Sex like “ilac” against stress? Science has a more complex answer

Periskopi

1 July 2026, 23:42(a day ago)

Sex is often described as a natural way to reduce stress, but a new study claims that its influence is not as simple as thought. According to research published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, sexual activity is linked to lower levels of stress during the same day, but the effect does not seem to last until tomorrow. In some cases, the opposite may even happen.

Researchers analyzed the data of 645 persons, including 319 married couples for years. For two weeks, participants recorded the level of stress, having had sex, and their satisfaction with experience every evening.

The results showed that in the days when couples had sexual intercourse, they reported less stress compared to the days they did not. So sex seemed to be associated with an immediate relief of stress.

However, when researchers analyzed the following day's data, they found that this effect did not continue. In other words, sex did not link to lower levels of tension 24 hours later.

But the most interesting part of the study involved the motive behind the sexual relationship.

Experts shared the reasons in two main categories:

Weather approachingWhen sex occurs for emotional closeness, intimacy, mutual satisfaction, or stronger relationships with your partner.

WeatherWhen used to avoid debates, tensions, disappointments, or conflicts in relationships.

And that's where the biggest difference arose.

When sex occurred to avoid a conflict or to calm unpleasant situations, participants reported higher levels of stress the next day. This suggests that the sexual relationship does not always function as “ilac” against anxiety, especially when accompanied by pressure, guilt or emotional compulsion.

According to the author of the study, psychologist Sierra D. Peters, the way and why intimacy takes place can be as important as sexual act itself. After all, it is not only sex that affects emotional well - being but also the context in which it occurs.

However, researchers point out that the results should be carefully interpreted. The study was conducted only with newly married couples and cannot confirm whether sex reduces stress or if people are simply more likely to have sex in times of less stress.

One thing, however, seems clear: Sex can help make you feel better right away, but it is not necessarily the long - term solution to stress. And when used as a way to avoid problems in relationships, it can bring more tension than relief.