10 Emotional Effects of Sexless Marriage and How to Fix It

Marriage is an amalgamation of many facets of love.

Marriage is always a beautiful yet multidimensional relationship. A lot of things have equal significance in a bond as important as marriage. There has to be a reasonable amount of love and adulation. You can’t scale down on one and elevate the other because it is likely to create an imbalance.

Balancing everything out is the key to a successful marriage. 

Things that you must have in order to ensure success in a relationship are emotional bonding, trust, respect, cordialness and cooperation, compatibility, euphoria, perfect understanding, and most important, sex. If this kind of intimacy goes missing, there are some noticeable red flags.

Sex is a pivotal part of any marriage, and you, as a couple, can’t afford to lose it.

Physical intimacy and emotional intimacy go hand in hand. To everyone’s amusement, lack of physical intimacy can disrupt emotional bonding as well. There can be severely damaging emotional effects of sexless marriage on a relationship.

What is a sexless marriage?

A sexless marriage is a type of marriage where the couple has little to no sexual intimacy. Typically, this means having sex less than 10 times a year. There could be several reasons for this, including medical or psychological issues, differing sexual desires, or simply a lack of interest. 

A sexless marriage can be frustrating and may lead to marital problems if not addressed. We will talk about the effects of lack of affection in marriage and the dangers of sexless marriage in detail. 

Licensed Psychologist and Coach Silvana Mici says that, 

A sexless marriage can lead to feelings of rejection, low self-esteem, and frustration for both partners. It can also create distance and strain the emotional connection between them.

5 common reasons for a sexless marriage 

There are several reasons why a marriage may become sexless. Here are 5 common ones:

• Medical issues such as chronic pain, illness, or medication side effects! Sexless marriage due to health issues is not an uncommon phenomenon.
• Emotional or psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, or trauma
• Relationship issues such as unresolved conflicts, lack of emotional connection, or infidelity
• Different sexual desires or preferences
• Stress from work, financial problems, or caregiving responsibilities that leave little time or energy for sexual intimacy

10  damaging emotional effects of sexless marriage 

A sexless marriage can have profound emotional effects on both partners. When a couple stops having sex, it can lead to feelings of frustration, loneliness, rejection, and resentment. Let’s look at some psychological effects of sexless marriage.

Here are 10 damaging emotional effects of sexless marriage:

1. All the positive energies can shrink

When two bodies unite, it awakens a lot of passion and energy. These two utmost important things can just vanish from the spot, and it can leave you in severe distress. Having little to no sex means letting your marriage succumb to a lack of passion and warmth.

A sexless marriage is nearly a dead marriage. Couples are likely to drift apart if mainstream things go missing.

2. Sex is a roller coaster of emotions, which goes missing otherwise

Sex is indeed a roller coaster of emotions and energies. There are no two ways about it. Sex is like a healthy exercise that helps your mental, emotional, and physical health blossom.

Sex brings along an extraordinary combination of many emotions. For instance, some couples start crying in the midst of sexual intercourse. It ascertains that sex gets them overwhelmed. Such a couple feels a strong wave of euphoria during sex.

Some people enjoy the blend of pain and pleasure. Some people kiss the undersurface of each other’s feet, and it has a silent message that they adore and respect each other to the fullest extent.

In fact, the constant mood-switching keeps happening all night long. Couples experience a million emotions during some hours of sex. 

Lack of sex can leave you longing for this amalgamation of feelings and lead to the emotional effects of sexless marriage.

3. Letting go of intimacy can ruin the romance

How does a sexless marriage affect a man or a woman? 

You can’t exclude sex from the ins and outs of marriage. In fact, to imagine a marriage sans sex is nearly impossible. Believe it or not, sex is the focal point of any romantic relationship. 

There is no love without ‘physical love.’ A relationship is incomplete without making love to each other.

You have to take care of this basic thing. You have to keep the foundation strong because all the pillars are standing on it.

4. No rush of pleasure can increase the stress level

Effects of lack of sex in marriage can reflect through lack of pleasure. Sex gives you a lot of happiness and ecstasy. When you bond together in bed, there is a sudden rush of euphoria running through your veins. It just vitalizes your entire self.

This cloud nine feeling has loads to offer to the couple having sex. Not only does it leave you in raptures, but it also relieves you of all the tensions and stresses. Sex decreases your chance of being depressed, ascertaining it works in the long run.

5. Pillow talk and a lot of laughs will be missing

Remember, the dirty talk you do together right after sex? It literally gets you rolling in the aisles.

That laughter is necessary for today’s hectic life. Some people consider laughter as a medicine for long-lasting good health. The emotional effects of sexless marriage will be that these laughs will be lost.

Here are some ideas on what to say after sex. Watch the video:

6. No happy-nappy post-sex sleep

Healthy and nice sleep is important for all of us as it helps us go places in other walks of life. After good sex, people often hit the sack with a lot of contentment. Almost every time, couples enjoy a comfortable and sound sleep right after sex.

By diminishing sex, you are putting cozy and content sleep at risk. The emotional effects of sexless marriage can burn a hole in the health of a relationship. Losing satisfied sleep invites a lot of problems. In short, you need to keep your body happy to avoid many subsequent problems.

