Lack of regular sex can result in job loss - Therapist

Not having sex regularly can result in job loss, says Tomi Imarah, a sex therapist and consultant psychiatrist.

Imarah, who runs an online mental health counselling service, called ‘Dr Tomi’s Haven’, made this known in an interview with NAN.

She said sex is part of a balanced diet, adding that it is essential to overall health and wellbeing.

“With regards to the impact of sex on job performance, I will prefer an emphasis on sex in marriage; frequent unmet expectations stir frustrations and resentment, leaving you distracted at a subconscious level,” Imarah said.

“Sex boosts endorphins and other productivity hormones; you go to work energised, work brilliantly and get promoted.

“The reverse is sexual frustration, and pent up emotions is highly distracting and you are prone to errors.

“From my interactions with male clients when they have a vibrant sex life, they feel energised to achieve so much in other areas of their lives.

“What they do not know is that sex releases endorphins, which are ‘feel good’ hormones.

“These hormones fill you with energy, just like when you go for a run or other rigorous exercises. It pumps blood to your brain and helps you operate more optimally.

“Not to talk of the fact that couples with frustrations in the bedroom have it spilling into other areas of their relationships, causing conflicts, leading to further repercussions outside the home including workplace.”

Imarah said during sexual activities, certain hormones including oxytocin, endorphins, dopamine, testosterone, estrogen are released.

“These sex hormones leave behind some effects, such as improved mood, stress alleviation, immune boosting, relaxed feeling, positive energy, improved attention and concentration, and improved memory capacity,” she said.

“All these effects culminate in improved emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing; that is why people walk around with a spring in their steps.

“Apart from these biochemical effects of sex, stoking the intimacy flames with someone you love helps your relationship thrive better.”

Imarah said many Nigerians’ attitude toward and perception about sex is very poor and attributed it to ignorance and poor education at all levels.

“So, you now have a whole generation of women: wonderful mothers, devoted wives, great cooks, hardworking in every area of life, but struggling in the bedroom,” the sex therapist said.

“To start changing this situation, sex education needs to be taken more seriously at all levels; right from home, parents need to have the sex talk with their adolescents, both boys and girls.

“Formal sex education needs to be included in school curriculum and delivered by specially trained sex educators.

“That we do not talk about sex does not mean our boys and girls are not experimenting, especially with the current information explosion on the internet.

“The least we can do is ensure we provide early foundation knowledge and put things in the right perspective.”