How Long can a Man go Without Having Sex?

A lot of men do not have sex. In Yorkshire alone, it was found that 10% of men are not sexually active, making it the region with the lowest rate of sexual activity. It might be a common reaction to assume that men who aren’t having sex are unlucky or incapable, but that isn’t always the case. Some men choose abstinence, whether for religious reasons, personal preference, or how they view their own sexuality. And of course, dry spells can happen from time to time.

But whatever the reason, does not having sex affect a man’s physical and mental health? And if so, how long can a man go without it?

How Long Can a Man Go Without Sex?

Let’s get to the question you came here for: how long can a man go without having sex? The good news (or bad news, depending on how you see it) is that men can go a very long time without it. And when we say “a long time,” it could mean a man’s whole life.

In terms of physical health, there aren’t any serious issues that should alarm those who aren’t sexually active. In fact, at one point, the world’s oldest man claimed he was able to reach 120 years of age thanks to avoiding sex altogether. That said, none of this has been scientifically confirmed, and to be fair, he also credited yoga and a diet free of spices as part of his longevity.

Is Abstaining a Personal Choice or Just Circumstance?

So why do some men not have sex? In some cases, it could be a loss of desire due to low libido. But this doesn’t always have to be a bad thing. Sure, a drop in libido can sometimes be linked to lower testosterone levels or be a symptom of a chronic health condition. However, as men get older, it’s natural for their sex drive to decrease compared to when they were younger.

Other reasons for abstaining often come down to personal choice. Some men choose not to have sex for religious, personal, or even competitive reasons. Boxers, for example, are famously known to abstain before a fight due to the belief that it might give them an edge in the ring.

In more extreme cases, some men will actually avoid sex out of fear of not being good enough. Performance anxiety is pretty common amongst men and can make them feel very insecure about their own sexuality. It is also incredibly difficult for men to talk about this to anyone, so until they ask for help, it is a battle that some men carry on their own.

Whatever the reason may be, there is nothing wrong with not having sex, as long as it is not leading to mental health concerns like depression or anxiety.

So, what happens if you go without sex for a long time? Let’s first take a look at what happens physically.

Physical Effects: What Happens to the Body?

Man who hasn't had sex in a while angrily opening a jar of pickles

It is very unlikely that something bad will happen to you if you don’t have sex. As we said before, you can actually go years without sex and probably won’t feel any negative side effects. If for whatever reason you decide to give up ejaculation entirely, there is a chance you can experience a wet dream since it's one way the body gets rid of semen buildup.

While you won’t experience negative effects, you will be missing out on some positive benefits of sex. Improved cardiovascular health, lower risk of prostate cancer, and stronger immunity are all benefits of having sex. Things like lowering the risk of prostate cancer can be done on your own through masturbation, so if you are worried about that, you could always get your favorite TENGA toy and treat yourself to a good time… for your health, of course.

Mental and Emotional Changes

Therapist and patient going over how little sex the patient is having

The mental effects of not having sex can be a little more complicated than the physical ones. Just like with the physical side, there are certain benefits you might miss out on, such as a boosted mood and potentially lower levels of depression and anxiety, to name a few. As a man, you might also feel like you’re not meeting societal expectations and begin to feel insecure about your masculinity and sex life. Worrying too much can lead to more physical issues, including sexual dysfunctions like Erectile Dysfunction.

Impact on Relationships

Relationships without sex are a little more of a crapshoot. It really depends on the needs of both people. Some couples are perfectly happy to go long periods of time without sex, while others keep the passion alive as much as they can. Sex isn’t the only thing that makes a relationship work, but if you feel like there is a mismatch, talking with your partner may be a good way to sort things out.

Possibly trying to add something new to the sex routine might be a good way to change things up and bring back that missing spark. Things like the TENGA SVR are great toys for both people with a penis and a vagina to enjoy. It can even help with those ED issues if they come up.

Summary

The good news is that a man can go a pretty long time without having sex. It’s even possible to live a long, fulfilling life despite the lack of it. That said, for some men, the absence of sex can lead to a bit of mental distress and issues with self-confidence, especially when it comes to their sexuality.

Now, while we can’t fix your self-confidence overnight, we can help upgrade your masturbation game, which offers some of the same mental and physical benefits as sex. If you find yourself in a long dry spell and need to release some of that tension, check out the range of male sex toys from TENGA and discover something to help tide you over until your next opportunity.

Because pleasure isn’t just about sex, but also about taking care of yourself, too.