Gen Z is having less sex than previous generations, and this shift could have some significant health consequences that are worth paying attention to.
Atrophy and stress could result from lack of intercourse.
In a Dec.18, 2024 article for the Daily Mail, sexologist Dr. Tara Suwinyattichaiporn warned that extended periods without sex or masturbation can lead to negative health effects, including stress, anxiety, depression, and anger. She also explained that a lack of sexual activity can cause conditions like penile atrophy in men and vaginal atrophy in women, where tissue loses elasticity in the genitals, shrinking the area by one to two centimeters. Atrophy can also lead to erectile dysfunction in men and heighten the risk of urinary tract infections, pain, bleeding, and discomfort in women, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Lack of sex can lead to chronic illness and sexual frustration, according to studies.
With these factors in mind, Dr. Suwinyattichaiporn emphasized that when people are “stressed out” they can’t “enjoy sex” with their partner, which can lead to serious health repercussions long term. Research seems to support her theory. A 2019 study, using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA) spanning from 2013 to 2017, examined the relationship between sexual activity and health outcomes in individuals aged 50 and older living in England. The study, which analyzed over 5,700 participants and was designed to explore the health, lifestyles, and financial conditions of older adults, found significant correlations between sexual activity and health outcomes. For men aged 50 and older, less frequent sexual intercourse was linked to a two-thirds increased risk of developing serious illnesses. Women who engaged in sex less often were 64% more likely to report poor health, though no marked increase in the risk of serious illness was observed.
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Notably for men, decreased sexual interest was associated with a 63% higher likelihood of being diagnosed with cancer and a 41% increased risk of developing chronic illnesses. Additionally, men who reported a decline in sexual desire had 33% higher odds of being diagnosed with coronary heart disease (CHD).
Dr. Suwinyattichaiporn stressed the importance of open communication between Gen Z couples about their expectations for intimacy. Without clear conversations about desires and boundaries, prolonged periods of sexual inactivity can lead to unresolved sexual frustration, which often manifests as conflict and blame, ultimately straining the relationship.
A 2021 study published in the Journal of Criminal Justice highlighted the link between sexual frustration and violent behavior. Sexual frustration doesn’t only affect those who are “involuntarily celibate”; it can also impact individuals who are sexually active but experience unmet desires, unavailable partners, or unsatisfying encounters. This frustration can escalate into aggression and violence, often driven by the need for relief, power, revenge, or displaced anger.
Couples need to talk it out when problems arise in their sex life, but if things are getting violent and aggressive, Dr. Suwinyattichaiporn suggested: “address these barriers with professional guidance.”
Source: Jacob Wackerhausen / Getty
Why is Gen Z having less sex?
A study conducted by Rutgers University-New Brunswick and published in the Socius journal in March 2021 revealed a notable decline in casual sex among young adults between 2007 and 2017. Among 18-to-23-year-old men, the percentage engaging in casual sex dropped from 38% to 24%, while for young women in the same age group, the figure decreased from 31% to 22%.
The study found several key factors contributing to the trend including a significant drop in alcohol consumption among young men, which accounted for more than 33% of the decrease in casual sex. Additionally, the rise in computer video gaming contributed to about 25% of the change in sexual behavior, while living with parents was responsible for just over 10% of the shift.
In a 2022 article for Slate, journalist Rachelle Hampton and media personality Sarah Marshall suggested that Gen Z is reshaping the concept of sex-positivity and what constitutes a “normal” sex life. They argued that this generation is challenging entrenched ideologies about sex, which have been solidified by previous generations and the media.
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“Before we attempt to write a dissertation, we’d be remiss not to bring up the fact that Gen Z is probably the most sexually progressive generation that has existed thus far. In the past 20 years, the wider acceptance of queer people has just led to more people embracing non-heteronormative identities,” Hampton penned.
She added, “Gen Z has broadened the queer umbrella. They’ve kind of blown up or are attempting to blow up traditional male-female binary roles. It just tracks that as you think more about sex and gender as it pertains to your sense of self, that it gives you a little bit of distance from societal pressure of what a normal ‘teen sex life should look like.’”
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