Male abstinence from sex and its consequences. Lack of sex: what threatens long-term abstinence
What does abstinence mean?
Sexual abstinence is, in the scientific medical language, sexual abstinence or deprivation, characterized by a forced state of rest in sexual life. The reasons for abstinence can be different:
health status;
lack of a partner for sexual relations;
spiritual practices;
celibacy dinner (celibacy);
upcoming competitions for athletes;
asexuality;
individual personal reasons.
Abstinence types:
Partial abstinence- the impossibility of real sexual intercourse is compensated by masturbation or nocturnal emissions in men (spontaneous ejaculation).
total abstinence- sexual activity in all manifestations is completely absent.
What is abstinence for?
The justification for abstinence comes from the reasons that caused this state. A short break in sexual life helps to shake up the feelings of partners and enhances their attractiveness for each other. Long abstinence is necessary to restore strength during and after serious illnesses, when all energy is aimed at restoring balance in the body and wasting strength during sexual intercourse can aggravate a person’s condition. Conscious sexual total abstinence or celibacy is asceticism, which is an important condition in the practice of spirituality in some religions.
Abstinence in women
For women, harmonious sexual intimacy with a partner is the key to a stable happy relationship. In closeness, a woman blossoms and creates a positive energy background around her. Abstinence from sex is more common for women due to their physiological characteristics: menstrual period, pregnancy. The fair sex with a high level of sexual temperament (choleric, sanguine) hardly endure periods of abstinence, unlike phlegmatic and melancholic women.
The benefits of abstinence in women
Long-term abstinence from sex in women with a low level of sexual temperament does not have any negative effect and even stabilizes the activity of the nervous system. During the period of menstruation, a sexual pause allows you to avoid the penetration of pathogenic bacteria into the uterine cavity, which is vulnerable these days. It is important to remember that short-term sexual abstinence for a number of reasons is not a reason to despair, but an opportunity to focus on positive aspects:
Feeling renewal. With the next intimacy, the perception of relationships is aggravated, everything happens on a “new” wave, with a more intense range of feelings.
Sublimation is the process of transforming unspent sexual energy into creation or creation. Creation of works of art, new projects, gushing of ideas.
Abstinence, as a necessity during pregnancy - in the I and III trimesters with the threat of miscarriage. Motherhood is an important component of a woman's family happiness, and the benefits of abstinence are obvious here.
Abstinence in women - consequences
Sexual abstinence in girls and young women does not lead to any serious problems, but when a woman has been leading an active sexual life for a long time, sexual abstinence without a good reason can cause a different heap of problems and ailments “prescribed” in the body on physical and mental levels. The consequences of abstinence can be as follows:
general hormonal imbalance;
obesity;
congestion in the pelvis contributing to the formation of varicose veins;
growth of tumors (myoma, fibromyoma, mastopathy);
thyroid disease;
decrease in the number of immune cells;
pronounced premenstrual syndrome;
high emotional lability;
change of character for the worse: rigidity, criticality, callousness;
sexual coldness;
discord in relationships between partners due to lack of intimacy.
Abstinence in men
With men, everything is more complicated, by nature, representatives of the strong think more about sex, and physiology immediately makes itself felt with excitement. Most men can become aroused several times during the day. Abstinence is more difficult for men than for women. Forced sexual abstinence is very difficult to tolerate by hypersexual representatives. During the absence of a partner, men tend to resort to masturbation more often than women.
Benefits of abstinence for men
Whether sexual deprivation is useful or not for men is not an unequivocal opinion. A slight lack of sex does not cause significant harm, but it also has its advantages. The benefits of abstinence are obvious in the following cases:
Cardiovascular diseases - in old age, frequent sexual intercourse puts a significant strain on the heart, there is often a case of death during sex from a heart attack or stroke.
The risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases - momentary pleasure is fraught with consequences that threaten health and life. Sex without commitment at parties, more than once made men repent.
Improving spermatogenesis and sperm composition. A few days of abstinence before the planned conception contribute to an increase in sperm activity, increasing the chances of fertilization. There is also an opposite opinion.
