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10 Things That Happen to Your Body When You Go Without Sex

couple in bed having sex
It's most beautiful triviality in the world

As a society, we still seem to have a range of hang-ups when it comes to sex. But rather than being shy or prudish about the issue, we should be treating it as a matter of health. Whether you have a fuck buddy or you’re in a committed relationship, regular sexual activity isn’t just good for your mind, it’s good for your body too.

Going without sex for prolonged periods isn’t what we’re programmed for as human beings. But when it happens, the effects can be significant and long-lasting.

1. You have more wet dreams

When we go long periods without climaxing, our subconscious lets us know that’s something’s missing. We often have erotic dreams that include so much detail and context we end up climaxing in our sleep. While this phenomenon is most common amongst young men, it has been known to affect women too. So, whether you’re on an adult dating website or looking for love in all the wrong places, you may need a change of strategy to keep your bed sheets dry.

2. Your stress levels rise

The act of sexual gratification causes feel-good hormones endorphins to be released into the body. Among other things, these hormones reduce stress and anxiety levels. So when you go several weeks without reaching orgasm, you’re not getting this important benefit.

3. Your blood pressure could rise

According to one study, test subjects who had sex over a period of two weeks had lower blood pressure than those who had no sex. Interestingly, those who masturbated instead of having sex had higher blood pressure than those who had regular sex. What’s the moral of the story? Well, have as much sex as you can!

4. Your risk of depression increases

According to Psychology Today, one research study revealed that female test subjects who were having regular sex were significantly less depressed than those who weren’t. But it gets even more interesting. The same study found that the women having sex with a condom were more depressed than the women enjoying unprotected sex. There are chemical compounds in semen that are absorbed through the vaginal wall — some of which help to elevate the woman’s mood.

5. You could gain weight

man pinching himself into his belly fat
It's most beautiful triviality in the world

Let’s not beat about the bush here — sex is great exercise. And if you go from enjoying it every night to never, you’re losing a huge amount of exercise during the average week. One steamy sex session has the potential to burn up to 500 calories. So if you stop suddenly without making changes to your diet, your jeans are going to get very tight very quickly.

Pro tip: Move around your home while making love to burn even more calories.

6. Your memory could suffer

When you have sex, new neurons are produced in an area of the brain called the hippocampus — the area responsible for your long-term memory. So if you have a healthy sex life, the chances are you’ll be giving your memory and concentration levels a boost. If you’ve ever felt a little forgetful or confused during periods when you’re not having sex, this could be what’s happening.

7. You could suffer from erectile dysfunction

There is evidence to suggest that not having sex regularly can increase a guy’s chances of developing erectile dysfunction. Think of the penis as a muscle — it needs regular exercise like any other muscle in your body. When the sex dries up, the penis (or at least the area of your brain that controls your penis) becomes out of practice very quickly.

And if you’re a guy who’s worried about the size of your penis, you should be very concerned if you’re not having as much sex as you’d like. Penile tissue can actually shrink if you aren’t giving it a regular workout. And if all that’s not enough, your risk of developing prostate cancer increases too.

8. You could experience sleeping problems

man in bed who cannot sleep
Sex promotes your sleep!

Have you ever noticed how easily you can fall asleep after climactic sex? Well, this is because sex releases a range of hormones that help you to relax. Women, for instance, experience a release of endorphins during and after sex, which boost oestrogen levels and enhance the REM cycle. Also, a chemical called prolactin is released, which has a direct effect on a woman’s fatigue levels.

Pro tip: Have sex 30 minutes or so before you want to fall asleep, and your chances of nodding off naturally should improve drastically.

9. You pain tolerance will fall

Not having sex regularly can be a total pain in the neck — quite literally! Yes, if you’re not getting enough action in the bedroom department, those aches and pains you deal with every week could be a lot worse than they need to be.

When we have sex, the body releases a hormone called oxytocin. Nicknamed the “love hormone,” oxytocin is one of the body’s most powerful pain relievers. So the next time you reach for the paracetamol for a headache, reach for your partner instead.

10. You might experience feelings of low self-esteem

Having regular sex with someone who genuinely wants to please you has a wide range of positive effects on both your mind and your body. Firstly, you get a regular workout, which is great for getting toned and controlling your weight. But sex also releases a range of hormones that make us feel more positive — about life and about ourselves. The likes of endorphins, opioids and serotonin all deliver mood boosts, which can have a knock-on effect on your self-esteem.

Sex is as natural as any function within the human body, so it shouldn’t be avoided or feared. Have as much sex as you can — it’s really good for you!

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Image sources: (1) Kaspars Grinvalds | (2) photophonie | (3) |