Absence of sex has unpleasant side effects, especially for women. But even the most passionate temperaments have, shall we say, dry spells in their lives. Whatever the reason, know that if you don’t have regular sex, both your physical and mental health will be affected, writes The Mirror.
1. You lose your libido
When it comes to sex drive, it seems the correct saying is that “it must be used or it will run out”. “People who don’t have regular sex for any reason become sluggish, less energetic, and have less desire for sex,” explains Sari Cooper, a board-certified sexologist and licensed clinical social worker. “First out of sight, then out of mind,” say some of her clients, meaning they stop thinking about sex when it’s not in their lives. True, this does not apply to everyone – some people want sex even more during this so-called dry period.
2. Vaginal walls may become thinner
This point is, of course, about women. dr. Cooper reveals, “Without regular intercourse, the walls of the vagina become thinner as we age, making sex painful again.” The North American Association for Menopause Research recommends regular penetrative sex to keep the vagina healthier during menopause.
3. Slipperiness decreases
Another side effect that is unique to older women is that when you have sex after a longer break, you will notice a decrease in lubrication. Both this phenomenon and the thinning of the vaginal walls are caused by a lack of the hormone estrogen. “Let’s say a woman in her 20s or 30s has enough estrogen in her body, so her vaginal tissue is healthy, flexible and has enough lubrication during sex,” says the sexologist. “In addition, a 60-year-old woman has much less estrogen in her body, it decreases with age.”
To reduce the effects of lack of sex and aging, Cooper advises: “Vaginal lubrication decreases with age; if you don’t feel sexual pleasure even while reading erotic books or watching erotic movies, lubrication decreases faster.”
4. Menstruation may become more painful
Clearly, women are more affected by the lack of sex. It may sound strange to some, but having sex during menstruation reduces the pain. “The uterus is a muscle, for many women the uterus contracts during orgasm, so the blood will be removed faster and the pain during menstruation will be less strong,” explains the sexologist. “Sex also produces endorphins, which reduce pain.”
5. Probably the only benefit – the risk of urinary tract infection decreases
And finally – a ray of hope. Not surprisingly, the absence of sex reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. And that’s not all – the risk of urinary tract infections also decreases. During intercourse, the transmission of bacteria that cause urinary tract infections increases, as well as the risk of bladder inflammation.
In premenopausal women, urinary tract infection symptoms appear on the first day after intercourse, and as doctors note, intercourse is the most common cause of recurrent urinary tract infections.
6. Erectile dysfunction is increasing in men
In this case, it is appropriate to say that what nature has given must be diligently used. According to one study, sexual abstinence increases the likelihood of erectile dysfunction in men, although it is more common in older men.
7. You may have noticed that you feel more stressed
Do you feel irritable because you have little or no sex? Lack of sex may be the root of the problem. Regular sex is said to be a great stress reliever, and people who live without sex are at risk of high blood pressure when stressed.