5 Body Changes You Should Expect When You Stop Having Regular Sex
There are certain periods when the longing for sexual intercourse decreases and the body becomes less receptive to sexual arousal.
Almost all adults who have sex can relate to this phase.
For most, it’s not a deliberate decision to withdraw from sex, but could be the result of a breakup, death or disagreement, busy schedule, illness, among other factors.
In the case of a temporary interruption of sex, here are five things that can happen to the human body.
low sexual desire
When you do not have regular intercourse, there is a chance that your sexual desire will be significantly reduced.
Sex is associated with good feelings because the body is flooded with hormones while in the act, so when you stay away, all that energy can be directed to other activities, making sex lose its place.
“Your libido can increase your career momentum and manifest more successful ambitions, or if you choose, you can direct your sexual energy toward your children instead of sexual relationships,” Fran Walfish, a Beverly Hills-based sexual and family psychotherapist, told MedicalDaily.
“We can get back to the same sex drive, energy and appetite that we enjoyed before. However, don’t expect a sudden increase in libido if you’ve never had a high sex drive.”
more stress
Sex is known to be a good way to relieve stress, therefore a lack of regular sex can lead to elevated stress levels.
A 2005 study in Biological Psychology found that penile-vaginal intercourse is associated with better mental and physical performance and lower stress levels.
People who had not had regular sex showed higher blood pressure spikes in response to stress than those who had recently had sex.
less intelligent
A 2013 study found that sex increases neurogenesis, the creation of new neurons in the brain, and also improves cognitive function.
Sexual experiences lead to cell growth in the hippocampus, a region of the brain that is vital for long-term memory. Therefore, sex has the potential to prevent deterioration that leads to memory loss and dementia.
weaker immune system
According to a 2004 study, regular sex, in moderation, can boost the immune system and make you less prone to colds.
The researchers measured levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), an antigen found in saliva and mucous membranes, to assess the strength of the participants’ immune systems.
IgA is the body’s first line of defense against cold and flu, as it binds to invading bacteria and then activates the immune system to destroy it.
Participants who had frequent intercourse showed significantly higher levels of IgA than their counterparts.
Erectile dysfunction
A study published in the 2008 American Journal of Medicine found that men who had sex less frequently were twice as likely to develop erectile dysfunction as men who had sex frequently.
900 men aged 50, 60 and 70 were studied for five years and found that having regular intercourse preserved potency, even into old age.