There may be many reasons why you are not having sex regularly or at all. You may be practicing abstinence until marriage or until your relationship hits a milestone. Perhaps you are looking for a sexual partner but have not yet met the right person. You may be in a long-distance or socially distant relationship that keeps you apart. Alternatively, you may be in a relationship, but conflict or tension has caused a dry spell. It is important to note that:

 “There’s nothing wrong with not having sex,” confirmed Healthline. “Nothing will ‘break’ or ‘get old’ just because you aren’t having sex.” So, if you are taking a break from sex, try not to stress.

It’s worth noting that menstrual cramps might worsen when you stop having sex.”

More than half of women experience painful periods, and if you’re one of them, you probably hate them with a vengeance, even more than the nuisance of having a period in the first place. You can reduce the severity of menstrual cramps by taking specific measures, such as having sex.

Orgasms release endorphins that help relax the body. 

However, other ways exist to increase endorphins and relieve cramps, such as exercising, eating chocolate, or drinking wine.

It’s important to note that vaginal walls can weaken and thin when sex is not a regular part of one’s routine.

Dr. Kecia Gaither, an OB-GYN and director of perinatal services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, explains that sexual arousal increases blood flow to the pelvic region, which helps keep the vagina and vulva lubricated, supple, and elastic by providing nutrient-rich oxygenated blood.

Additionally, prostate health may decline when sexual activity decreases.

Dr. Myles Spar, the internist and chief medical officer of Vault Health, stated that studies have shown a lower risk of prostate cancer with regular ejaculation. Men who ejaculate at least 21 times a month have a lower risk compared to those who ejaculate 4-7 times a month. Additionally, men who ejaculate 0-3 times a month have an increased risk of dying from other medical problems.

It is important to note that your immune response could weaken when you stop having sex.

Move aside vitamin C; another immune system booster is taking center stage. According to WebMD, having sex once a week can raise your levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), a germ-fighting substance. Dr. Carl Charnetski, a professor at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, explains that IgA is the first line of defense against colds and flu.  

If you are abstaining from sex, you may be more susceptible to colds or the flu. 

However, there are ways to boost your immune system without sexual activity. One way is to consume nutrient-rich foods.

Aches and pains may appear more common when sexual activity decreases.

If you wake up with back pain, it can be challenging to focus on anything else.   When experiencing a sexual drought, these everyday aches and pains may feel more severe.

However, there are alternative ways to increase endorphins besides sexual activity. Exercise can help alleviate aches and pains. You can supplement your diet with natural pain-relieving remedies.

Stopping sex can compromise your relationship’s health.

Physical, mental, and emotional changes may occur in your body. A sexual hiatus can also affect your partnership, and the health of your relationship can affect your physical health.