FRISKY BUSINESS: Celibacy creates 'cascade of changes' that can benefit mind, body

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Maybe you’ve thought about giving up sex for a while or maybe the circumstances are dictating the decision.

Or perhaps life is simply getting in the way.

Whatever the case, it’s common for people to find themselves in dry spells, some for longer periods than others.

While having no sex might seem like a bad thing, especially if it’s for a lengthy amount of time, the effects on the body and mind might surprise you.

“A year without sex creates a cascade of changes that aren’t limited to just missing physical intimacy,” Anita Fletcher, a sex and relationship expert at adult toy brand Fantasy Co., told the Toronto Sun.

“Your body doesn’t just ‘forget’ about sex, but instead adapts in ways that can be both empowering and challenging.”

Fletcher said the hormonal changes during a year-long dry spell are more complex than people realize as testosterone levels in all genders can fluctuate in unexpected ways.

“Initially, some people experience a dip in testosterone, which can lower libido even further,” Fletcher said, noting that the interesting part is that after several months “some individuals see their levels stabilize or even increase as their body adjusts to the new normal.”

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That said, the absence of regular releases of oxytocin can create noticeable effects with many people often feeling less emotionally connected and not just to potential partners, but everyone in their life.

The same goes for an individual’s mood as dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, typically decreases when sexual activity stops.

“People often describe feeling emotionally flat or less motivated in the first few months,” Fletcher said.

“But others report a sense of mental clarity that they hadn’t experienced in years. It really depends on your relationship with sex and intimacy.”

Sexual activity can help regulate sleep cycles and manage stress hormones like cortisol, but without this natural stress reliever sleep quality can suffer — initially.

“I’ve had people tell me they feel more wound up, especially in the evening when they used to rely on intimacy to unwind,” Fletcher said, adding a person needs to find new ways to process stress and prepare for sleep.

Regular sexual activity provides immune system benefits through increased immunoglobulin A production, so 12 months without sex can mean more frequent minor illnesses like colds.

One of the most profound changes is how people view themselves and their bodies, with some reporting that they feel disconnected from their physical selves and others even questioning their sexual identity.

“Your relationship with your own sexuality can become strained,” Fletcher said.

“Some people start to wonder if they’re still sexual beings, while others feel liberated from what they see as sexual pressure.”

Many also discover they aren’t deprived and are reaping unexpected benefits, including increased focus on personal goals, stronger emotional boundaries and deeper non-sexual relationships.

“I’ve worked with people who describe their celibate periods as transformative,” Fletcher said.

“They learned to find fulfillment and pleasure in other areas of life, which actually made them more confident sexual partners when they chose to return to intimacy.”

But rather than be about deprivation, celibacy can be an intentional pause that leads to more fulfilling sexual experiences down the road.

“Abstinence can be just as sexually powerful as the act itself,” Fletcher said. “When you remove sex from the equation, you’re forced to confront your relationship with desire, intimacy and pleasure in ways most people never explore.”

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