Sexual Activity While Fasting: Does It Drain or Boost Energy?

Fasting can bring significant changes to your body, including how you experience and engage in sex. One notable change is a temporary decrease in libido. This happens because fasting alters hormonal levels, including testosterone and estrogen, as the body redirects energy toward essential functions. For most people, this drop in libido is temporary, and it often returns to normal—or even improves—after fasting is complete, particularly if the fast improves overall health markers.

During fasting, it’s important to listen to your body. There’s no strict rule on how much sex or masturbation you should engage in; it largely depends on your energy levels and comfort. For some, fasting might leave you feeling too fatigued or distracted to engage in sexual activity, while others might find it manageable in moderation. Masturbation, if done, should be approached as a personal choice without guilt, as it doesn’t deplete energy significantly in most cases.

For men, fasting often leads to improved cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure, both of which can enhance erectile function. Better blood flow resulting from these changes supports stronger and more reliable erections, a welcome side effect for many men seeking better overall health through fasting.

Women may experience benefits such as hormonal balance and reduced inflammation, which can improve sexual health and comfort. However, the temporary reduction in libido is also common for women during fasting.

It’s worth noting that libido generally returns a few weeks after completing a fast, especially if the fasting period has led to better metabolic health. Many report that sexual desire rebounds stronger than before, likely due to improved physical and mental well-being.