Careful attitude to the resources of your body. Recent studies by foreign biologists have fundamentally dispelled the misconception that abstinence is dangerous. Studying the composition of sperm, scientists came to the conclusion that for the body it is a necessary substance containing lecithin, phosphorus, calcium and proteins. With frequent sexual intercourse, the body loses these vital resources, as a result, the central nervous system suffers and is depleted. To believe this fact or not, each man decides for himself.
Prolonged abstinence of men - consequences
Whether abstinence is harmful for men, there is no definite answer, everything is individual, but if we consider the average statistics that paint a portrait of an active man in the prime of life and potency, and this is the vast majority of young men, then forced abstinence gives disappointing forecasts for health. Possible consequences of sexual withdrawal:
a persistent decrease in sexual desire, as such, after a long abstinence;
premature ejaculation;
development of neuroses and inferiority complex;
fear of new acquaintances;
nervousness and aggression;
suppression of the formation of prostate secretion;
varicose veins of the scrotum;
tumors (prostate adenoma, testicular cancer);
impotence.
Abstinence in sports
Sexual deprivation in sports dates back to ancient times, when military commanders noticed that warriors who were not in a relationship performed better in competitions and on the battlefield. So there was a strong opinion that an athlete before training should focus on the result as much as possible. It is known that boxer Mohammed Ali observed abstinence for up to a month and a half before fights.
Abstinence in bodybuilding plays a significant role, although there are conflicting opinions on this matter. Abstinence and muscle growth are linked by the fact that with excessive sexual activity, the level of testosterone, which affects the increase in muscle mass, drops dramatically, and prolactin, the female hormone, is produced instead. Experienced athletes know that sex is useful only after a workout or competition, but not before them.
How to learn abstinence?
If for some reason a person has decided on a temporary sexual respite (fasting, spiritual practices, parting with a loved one for the duration of a business trip), how can you go through this period less painfully and learn to reduce the intensity of passions? It is important to remember that moderate abstinence from sexual activity is sometimes beneficial for the body.
What can help abstinence practitioners:
focus on spiritual growth and self-improvement;
develop during this period creative abilities and creativity;
practice various meditation techniques (contemplation, dynamic meditations according to Osho);
engage in an active sport.
Abstinence myths
Sexual abstinence is shrouded in various conjectures and stereotypes. There are the following myths about abstinence:
Lack of sex can cause schizophrenia, forms a tendency to pedophilia and bestiality. This is not true, since these manifestations are often based on endogenous congenital abnormalities.
Long abstinence in men and women can cause premature menopause. Yes, there is such a thing as male menopause. It is believed that this myth was created by pharmaceutical companies to better sell condoms.
Transformation of sexual energy into creative energy during abstinence. This is partly true, if a person is inherently creative and obsessed with ideas, a period of slight abstinence for him passes painlessly, for everyone else, sexual pauses cause at least discomfort.
There is nothing fatal even in prolonged abstinence from sex, but the physical and psychological consequences for the female body can be unpleasant.
The sexual revolution has brought us looseness and liberation from centuries of guilt and shame over natural carnal pleasures.
While there are many good reasons to have sex (satisfying instincts, strengthening relationships, relieving stress, escaping from problems, and boosting self-esteem), abstinence advocates have just as many arguments against it.
If you're not interested in sex, you don't have to force yourself. Nothing in the body will break down or “grow old” just because you don’t have sex. A sedentary lifestyle or unhealthy diet has much more consequences.
So why be afraid?
Possible health effects of abstaining from sex
Sexual activity is a powerful physiological stimulant. Observations show that intimacy at least once a week leads to a statistically significant prolongation of life.The effect of abstinence on a woman's body depends on your age, health status, psychological characteristics, and even lifestyle. If you suddenly stop having sex for reasons beyond your health (like breaking up with your partner), the consequences are real.
Consequence #1: Increased or Weakened Libido
In some cases, there may be a loss of sexual drive, in others - an unusual increase in libido.“Some women who do not have sex for a long time, there is a lethargy, a decline in vitality and a weakening of sexual hunger. But not always,” says sex therapist Sari Cooper.
Since it is not in our power to adjust the libido, for some, the lack of sex makes it much more desirable than before. According to the American doctor and publicist Lauren Streicher, after abstinence, some patients are unable to work and concentrate on other things besides sex.
