What happens to your body when you don't have sex for months
We all need a break from bumping uglies every now and again for a myriad of reasons.
Maybe you've lost your libido, you're trialling celibacy or have been single for a lengthy stint - but whatever the grounds for your sex-ban are, I bet you're wondering what effect a lack of bonking will have on you.
It turns out that a dry spell can really have an impact on both your brain and body, so you might want to call the whole thing off for the sake of your wellbeing to be quite honest.
And let's be honest, a Netflix and chill makes the world go round.
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So, apart from being ridiculously sexually frustrated, what happens to your body when you take a hiatus from having it away with someone for a few months?
Well, according to sex and relationship expert Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, you shouldn't be surprised if you end up with a Honey, I Shrunk the Kids-style situation on your hands.
Lads, beware that your lady friends might need a magnifying glass to spot your manhood when you finally press play on your sex life again, as the medic explained that your penis could in fact shrink.
Dr Suwinyattichaiporn told the Daily Mail that in some rare cases, something called 'penile atrophy' might occur in men who have a couple of months off from being a top sh**ger.
She explained that the tissue of a man's ding-a-ling might become less elastic without use, which might cost men one or two precious centimetres of length.
Women aren't immune to the crappy side effects that skipping sex brings on either though.
If your keeping coitus off the table for the time being, beware that this can cause vaginal atrophy, when the tissue becomes thin and dry which can cause sex to become painful as well as other unfortunate symptoms.
As well as this, ladies can help strengthen their pelvic floor muscles - which helps keep incontinence at bay - with sex, so get yourself out there girlies.
On top of that, Dr Suwinyattichaiporn says there is also a high likelihood that refraining from rumpy-pumpy for a while will cause your stress levels to shoot through the roof, as sex is a great way to relieve your anxieties.
Don't get me wrong, we're all different - so going without will impact each of us differently.
But the medic wants people to be aware that affection, physical touch and creating a sexual connection with another person can really have some great effects, and without it, your mental health might take a nosedive.
As well as burning calories (what a bonus), making love causes your body to release feel-good hormones such as oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin, which is why you always leave your booty call with a big smile on your face.
All in all, there are both positives and negatives to not having sex - but in general, it's an activity which has a positive impact on your health and missing out on those benefits may hit you harder than you were expecting.
Topics: Health, Mental Health, Sex and Relationships, News
Olivia Burke