Sexpert warns women about ‘painful’ problem that occurs when you stop having sex
A SEXPERT has revealed that going celibate or having a long spell without sex can end up being a problem for women.
Love guru Nadia Bokody, from Australia, claims that the “blue ball” effect doesn’t just happen to men when they go without climaxing, and women can suffer from “blue walls”.
In her latest column for , Nadia said: “As it turns out, blue walls isn’t just a comedic notion shared among sexually frustrated women; it’s science.
“The medical term for it is ‘vasoconstriction’ – which is the narrowing of blood vessels by small muscles in their walls.
“When we’re turned on, blood rushes to the tissues around our genitals, causing them to swell. If we don’t relieve that swelling, things can start to feel … uncomfortable.
“Men know this as blue balls, but for women – because it’s less recognised – that heavy, tender feeling that accompanies extended periods of sexual inactivity can be mistaken for menstrual cramps.
“And sore genitals aren’t the only physical side effect of a dry spell. Sexlessness can have a profound impact on our mental cognition, immune system and libido.”
Nadia also pointed out other ways a lack of sex can impact you negatively.
She wrote: “While it’s not uncommon for stress to cause a loss of interest in sex, having less sex can also raise stress hormones, making us feel less relaxed and content.
“In fact, conducted by researchers at Oregon State University, found couples who have sex before work are more focused and experience better job satisfaction in the 24 hours after nookie.
“People who get off regularly are also less likely to catch a cold or flu, according to research that found couples who had sex at least once a week had higher levels of salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) than sexless couples.”
Nadia added that going without sex can be hard for women going through menopause, as inactivity can lead to dryness and pain when they get intimate once again.
While the topic of “blue walls” may be in its infancy, it has been highlighted by Teresa Hoffman, M.D., an OB/GYN and medical director of Hoffman & Associates.
She told Women’s Health: “If you talk to women, they say it can be uncomfortable.
DO WOMEN SUFFER FROM 'BLUE WALLS' ACCORDIING TO MEDICINE?
What do the experts say?
Sun doctor, Dr Carol Cooper, told Fabulous: "Women are definitely affected by a break in their sex lives, but it would be wrong to generalise by calling the problem 'blue walls'. Once aroused, there’s a drive towards climax, as there is for men. However, sex is not all down to what’s happening in the blood vessels.
"We’re not slaves to our genitals, and that’s because the brain is the most powerful sex organ. Lack of sex can lead to loss of interest in sex, as can happen for instance in a long-standing relationship. But arousal is very variable and it’s not the same for every woman.
"A lot depends on age too. Before the menopause, abstinence makes the vagina drier and less elastic. But, once sex resumes, the female hormone oestrogen ensures that elasticity and lubrication return. At or after the menopause, though, oestrogen levels are low, and abstinence causes a more lasting dryness, loss of elasticity, and thinning of the vagina. All this is bound to inhibit sex."
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and Clinical Director of , said: "The idea that women experience pain in the vagina if they don’t have sex doesn’t have the same evidence base as for men. Many women who are not in a relationship never experience any discomfort.
"When a woman is sexually stimulated, the blood vessels in the vagina do engorge. However, women tend to be less likely than men to become sexually aroused in the course of everyday activities.
"It’s widely recognised that women are more likely than men not to be bothered if they don’t have sex. Having regular sex can certainly improve your libido, but this is more likely to be related to the ‘feel good’ hormones that intimacy releases.
"There’s no doubt that after the menopause, you’re more likely to experience vaginal dryness. Like lack of sexual arousal, that can result in sex being uncomfortable. And that in turn can put you off sex, because you’re subconsciously worried about pain."
“You feel kind of full, like there’s a weight in your pelvis that needs to be released.”
So, how can you prevent “blue walls”?
According to Nadia, you should try and get intimate with your partner more frequently, or have more solo fun if you are single.
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