Does Sex Relieve Stress and Anxiety?

Ever heard that sex helps relieve stress and anxiety? There's a reason behind the common saying about someone being too uptight: “That guy needs to get laid!” Maybe you’ve even experienced that post-sex sense of relief and well-being yourself. But what’s really happening behind the scenes?

Read on to learn all about the link between sex and stress relief, whether sex can alleviate anxiety, and the many other emotional and psychological benefits of intimacy. 

Exploring the Link Between Sex and Stress Relief

Looking to improve your stress levels? Believe it or not, the answer may just be some good, old-fashioned sex.

There’s a clear link between sex and stress relief—and it’s not just in your head. Sex can lower stress levels, relieve anxiety, and leave you with feelings of well-being and satisfaction. Let’s break down the connection between sex and stress relief and how it works. 

How Sexual Activity Impacts Stress Levels

Does sex relieve anxiety? Does sex lower stress? Many people have noticed that sex seems to ease stress and promote relaxation. Maybe you've felt calmer after an especially hectic week or found your mind quieter after intimacy.

Well, science says you’re right—sex can indeed make a measurable difference in reducing stress levels.

Why Sex Helps Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Sex triggers all kinds of positive reactions in your body. Not only does sex feel good, but it triggers physiological changes in your system that affect your mood, promote relaxation, and more. These include: 

• More “feel good” hormones: Beginning during sexual arousal and continuing all throughout sex, your body releases a host of “feel good” hormones, like dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins. These hormones leave you with a sense of relief and positivity. 

• Less cortisol: Cortisol is known as the stress hormone. Your “feel-good” hormones work to counteract cortisol. That means that, during sex, cortisol levels lower, giving you a sense of relief. 

• Physical exercise: Exercise has also been shown to reduce stress levels, and sex is a great form of exercise. It can tire out your overactive brain and is a form of stress-relief. 

The Science Behind Stress Reduction Through Intimacy

How does sex lower stress? To understand the science behind sex’s impact on stress, let’s take a closer look at the key hormones involved—both the “feel-good” ones that promote relaxation and the “stress hormones” that sex helps regulate.

• Dopamine: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that’s involved in pleasure. It’s the same hormone your brain releases when you eat something delicious or receive praise. When we experience pleasure, our bodies increase the production of dopamine. It’s associated with feelings of positivity, well-being, and happiness. 

• Oxytocin: Known as the “love hormone”, oxytocin is a neuropeptide that plays a big role in intimacy and bonding. It increases feelings of intimacy and trust and counteracts stress and anxiety. Oxytocin is released through sex, but also through physical touch, like kissing, hugging, and cuddling. 

• Endorphins: Endorphins are peptides that contribute to pain relief by binding to the opioid receptors in your brain. Endorphins are produced through physical exercise like sex. They also increase feelings of well-being, happiness, and pleasure. 

• Cortisol: Your body releases cortisol in high-stress situations. Higher levels of cortisol can lead to a number of health concerns, like high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety, and depression. Dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins released during sex help to counteract cortisol and lower stress levels in your body. 

Can Sex Help Alleviate Anxiety?

Are you plagued with worried thoughts or a general sense of fear and concern? It’s possible that you’re suffering from anxiety—and the answer may just be sex. Sex doesn’t just play a role in lowering stress levels, but it can help to alleviate anxiety, too. Read on to learn more. 

How Sexual Activity Eases Anxiety

The same hormones produced during sex that help lower stress also contribute to lowered levels of anxiety. As dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins increase, so do feelings of relaxation, connectedness, and well-being.

These feelings can counteract the anxious feelings you may be experiencing. But sex’s effects on anxiety levels don’t stop there. Here are other important benefits of sex for anxiety: 

• Distraction: While it may sound almost too basic, sex can simply be a great distraction from anxiety and worries. The huge increase in pleasure and stimulation during sex tends to bring your thoughts to the present and reduce external “noise” in your brain. In the most basic sense, sex may simply get your mind off the things that are causing you anxiety. 

• Better self-esteem: Sex has been shown to improve feelings of self-confidence and self-worth, primary sources of anxiety for many.

Anxiety’s Impact on Sexual Desire for Men and Women

Does stress affect sex drive? When it comes to anxiety, sex is a bit of a double-edged sword. While sex can greatly lower levels of anxiety, anxiety can also affect your ability to have sex. 

In general, both men and women can experience all kinds of barriers to sex brought on by anxiety. So, how does stress affect a man sexually and how does stress affect a woman sexually?

• Less sexual desire: Anxiety and stress can both throw off hormones that contribute to sexual desire, resulting in less overall interest in sex. People who are anxious may have lower libido or feel avoidant of sexual contact. 

• Performance anxiety: Performance anxiety is a specific type of anxiety that involves fears of not being able to perform in the bedroom. Interestingly, performance anxiety itself can lead to difficulty with arousal and orgasm, even in otherwise healthy people. It’s easy to understand how this can become a vicious cycle. 

• Premature ejaculation: Men experiencing high levels of anxiety may prematurely ejaculate. 

• Vaginismus: For some women, anxiety can lead to a condition called vaginismus in which the vaginal muscles involuntarily contract during sex, making penetration both painful and difficult. 

Is anxiety causing you to struggle with sex? The good news is there are a number of ways to help. Try these tactics to lower your anxiety and improve your sex life. 

• Talk to your partner: If you’re experiencing anxiety, it’s important not to face it alone. Talk to your partner about your anxiety and the ways it's affecting your sex life. You may find that simply talking about anxieties, and especially talking about performance anxiety, can help minimize their influence on your sex life. 

• See a therapist: Even if your anxieties aren’t surrounding sex specifically, addressing them can help improve your sex life. Seek out a therapist to address sources of anxiety in your life. 

• See a sex therapist: If your anxieties are specifically surrounding sex, a sex therapist may be able to help. You can see a sex therapist solo or with your partner. 

Emotional and Psychological Benefits of Intimacy

Is sex a stress reducer? Yes, but sex isn’t the only way to lower your stress levels; emotional intimacy and connection are great tools for reducing stress and increasing levels of well-being and satisfaction in your life as well.

Oxytocin, the “love hormone” that’s released during sex, is also released when simply touching. Cuddling, holding hands, hugging, and more can increase oxytocin. If you don’t have the energy for sex, a simple hug may be just the solution.