virtualperson13 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Medically, sex has a lot of physical and mental benefits (check webmd) and non-asexuals use that as an argument all the time. Does any one know of a study that explores if sex is only medically beneficial for non-asexuals or if it is for asexuals too but we are just "missing out" on those benefits ? Is it possible it's actually medically harmful for asexuals as it's not something we want or enjoy, therefore seen a stressor or unhappy activity? I am asking this because I think the medical studies are probably skewed by the simple fact that asexuals are only 1% of the population but for this specific topic the population does matter and this may not remain an accurate "recommendation", especially when sexuals recommend it for asexuals. If I was asking this question outside this forum I would ask it as: "does sex carry the same medical benefit for a homosexual that makes sex with someone from an opposite sex than it does for a hetrosexual making sex with the opposite sex" ? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites
WhenSummersGone Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 I'm not sure about the facts but even if sex IS healthy for anyone/everyone, no matter what, I still wouldn't have it when I don't want to. Basically I think it is healthy for those who want it, like it or enjoy it. I also think that sex could do more harm than good for anyone who isn't interested. Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblegum Princess Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 The only health benefits I've ever heard of have all been things you could also get from other activities. Like it's good exercise, releases stress, etc. I can't imagine an asexual person woud benefit from something that caused discomfort, distress, or anxiety. even if they got the other benefits I'm not aware of (but will definenty check out). I think the cons would out weigh the pros in the case of anyone who doesn't actually like sex. I'd be interested in a real study being done, but fear that it would be hard to conduct without bias from people who don't believe asexuality is a real thing or see it as a medical disorder to be treated. Link to post Share on other sites
virtualperson13 Posted October 21, 2014 Author Share Posted October 21, 2014 I agree with you and I think it is healthy for those who enjoy it, I don't know if is healthy for those who don't. I would like to see a scientific study that proves that just for the simple fact that most sexuals can't even grasp the idea that asexuals exist and they try to convince others that having sex is the way to go by showing scientific data. I would like to fight back with the same weapon (scientific data). Link to post Share on other sites
ithaca Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 In my experience, sex has benefits only if and when you're enjoying it, and I think that's the same for sexuals and asexuals (those who can enjoy sex, at least). Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 I agree with most of people, sex can have benefits only for those interested in it. There are people who like it and those who not. It's the same with f.ex. carrots, some like them and others not. Link to post Share on other sites
virtualperson13 Posted October 21, 2014 Author Share Posted October 21, 2014 As much as I would like to know the answer, I think there are few obstacles for such studies to happen - low percentage of asexual population - lack of visibility of asexuals - bias of people conducting the research - even worse, I can't imagine asexuals would want to participate in such study in the 1st place. Note: I am a graduate student and I did lookup the topic in the library, I didn't see anything related. Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblegum Princess Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Yeah, the benefits I discovered after a quick Google, for the most part, seemed generic. A lot of the same benefits could be had if a person simply chose to exercise more and improve their diet. Some of them were even a little strange. Like reducing the chance of incontinence later in life for females? I'd like to see a study, before I'd 100% believe regular sex would make a real difference. Link to post Share on other sites
ithaca Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 The asexuals who actually do enjoy sex are a minority inside a minority, and many probably never felt the need to look into asexuality or identify as such even though they'd be one, a study would be hard to do. Link to post Share on other sites
WhenSummersGone Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 I agree that a study would be hard to do. I don't even agree that only 1% of the world is asexual because that study was done like 10 years ago. I think sexuals will just have the trust us that we are healthy and happy at some point. I also think that exercise and eating well is just as good. Plus some of us here even masturbate. Link to post Share on other sites
Zash Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Also, a lot of the benefits are actually removal of the stress of not having sex (which is stressful for sexuals). Since asexuals do not experience that stress, that benefit does not affect us. And since for some, sex would be a cause of stress (repulsed aces in particular), it is actually unhealthy for some to have sex. But yeah, most of the health benefits of sex is from the fact that it is a form of exercise that most people enjoy doing. Link to post Share on other sites
deltaX Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 I agree with a lot of the above comments- if sex makes you unhappy or uncomfortable as an asexual person (or even a sexual person) then there is probably more harm done than good. Most of the benefits I've seen either relate to burning calories/releasing stress (which could be achieved by going for a walk or doing some other exercise) or relate to feeling good about being close to a person (which can still be achieved by asexuals- just through hugs or friendship rather than sex). I doubt there is anything harmful about not having sex, but even if there was, its still not something I want to do. A study on this would certainly be interesting, but I don't know how feasible it would be to conduct such a study, so I wouldn't get your hope up. Link to post Share on other sites
NewView Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 I'm not sure about the facts but even if sex IS healthy for anyone/everyone, no matter what, I still wouldn't have it when I don't want to. Basically I think it is healthy for those who want it, like it or enjoy it. I also think that sex could do more harm than good for anyone who isn't interested. I absolutely agree. I'm new to the forum, a heterosexual male coming to terms with an asexual partner, who has barely come to terms with it herself. Of course, I suspected she was asexual long ago, because I knew she was not gay, and believe she was honest when she said it was not my appearance or personality that caused her to not be attracted to me. I no longer initiate sex, and we have gone months without it, but I cannot express how difficult it is for me. I find her extremely attractive and sexy, and sometimes just being in the same room causes me to become aroused. In reality, I wonder how long this can go on. I have not been with other women, and really have no attraction to them except in a casual way to say or think, "She is very attractive or sexy." However, I have no motivation to act upon it. I am long over the bitterness of lack of sex or of thinking there is something "wrong" with her. I wonder if their is hope for us as partners, or whether we are in a losing situation. I could never bring myself to initiate sex and force her to do something she does not really want to do. However, I am really not into porn, and fantasizing about my partner during masturbation really is self- defeating, in that it increases my frustration. Advice? Link to post Share on other sites
MadRat Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 The whole study is a piece of crap because it applies ONLY on sexuals, and not even on every sexual (for example, it can´t apply on traumatised rape victims). Sex would make me commit suicide. Link to post Share on other sites
WünderBâhr Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Moved to The Gray Area, Sex and Related Discussions forum. Byanyothername Asexual Q&A Mod Link to post Share on other sites
Ziggy_G Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Doing things that your not comfortable with is going to be psychologically unhealthy and that can effect your bodily health. Besides going for a 15 minute walk everyday while eating an apple is good for your health, but you dont do that either do you?? Link to post Share on other sites
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