How our bodies react when we DON’T have sex

The ways NOT having sex affects the body make grim reading for Brits going through a dry spell.

The good news is that statistics show that the average British person has sex nearly 5,800 times before they die - and it could be improving their health too.

But romping less often may store up a host of problems, from increasing your risk of heart disease to stopping you getting aroused in the future.

A list of the eight worst side-effects due to a lack of bedroom action has been produced by mindfulness website HackSpirit (see graphic at bottom of page).

Higher risk of heart disease

A scientific study has found having sex just twice a week halves a man’s chances of getting clogged arteries compared to those who indulge less than once a month.

And recent research published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found having sex slashed men’s levels of homocysteine, a harmful chemical which can trigger cardiac problems.

It is believed men getting regular sex often have better circulation and healthier blood vessels

But the benefits are less pronounced for women because their arousal is less dependent on healthy blood flow - a key factor in keeping homocysteine under control.

More stress

You might be feeling sexually frustrated for a good reason, as research shows a session beneath the sheets is good for relieving stress .

A landmark 2005 study published in the journal Biological Psychology suggested intercourse is far more effective than masturbation.

Sex increases the levels of endorphins and the hormone oxytocin produced by the brain. Studies show oxytocin can offset the effects of stress-causing hormone cortisol.

Slower brain growth

Having more sex can actually make you smarter in your old age.

Studies by Oxford and Coventry universities found people who had regular romps scored higher on tests for fluent speech and ability to perceive objects visually.

Another study found middle-aged rats produced new brain cells after mating.

You get sick more often

The human body’s immune system gets a boost from sex.

Studies show it produces more of Immunoglobulin A, the antibody which fights off illnesses like flu.

Those who have sex twice a week produce 30 more per cent of it than those who abstain, according to Wilkes University in Pennsylvania.

It’s harder to get an erection

Men who are going through a dry spell could be damaging their sex life in the future.

An American study in 2008 showed men who made love less than once a week were twice as likely to develop erectile dysfunction as those who performed more regularly.

Higher risk of developing prostate cancer

Research published in the US shows men who ejaculate 21 or more times a year had a 33 per cent lower risk of developing prostate cancer .

It has been speculated that orgasms lessen the risk by lowering stress and regulating the metabolism of cells.

But if you’ve lost your libido, regular exercise, quitting smoking and eating.

Less lubrication

After a break from sexual activity, the vagina can fail to lubricate properly.

The cause is said to be a lack of the hormone oestrogen, which makes older women particularly susceptible.

Younger women in their 20s and 30s are far less at risk from the side effect because they already produce plenty of the hormones.

You’ll be less stimulated

Alongside losing lubrication, women’s bodies can also react adversely to a lack of action.

No sex for a long time can lead to problems getting aroused or reaching an orgasm.

Porn might not help

Experts say frequent watching of pornography can de-sensitise men and make them less likely to get aroused in the bedroom.

Males in their late teens and early 20s who watch explicit material could suffer the kind of problems middle-aged men suffer.

This is how our bodies react when we don’t have sex (Image: Hack Spirit)

Source : mirror.co.uk