Consequence #2: Bad Mood
« Sexual intimacy is partly physical, partly psychological. It is, first of all, skin-to-skin contact - the first way of communication and comfort that people experience as early as infancy. Intimate bonding provides partners with plenty of affection and touch and helps regulate each other's moods,” says Dr. Cooper.At the hormonal level, sex causes a surge of oxytocin in the body, as well as endorphins, a brain bioactive substance that blocks pain and improves mood. Without these internal "drugs", a woman may feel depressed and useless. Studies show that abstinence and clinical depression are closely related to each other, although doctors have not yet been able to clearly explain the causal relationship.
Consequence number 3: the walls of the vagina become thinner
In women entering menopause, the lack of vaginal penetration operates according to the well-known biological principle of use it or loose it (use it or lose it).« No regular vaginal sex as the wall agesvagina become thinner, which causes soreness during intercourse in the future. Women who rarely enjoy sex are more likely to experience vaginal dryness during menopause. This is due to insufficient blood circulation, for which the organ must work,” explains Streicher.
Of course, the main cause of pain is estrogen deficiency. If you take a young woman in her 20s or 30s, she will have enough estrogen to keep her vaginal walls moist and elastic. At the age of 50-55, the level of the hormone is critically low, and this is a risk factor. According to Cooper, the production of vaginal lubrication inevitably decreases with age, but the lack of stimulation (including self-gratification, erotic books or videos) speeds up the process.
Consequence #4: Stress levels change
Like other psycho-emotional consequences of abstinence, this is difficult.« Insufficiently stress-resistant women tend to demand sex more often. But this is an observation, not a proven causal relationship. If sexual contact is some kind of stress reliever for you, then fasting will only increase stress. But it also happens the other way around: less intimacy - less stress, ”says sex therapist Dr. Cooper.
A pilot study by Scottish scientists confirms that blood pressure lability and stress levels are higher in people who have frequent sex. With abstinence, these rates were unusually low, which is associated with better health. Streicher believes there are many unknowns here. For some women, intimacy is unpleasant in itself. For others, it's just another item in their diary.
Consequence #5: Reduced risk of infections
Abstinence from sex for the female body is fraught with not only negative consequences. In a way, it's a preventive measure. Reducing the number of intimate contacts means reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections. Of course, a lot here depends on you and your partner.“This is intercourse that carries the potential risk of urinary tract infections due to the spread of bacteria in the vagina and urethra. 80% of urinary tract infections in premenopausal women develop during the first day after sex. According to the journal American Family Physician, the number of intercourses is the main factor in recurrent UTIs, Streicher says.
No intimacy - no bacteria. The question is, do you need such "prevention".
Consequence #6: Increased menstrual pain
Surprisingly, sex can ease period cramps. Although this phenomenon is not well understood, researchers explain the benefits of sex more than plausibly. The uterus is a smooth muscle organ, and during orgasm, intense muscle contractions push blood out of the organ, helping to relieve pain. Endorphins, natural pain relievers produced in the brain, also help with menstrual cramps.In this regard, it is easier for men: they do not know what PMS is! They have a different problem: any urologist will confirm that male abstinence adversely affects the prostate gland.
Consequence #7: Abstinence interferes with thinking
It sounds unexpected and not entirely scientific, but it's true.Rodent studies conducted independently in the United States and South Korea confirm that sex improves nerve cell metabolism and overall brain function. Animals satisfied with regular mating showed accelerated neuronal regeneration, they formed conditioned reflexes faster, memory and thinking were better.
"It goes under the heading of cognitive science and doesn't prove anything yet, but there is indeed evidence of a connection between sexual and cognitive functions," admits Dr. Streicher.
How will abstaining from sex affect women's health?
According to American sexologists, real complications are most typical for women over 40 without a permanent partner, who abstain from intimacy for a long time. In most cases, the body reminds young ladies when it's time to "get back in the saddle."“I want to reassure the readers and assure: a break in intimate life is not fatal, nothing will dry out and die. If you have enjoyed full-fledged sexual intimacy before, after abstinence, everything will be fine too. On the other hand, you will still get unexpected benefits, such as infection prevention,” summed up Dr. Streicher.
