Negative Consequences of Not Having Sex
If we are not having sex regularly, it may have unexpected consequences for our health as scientists have recently found out. Here are the results of some of the studies.
Risk of cardiovascular diseases
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in the USA in 2005-2006 showed that less frequent sexual activity increases the level of homocysteine and consequently, increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis.
Sex at least two times a week improves circulation and health of blood vessels. This is especially true for men. Advantages for women are not so evident as their sexual arousal does not depend so much on blood flow.
According to the study 2005, sexual intercourse if much more effective for stress relieve than masturbation. Sex increases the level of endorphins and oxytocin, a hormone that is produced in the brain. Oxytocin may prevent unwanted effects caused by cortisol, the primary stress hormone.
The study conducted by the researchers from the University of Oxford and Coventry University shows that regular sex in older adults improves brain functions. People how have sex later in life are more verbally fluent, better oriented in space and have a better visual perception of objects.
Wilkes University in Pennsylvania conducted research that showed that regular but not too frequent sexual intercourses decrease the risk of cold-related diseases. Researchers surveyed 111 college students and collected saliva samples to detect the level of immunoglobulin A that is responsible for the primary defense of our body against cold-related diseases. The respondents who have sex 1-2 times a week have the highest level of IgA (higher by 30%).
Long-term sexual restraint is bad for sexual life, say Finnish researchers. They have been conducting a study for 5 years with 989 male volunteers from 55 to 75 years old. The results of the research were published in the American Journal of Medicine. Men who had sex less than twice a week were twice as likely to develop erectile dysfunction.
Higher risk of prostate cancer
The long-term American study showed that the risk of prostate cancer in older men depends on ejaculation frequency. The risk of cancer was much lower in men who had orgasm at least 21 times a month.
Female orgasm and lubrication
A British newspaper Daily Mirror published an article saying that women who made a pause in their sex life do not have adequate vaginal lubrication. However, the paper does not provide any source references. Lubrication usually occurs naturally due to estrogen. Women in their 20s and 30s are less subject to this risk. The same newspaper also says that sex restraint for a long time may make it hard for a woman to reach orgasm.