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Experts warn that abstaining from sex for weeks, months, or even years can harm the body.
Recent studies show that members of Generation Z entering adulthood are having sex less often than previous generations. Some researchers worry that this drop in sexual activity could lead to reduced genital tissue or even atrophy in young people. Professor Tara Suvinyattychaiporn of the University of California, a well-known expert on sex and relationships, discussed these and other effects of sexual deprivation in an interview with the British publication Daily Mail.
Professor Suvinyattychaiporn also noted that men and women who go without sex for a month or more report higher levels of stress, frustration, anxiety, depression, and anger. Conversely, people who are stressed often find it harder to enjoy sex, she added.
Research from the University of California found that 38 percent of young people aged 18 to 30 reported no sexual contact over the past year.
Mental Health Issues
Professor Suvinyattychaiporn said everyone is different. Depending on a person’s baseline mental health, serious symptoms can appear anywhere from six months to five years.
Sex releases hormones that support well-being. Hormones like oxytocin (the so‑called love hormone), dopamine, and serotonin influence emotion and lift mood. If dopamine is not produced in sufficient amounts, a person may develop low self-esteem and increased self-doubt.
A 2021 study found that people with unmet sexual needs often feel frustrated, and that frustration can sometimes lead to aggressive behavior.
When couples hit a period of sexual stagnation, partners may stop treating one another with tenderness and struggle to compromise. That observation comes from sexologist Sari Cooper, founder of the Center for Love and Sex in New York City.
She explained that those couples often don’t have clear ways to resolve conflicts, and instead blame or criticize each other or try to make the other person feel guilty. Prolonged sexual inactivity can therefore contribute to serious relationship problems, Ms. Cooper said. During those crises, some couples turn to infidelity.
Physical Health Issues
Professor Suvinyattychaiporn warned that abstaining from sex can also bring physical symptoms. She said sexually inactive men may develop a rare condition called penile atrophy. In that condition, penile tissue becomes less elastic, which can reduce size by one to two centimeters.
Long-term abstinence can also affect prostate health. Some researchers say potentially harmful substances can build up in the prostate over time, which may increase cancer risk. Ejaculation may help clear those substances by releasing fluid from the prostate and reproductive tract.
A 2016 study showed that men who ejaculated at least 21 times a month had a lower risk of developing prostate cancer than men who ejaculated only four to seven times a month.
Similarly, long periods without sex can contribute to vaginal atrophy in women, which can make intercourse uncomfortable or even painful.
For couples stuck in sexless relationships, Ms. Cooper recommends seeking help from a certified sex therapist. Under professional guidance, couples can work through their difficulties.
