Sexual Relationships
1 y

Can lack of sex contribute to depression?

What do you think?
Updates:
1 y
Guys I’m asking because I feel the older I get the more frustrated and stressed I feel. I’m a virgin - out of choice because I’ve yet to meet a good man and be in a healthy relationship. Everyone has their own timing I guess and mine just hasn’t come around yet. I feel that having sex and that intimacy in my life would elevate all the negative feelings I have. I try to feel better by talking about sex with my friends, and wearing lingerie and working on my body at the gym every day.
1 y
Thank you guys RE my update!! You’re all so nice!!! :)
5 15

Most Helpful Guys

  • Yesm lack of sex has been seen to be a contributor to depression, especially in men. Sex is a very normal part of life but as we grow older it becomes a need which should be fulfilled regularly and the fact that many men and women are unable to get any form of sexual act from anyone can cause people to develop self esteem issues, self sabotage issues, attention seek behaviour and even deviant sexual habits. Humans are biologically wired to want sex, we can control the part where we need to procreate but in the end sex is still a very basic and important need, not fulfilling can cause psychological and biological problems.

    • Very well said.

    • Thank you

  • It’s not so much the sex, it’s the emotional well being connected with it, the cuddling, snuggles, being with someone.

    When you don’t have that emotional intimacy with a person and also the physical aspect, it can impact your overall mental state, this can lead to depression.

    • @itsalyssaagain ref update. Yes it could help you. Feeling good about yourself, how your health, what you wear etc all help towards improving your overall confidence and feel good factor which in turn boosts your mental health, There is no rush with not being a virgin, and if you date you don’t need to have sex, obviously making it clear at the beginning to avoid issues down the road, It’s about taking your time and thinking of your overall mental state. Try different things to see if they improve things, going out running helps for me and gives me some clarity and helps with my mental health, as does mountain biking.

    • Thanks!! Yes I totally agree but I do hope my time comes around soon 🤣 I love working out and dressing nice it helps me feel sexy so it fills that void a little.

    • @itsalyssaagain yes it’s sort of that reward for working out in gym or achieving something, Wearing what you want and feel good in is important, at times sexy lingerie is more for the person wearing it than anyone else, them knowing how good they look and feel wearing it. I would also look at social stuff like dance classes, it combines the looking good, working out and interacting with others.

Most Helpful Girls

  • I think it would not be the sex part as much as not having someone to do it with that would cause the depression, and maybe that is what you meant.

    There are many ways to orgasm and get the simulation of sex without a partner but it's not the same.

    Can lack of sex contribute to depression?

    Great question Ms Alyssa!

  • yes.. i have had it happen too many times.

    i would rather have a bad, abusive boyfriend growing up than be alone.

    regular sex, even with a jerk, kept me from being alone and getting depressed.

    • For me being with a bad abusive boyfriend just made me feel lonelier than being single is. At least when you’re single, you know you’re single and you can date and look for the man for you. When you’re with a shitty boyfriend it feels shitty

    • I could certainly understand that if you're in a bad relationship things become progressively worse over time I could certainly understand that.

    • I don't know what most guys think, but for me personally sex seems to be a stress relief more than anything because emotionally I can become one with that girl as I ejaculate twice inside her and am actually able to look deep inside her eyes as I cum twice deep inside

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What Girls & Guys Said

15 93

  • I think so, especially if the lack of sex is caused by relationship issues, struggles of finding a partner etc.
    If a person has no interest in sex and doesn't seek it out, I don't think it's an active factor in one's level of depression.

  • Yes! I can get headaches and feel depressed if I don't get a big one at least twice during the month!

  • Well I don't know if it can do that maybe so let's ask this question how do you feel when you are being made out with in slow motion and you can feel his energy just flowing with yours and all around yours for me that's a much better place I would rather be

    • Me too

    • I love that

  • Probably.

  • Only when it is a result of being denied it by a partner who used to be more sexual. Otherwise it's usually another problem that people choose to blame on lack of sex.

  • I thought it was impossibile, but my wife did get depressed when we went for some months without doing it.
    So yes, it can contribute and also cause depression, and although I'm not really into those things, I do "put out" for her sake.

  • Yes, unless you are okay with living as a nun.

    • As for the update, you might be subconsciously worrying about hitting the wall while single.

  • Well it would certainly explain why I'm always happy..

  • A lack of physical intimacy can aid depression, but a lack of sex itself has been proven not to contribute towards depression.

  • Lack of intimacy. Sex is just a tool for short germ happiness and children. Intimacy is somebody actually caring if you exist…

    • This

    • @itssalyssaaggain if you feel that badly about it then have sex… you’ll never be happy if you live solely based off what others think. You can’t completely overlook it but it’s not like one partners the end of the world. Gandhi said “It is better to be violent, if there is violence in our hearts, than to put on the cloak of non-violence to cover impotence. Violence is any day preferable to impotence. There is hope for a violent man to become non-violent. There is no such hope for the impotent.“ I see this applying in your situation like this… it’s better to make bad choices to improve your situation because you can correct such mistakes rather then sitting by helpless unable to do anything wallowing in your suffering. I don’t think sex will find you fulfillment but if you think it’s what your missing then who am I so say your wrong? Maybe your standards are too high, maybe men you meet are pathetic, maybe your not good enough to get a man that meets your standards… The only thing I can tell you is I don’t have an answer that would satisfy you. You have to take your own steps and find your own way because doing as others tell you will never find YOUR happiness.

    • Remember though. You can correct mistakes but you can’t avoid accountability. If you give up your virginity you might lose the option to find a good man that requires it.

    • Show All

  • No it can’t. If you’re an addict tho then I would assume it could cause physical withdrawal symptoms.

  • Yes I believe it can bc having that physical connection really helps boost feelings of belonging, feelinn cares for, and loved.

  • Indeed it does, explains myself for sure and just the lack of cuddling too. Cuddling way more important in my mind.

  • Absolutely, sex is a misdemeanor. The more I miss the meaner I get

    • You are absolutely correct, it will happen when you least expect it. You will find a good man and you will experience love and the intimacy that you crave. It will fill The intimacy that you are missing. I'm assuming that wearing the lingerie makes you feel sexy. That's fantastic. Look at yourself in the mirror and see how attractive you are. Don't be afraid to explore your body while you're waiting for the love of your life

  • You think?

  • Out of experience, yes. 😔

  • I would hope that it is more the relationship aspect that is causing depression but yes a lack of the chemical components one is exposed to during sex and sexual activities could contribute to depression.

  • For woman... Yes think it will because for most woman sex is more then just a nice feeling. Emotions and feelings are involved aswell

  • Yes. Sex can release dopamine and alleviate depression. Ironically most antidepressants suppress the sex drive and can cause depression and relationship breakdown.

    Oxytocin released at orgasm is a natural antidepressant as well

    • And that's why I stopped taking my antidepressants last year. It stopped me from orgasming. It was the most depressing thing ever.

    • Exactly. I had the same problem.

  • Yes, it can lead to frustration and even aggravate depression. However, sex with the wrong person can also lead to depression.

  • Show More (88)

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