An expert has shared insights into the unexpected effects on your body when you cease engaging in sexual activity.
Many have experienced periods of sexual inactivity occasionally, but the practice of celibacy, where individuals intentionally avoid sexual relationships, has been on the rise recently.
Psychology Today notes that about one in six women and one in ten men are currently opting for celibacy.
In a sex survey conducted last year by the Kinsey Institute, involving a study of 1,500 adults, results indicated that 16.5 percent of women were ‘single by choice’ and not engaging in sexual activities, compared to nine percent of men.
So, what are the implications for our bodies when we choose to abstain from sex? Experts have been discussing potential mental and physical changes that could occur as a result.
Annabelle Knight, a sex and relationship expert from Lovehoney, communicated to Metro that celibacy often serves as a period for individuals to focus on personal growth, self-care, and exploring different forms of pleasure.
She stated: “Celibacy can give you the space to reconnect with your body and your boundaries, and to understand what you actually want from intimacy.
“For many people, it’s a time of rediscovery — focusing on self-care, confidence, and pleasure in other forms, from solo exploration to emotional connection.”
While the emotional effects may be significant, there are also physical changes to keep in mind.
One noticeable change is vaginal dryness, which can make sexual activity uncomfortable after a prolonged absence of intercourse.
Vaginal dryness can result in a condition known as dyspareunia, which is characterized by genital pain before, during, or after sexual activity.
Cleveland Clinic notes that women experiencing this condition may feel discomfort in areas such as the vulva, vagina, pelvic floor muscles, uterus, vaginal canal skin, supporting ligaments of the uterus, or the lower abdomen.
It is common to experience changes in libido if you haven’t engaged in sexual activity for some time.
Better Health suggests that various factors can influence libido, including fatigue, familiarity with a partner, sexual incompatibility, mental health concerns, and stress.
Additionally, conditions like menopause, hormonal shifts, pregnancy, impotence, and premature ejaculation can also play a role.
Annabelle elaborated, “For some people, periods of celibacy can actually bring greater awareness of what triggers or suppresses their desire, because they’re tuning into those emotional and physical cues more consciously.”
Frequent sexual activity has been linked to several health benefits, such as a reduced risk of prostate cancer in men. However, Annabelle points out that abstaining from sex can provide the body with a chance to rest and recover, likening it to a ‘simple reset that can leave you feeling more focused and refreshed overall.’
During a period of celibacy, individuals may experience more or fewer spontaneous erections, both of which are typical.
Annabelle clarifies that these erections are unrelated to sexual activity but rather represent the body’s ‘natural maintenance system, keeping blood flow healthy and tissue responsive.’
“During celibacy, they can actually be a reassuring sign that everything’s functioning as it should. They’re not necessarily linked to sexual frustration or unmet desire; they’re just a physiological process, much like stretching your muscles after a long day,” she explained.
As stated by the University of California, a healthy male might experience up to five spontaneous erections per night, each lasting up to an hour.