Health4 min(s) read
Doctor reveals surprising changes that happen to your body when you go a long time without sex
A sex doctor has shared her expert details on how a woman’s body responds when she stops having sex, addressing speculation around permanent changes to vaginal anatomy and libido.
There has been a longheld misconception around women’s sex lives and biological makeup, but is there actually any truth behind the claim that forgoing sex for an extended period can change your vagina?
Doctor addresses common 'false' claims about not having sex
According to urologist and pelvic surgeon Dr Rena Malik, some of the common beliefs surrounding sexual inactivity are completely false, but she did warn that there are genuine changes that can happen to vaginal and vulvar tissues.
Addressing the topic in a video, Malik goes into depth around the science behind what goes on when women stop having sex for prolonged periods.
While she also acknowledges that it can potentially impact natural lubrication, elasticity, and pelvic floor muscles, she warned that one of the biggest misconceptions she encounters is that the vagina will somehow become tighter or close up entirely if a woman goes without sex.
"Your vagina is made of incredibly elastic tissue. It's basically like a muscular tube that's designed to stretch and return back to normal size," she explained.
"It doesn't shrink or seal shut because you're not using it."
That said, that doesn't mean there are no changes to consider, with Malik explaining that variations in blood circulation and muscle tone can affect vaginal tissues, particularly during extended periods forgoing any sexual activity.
Malik also clarified that abstaining from sex doesn’t mean a woman’s libido will miraculously disappear, revealing that while hormones and psychological factors can influence sexual desire, breaks from sex do not mean libido is automatically impacted.
"If you take a break from sex, you're not doomed to a lifetime of low desire,” she confirmed.
She said regular sexual arousal, whether with a partner or through masturbation, increases blood flow to the vaginal area, with the circulation helping maintain the health of the tissues, supporting their natural elasticity and lubrication.
She explained: "When you have regular sexual arousal either with a partner or by yourself, you get more blood flow to the area."
Without regular arousal, some women may notice that their natural moisture levels change, and while the vagina continues to produce its usual discharge, sexual arousal creates additional lubrication. Going for a prolonged period without it can sometimes leave the area feeling drier or simply different.
This can be particularly noticeable during perimenopause and menopause, when declining estrogen levels can reduce the body's natural lubrication.
Malik also explained that vaginal tissue may gradually become less elastic due to the tissues containing collagen and elastin, proteins responsible for keeping them flexible, while sexual arousal and penetration can help maintain this elasticity.
Consequently, some women returning to sex after a lengthy break may initially notice a feeling of tightness or discomfort, but this can improve as sexual activity becomes more frequent.
The doctor stressed that women should not automatically dismiss painful sex as a consequence of abstinence.
"Sex should never hurt," she claimed, encouraging anyone experiencing discomfort to speak to a urologist, gynaecologist, or other appropriate specialist.
She also highlighted that women who are not sexually active may sometimes be avoiding sex because they are already experiencing pain, rather than because they have simply lost interest.
Doctor reveals it isn't a 'use it or lose it' situation
However, according to Malik, many women are perfectly comfortable without regular sex, and she said the most important thing is how someone feels physically and mentally.
"In fact, 40% of women experience low libido. 12% are bothered enough that they require some sort of treatment," she explained.
However, she acknowledged the wider benefits of sexual activity, including physical pleasure and human connection, but stressed that taking a break does not automatically put someone in a "use it or lose it" situation.
"If you decide to take a break from sex, you are not putting yourself in a use it or lose it situation,” Malik explained.
Ultimately, Malik warns women should not feel pressured to have sex simply because they are worried about the potential implications on their bodies if they do not.