Over half of people on dating apps are considering abstinence from both sex and masturbation, a survey suggests.
Conducted by dating app Flure, 59 per cent of the 2,000 adults surveyed said they were trying or considering complete celibacy in 2025.
When asked why, the majority said they wanted to instead focus on self-improvement while one in three said they thought avoiding sex and self-pleasure would improve their mental health.
Celibacy movements, such as ‘No Nut November’, which sees men swear off sex and masturbation for the month, have grown popular in recent years with fans claiming a number of benefits.
It also comes as wider data suggests Gen X are having less sex than any generation before them.
One study found two in five young people between the ages of 18 and 30 reported not having any sexual partners in the previous year, double that of adults over the age of 30.
However, studies suggest avoiding sex and masturbation could actually be harmful.
In a case of use it or lose it, both men and women who are sexually inactive for very long periods of time can experience genital shrinking.
Over half of people on dating apps are considering abstinence from both sex and masturbation, a survey suggests. Stock image
Called penile atrophy in men and vaginal or clitoral atrophy in women, this rare condition occurs when the tissue becomes less elastic through lack of use.
Experts have previously told MailOnline this loss of elasticity could cause genitalia to shrink by one or two centimetres and lose sensitivity over a period of about five years.
Another risk, this time for men specifically, is that avoiding ejaculation could increase the risk of prostate cancer.
A Harvard University study found men who ejaculate at least 21 times a month slashed their risk of prostate cancer by a third compared to those who orgasmed less than once a week.
This protection was true regardless of if the ejaculation was achieved via sexual intercourse or masturbation.
Researchers don’t know exactly why frequent ejaculating helps protect against prostate cancer, though a number of mechanisms, from it combatting damaging inflammation or clearing out cancer causing substances, have been suggested.
But considering it ‘will do no harm’ some experts recommend regular orgasms as part of a healthy lifestyle for men.
For women, orgasms that come with sex and/or masturbation can help support the muscles in the pelvic floor, a group of muscles in the lower abdomen near the groin surrounding the bladder, bowel and the uterus.
This can help combat leakage and incontinence an issue that affects about one in three women at some point in their lives.
Sex can also help keep your heart healthy. One 2010 study found having intercourse twice a week halved a man’s chances of clogged arteries compared to those indulging less than once a month.
While celibacy may be growing in popularity studies suggest it could have serious health consequences. One for men specifically is that avoiding ejaculation could increase the risk of prostate cancer
Other studies have suggested sex can also help reduce blood pressure by up to 13 per cent the next day, equivalent to some medications.
While exact estimates vary considerably, sex is known to burn calories and NHS advice equates it to being similar to light gardening or a 20minute walk on level ground in terms of physical activity.
Some studies have also found people who have sex are less likely to get ill as their bodies have higher levels of immunoglobulin A which helps the body fight off colds and flu. However, most these studies are relatively small.
Many of the benefits of sex and masturbation are psychological.
Some experts say going a month or more without having sex may cause men and women to experience increased stress levels, due to sexual frustration, anxiety, depression.
Sex and orgasms release feel-good hormones like oxytocin – also called the ‘love hormone – dopamine and serotonin which regulate your emotions and boost your mood.
Dopamine is a chemical that the brain releases to make you feel pleasure, but if your body doesn’t produce enough of it, you can develop insecurities and lower self-worth.
The feel-good hormone oxytocin also surges during sex, which can alleviate stress and improve feelings of relaxation, translating to better sleep.
Abstinence from sex was highlighted late last year when Tulisa admitted she had been celibate for three years during an episode of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.
While some people who take part in celibacy challenges like ‘No Nut November’ report increased focus and mental clarity enabling them to focus on goals like fitness or their career, experts say there isn’t much evidence this is down to abstinence.
Instead, they say it’s more likely to be a basic case of improved self-confidence from people having proven to themselves they can set a goal and achieve it rather than a unique quality from avoiding sexual pleasure.
Leah Levi, a ‘sexpert’ at Flure, said many people considering celibacy in 2025 were choosing their priorities for the year.
‘Celibacy isn’t about denying yourself pleasure — it’s about redefining intimacy and prioritizing what matters most to you,’ she said.
Abstinence from sex was highlighted late last year when Tulisa admitted she had been celibate for three years during an episode of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.
