Without sex, there can be no paradise
Going without sex is not going to kill you. Let’s be clear about that right from the beginning.
The question about whether or not sexual abstinence is bad for your health, often brought up by self-righteous gits, is, nonetheless, an intriguing one. It is a relevant issue that science has been working to resolve for the past 30 years. One of the most significant examples of this research is undoubtedly the Nun Study, which, since 1986, has been analysing the vigour of 600 nuns, who have made a life-long vow of celibacy.
In its search for evidence, most scientific literature on the subject has gone to great pains to define the health benefits of daily sex, and, based on them, reduce the risks of not having it. Sexuality and health have a positive link, that is true, but we’re going to look at the issue from a different perspective.
What's the price of kissing goodbye to carnal love? Here are the top five health drawbacks of life without sex, according to experts.
via GIPHY
1. Genital upkeep
This is no joke. Going to bed with someone means keeping our genital area active. The vagina is often neglected in periods of abstinence, and a lack of exercise can mean it loses muscle tone. During sex women focus on their vaginas, and, in return, their vaginas tell them what they need. For men, the risk has a name: prostate cancer. Each time a man ejaculates he's setting in motion muscular, neuronal and endocrine mechanisms, allowing fluids to flow and thereby decongesting the prostate. So if you go through a period without sex, masturbate to your heart’s content. Any medical specialist worth his salt would recommend it.
2. A lesser immune immune system
Some studies suggest that sexual activity helps to strengthen your immune system. Hurray! The bad news is that those of us who are not copulating on a regular basis are more prone to getting ill and catching infections. Our white blood cells are less efficient.
3. Increased anxiety
This is perhaps the most relevant point, and it’s connected with our expectations. Being celibate under your own initiative entails no risk, psychologically speaking; it’s a personal decision, and that’s that. But when we’re forced into celibacy by circumstance, then we can be plagued by the frustration of losing something we once had and still need. Forced celibacy generates anxiety.
4. Aggression
Studies linked with sexual health have pointed to a direct causality between a lack of sex and aggressiveness. For example, Manual Lucas's book, Sed de piel (Skin Thirst) - a doctoral thesis the Spanish sexologist wrote over 18 years - upholds that, by and large, in societies that are predominantly feminine-focused, with sexual morals that are more lax and sexual activity that is more intense, cultures are generally more peaceful.
5. Smarter? You wish
There’s an urban myth that abstinence makes us more intelligent. Wouldn’t that be good? Scientists have shown that sexual activity increases neuron growth in the brain’s hippocampus while celibacy… doesn’t. In short, celibacy and the brain are not what you would call bossom buddies.