Is sexual abstinence harmful? Truths and myths about refusing sex
Of the many myths and prejudices ingrained in people”s minds, the ones that pertain to sexuality and sex education are the most firmly held. This is not surprising. In Western culture, sexuality is a very intimate part of life, it is not usually discussed, and the study of this aspect has always met with resistance.
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Sexuality is talked about more openly today than ever before, but some key questions about sexuality still remain unanswered. Fortunately, today we can debunk some myths. For example, people say that the harms of sexual abstinence are real.
Sex: a need or not?
An unmet need results in jeopardizing the lifespan of the organism. Hunger and thirst are the most striking examples of basic human needs. We all know from childhood that it is impossible to survive without food or water.
However, it is worth thinking about, and sex shows that the situation is different. Independent researchers from different countries who studied this issue came to the same conclusion. Sexual abstinence has no harmful effects on the body, does not cause disease, and does not lead to tissue destruction. Refusal to submit to arousal and fulfill sexual desires may be uncomfortable, but does not cause any real physical harm to the body.
It has also not been proven that long-term abstinence from smoking leads to the development of mental illness. People who don”t have sex and don”t worry about it aren”t suicidal, hysterical, depressed, or neurotic, and even more so because they”re abstinent.
Problems may arise for those who want to be sexually active, but for many reasons cannot. This threatens them with problems with self-esteem, which can develop into psychological problems, but in themselves will not have a negative impact on the psyche.
Over the years, we”ve heard stories of health problems in men who haven”t had sexual release for a long time. However, they were not supported by anything. Semen is not a by-product of human life. The body safely processes excess without harm to health.
Read also: What are the harms of sexual abstinence for men and women?
There are many different situations in people”s lives that affect the permanence of relationships. Many people have long given up their passion and not.
Abstinence is not accompanied by associated negative consequences, such as impotence and prostatitis. Such diseases have very different risk factors, such as STDs, stress, alcohol and smoking — which are widespread and well known.
According to another myth, a long absence of sexual contact can lead to the development of obsessive desire and distorted forms of attraction in men. Expert observations do not confirm the connection between abstinence and such phenomena.
In other words, it is a mistake to classify gender as a basic human need.
Myths about masturbation
Another common misconception is that masturbation is harmful to health and negatively affects your sex life (including your future one). Stories about the dangers of self-aggrandizement are frightening tales not supported by science. Religion plays a large role in their popularity and widespread distribution.
Sexual abstinence is harmful. or useful? sexology, psychologist about relationships in sex, about #sex
Masturbation is an excellent alternative to intercourse and helps people cope with arousal without discomfort, even when there is no partner to help. The likelihood of harming yourself through self-gratification is even lower than during full sexual intercourse, which is mainly associated with exotic pleasure.
The benefits of sexual abstinence
Nothing prevents sexually transmitted infections like abstinence. No joke. Even safe sex using contraception is not as reliable as simply not having sex. This is especially true today, when HIV infection is widespread and the risk of transmission exists not only for those who practice promiscuity, but also for those who have multiple partners.
And more and more scientists and spiritual leaders are choosing to abstain from sexual intercourse, temporarily or for life, in order to focus on activities that matter to them and clear their minds. They preferred to spend their limited energy on more useful things related to their creative and scientific activities.
It turns out that having sex is harmful?
No, of course, this is the other extreme. You don”t have to have sex when you don”t want to have it. But you can do it whenever you want. The harm of sexual abstinence is just a myth, and voluntary abstinence from sex will not harm your physical or mental health and may even protect you from dangerous diseases. However, you should not avoid sex due to fear of illness. Using a condom minimizes the risk of infection.
