I think depression is more likely the cause of lack of sex than the other way around. That said, if someone puts too much importance on sex, it certainly could lead to depression. That mindset likely has an underlying cause, which could have a "cause and effect" structure in one's life.

I have never heard of it causing clinical depression. I imagine that it depends on the person, healthy sex can be a stress reliever and comforting. For many mental health problems,(i.e., clincal depression), the condtion itself can cause a lack of interest in sex. Sometimes medications for treatment cause a lack of interest. I know that lack of love and affection,for those who desire it, can effect mental health.

Not for me it hasn't. That said though, as I age I"m not exactly overflowing with testosterone at 64 either. I'm bothered more by the lack of quality time with a human female than a lack of sex. My ex crossed over to the south side of menopause about 4yrs ago...and that was the sudden and complete end to any physicality between us. When her hormones were done rearranging, this highly sexed woman turned into permafrost. Of course my needs didn't go away though and I was slightly hurt that she refused to explore any remedies.

But I got it. And that was that. A very cruel thing, that menopause. That was the last sexual activity for me still to this day...well except for excersising my right arm to the point that it looks like Popeye's. I've put it into the right mental place so it doesn't drive me nuts. The desire to return to the days of sport-fucking are long gone, so I will wait until I can develop another close relationship.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

well certainly lack of affection does, and in the absence of real affection, sex helps.

Frustrated for sure

It sure as fuck hasn't helped me recently.

I think you'd have to ask a biologist or psychologist (or both). It's nice to have sex once in a while though... (or so I'm told).

I always felt it was the other way around, that depression could have an effect on libido... I don't know though if it's lack of sex as much as it's lack of intimacy and connection -- with a partner, but also with ourselves.

Unlikely.

Studies have shown that a lack of any kind of sexual outlet does make a person depressed and they will develop neurotic tendencies. However, masturbation is a normal sexual outlet, which helps people avoid those consequences.

Societal pressure may still cause a person to feel inadequate due to a poor sex life, but a lack of a sex life is seldom an actual reflection of who the person really is.

As usual, the answer is, "it depends".

It depends in part on whether you still harbor the notion that some perfect sexual partner (1) exists for you -- or anyone -- and (2) would, if you found your way to them, make you happy, or at least substantially less unhappy.

(1) above is somewhat a function of realistic expectations. Sex, like anything else you don't have, is much easier to imagine in between your ears than to pull it off in real life, where you have to find, meet, woo, win, and seduce someone who you then have to negotiate somewhat differing hang-ups, hot buttons, (lack of) desire(s), kinks, and quirks with. And maybe even be surprised by your own limitations and/or by your partners unrealistic expectations of YOU.

The so-called sexual revolution simply gave us more options for more sexual partners, which cuts both ways. Back when the ideal was to have sex with one partner and only within marriage, you had to actually put effort into the relationship to make it work, which means that if it failed sexually, it didn't have to be because you were too picky and didn't try at least. On the other hand now you can discard partners at will, compare them to unrealistic Madison Avenue standards of beauty and pornographic standards of appearance and enthusiasm, and then wonder why nothing "sticks".

All I'll say on the topic is that I have learned to not depend on the sex I am or am not getting for personal happiness. That's just giving up my power to the vagaries of someone else's libido. Life consists of a lot besides sex and one can always take care of their own needs for sexual release ... so, it only becomes an issue if you let it.

While sex might contribute to increased endorphin responses it should not be a sole contributor.

A lack of anything you think you need can make you depressed - if you allow it to.

The grass is always greener.....

I can see a lack of being desired being depressing, but I don't know the psychology.