Does Sex Help With Anxiety? 

If you've ever felt anxious and found that a little intimacy with your partner (or solo play) helped you feel less overwhelmed, you're not alone. 

The connection between sex and anxiety relief is real, but it’s important to understand the limits of how much sex can help. While it’s not a cure for anxiety disorders, there are a few ways sex — and specifically orgasms — might provide temporary relief from anxious feelings. Let’s dive into the science behind it, how anxiety affects libido, and when it might be time to seek help from a healthcare provider.

Can sex help relieve anxiety?

Sex might provide temporary relief from anxiety, but it’s not a long-term solution for managing chronic anxiety. 

At a very basic level, sex can relieve anxiety because it feels good. Much like hanging out with your best friend, or watching your comfort show would offer a break from anxious thoughts. 

Engaging in sex can be a fantastic way to lower anxiety. Research from The Journal of Health and Social Behavior shows that it helps reduce stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Plus, sex boosts the production of endorphins, oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin — those wonderful hormones that lift your mood and bring about a sense of relaxation and joy.

Additionally, orgasms can act as a reset button for the body. When you orgasm, your body goes through a series of physical changes that ultimately help you relax. Your heart rate and blood pressure drop after orgasm, and your body enters a state of relaxation. This physical relief can be especially helpful if you're feeling tense or overwhelmed.

However, it’s important to recognize that relief from anxiety is often temporary. Sex and orgasm can offer short-term relaxation, but they don't address the root causes of anxiety, especially if you're dealing with chronic or clinical anxiety. It’s also worth pointing out that “anxiety” is a pretty broad term. There are several types of anxiety disorders according to the DSM-V, and anxiety affects everyone differently, and it’s rarely a straightforward feeling — so the impact of sex on anxiety will vary from person to person. 

If you're looking for long-lasting relief, you should consider other strategies, such as therapy, meditation, or speaking with a mental health professional.

The relationship between anxiety and desire

While sex can provide temporary anxiety relief, anxiety can also have a significant impact on libido and sexual desire. 

High levels of anxiety can make it harder to feel in the mood for sex at all. When you're anxious, your body is often in a heightened state of alert, with the “fight-or-flight” response activated. This state can lower your interest in sexual activity, as your body’s resources are focused on managing stress rather than relaxation or pleasure.

Anxiety can also make you unintentionally clench your pelvic floor — much like it makes you clench your jaw. This can have a downstream impact on your muscles in the pelvis, leading to a high-tone pelvic floor. Ultimately, this can contribute to painful intercourse, which will also impact your desire to have sex.

Anxiety can create emotional barriers to intimacy. Worries, negative thoughts, and a sense of being overwhelmed can make it difficult to connect with your partner (or your own body) and enjoy the experience of sex. For some women, anxiety about their body image, performance, or relationship dynamics can interfere with sexual desire.

When should you see a healthcare provider?

If you’re experiencing ongoing anxiety, it may be helpful to speak with a healthcare provider. Sex is fantastic for many reasons, but it shouldn’t be used as a coping strategy for underlying mental health issues.

Chronic anxiety, especially if it’s interfering with your libido, can signal the need for professional support. A therapist or counselor specializing in anxiety or sexual health can help you address both the emotional and physical aspects of anxiety and its impact on intimacy.

If you're finding that sex is no longer enjoyable or that anxiety is affecting your ability to get aroused or orgasm, it’s worth discussing these issues with a provider. Sometimes, anxiety-related sexual dysfunction can be addressed through therapy, relaxation techniques, and medication. Additionally, if anxiety is making it difficult to engage in everyday activities or is negatively affecting your relationships, therapy or counseling could provide long-term tools to manage your stress and anxiety.