Low sex drive affects both men and women and it can happen because of many reasons. However, experts warn that going without sex for too long can negatively affect the heath, both physical and mental.
According to a recent study, Americans in their 20s get intimate around 80 times a year, or once every four to five days. However, with age, these numbers drop to 60 times a year.
Other studies suggest that “regular and satisfying sexual activity was associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in later life.”
Individuals who refrain from intimate relations have a harder time coping with stressful situations such as public speaking, compared to those who engaged in intercourse at least once within a two-week span.
“Suppressing sexual urges without alternative stress-relieving outlets can build up frustration and also aggravate anxiety or irritability.
“Having less sex might mean fewer germs, but it also means missing out on its immune-boosting benefits,” sexual health specialist and psychiatrist Dr. Sham Singh explained.
A study suggests that cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension contribute to sexual inactivity in older individuals, both men and women.
The lack of intimacy within a relationship can lead to insecurity and low self-esteem.
The connection between physical and mental well-being and sexual engagement became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who had intercourse more often during the lockdown reported lower levels of anxiety, a 2021 research suggests.
These results are likely related to the levels of endorphin, brain chemicals that reduce stress and pain, that rise during intercourse for about 20%.
Dr. Singh speaks of some of the negative effects on the body from abstinence of sex. “In both men and women, the absence of sex release may result in a heightened level of restlessness or tension that may find its way into physical manifestations like muscle tightness, trouble concentrating, or hypersensitivity to touch,” he noted.
“Some people may feel more fatigued due to sex being a good way to relax and sleep better, for example, through the release of oxytocin.”
On the other hand, the health benefits of having regular sex are improved immune system function, reduced blood pressure, and reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The National Survey of Family Growth reports that rates of sexlessness are rising nationwide among adults aged 22 to 34, with the same showing that 10% of young men and 7% of women in this group haven’t had sex in their life.
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