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We all know having sex regularly is good for our overall health and wellbeing , but it’s not uncommon to go without it for weeks or even months at a time - so how does it really affect your body? For many people, going without sex for a while may feel frustrating and increase stress levels. However, sex and relationships expert Christine Rafe says that while it may feel like a major change, that’s not necessarily the case, scientifically speaking. Speaking to Body+Soul , Rafe says, “While there are recognised physical, emotional and psychological benefits to engaging in solo or partnered sexual activity - including outercourse or non-penetrative sex - this does not mean that there are negative consequences associated with not being sexually active.

” She compared the physical effects of not having sexual intercourse for a while to going without exercising for a period of time. “People who haven’t had sex, or who stop having sex for prolonged periods may experience deconditioning to sexual activities and find that they have muscle tightness or soreness, difficulties in ejaculatory control and a loss of confidence in sexual activity,” Rafe says, adding that these things do not constitute “long-term biological changes”. Short-term or long-term abstinence is not necessarily bad for you - as Rafe explains, “there is no substantive research or evidence concluding that there are negative health impacts for someone who chooses to not have sex, or to stop having sex.



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