What Happens to Your Body if you Don't Have Sex?

via

People talk about sex as if it's some kind of basic biological function, like eating or going to the bathroom. It's something that people need to do, and if they don't, they're storing up problems for themselves in the future. You wouldn't go without food, so you shouldn't go without sex- or so the reasoning goes. 

But is there any truth to this? Does your biology suddenly go haywire if you don't have sex every five minutes? Or it is a perfectly reasonable way to live? 

The answer is probably somewhere in between. Here's a rundown of what happens to the body when you go without for a long time. 

It Could Make Things A Little Less Comfortable Down There

This isn't an issue that affects everyone, but it is something that affects a lot of women. Going without sex for a long time makes things a little less comfortable down there. The vagina tends to feel like it's tightened up, which can make sex less pleasurable when it finally does happen. 

via

It's nothing to worry about though - things soon return to normal. It's just one of those irritating things when you're getting started with a new partner.

Is there anything you can do about it? Well, regular masturbation can help by increasing blood flow. Plus, you can always experiment with toys if that's your thing.

You Could Experience Stress And Anxiety

As the website Mellowed points out, a lack of sex can actually lead to stress and anxiety. Researchers think that there are two main reasons for this. 

The first is a general lack of interest in sex. When libido drops, some women can worry that there's something wrong with them, feeling that they're not "normal." To make matters worse, psychiatrists have an official name for it called Female Sexual Arousal Disorder. The idea is that women should be in a continual state of openness towards sex and that being closed off from it is somehow abnormal. 

The other reason is an overwhelming interest in sex you can't do anything about. When you don't have a partner, it's hard to get your kicks. 

Researchers suspect that having sex releases feel-good hormones like oxytocin that make people feel more connected to those around them. Not having much of this hormone in your body can lead some women to feel isolated and disconnected, increasing the urgency for sex. Again, this can make things even more troubling on a psychological level. 

Your Libido Could Fall

Research suggests that some people can experience a fall in libido when they go without sex for too long. The reasons for this aren't well known, but it could just be the body's way of dealing with the absence of a partner. There's no point making all of the arousal chemicals if there's no way to put them to good use. Loss of libido isn't permanent - it quickly comes back when you enter a new relationship. But it can dissipate for a while. 

The Upshots

While there's a lot of negative talk about going without sex, there are actually a lot of things that are GOOD about life when you're not involved intimately with somebody else. 

The first is the issue of pregnancy. You're not continually worried that at some point, you're going to miss a period. Contraceptives are great, but they're not perfect. Even the manufacturers admit that. 

Second, you're much less likely to get ill. All of the nasty STDs aside, women in sexually active relationships are much more likely to get urinary tract infections than those who go without. These can be painful and difficult to treat, so avoiding them is always welcome. 

Third, you get to know yourself better. Have you ever noticed how intense sexual relationships can be? Even if the relationship is going well, it's all too easy to lose yourself in the thoughts and feelings of the other person. You can often lose track of your own desires and needs. It's a problem. 

Being by yourself, however, allows you to get to know yourself better. You have the time and space you need to find out what you like, and what you don't. It can be a liberating experience. Plus, you can go into a new relationship better prepared. 

Finally, you get more space. If you're an introverted person, this can be a bit of a godsend. You have a chance to conduct your life on your own terms. You don't have to compromise with somebody else. You're more of a master of your destiny. 

***Collaborative post