Doctor debunks myths around celibacy after Khloé Kardashian reaches four-year ‘no sex’ milestone

A women’s health doctor has explained exactly what happens when you abstain from sex for a long time, after Khloé Kardashian opened up on reaching four years of celibacy.

The 42-year-old reality TV star, who has been open about her abstinence journey, commented on the milestone in the trailer for the upcoming season of The Kardashians.

In a teaser clip of the show, which is due to premiere on 8 October on Hulu, she announced: “I’m single, I might be ready to mingle.”

She then admitted that last December, when the show was filmed, she had abstained from sex from four years, to which her sister Kendall joked: “Never say never, right!”

Khloé was last romantically linked with Tristan Thompson, with whom she shares her two children, True, eight, and Tatum, four, and hasn’t been shy about her decision to keep romance out of the bedroom since.

It comes at a time when celibacy is growing in popularity and visibility, with other big-name celebrities such as Sharon Stone speaking out about their experiences.

Tyla spoke with intimate health, menopause, hormone health, and women's wellness issues expert, Dr Shirin Lakhani, who delved into how a decision like this could affect your body and dispelled the common myths we’ve been led to believe.

She explained: “The body should not undergo any particular changes simply because someone hasn't had sex for a certain amount of time. There may be some changes to your hormones, such as a reduction in oxytocin and endorphins as well as a dip in dopamine levels.

“This can affect your mood and motivation, however extended celibacy does not permanently alter long-term hormone production.

“For some women, celibacy can actually have a positive effect with fewer concerns around sexually transmitted infections or UTIs, pregnancy or contraception.”

What are the myths around celibacy?

Dr Lakhani explained that one of the biggest myths is that our vagina changes shape or ‘tightness’ depending on how much sex you have, which is completely untrue.

The expert told Tyla: “Sex, or a lack of sex, does not cause permanent changes to the size or shape of the vagina or labia.

“The vagina is highly elastic and returns to its usual shape after intercourse. Similarly, the length and appearance of the labia are determined by genetics and natural anatomical variation, not sexual activity.”

She added: “Genetics play a significant role in determining the natural size and shape of the labia, and there is a wide range of normal variation.”

Another popular myth is that your hormones become ‘messed up’ somehow when you’re not having regular sex, which Dr Lakhani says is ‘absolutely not the case and is quite damaging to make people believe that they need sex for their hormones to function correctly’.

She outlined: “Sexual activity can influence things such as arousal, stress and mood, but there isn't a medically defined amount of sex that a woman needs to maintain hormonal or physical health.”

Are there any other ways celibacy affects your health?

For post-menopausal women who lack oestrogen, the women’s health expert explains that less sexual stimulation may cause faster thinning, drying, and loss of elasticity in vaginal walls.

She told Tyla: “Pelvic floor stimulation through sex can also help to strengthen the muscles, and without it could possibly affect the strength of your pelvic floor.

‘Some women experience increased UTIs, thrush or BV when sexually active, so being celibate may have a positive effect on decreased reactivity.”

Shr urged: “However, I would note that being celibate is a personal decision and any changes to the body or how you feel is completely individual to each person.

“Not having sex does not switch off oestrogen, progesterone or testosterone production, or cause menopause. The short-lived hormonal responses associated with sexual activity are different from your underlying reproductive hormone level.”

Desire and wellbeing can vary, and while some women feel less interested in sex during a break; others do not, this isn’t the case for everyhone.

Dr Lakhani concluded: “ Whether celibacy feels comfortable or distressing matters more than any prescribed frequency of sex. There is no medically “normal” amount.

“Pain, persistent dryness or bleeding should be assessed rather than simply attributed to celibacy. There is no need to push through painful sex.”