How often someone has sex changes from time to time. It depends on the age, the fluctuations in sex drive and the relationship status. A lot of people enjoy a full and satisfying life without having sex with anyone.
A recent study looked at the data from 17,744 people in America, 15.2% of males and 26.7% of females said that they had no sex partner for a year while 8.7% of males and 17.5% of females reported that they had no sex partner for 5 years or more. The authors of the study concluded that sexless Americans reported similar happiness levels as those who are sexually active.
However, there are still some physical and psychological effects when a person does not have sex for a long time.
Effects on the body
People refer to not having sex for a long time as abstinence or celibacy. When someone does not have sex for months or even years, they are unlikely to notice any negative physical side effects on their health.
However, research shows that having sex regularly can result in certain health benefits, including reduced blood pressure, improved immune system function, lower stress levels and less risk of cardiovascular events. There are people who may get some of the physiological benefits of sex, like reduced stress, from masturbation.
In males, prostate health can benefit from frequent ejaculation, whether this is done alone or with another person. A study in 2016 found that men who ejaculated at least 21 times every month had a lower risk of prostate cancer compared to males who ejaculated 4 to 7 times in a month.
For females, frequent sexual activity, either solo or with a partner, can strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder, it can improve the bladder function and it can reduce incontinence and leakage.
Effects on mental health
There is a widespread idea that having sex regularly is an important part of a person's emotional well-being. While this is true for some people, it is not the case for everyone.
There are cases wherein sexual abstinence is involuntary, some people may feel negative effects on their mental health. People who do not feel sexual desire may find these feelings very distressing. Not having sex when someone is in a relationship can make a person feel anxious or insecure. Talking about these types of emotions can help remove any sense of discomfort.
For some people, abstaining from sex is important for good mental health. People may abstain from sex for a lot of reasons, some may be because they are asexual, some have low sex drive and some just do not want to engage in it. The potential benefits of abstaining from sex, depending on the person and the situate, may include:
- Having no risk of STIs or sexually transmitted infections
- Avoiding a source of anxiety
- Talking time to go through and work on negative feelings about intercourse
- Living in a way that is consistent especially to religious people
However, a research reports that sex is a great way to relieve stress, which can help boost a person's mental health. According to a research that surveyed around 10,429 women with low sexual desire, 27.5% reported that it caused them distress. But among those who had a current partner, the figure was much higher at 81%. Some people find that masturbation can help reduce stress and anxiety because it can help release hormones that produce a temporary mood boost.
There is not correct amount of sex to have, and the frequency that is ideal will depend from person to person. Not having sex for a long time should not have any negative side effects. There is also no right or wrong way to express sexual feelings as long as there is consent. Also, no person should feel obligated to have a specific frequency of sex. Avoiding sexual intercourse will not harm a someone's health drastically even if having sexual intercourse have its perks.
People who feel worried about having low sexual desire or worried about the effects of infrequent sex on their relationship can talk about their concerns and issues with a therapist or a doctor. Therapy, medication, better relationship communication, lifestyle changes and many other strategies may help.
