The Top 10 Effects of a Sexless Relationship on Men

Summary

In this insightful video, Dr. Nazanin Moali, a licensed clinical psychologist, discusses the top 10 effects of being in a sexless relationship on men. She explains that a sexless relationship is one where couples have sex less than 10 times a year, affecting 19% of American couples. Dr. Moali outlines common patterns observed in her clients, such as resentment, feeling trapped, low self-esteem, stress, and emotional distance. She also touches on the potential for affairs, porn addiction, and divorce. The video concludes with a solution, offering a podcast episode for couples to break the sexless cycle and improve their relationships.

Takeaways

• 🚫 A sexless relationship is defined as having sex less than 10 times per year and affects approximately 19% of couples in America.
• 🤔 It's important to differentiate between situational sexlessness, where external factors temporarily reduce sexual activity, and a long-term pattern of no sex.
• 😠 Resentment is a common issue for men in sexless relationships, feeling their partner is intentionally withholding sex.
• 🔒 Men often feel trapped in a sexless marriage, caught between the desire to stay for the family and the need for sexual intimacy.
• 😞 Low self-esteem is a significant effect, with men feeling unworthy or undesirable due to the lack of sexual intimacy from their partner.
• 💼 High stress can result from the avoidance of sex and physical touch, leading to a potentially toxic environment within the relationship.
• 👥 Touch deprivation can occur, where both partners avoid physical contact to prevent the assumption of wanting sex.
• 😔 Mental health issues such as depression and physical health issues like increased risk of prostate cancer for men can stem from a lack of sexual activity.
• 👫 Couples may drift apart as a result of sexlessness, with work or other activities becoming a means to avoid dealing with sexual desires.
• ❤️ Physical touch is a way for many men to express love, and its absence can lead to disconnection in the relationship.
• 🚪 The door to infidelity can be opened in sexless relationships, with the lack of sexual fulfillment leading some to seek it outside the marriage.
• 💔 Pornography addiction may develop as an alternative to sexual intimacy within the relationship.
• 💔 Divorce and separation are real considerations for those in sexless relationships, with some planning their exit strategy due to the lack of sexual connection.
• 🎧 Dr. Nazanin Moali suggests a podcast episode as a resource for couples to address and potentially end the sexless cycle in their relationship.

Q & A

What is the definition of a sexless relationship according to Dr. Nazanin Moali?

A sexless relationship is defined as a couple having sex less than 10 times per calendar year.

What percentage of couples in America are reported to be in sexless relationships?

Recent statistics show that about 19 percent of couples in America are in sexless relationships.

Why did Dr. Moali decide to make a video specifically about the impact of sexless relationships on men?

Dr. Moali decided to create the video because she received a question from long-term listeners who wanted to know more about the impact on men.

What are situational sexless relationships and why are they different from the ones discussed in the video?

Situational sexless relationships occur due to temporary circumstances like health issues, where sex is not a priority for a short period of time. These are different from the sexless relationships discussed in the video, which are not due to temporary or communicated reasons.

How does the lack of sex in a relationship impact men according to the common patterns Dr. Moali has observed?

The lack of sex can lead to resentment, feeling trapped, low self-esteem, high stress, avoidance of physical touch, mental health issues like depression, and potential separation or divorce.

What is the first challenge that men in a sexless relationship often face, as mentioned by Dr. Moali?

The first challenge is resentment towards their partner, feeling that their partner is withholding sex from them on purpose.

Why do men in sexless relationships often feel trapped?

They feel trapped because they love their family and the life they've created with their spouse, but they also feel compelled to remain celibate, which leads to a conflict between staying and being miserable or leaving and impacting the family.

How can the refusal of sex by a partner affect a man's self-esteem?

When a partner refuses sex, it can lead to feelings of being unworthy of love and undesirable, causing a man to believe there is something wrong with them.

What is the connection between sexual experiences and financial earnings according to the study mentioned by Dr. Moali?

The study suggests that people who have more frequent and satisfying sexual experiences tend to earn more.

How can a sexless relationship lead to mental and physical health issues?

A sexless relationship can lead to mental health challenges like depression and physical health issues, including the potential for regular ejaculation to prevent prostate cancer in men.

What is the potential impact of a sexless relationship on a couple's emotional connection?

A sexless relationship can cause couples to drift apart, as they may unconsciously dedicate their life to work or other activities to suppress their sexuality due to the lack of sexual connection.

How does the lack of physical touch in a sexless relationship affect the individuals involved?

The lack of physical touch can lead to feelings of rejection and avoidance, which can contribute to mental health issues and a decrease in the quality of the relationship.

What is the potential consequence of a sexless relationship in terms of fidelity?

A sexless relationship may open the door for infidelity, as individuals may seek out others who can fulfill their desire for intimacy and sexual connection.

How does the use of pornography relate to sexless relationships in the context of Dr. Moali's observations?

In sexless relationships, individuals may turn to pornography as an alternative way to explore their sexuality and fulfill their sexual needs when sex is not a part of their relationship.

What is the potential outcome of a sexless relationship that Dr. Moali often sees in her practice?

Dr. Moali often sees individuals planning their exit strategy from the relationship, considering divorce and separation due to the unbalanced and unhealthy dynamic caused by the lack of sexual connection.

What solution does Dr. Moali offer for couples experiencing a sexless relationship?

Dr. Moali suggests listening to a podcast episode she recorded with a colleague, which provides step-by-step guidance on how to end the sexless cycle and improve the relationship.