How does your body really change when you stop having sex?

Having sex can be great for your body, mind and soul – so what happens when you’re not having sex anymore?

For a sexually active person, going through a “dry spell” can feel like a massive change for the body and mind.

Some may feel jittery and jittery, while others will just feel massively turned on, with no possible way to relieve it.

However, some people may not feel any difference at all – they neither miss the sex they were having nor enjoy it any more, reports Body+Soul.

But at what point does a dry spell start to change your biology? And does not having sex have a tangible impact on how we feel?

Christine Rafe, the sex and relationship expert for sex toy brand Womanizer, had this to say.

How does the body change when you stop having sex?

As much as your body may feel like it’s gone through a big change since you haven’t sated regularly, science says it hasn’t.

“While there are known physical, emotional and psychological benefits to engaging in single or partnered sexual activity (including outside or non-penetrative sex), this does not mean that there are negative consequences associated with not being sexually active,” Rafe said. for Body. + Spirit.

However, we can experience what experts call “deconditioning,” which basically means becoming less prepared for relationships.

“In the same way we can experience a reduction in confidence, muscle tightness and general deconditioning from not exercising, people who haven’t had sex or who abstain from sex for long periods can experience decommitment to sexual activities and find that they have muscles . tightness or pain, difficulty controlling ejaculation, and loss of confidence in sexual activity,” Rafe said, though she stresses “these are not long-term biological changes.”

The benefits of sex

“There is no substantial research or evidence to conclude that there are negative health impacts for someone who chooses not to have sex, or to stop having sex,” she added – however, there are certainly benefits for those who choose to do so.

When it comes to hormones, “chemicals released during sexual pleasure, whether alone or with others, include oxytocin, endorphins, serotonin and dopamine,” Rafe explained. “These are our happy/feel-good chemicals, and they can improve mood and energy levels [and] increases motivation.”

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 cultivating intimacy and closeness with their partner or partners—which, in turn, has knock-on effects that make us feel good.

One area supported by the research is “the association between higher frequency of ejaculation in adulthood and a lower rate of prostate cancer in those with a penis, which is generally seen in later adulthood,” Rafe said.

But the good news is that while sex triggers many of these chemical reactions and can be the cause of ejaculation, “there are other ways you can promote the same physical, relational and psychological health without having sex.”

How to reap the benefits of sex without actually having sex

“Not having sexual pleasure doesn’t mean you can’t experience the same benefits of these chemicals as someone who engages in sexual activity,” said the sexual health expert.

When it comes to feel-good hormones, “we can promote the production of these chemicals through many other activities such as movement, dancing, massage, meditation, singing, listening to music, laughing, experiencing something new and/or moderately challenging.”

You can also generate these hormones through non-sexual connections, which can include hugging, eye contact, holding hands, meaningful conversations, and feeling heard.

Similarly, “while pleasure and sexual activity can reduce the stress hormone cortisol, which can affect mood and the immune system, other ways you can lower cortisol include meditation, exercise, sleep, healthy eating and setting boundaries,” said Rafe.

Meanwhile, other forms of intimacy in relationships can be non-sexual touch and affection, “emotional connection and anything that supports you to feel safe and supported by another person,” she adds.

Similarly, when it comes to ejaculation frequency – it is more than possible to maintain this number without having sex with another person.

A pleasure, not a necessity

While having less sex may seem like a physical and mental adjustment, there’s no evidence that it’s bad for you. In fact, it’s very normal for your libido to change as you age.

“It is very likely that you will experience fluctuations and changes in your experience of desire, arousal and pleasure throughout your life, and this may fluctuate weekly, monthly (especially for those who menstruate) or more progressively in stages of different stages of life including puberty, relationship dynamics, parenting, menopause, adulthood, etc.,” said Rafe.

So if you’re in a dry spell, don’t feel like having sex, or don’t have anyone to have sex with – don’t panic.

In fact, the worst thing that can happen from not having sex is feeling anxious about it, which can affect your mental well-being and relationships.

Sex can be great for your health – it can strengthen a couple’s intimacy and stamina, increase body confidence, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve mood.

But you can absolutely activate those benefits in other ways, by inducing closeness, mental acuity, and sensitivity hormones without sex.

“Sex can certainly be a component of a healthy lifestyle, but it’s not essential for you to be healthy,” Rafe said.

“If it doesn’t bother you or affect your life in any adverse way, then you can absolutely live a healthy and fulfilling life without having sex.”