Therefore, if you have lost interest in sex, it is worth understanding why this happened. It’s a good idea to discuss your sex life with your partner and, if necessary, seek advice from a specialist.