Not Having Sex For A Long Time: Are There Side Effects?

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SubscribeHow does celibacy affect your health?Medically reviewed by Jennifer Litner, PhD, LMFT, CST — Written by Zawn Villines — Updated on June 3, 2024

• Effects on the body
• Mental health
• Relationships
• Celibacy and asexuality
• Takeaway

Having regular sex may have some health benefits, such as for the cardiovascular system. However, there is no right amount of sex to have, and not having regular sex should not negatively affect health.

How often someone has sex naturally changes from time to time, depending on age, fluctuations in sex drive, and relationship status. Many people enjoy a full and satisfying life without ever having sex.

In this article, we look at what might happen physically and psychologically when a person does not have sex for a long time and how it might affect people in a relationship.

Effects on the body

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People refer to not having sex for a long time as celibacy or abstinence. When someone does not have sex for months or years, they are unlikely to notice any negative physical side effects on their health.

However, research shows that having regular sex can result in certain health benefits, including:

• improved immune system function
• reduced blood pressure
• lower stress levels
• a reduced risk of cardiovascular events

People may get some of the physiological benefits of sex — such as reduced stress — from masturbation.

In males, prostate health can benefit from frequent ejaculation, whether this is with another person or alone. A 2018 meta-analysis found ejaculating two to four times per week had associations with a lower risk of prostate cancer.

For females, frequent sexual activity — again, either with a partner or solo — can strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder. This can improve bladder function and reduce incontinence and leakage.

Learn more about the health benefits of sex.

Effects on mental health

A 2020 study of sexual behaviors during COVID-19 lockdowns supported claims that having regular sex had associations with lower rates of depression and anxiety relating to sexual function. Other studies suggest that sexual activity may also boost mood and improve overall well-being. While this is true for some people, it is not the case for everyone.

When sexual abstinence is involuntary, some individuals may feel negative effects on their mental health. Conversely, people who do not feel sexual desire may find these feelings distressing. Not having sex when in a relationship can make a person feel insecure or anxious. However, talking about these emotions can help remove any sense of discomfort.

For others, abstaining from sex is important for positive mental health. People may abstain from sex for many reasons, for example, because they have a low sex drive, are asexual, or simply choose not to engage in it.

The potential benefits of abstaining from sex, depending on the individual and their situation, include:

• having no risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• avoiding a source of anxiety
• taking time to work through negative feelings about sex
• living in a way that is consistent with one’s religious beliefs

Effects on relationships

Many people have fulfilling romantic relationships without having frequent sex. For others, regular sex can improve the health of their relationship.

For some people, sex can improve communication and feelings of closeness. Individuals who feel as though they do not have enough sex may worry that there is something wrong with their relationship or fear that their partner is no longer attracted to them.

In these cases, people can try other methods of improving communication and intimacy. Cuddling, kissing, affectionate gestures, and opening up to one another can improve the health of a relationship, regardless of whether it involves sexual activity.

Celibacy and asexuality

Asexuality and celibacy are not the same.

Asexuality

Asexuality means that a person generally or never experiences sexual attraction and feels no desire to have sex. An asexual person may still engage in sexual activity, either alone or with a partner.

Asexuality is an identity expressed on a spectrum. Some asexual people feel no sexual attraction, while others occasionally have these feelings. Another distinction involves demisexuality — demisexual people feel attraction after establishing an emotional attachment to another person.

Some asexual people experience romantic feelings and a desire for a romantic relationship, while others do not. A person who does not have this desire is “aromantic.”

Celibacy

Celibacy, on the other hand, refers to abstinence from sex for a specific period or forever. While asexuality is not a choice, celibacy can be a choice or the product of circumstance.

Takeaway

There is no correct amount of sex to have, and the best frequency varies from person to person. Not having sex for a long time should not have negative health effects.

There is no right or wrong way to express sexual feelings as long as everyone involved is clearly consenting. No one should ever feel obliged to have sex. Avoiding sex will not harm a person’s health, and it may even be healthy.

Anyone who feels concerned about low sexual desire or the effects of infrequent sex on their relationship can talk about this with a doctor or therapist. Medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, improved communication, and many other strategies may help.

 

• Men's Health
• Sexual Health / STDs
• Women's Health / Gynecology
• LGBTQIA+

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

• Jian Z, et al. (2018). Sexual activity and risk of prostate cancer: A dose-response meta-analysis.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30122473/
• Józefacka NM, et al. (2023). What matters in a relationship — age, sexual satisfaction, relationship length, and interpersonal closeness as predictors of relationship satisfaction in young adults.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10001731/
• Kashdan TB, et al. (2018). Sexuality leads to boosts in mood and meaning in life with no evidence for the reverse direction: A daily diary investigation.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28604041
• Kim JH, et al. (2017). Sociodemographic correlates of sexlessness among American adults and associations with self-reported happiness levels: Evidence from the U.S. General Social Survey.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5889124/
• Mollaioli D, et al. (2020). Benefits of sexual activity on psychological, relational, and sexual health during the COVID-19 breakout.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7584428/
• Understanding asexuality. (2024).https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/understanding-asexuality/

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Medically reviewed by Jennifer Litner, PhD, LMFT, CST — Written by Zawn Villines — Updated on June 3, 2024

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