Like life, your sexual life has its ups and downs. Weeks or even months may go by without any intercourse.
However, many people are unaware that going too long without having sex can be detrimental to your health in addition to being annoying.
Why it matters
The average American only has sex once a week, according to recent NapLab data. Additionally, one expert claims that not having enough intimate relationships could seriously affect your life.
There’s more to it than you might imagine, even though you may not see why what you do in the bedroom counts. In actuality, skipping sex can have detrimental effects on your emotional health in addition to your physical health.
According to studies, celibate individuals are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, and mood swings, experts say.
Researchers from Scotland found that people who abstained from sex struggled to cope with stressful events, including public speaking, more than people who had at least one sexual encounter in a two-week period.
“Suppressing sexual urges without alternative stress-relieving outlets can build up frustration and also aggravate anxiety or irritability,” says Dr. Sham Singh, a psychiatrist and sexual health specialist.
While fewer germs may result from less sex, the immune-boosting effects of sex are also lost.
Compared to those who had sex occasionally or never, researchers at Wilkes-Barre University in Pennsylvania discovered that those who had sex once or twice a week had a 30% greater level of an antibody that aids in the body’s defense against viruses.
Not having sex over extended periods of time
When researchers studied the relationship between sexual behavior and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, it became very evident.
A 2021 study that examined 4,000 people’s sexual life found that individuals who engaged in more sexual activity during the epidemic had lower anxiety levels than those who abstained entirely.
Endorphins, which are brain chemicals that assist lower tension and pain, may be connected to this. Endorphin levels might increase by up to 200% during intercourse.
Long stretches without sex, however, can also have negative effects on one’s physical health.
According to Dr. Sham Singh, “the lack of sex release may lead to a higher level of restlessness or tension in both men and women, which may manifest physically as tightness in the muscles, difficulty focusing, or hypersensitivity to touch.”
He added that hormonal changes in testosterone, estrogen, and the stress hormone cortisol can affect energy levels, appetite, and sleep during prolonged abstinence.
“Sex is a good way to relax and sleep better, for example, through the release of oxytocin,” he added, adding that other people can feel more exhausted.
The desire for sex is waning among Americans.
In addition to affecting older generations, younger people—especially millennials and Gen Z—are progressively adopting a less active sexual life.
According to a government survey, one unexpected age group is driving the decline in sex interest among Americans. The most recent National Survey of Family Growth indicates that among adults between the ages of 22 and 34, sexlessness rates are increasing nationally. According to the report, 7% of women and 10% of young males in this category are still virgins.
Overall, throughout the past ten or so years, sexlessness among young adult males has nearly doubled on all metrics. The Institute of Family Studies (IFS), which released an analysis of the survey, claims that it has increased by about 50% for young adult females.
A record 25% of Americans under 40 have never been married, according to a previous Pew Research poll. Living alone was also reported by many in this age range.