Sex experts break down what happens when you stop having sex and why it's worse for women

Experts have examined how not having sex impacts your body over time, and why it's particularly bad if you have a vagina.

Even the most active among us might have a dry spell from time to time, sometimes on purpose, sometimes not.

And while a dry spell can be a sign that things might be less than brilliant in a relationship, or a single person is having a tough time in the trenches that is online dating in 2026, it turns out that these are not the only effects that not getting it on can have on us.

In fact there are also physiological and mental impacts that not having sex can have on our bodies, as well as on the way that we actually approach sex itself as well.

And unfortunately, if you have a vagina then there impacts of this which only apply to you.

It can be a case of 'use it or lose it' (OR Images/Getty)

Certified sex therapist Sari Cooper shared with Reader's Digest that a very sustained dry spell could make you lose your sex drive, in a kind of 'use or lose it' scenario.

"For some people who refrain from sex, they begin to feel more sluggish, with less vitality and hunger for sex," she said.

"Out of sight out of mind is how some of my clients describe the scenario."

If you have a vagina, then another impact of not having sex is a weakening in the walls of the vagina.

This can mean that when you have sex after a prolonged dry spell you might find it painful or uncomfortable.

"Without regular frequency of intercourse as you get older the walls of your vagina thin out and can lead to painful sex when you finally get back into the sack," said Dr Cooper.

And if you are going through menopause, regular sex can be important to help maintain this vaginal wall.

This is such an impact that the North American Menopause Society has actually recommended regular penetrative sex.

Another thing that you might notice is less natural lubrication down there.

You may find things painful or uncomfortable coming back after a dry spell (Frank and Helena/Getty)

The vagina is self-lubricating when someone is aroused, helping things along when you're getting it on, though many experts recommend also using additional lubricant.

But lower oestrogen levels that come with age can also affect this.

Dr Lauren Streicher said: "If you take a young woman who's 20 or 30 years old she's going to have plenty of oestrogen around to make sure those tissues stay healthy, elastic, and lubricated when she's not having sex."

Finally, a dry spell can even make period pain worse, or to put it in a slightly more positive way - orgasming while menstruating might sometimes help to ease the pain.

Dr Streicher explained why: "The uterus is a muscle and many women will actually have a uterine contraction when they orgasm, which will cause the blood to expel more quickly, which will in turn decrease menstrual cramps."

She added: "Also, there may be an increase in endorphins, which also will help with menstrual cramps."