Can the lack of sex cause psychological problems?

[Gudrests]

Yes. See Maslow's Heirarchy of needs:

The problems aren't inherently serious (though it does qualify as a basic physiological need) but lack of sex can predispose one to higher levels of stress, neuroticism, and depression.



-m

Didn't Maslowe just make that whole pyramid to convince his wife it was important that she cook, clean, and put out for him? I'm pretty sure it was confirmed by Snopes.

I hope so...because that would make him such an badass imo

 

[Verp]

Based on the amount of people on this forum who never get any and decide to become asexual rather than desperate, I'd say yes.

One doesn't "decide to become asexual". Feelings usually aren't a choice of any kind. You can be asexual, which means that you feel no sexual attraction, and you can decide to live in celibacy, but one doesn't decide to become asexual. People who do say that they have become asexual by choice are usually just misunderstanding the meaning of asexuality in the context of human sexuality.

Or, well, someone may have suppressed the feelings of attraction that they get into near nothingness, but as far as I understand, that usually ranges from hard to impossible, not to mention potentially harmful, to sexual people. Maybe I'm too much of a hedonist to understand, but I don't really even get why you'd want to do something like that either, unless it's for religious reasons or to battle an unhealthy obsession. If I did feel sexual attraction and had a libido, I would probably just go for it like most people.

 

[Deacon Cole]

I don't think a lack of sex can cause psychological problems, but psychological problems can cause a lack of sex.

 

[Monkfish Acc.]

Exactly.
The sex itself, and lack thereof, would not cause any psychological damage. It would be the things people attach to it that would do harm.

I plan on going the entirety of my life without sex. Admittedly, I'm not the most emotionally healthy person to begin with, but I hardly think something so silly is going to exacerbate things.
Sex, love, and everything of that nature are only as important as you decide they are. Living without them is not going to fuck you up unless you make them.

"oh look at me being angsty and such im so different"

seriously guy. why would you want to do that? that doenst make any sense. a life without sex? im not making it more important then it is by anymeans, or atleast not trying to. but seriously. the F**k

Oh no you got me. Slitting my wrists now brb.

Asexual, genius. Sex holds the same appeal to me as a cardboard sandwich.
Oh, you can garnish it up with all of this emotion lettuce, but it is still a fucking cardboard sandwich and I kind of don't think much of lettuce anyway.

It is kind of funny the way people see a person go "yeah I don't really want sex ever" and immediately think "HOLY JESUS FUCK ME (AND THEN THAT GUY QUICKLY)". Like it's even really a big deal.
Nobody bats an eyelid when a dude becomes a priest. Most people realise what is going on with that, but they don't seem to give a shit.
It's like, to not want to indulge in something that is really only optional, one MUST be devoutly fucking religious or they are nutsuck fuckbananas.

I don't mean to be one of those elitist pricks who act like being asexual makes them somehow enlightened or some shit, but come on. Is celibacy really so fucking odd?

 

[KindOfnElf]

Yes, it can.
Aside from all the frustration, low self confidence from the feeling of being unwanted and all that, it causes psychological problems that lead to physical manifestations. The body needs ALL the hormones it can produce so it can function properly, and some of those hormones are (more) produced if one has sex on regular basis. I can't explain exactly how and why (I am no expert in the field), but this came from a few doctors I have talked to when I was researching skin diseases that, as you may know, for around 90% of the skin conditions the reasons for them occurring are unknown, and it's considered that are consequence of unstable emotional life. Lack of sex being a major reason for this.

Though I wouldn't call it "problems", that's a strong word. I'd rather say that when all the body needs are not met or are repressed because of various reasons then the body raises the alarm, and all you have to do is answer the call, and it will go away. Like one responds to thirst or hunger, which we don't call problems, we just respond properly. Well at least it's the way I see it.

 

[shootthebandit]

it has not caused me any problems

 

[Agayek]

Can it? Certainly. Does it? Unlikely. Sex is a good way (of several) to release, physically and psychologically. Everyone needs some form of release or they'll snap and kill something. It doesn't have to be sex though, there are several alternatives that people use regularly, both as a replacement for and alongside sex.

 

[GodofCider]

Snip.

Doesn't need better wording.

The default state of the typical human (read: "the norm") is one of sexual desire.

Therefore, in general, people desire sex.

In general, people who don't have sex experience psychological issues from anxiety and depression, to the more serious.

Therefore, in general, lack of sex at least correllates with an array of psychological problems - and the science of the matter has borne out the idea to the extent that we can reasonably assert lack of sex to be the cause.

-m

No, I think the question did need better wording. Else the focus of our conversation would be more focused.

Regardless, I must disagree with your assertion that not engaging in sexual activities, will yield psychological difficulties; when lack of interest in sexual activities present in the first place.

 

[InevitableFate]

I would say, instead, that any problems are more like a result of some twisted form of peer pressure than any genuine problems.