7. Frustration 

Feeling irritated is one of the sexless relationship effects. The most obvious emotional effect of a sexless marriage is frustration. Sexual intimacy is an essential aspect of any romantic relationship. 

When one partner loses interest in sex or has a lower sex drive than the other, the resulting frustration can be significant. 

The partner who desires sex may feel rejected and unimportant, while the partner who has lost interest in sex may feel guilty and frustrated at their inability to meet their partner’s needs.

8. Loneliness

How does a sexless marriage affect a woman? The damage of sexless marriage can be prominently seen in the inability to feel loved or cared for in both genders.

In a sexless marriage, partners may feel alone and disconnected from each other. Physical intimacy is a crucial way for couples to connect emotionally, and without it, couples may feel emotionally distant from each other. This loneliness can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, and sadness.

9. Rejection

A strong sense of rejection and feeling unwanted is one of serious dangers of a sexless marriage.

The lack of sex in a marriage can also lead to feelings of rejection. The partner who desires sex may feel like their partner is not attracted to them or does not find them desirable anymore. This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and can have a negative impact on the overall relationship.

10. Resentment

Looking for consequences of no intimacy in marriage? Look for resentment. It is another one of the sexless marriage effects on husband and wife.

Over time, frustration, loneliness, and rejection can build up, leading to feelings of resentment towards the partner who is not interested in sex. This resentment can damage the relationship and make it difficult to resolve the issue of sexlessness in the marriage.

5 ways to fix a sexless marriage 

Sexual intimacy is an essential aspect of any romantic relationship, and a sexless marriage can be a source of frustration, loneliness, and resentment for both partners. However, there are steps couples can take to address the issue and restore intimacy to their relationship. 

Here are five ways to fix and avoid the emotional effects of sexless marriage:

1. Communicate openly

The first step in addressing a sexless marriage is to communicate openly with your partner about your needs and desires. Often, couples may avoid discussing the issue out of fear of rejection or judgment. 

However, by communicating honestly and respectfully, couples can better understand each other’s perspectives and work together to find a solution.

2. Seek professional help

If communication alone does not resolve the issue, couples may want to seek the help of a therapist or online marriage counseling. A professional can provide an objective perspective and offer tools and strategies for improving communication and restoring intimacy in the relationship.

3. Address underlying issues

Often, sexlessness in a marriage can be a symptom of deeper issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, or unresolved conflicts. By addressing these underlying issues, couples can improve their emotional connection and restore sexual intimacy in the relationship.

4. Experiment with different forms of intimacy

Sexual intimacy is not the only form of intimacy in a relationship. Couples can try experimenting with different forms of physical and emotional intimacy, such as cuddling, kissing, hugging, or simply spending time together. This can help create a deeper emotional connection and pave the way for sexual intimacy to return.

5. Prioritize self-care

Taking care of oneself is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship. Couples can prioritize self-care by engaging in regular exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep. By taking care of themselves, partners can reduce stress and anxiety, which can often interfere with sexual desire and intimacy.

FAQs

After discussing the damaging emotional effects of sexless marriage and how one can deal with it, it’s time to look at some more questions that can be relevant in this direction.

• How damaging is a sexless marriage?

A sexless marriage causes levels of dissatisfaction in a person’s life. It can be damaging to a couple’s emotional and physical well-being. It can lead to feelings of frustration, loneliness, rejection, and resentment, which can negatively impact the overall relationship. 

Additionally, the lack of physical intimacy can lead to a decreased sense of closeness and connection between partners, ultimately damaging the emotional and physical bond of the relationship.

• Can a sexless marriage make you depressed?

Yes, a sexless marriage can lead to feelings of depression. Sexual intimacy is an essential aspect of a healthy romantic relationship, and the lack of it can cause emotional distress. Partners who feel rejected or unimportant may experience low self-esteem and sadness, leading to depression. 

The stress and frustration of a sexless marriage can contribute to the development of depression over time.

• Is it okay to have a sexless marriage?

Absolutely. Every couple is different. If both partners are comfortable and happy, that’s what matters most. Communication is key to understanding each other’s needs and finding a balance that works.

• How does a man deal with a sexless marriage?

Open communication is crucial. Expressing feelings and concerns is like opening a door to understanding. Seeking support together, whether through conversations or professional help, can bring a couple closer.

• What happens when couples stop sleeping together?

Intimacy isn’t just about physical closeness. Emotional connection matters, too. When couples stop being intimate, it’s essential to explore the reasons together. Communication and finding ways to reconnect are vital for a healthy relationship.

Rediscover the sensual connection

A sexless marriage can be a source of frustration and disconnect for both partners. However, by communicating openly, seeking professional help, addressing underlying issues, experimenting with different forms of intimacy, and prioritizing self-care, couples can restore intimacy and strengthen their emotional connection. 

Licensed Psychologist and Coach Silvana Mici says that, 

Communication is key when addressing a sexless marriage. It’s important for both partners to openly discuss their feelings, desires, and concerns in a safe and non-judgmental environment.

It’s important to remember that repairing a sexless marriage takes time and effort, but with commitment and dedication, couples can overcome the issue and create a more fulfilling relationship.