Konstantin Mokanov
Spare yourself for your own sake. Spare your ears, spare your eyes, spare your thoughts. What did you hear after midnight that you would consider more valuable than your own sleep? Coco Chanel
We do not always sleep as much as we want - many are faced with such a phenomenon as lack of sleep. It can arise either by our own grace or as a result of external factors.
Sometimes our weaknesses interfere with full sleep: for example, attraction to nightclubs and the Internet. Sometimes - objective circumstances: preparation for exams, shift work, a restless baby. In some cases, a sleep-deprived individual is generally a victim: a lack of sleep is associated with insomnia. But no matter what the reasons for lack of sleep in a person, it harms him very much.
Are you constantly sleep deprived? So know this: your body suffers, it feels bad, and leaving the problem without a solution, you spoil the future for it and at the same time for yourself. What threatens lack of sleep - in this article.
Sleep deprivation symptoms
A man is adorned with modesty, a man is painted with scars ... Lack of sleep is clearly not one of the factors that will make you more attractive in the eyes of others and your own - except that they will cause pity.
Collective image of a person suffering from sleep deprivation symptoms:
This condition is very unpleasant and even painful. Signs of sleep deprivation are similar to those of a recent flu.
Feeling the approach of the flu, any person will immediately call a doctor and stay at home instead of going somewhere. But when these symptoms occur with lack of sleep, most treat them as normal. Waking up, people with effort overcome the unthinkable attraction of a warm pillow and get up. Then they try to quickly eliminate the consequences of lack of sleep, remove the shadows under the eyes, pour a portion into themselves, and go to work or study in a depressed mood ...
Sometimes lack of sleep is a rare event in life, but what a huge number of people daily put up with its presence! Fatigue, lack of sleep accompany them for weeks, months, years in a row - and they do not try to change anything in their lives.
You can’t die from lack of sleep – at least not if you don’t deprive yourself of sleep completely. But if you don’t get enough sleep for a long time, think about what the lack of sleep threatens you with in the long run…
Consequences of sleep deprivation: immediate and distant
Communication problems
This is the first thing that lack of sleep leads to. One night without sleep will not cause monstrous harm to health, but even a short lack of sleep spoils the mood, kills the desire to communicate, destroys cheerfulness and a sense of humor. A person is increasingly seized by the desire to isolate himself from society (preferably in his own bedroom) and nullify all types of activity.
Constant lack of sleep makes anyone detached, apathetic and withdrawn. As a result, a person may find that his friends have stopped calling him, that he has not been invited to meetings, dates and birthdays for a long time ... And it's all to blame - lack of sleep!
Psychological problems, depression
Sometimes lack of sleep is the cause of psychological problems. Sleep is a complex process that occurs under the influence of special hormones and in itself affects the human hormonal background. If it is not enough, these mechanisms are violated. Very noticeable changes occur with the processes of formation and use of serotonin - the hormone of happiness, joy and tranquility.
A person who sleeps very little ceases to sensibly assess reality. He perceives it in gloomy tones, ignores pleasant events, stops making plans for the future, because "he realizes the futility of all efforts." Frequent symptoms of chronic sleep deprivation are that a person becomes gloomy and paranoid, begins to torment others with his pessimism, or even becomes depressed.
Among people suffering from insomnia, constant sleep deprivation and fatigue, there are several times more suicides! Worth considering...
Career problems
Every day, an army of zombies with their eyes closed from lack of sleep goes to work. What are they thinking about? Until 10-11 in the morning, they often cannot think at all: they gather their strength, try to overcome the symptoms of lack of sleep, and are drawn into the work process. Then, finally, they rush into the embrasure of everyday affairs. But after dinner, fatigue intensifies, and the remaining 2-3 hours pass in constant looking at the clock and hoping for a speedy return home.
Would an employee who suffers from drowsiness do something beyond their normal duties? He can hardly cope with the necessary things. Will he think about promotion, career growth, self-development and self-improvement? No - a sad and predictable train of thought will naturally lead him home, closer to bed and long-awaited peace.
The sad and inevitable consequence of lack of sleep is that it subdues. A person becomes unsociable, ceases to believe in himself, does not try and does not take risks. He is not in the mood to fight for success, does not want changes and the worries associated with them, as a result of which he often refuses even tempting opportunities that themselves come into his hands. People who are desperately sleep deprived are rarely successful in their careers. And sometimes they even lose their jobs. Frequent consequences of lack of sleep - absent-mindedness, inattention, mistakes - are unlikely to please even the most loyal boss.
