Q: My husband says we should have sex even if we don’t feel like it because it’s "use it or lose it." Is there any truth to this?
A: Although male sexuality is very different from female sexuality, it turns out that for both sexes "use it or lose it" is indeed TRUE.
On average, men get three to five erections per night in addition to erections that result from sexual activity. Dr. Ajay Nehra, a professor of urology at the Mayo College of Medicine, says erections are important for penile muscle health because they bring much-needed oxygen to the penis. This helps maintain the health of the nerves -- making sex a healthy habit.
One recent Finnish study showed that men who had sex once a week were half as likely to develop erectile dysfunction as men who had sex less frequently. In women, more frequent sex also stimulates circulation to the genitals. In turn, this enhances lubrication and the elasticity of vaginal tissues -- both of which go a long way toward boosting a woman’s enjoyment of sex.
Some researchers believe there’s a psychological component as well. You may stop wanting sex if you go a long time without it. This is partially because ”turning off" helps you avoid feelings of sexual frustration. Having more frequent sex can actually keep you interested in sex.
