Stress vs Sex: How Negative Emotions Kill Libido and Fertility

Regrettably, issues with libido can affect both men and women. When women are unable to conceive or men suffer from erectile dysfunction, they may hear advice to “just relax and not think about it”. However, it is not easy to ease one’s mind in such circumstances, and prolonged stress can impact bodily functioning to the extent that conventional methods of stress relief no longer work. Perhaps it would be beneficial to approach libido problems from a fresh perspective? Keep reading to learn about how sex can be transformed into an effective tool for managing stress.

Typically, when we say we are “stressed”, we are referring to anxiety about future events, work-related issues, financial instability, or other non-immediate threats to our lives. However, stress originally evolved as a neurobiological response to specific external stimuli, such as hunger, cold, persecution, or natural disasters. Stress’s purpose is to guarantee survival in the present moment by increasing the functionality of some systems (such as the cardiovascular and muscular systems) and decreasing the functionality of others (such as the digestive and reproductive systems). While turbo mode is useful for short periods, if the stressor persists and adaptation fails, the body will re-prioritize and redistribute resources to maintain basic metabolism and the proper functioning of vital organs. This ability is known as homeostasis.

Envision yourself in a hot air balloon that experiences an emergency situation. The initial response is to jettison the sandbags to enable the balloon to continue flying. Similarly, in the human body, the reproductive system serves as ballast. Processes such as spermatogenesis in men, ovulation, conception, and pregnancy in women require a considerable amount of energy.

While these processes are essential for the continuation of the species, they are not vital for maintaining homeostasis. Therefore, the reproductive system is often one of the first to be affected. In the following sections, we will explore how the reproductive function is impeded in both men and women and ways to counteract these effects.

First section: Female

“I spent three years at war, and during that time, I didn’t feel like a woman. My body went numb, and I experienced little to no feminine desires or menstrual periods, despite being beautiful,” recounted the protagonist in Svetlana Alexievich’s book “The Unwomanly Face of War.” Many of us have heard similar accounts from our grandmothers, and this is not a mere fabrication. Wartime amenorrhea is documented in medical literature as a stress-related menstrual cycle disorder. However, even in times of peace, menstruation can cease if the body perceives the stress to be severe and persistent, even if it stems from something as trivial as an exam at university.

What causes this phenomenon? When we want to conserve energy, we switch off the lights in unused rooms. In the female reproductive system, ovulation functions as the light bulb – the monthly maturation and release of the egg cell from the follicle for potential fertilization. By inhibiting ovulation, the body accomplishes two objectives simultaneously: it conserves resources to maintain basic metabolism and prevents pregnancy, which even under ordinary circumstances entails an additional workload.

The hypothalamus, the most primitive part of the brain responsible for endocrine functions, serves as the control center for ovulation. It produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which signals the pituitary gland to produce follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones (FSH and LH). These hormones prompt the growth of follicles in the ovaries, with one of them releasing a mature egg cell during the mid-cycle, ready for potential fertilization.

In order to gauge the degree of stress, the hypothalamus secretes a hormone called gonadotropin-inhibiting hormone (GIH), which acts to suppress activity. The receptors of this hormone monitor various factors in the blood, including stress hormones, neurotransmitters, hunger, and sex hormones. If any of these factors deviate significantly from their normal levels, the GIH interferes with the control panel of the menstrual cycle, inhibiting the production of FSH and LH.

The growth of follicles decelerates and may eventually halt altogether, leading to an infrequent or complete cessation of ovulation.

It is possible for a woman to be unaware that her reproductive function is compromised, especially if she is taking oral contraceptives that conceal any disorders. Furthermore, in certain cases, even with ongoing anovulation, her menstrual cycle may remain consistent.

According to Gyuzyal Tabeeva, a gynecologist-endocrinologist and a candidate of medical sciences, the extent of menstrual cycle disorders, ranging from delayed periods to complete cessation, depends on the level of hormone suppression by the pituitary gland due to stress. However, it’s not only the intensity of stress that matters, but also the body and mind’s ability to handle stress.

Consider this fact for contemplation: Teenagers and young women are more likely to develop menstrual cycle disorders that are influenced by stress. These disorders can disrupt the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), leading to a decrease in libido. The ovaries are responsible for producing estrogen and androgen, which play a role in sexual attraction. However, when the ovaries are inactive or only partially active, the synthesis of these steroid hormones naturally decreases.

According to gynecologist-endocrinologist, stress can inhibit the activity of neurons in the brain that control behavioral responses. In addition, a woman may not be physically prepared for the high energy demand of sexual activity.

Apart from regulating ovulation and sexual desire, the body employs other methods to prevent pregnancy, which are associated with increased oxidative stress. Oxidative stress refers to the inability of cells to effectively neutralize reactive oxygen species produced during normal cellular functions. Emotional stress is not equivalent to oxidative stress, but individuals often resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as excessive eating, drinking, and smoking, followed by strict dieting and sleep deprivation, which can compromise the body’s antioxidant defenses.

The expert suggests that a disturbance in the antioxidant system may lead to the death of ovarian follicles and contribute to premature menopause. Additionally, reproductive specialists have established a correlation between oxidative stress and poor egg quality, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and unexplained infertility.

However, not all reproductive issues can be solely attributed to stress. Firstly, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination and rule out other underlying factors before considering stress as a major contributing factor. Secondly, if the source of stress is eliminated, the menstrual cycle typically returns to its normal pattern within six to twelve months.

Nonetheless, in the present economic and political climate, stress may persist, and if a person is unable to adapt to the situation, seeking psychological support, including antidepressant therapy, may be appropriate, as advised by Gyuzal Tabeeva.

