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Topics: Lifestyle, Sex and Relationships, Health
Brenna Cooper
Topics: Lifestyle, Sex and Relationships, Health
Doctors and sexual health experts have detailed every change which happens to the human body when you abstain from sex and masturbation.
Extended periods of celibacy are nothing new, with everyone from Buddhist monks to A-list celebrities abstaining from intercourse either temporarily or permanently.
But what impact does this have on the body?
Believe it or not, getting it on is considered to be beneficial to the body, with health experts saying doing the deed can help both your mental and physical wellbeing.
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Given the fact that intercourse leads to everything from increased blood flow to triggering hormone releases, it shouldn't be surprising that abstaining can lead to changes in the body.
So what happens when you spend an extended period of time without pleasure – either solo or with a partner?
According to numerous doctors and health experts, quite a lot of changes happen to the body.
During sexual intercourse, hormones such as oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins are released, which are beneficial to our well-being.
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Oxytocin is known as the 'love hormone' and is important for bonding with another person while dopamine is important with stimulating the brain's reward system.
Without this, humans can experience an increase in stress, anxiety and depression. Some people may also experience frustration, mood swings and increased irritability - and research has even looked into if it can bring out violent tendencies.
"Although sexual frustration does not provide a sufficient explanation for aggression, violence, or crime on its own, understanding its influence on behaviour is important," a 2021 study reads.
For men, or anyone assigned biologically male at birth, prolonged periods of abstinence can have an impact on your risk of developing prostate cancer.
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According to one study, men who ejaculate 21 times a month had a 20 percent decrease chances of developing prostate cancer, compared to men who ejaculate from four to seven times a month.
The link between ejaculation and cancer is not exactly known, however Healthline puts forward one theory which suggests climaxing can remove 'cancer-causing materials' from the prostate gland.
One more extreme side effect which can occur is shrinking of the genitals, known as atrophy.
This side effect was put forward by Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, who explained to MailOnline that genital atrophy occurs when tissue shrinks by a couple of centimetres due a decrease in elasticity.
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However, Suwinyattichaiporn did note that this side effect is typically rare and can take several years to develop.
Whether or not a person decides to practise celibacy is a personal choice, with numerous practitioners stating there are benefits to going without.
According to WedMD, people who've spent extended periods of time abstaining from intercourse have reported various psychological benefits, these include: increased focus, focusing on emotional needs as well as developing self-discipline, mindfulness and mental clarity.
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It's also important to point out that some people little or no sexual desire, such as people who identify as asexual or graysexual.
With all that being said, it's up to you to decide what's best for your body.