We usually hear all about how too much masturbation might affect your health, but interestingly, there’s also a growing body of research focused on what happens if you stop completely.Sex and relationship specialist Dr. Tara Suwinyattichaiporn has pointed out that going without any sexual activity or stimulation for too long whether solo or partnered can lead to some not-so-great effects for both men and women.
She told the Daily Mail that intimacy, physical touch, and sexual release are all tied closely to mental health. Without them, some people might start experiencing more anxiety, symptoms of depression, and higher stress levels.
Dr. Suwinyattichaiporn also noted that cutting out masturbation could leave a person feeling emotionally and physically frustrated. And that kind of built-up tension might make someone more likely to behave aggressively.Backing that up, a 2021 study found that a lack of sexual release could increase the chances of aggression, violence, and even criminal behavior. These behaviors were often linked to trying to release pent-up tension, take control, get revenge, or simply direct frustration elsewhere.
In addition, researchers have seen signs that men with little or no sexual activity—whether from masturbation or with a partner could have a higher chance of developing prostate cancer over time.
Experts have spoken out about the effects that come from a lack of masturbationGetty Stock Photo
According to a 2016 study published in the journal European Urology, men who ejaculated at least 21 times a month had a noticeably lower risk of getting prostate cancer than those who only ejaculated between four and seven times monthly.The possible reason behind this link lies in how sperm functions. Researchers believe carcinogens can build up in the prostate over time when there’s no ejaculation to clear them out.
By ejaculating regularly, harmful substances in semen might be flushed out of the body, which could help reduce the risk of prostate cancer, according to insights from the Urology Care Foundation.
For women, the effects of no sexual activity can include vaginal atrophy—a condition where the vaginal walls begin to thin out, dry up, and sometimes even shorten. This can lead to discomfort or other complications over time.Meanwhile, for men, there’s another side effect that’s often not talked about. Tobias Kohler, an assistant professor of urology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, explained to WebMD that when erections don’t occur regularly, the penis can actually lose some of its elasticity and start to shrink slightly.
“If men don’t do anything to maintain normal erections, they will get shortening of the penis.” he explained.
