The dry spell every now and then is a given; sometimes our work and travel plans don’t coordinate with our partner’s. The dry spell may even make us appreciate our sex life more, and we get back to it with enthusiasm and vigor. There are dry spells that go on and on, like after a breakup for example. Once we become used to not putting in the effort to find a new partner, the dry spell can continue for months, or even years! After a while, that dry spell can become commonplace, sometimes shaken up by a random encounter that keeps us satisfied enough to go on for a few weeks. However, these dry spells can have real effects on our body, enough to make a difference in the long run. So, the next time a dry spell comes up, make the effort to find a new partner (Sex and health benefits are a win-win situation). These are the things that happen to your body when you stop having sex:
1. More Stress
Sex is almost like a workout, and exercise comes with great stress relief. Your body releases any leftover tension, you become healthier and you get to have sex, so it’s an overall win-win situation. Just like exercise, sex also releases the “feel good” hormones: dopamine, endorphins and oxytocin which keep our mood elevated and reduce the bodily damage caused by stress.
2. Risk Of ED And Cancer
A study done by the American Urological Association showed that men who frequently had sex had a whopping 20% drop in their risk of developing prostate cancer in the future. This is thought to happen because frequent ejaculations may remove potentially harmful substances from the prostate.
Moreover, men who have sex less frequently are more likely to have erectile dysfunction later. Since the penis is a muscle, the popular saying goes “use it or lose it”. Both these problems can still be replaced with frequent masturbation, but sex is always the better option since it can help both partners.
3. Weaker Immune System
Sex has shown to help strengthen the immune system. In women especially, this can be one way for the body to prepare for a potential pregnancy. People who stop having sex are more prone to illnesses like the cold and the flu because regular sex builds up the antibodies that keep the immune system functioning well.
4. Loss Of Interest
Having sex regularly can keep our libido functioning healthily. Sex essentially works like a “fan” to keep the flame of the libido going. When we stop fanning, we lose the flame. We tend to lose our desire to indulge in sexual activity if we abstain for too long. Though there are many factors that can affect loss of interest, not having sex plays a big role. This isn’t to say that your libido is broken forever, it just means that things have been quiet for too long, and it would benefit you to relight that flame again.
5. Insecurities
Not having sex can lower your self-esteem and make you doubt yourself, especially if you are in a relationship. Though every couple has its own fair share of dry spells, it can affect how you evaluate yourself. When you aren’t in a relationship, not having sex for a long time can make you feel like you’re not “good enough” to find someone who likes you. There are many other thoughts that pop up that can make you feel extremely insecure about yourself. Though these feelings are usually unfounded, they can be difficult to deal with.
6. Vaginal Problems
For women, having sex after a long dry spell can be really uncomfortable and painful. Contrary to popular belief, you do not become “tighter”. The discomfort comes because the vaginal muscles are tensed up and don’t know how to relax (though they will learn in a short amount of time). The anxiety of not having sex in a long time can also make you more anxious, leading to less lubrication in the vagina.