Society tells you you should have as much as possible, and if you're not you're going to feel like you're doing it wrong.

But then I'm asexual, so I could be way off.

 

[Turbo_Destructor]

Yes I reckon it could/would, but I think this would probably be more due to social pressures rather than physiological needs.

 

[Littaly]

That would be kind of sweet, then I could blame all my problems on that.

"Sorry if I seem a little unfocused, I have this mental condition called virginity, it gives me all kinds of problems, can't help it I'm afraid"

 

[Matt_LRR]

Snip.

Doesn't need better wording.

The default state of the typical human (read: "the norm") is one of sexual desire.

Therefore, in general, people desire sex.

In general, people who don't have sex experience psychological issues from anxiety and depression, to the more serious.

Therefore, in general, lack of sex at least correllates with an array of psychological problems - and the science of the matter has borne out the idea to the extent that we can reasonably assert lack of sex to be the cause.

-m

No, I think the question did need better wording. Else the focus of our conversation would be more focused.

Regardless, I must disagree with your assertion that not engaging in sexual activities, will yield psychological difficulties; when lack of interest in sexual activities present in the first place.

IN GENERAL.

"For the most part"

"Usually"

"Most of the time"

"Normally"

"On the average"

I made a qualified statement, not a universal one.

The focus of this conversation is off because a depressingly large number of people in this thread are demonstrating a dire lack of understanding of the meaning of "psychological problems" and of the importance of antecdotal evidence - specifically that there is essentially none.

As an animal, the typical person is subject to physiological impulses, one of which is a drive for sexual activity.

Most people cope with this drive just fine, and find ways to satisfy it, or divert it, or ignore it.

However, a signifcant number of people also experience psychological effects like hightened levels of stress, neuroticism, and anxiety.

So to answer the question, "can lack of sex cause psycological problems?" the answer is unequivocally yes.

Naturally this doesn't apply for children - who haven't undergone puberty and haven't develloped a sex drive, nor does it apply to asexuals who, by definition deviate from the norm in terms of sexuality.

But among the general populace, the sex drive exists, and failure to satisfy it, can (and does), cause psychological problems in some people.

Not in all people, but in enough people to make it a significant statistic.

-m

That a person deviates from a trend, does not negate the trend. That person is simply an outlier.

 

[nerdsamwich]

I haven't had a go of a pair of boobs in about four months and I'm OK I think. Another four months though and things might be different.

I'd wager that its the sense of intimacy that you and others would come to miss. You can get as much boobs as you want on the internet, but you can only touch and be touched by someone who is actually there, whether said touching is sexual or not, passionate or companionate.

Looking at boobs on the internet is as much "getting boobs" in your life as strolling down the grocery aisle is getting fed. I have, on two separate occasions, gone for about a year and a half without getting any, and it was depressing as hell. Although you are right in the sense that what was missing was physical intimacy rather than orgasm, the latter combined with the former is much more effective than either alone. Studies done in British orphanages early last century showed that babies can die if deprived of nothing but physical affection. It won't kill an adult, but lack of cuddling can be a factor in severe depression. The obvious argument here is, "So friendly touching DOES work, when combined with a vigorous solo sex life?" No, it really doesn't. In order to stimulate the proper neurotransmitter (oxytocin) release, you need significant skin-to-skin contact for a significant length of time, and the boost in effectiveness provided by orgasm does not occur unless the orgasm is concurrent with the cuddling. I suppose there are those who wouldn't consider it sex to masturbate while cuddling naked with someone, but those people are already suffering from the problems asked about in the OP.

 

[The Salty Vulcan]

As the title states, I would like to know from the forum goers here what they think/know about it.
Can the lack of sexual activity cause mental problems? Things like anxiety, frustration, depression even. Please let me know.
Thanks in advance.

(if this topic has already been discussed please redirect me)

Don't know if its quite what your looking for, but I remember reading a case about a woman who fantasized about committing Bestiality. Apparently her desires got to a stage where they were so suppressed, she started to act out and even regress to an animalistic and primal state.

 

[Pariah87]

I've said this a few times before but I believe yes it can, or at least in my place it has. It might not be the sex itself which causes the problem, but if you're not getting any and actually want it then it starts to mess with your head.

Confidence, self esteem, your views on the opposite gender/relationships, views on life. They all take a knock when you are deprived something which seems readily avaliable to everyone else.

You begin to question what it is that's so wrong with you that you can't even get laid, maybe you're just not worth anyones time, maybe you really are ugly as sin, maybe you're a freak. Of course, when you keep telling yourself you are something, you become that thing. So if you believe yourself to be an ugly, worthless freak, that is what I have turn...you will turn yourself into, just to validate your own existance.

That's what 5 years without a womans affection has taught me, now to go and be bitter about more shit.

 

[Sojoez]

Amazing answers. Thanks for all the replies guys. Some truly where helpfull. I'm not cured, but it did gave me some insight.