In 2008, on board a plane flying from Gogolulu to Hilo, both pilots fell asleep due to fatigue and lack of sleep during the flight. The plane flew an extra 48 kilometers, after which the pilots woke up and safely landed the plane. No harm done. But do you think these people were able to keep their jobs?
Problems with appearance, premature aging, deterioration in physical fitness
The above troubles are not all that lack of sleep leads to. Women should be especially concerned about the fact that lack of sleep causes deterioration in appearance. Light shadows under the eyes turn into "bruises", the face becomes somewhat swollen (especially in the area of the eyes and superciliary arches), takes on a tired, "washed" look. And no eye drops, no foundation and masking gels can completely eliminate this!
Men will not like the fact that regular lack of sleep significantly impairs physical fitness. First, feeling tired and lethargic after unproductive sleep discourages the desire to actively engage in sports. Secondly, lack of sleep reduces the body's production of the hormone somatostatin, which is responsible for muscle growth.
Also, lack of sleep causes the accumulation of excess weight and provokes obesity. In the article "" a whole section is devoted to this.
Representatives of both sexes with chronic lack of sleep age faster. Due to hormonal disorders, the formation of collagen and elastin is disrupted - the fibers that form the frame of the skin, are responsible for its elasticity and protect against the appearance of wrinkles. A person who sleeps less than expected often looks 5-7-10 years older than someone who practices normal healthy sleep.Take a look at these photos: they were taken 3 years apart. It is the host of the early morning newscast in Japan. He came to work at 2-3 o'clock in the morning, slept little, and this did not go unnoticed for him ...
Health problems
Due to changes in the body that accompany constant lack of sleep, a person may experience the following health problems:
- impotence, decreased libido
- Immune suppression, increased overall morbidity
- Increased risk and accelerated development of cardiovascular diseases (atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, stroke)
- Increased likelihood of hormone-dependent cancer (breast cancer in women, prostate cancer in men).
The consequences of sleep deprivation are too annoying and serious to endure or risk them. How many unique opportunities, dates, hours of communication, gushing ideas, friendships are lost due to lack of sleep! Stop ruining your life. Think about how you can ensure you get enough sleep.
And finally - a slightly paraphrased aphorism from the classic: “What is the best remedy for lack of sleep? Sleep!"
Forced sexual abstinence provokes unpleasant phenomena that develop in two directions: local congestion in the genital area and neurotic symptoms. What is dangerous, what consequences does it have?
Under the local phenomena understand the swelling of the veins of the spermatic cord, scrotum, hemorrhoids, rectum. Outwardly, this is manifested by painful sensations in the perineum and frequent urge to urinate. The phenomena described above are most clearly expressed during the period of hypersexuality in adolescence.
Long abstinence for a man starts the process of changes in the prostate gland, which is known in medical practice as.
It has long been established that frequent ejaculation is an excellent preventive measure to avoid the occurrence of prostatitis, since the prostate is constantly being cleaned.
The penis, like all organs of the human body, requires sufficient oxygen to function properly. It is thanks to an erection that oxygen enters the penis. With age, in the process of blockage of blood vessels by cholesterol, oxygen enters in a smaller amount, in addition, the activity of the penis decreases. Its increase directly depends on the regularity of sexual intercourse. By the way, sex, being an intense physical activity, can improve blood circulation throughout the body.Psychological consequences of abstinence
What does long-term abstinence lead to in psychological health? In men, the lack of sex leads to depression, emotional distress, neurosis and nervous breakdowns. Often a man has thoughts of impotence, which are accompanied by a depressed state. This situation in the complex provokes premature ejaculation and fear of sexual relations. The most correct solution is to calm down and try again intimacy.
Negative phenomena such as disturbed night sleep and insomnia are inextricably linked to the inability to have a regular sex life. Prolonged abstinence is the path to excessive wet dreams, experiences from sexual neurosis, pushing a man to masturbate. These problems are natural and understandable, but changes in the prostate gland still pose a great danger.
