Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, a professor, podcaster, columnist and sex and relationship expert from California has revealed both men and women can suffer a host of issues after forgoing sex for a month or two.
Her dire warning comes as a 2021 study by California University revealed Gen Z are having less sex than any generation in history, with 38 percent of young people between 18 to 30 reporting that they hadn’t had any sexual partners in the previous year.
A lack of sex can cause a range of problems (Getty stock photos)
Speaking to DailyMail.com, Dr Tara said men who are sexually inactive could end up with a rare condition called penile atrophy, where penile tissue becomes less elastic and causes it to shrink by one to two centimetres.
The Celebs Go Dating co-host warned those abstaining from sex are at risk of a range of physical symptoms, like penile and vaginal atrophy – painful sex and shrinking genitals – which could begin to manifest in as little as six months.
Sexually inactive men are also at heightened risk of prostate cancer as the Urology Care Foundation found carcinogens can build up in the prostate over time while other studies show ejaculation may prevent the cancer from taking hold because it flushes out the harmful chemicals that build up in the semen.
Penis shrinkage is not what you want to hear (Getty stock photos)
The science behind how long it takes for the penis to shrink, however, appears to still be up for debate as Tobias Kohler, assistant professor of urology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, told WebMD that it comes down to a lack of regular erections.
Meanwhile, women who go without sex for months could suffer from vaginal atrophy, making intercourse uncomfortable and painful.
This is because sex promotes blood flow and lubrication down there, so when the vaginal tissues become thin and dry – which can shorten the vaginal canal – penetration becomes more difficult.
But our mental health is just as important as our physical health and Dr Tara said the lack of human touch and physical intimacy can give our oxytocin and dopamine levels a beating, resulting in insecurities, lower self-esteem, irregular emotions and infidelity.
Sympathetic communication is key (Getty stock photos)
Another study revealed people with unmet sexual needs can become frustrated, irritable and even aggressive, brought on by either not having an available partner or engaging in unsatisfying sexual activities.
The 2021 study added this frustration could lead to a heightened risk of crime ‘associated with relief-seeking, power-seeking, revenge-seeking and displaced frustration’.
How to address sex problems with your partner
While sexual droughts in relationships are normal, sex therapist Sari Cooper advised partners approach the situation with ‘softness’.
She said couples in a ‘dry spell’ sometimes blame one another, pursue their partner with ‘continuos criticism’, ask their partner to open up the relationship or end up cheating.
To dodge these myriad of problems, couples who are enduring a lengthy lull should first address their stress levels with yoga, tai-chi or meditation.
Scheduling regular date nights with your partner can also help.
If that fails, Sari said couples who feel stuck in a sexless relationship and unable to communicate should seek out a certified sex therapist.