Second section: Male

There is a common misconception that male sexual function is primitive, akin to a barrier gate. However, this is far from the truth. Sexual intercourse is just one aspect of the copulatory chain, which comprises a series of sexual responses including libido, erection, ejaculation, and orgasm.

Under normal circumstances, each stage of the copulatory chain builds upon the preceding one, and none of them is prematurely shut down until the entire cycle is completed. However, stress can significantly disrupt, interrupt, and even alter the sequence of these stages, leading to sexual dysfunction.

To begin with, let’s focus on libido, which is primarily governed by the hormone testosterone. Contrary to some popular articles that suggest avocados and oysters can boost testosterone levels, it is important to study the following picture to comprehend the central regulatory mechanism of sexual function:

In cases of prolonged and severe stress, the gonadotropin-inhibiting hormone, which is also secreted by the hypothalamus, can interfere with the functioning of the sexual regulatory system. It can reduce the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) by the pituitary gland, causing the entire mechanism to slow down, similar to a train whose driver has hit the brakes. Consequently, in men experiencing prolonged and severe stress, the quantity and quality of sperm may decrease (more on this later), and the level of testosterone drops, resulting in a lack of sexual desire.

Assuming that the attraction has persisted, and you have moved on to the next stage of the copulatory cycle, which is an erection, your nervous system can play a crucial role. As explained by a urologist-andrologist and doctor of medical sciences:

Under normal conditions, when a man is not prepared for sexual intercourse, the sympathetic nervous system takes precedence, which is responsible for the “fight or flight” response. Consequently, the blood vessels are constricted, and the penis is flaccid. For an erection to occur, the parasympathetic nervous system must be activated. This leads to the release of neurotransmitters that facilitate relaxation of the smooth muscle within the penis, leading to vasodilation, increased blood flow, and ultimately, erection formation. However, if the sympathetic nervous system remains active, no matter how much stimulation is provided, a complete erection cannot be achieved.

Insufficient stimulation, whether psychogenic (through sensory organs) or reflexogenic (through erogenous zones), can also prevent a full erection. Additionally, even with a preserved erection, a depressed state can negatively affect a man’s ability to achieve ejaculation and experience orgasm, prolonging the sexual act and creating a vicious circle of dissatisfaction and fear of future failures, ultimately leading to increased stress.

Furthermore, stress may have a delayed effect on sperm production. It takes approximately two and a half months for sperm to form and exit as part of the ejaculate, and psychological stress can reduce both the quantity and quality of sperm, although this effect is not immediate.

“Spermatogenesis is a continuous process that operates like a conveyor belt and cannot be halted suddenly within a day or even a month. Even if a man experiences fear or stress, it does not instantly impact the production of sperm. While he may have difficulty achieving an erection or engaging in sexual activity, the testes will continue to produce spermatozoa. This is an inert system that does not stop working immediately, even after death,” clarifies urologist-andrologist Igor Korneev. “The significant difference is that if a man undergoes a spermogram two and a half months following a severe stress or illness, it will likely show a decrease in the number of spermatozoa or even their complete absence.”

Despite this, the primary means of affecting a man’s reproductive function is by impacting his libido and ability to achieve an erection. However, the question arises as to why women lose their desire and menstrual cycles during war while men experience episodes of sexual violence. Political scientist Elizabeth Jane Wood has written on this topic, and her conclusion is that it may be related to testosterone, which is produced in response to aggressive actions. However, as a social creature, a man’s stimulus for sexual violence in war is more likely to be the approval of such actions by battalion fighters rather than purely biological factors like hormones. Urologist-andrologist Igor Korneev cautiously adds:

“From a medical perspective, I can say that prolonged abstinence causes significant discomfort. The constant production of secretions accumulates, and a person may be constantly thinking about fulfilling their needs. However, this is based on the assumption of a man as a male. There are social norms that come into play. Some individuals, due to their moral values, find a way to fulfill their needs in a socially acceptable manner, while others do not see the need to limit their desires and aggression during combat.”

Third section: General

Let’s go back to everyday life. If one or both partners are experiencing prolonged stress, they will need to be patient, understanding, and gentle with each other. Researchers conducted a small experiment where they showed women a 12-minute erotic film and measured their level of sexual arousal at the end of the viewing. They found that women with high levels of stress had vaginal arousal indicators that were twice as low as those of participants with moderate levels of stress, although emotional arousal was almost the same for both groups.

When it comes to men, it’s crucial to be cautious when evaluating their erection and spermogram indicators:

“There are studies indicating that a man’s ejaculate indicators may immediately deteriorate after being diagnosed with infertility. This can even lead to suicide, as men can be very sensitive to such issues. Therefore, it is crucial to have a competent specialist who can provide proper guidance and help interpret the data correctly, explaining that spermogram indicators may change.”

Can sex help alleviate stress? The answer is yes, but only if it serves as a conclusion to the stress response. For example, if you have been stressing about passing your driving test for a long time and finally pass, your sexual desire may increase, and sex can act as a form of relief accompanied by the release of endorphins, according to gynecologist-endocrinologist Gyuzal Tabeeva. However, if the stress persists, sex may not be effective. It is essential to address the underlying issues causing stress and improve one’s stress-coping skills.

According to urologist-andrologist Igor Korneev, stress resistance is critical in dealing with stress. It is influenced by upbringing and knowledge of techniques to manage stress. Although some people are more susceptible to stress, improving one’s stress-coping skills can help build a stronger sexual constitution.