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Sex therapists and psychiatrists generally agree that abstaining from sex for extended periods is not advisable.
Dr. Sham Singh, a leading sexual-health expert and psychiatrist at the Winit Clinic in California, warns that suppressing libido can lead to increased frustration as well as higher levels of depression, anxiety, and irritability.
Conversely, sexual activity helps relieve stress through the release of endorphins and oxytocin.
Endorphins are neuropeptides the brain produces to ease pain and stress. During sexual intercourse, levels of these substances can increase by 200 percent, according to the Daily Mail.
The expert recalled a 2021 study of 4,000 participants that showed people who had sex more frequently during the pandemic experienced less anxiety than those who abstained.
Dr. Singh also noted that his patients often feel shame, increased anxiety, and depression when they are confronted with their inability to find a sexual partner.
Lack of Sex Takes a Toll on Physical Health
As Dr. Singh cautioned, failing to engage in sex regularly can also jeopardize physical health.
“Both men and women can experience significant anxiety or tension due to a lack of sexual release, which may manifest as muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, or heightened sensitivity to touch,” Dr. Singh explained.
He shared these observations after a recent survey by Scandinavian sexuality experts found that one in five people aged 18 and older is completely sexually inactive.
Dr. Singh emphasized that abstaining from intimacy can lead to sleep problems and increased food cravings. “Prolonged abstinence from sex can affect people’s energy levels, appetite, and sleep in various ways,” he said.
He added, “Sex is a great way to relax and improve sleep, particularly due to the release of oxytocin,” often referred to as the love hormone.
What Other Scientists Are Saying
A review of 43 studies published in 2023 by the Journal of Sexual Medicine found a significant link between sleep quality and the frequency of sexual activity.
Recently, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania reported that women aged 20 to 59 who have sex less than once a week face a 70 percent higher risk of premature death. The study found those women showed higher levels of a protein linked to inflammation, which can damage healthy cells, tissues, and organs.
