Sexuality: Use It or Lose It

Is it a healthy practice to have sex even if you don’t feel like it? Is there a truth to the saying “use it or lose it?”

Although female sexuality is different from male sexuality, it turns out that “use it or lose it” can indeed be TRUE for both sexes.

On the average, men get about three to five erections per night, apart from the erections caused by sexual activity.  These erections bring much-needed oxygen to the penis, thus, these are good for penile muscle health, explains Ajay Nehra, MD, a professor of urology at the Mayo College of Medicine in Rochester Minn.  Having regular sex is a healthy habit because it helps maintain the health of the nerves.  In one recent Finnish study, men who had sex once every week were half more likely to develop erectile dysfunction than the men who had sex less frequently.

For women, the frequency of sex determines the frequency of stimulation to the genitals.  This also enhances elasticity and lubrication of the vaginal tissues – the very important elements in boosting a woman’s sexual enjoyment.

Some researchers state that a psychological component is present as well.  If you withhold having sex for a long time, you may stop wanting it, in part because “turning off helps you avoid feelings of frustration.  Simply put, having more frequent sex keeps you interested in doing it.