{"id":2971,"date":"2025-03-09T19:50:27","date_gmt":"2025-03-09T08:50:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/menshealthclinic.com\/au\/?p=3391"},"modified":"2025-04-04T12:51:10","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T23:51:10","slug":"touch-starvation-the-connection-between-touch-deprivation-male-loneliness-and-sexual-dysfunctions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/menshealthclinic.com\/nz\/resource\/touch-starvation-the-connection-between-touch-deprivation-male-loneliness-and-sexual-dysfunctions\/","title":{"rendered":"Touch Starvation: The Connection Between Touch Deprivation, Male Loneliness, and Sexual Dysfunctions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Despite the dominating presence of social media in modern life, men are becoming increasingly lonely. One reason for this is the emergence of a phenomenon called touch starvation. This article explores touch starvation and how it affects men, particularly those enduring sexual dysfunctions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Touch Starvation? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Touch starvation, also referred to as touch deprivation or skin hunger, is the state that arises from insufficient or non-existent physical touch. As humans are naturally wired to crave touch, a lack of skin-to-skin contact with others can lead to feelings of loneliness, stress, anxiety, and emptiness. Oxytocin<\/a>, one of the four ‘happy hormones,’ is released through physical touch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sadly, touch starvation is the norm nowadays. While its prevalence varies depending on cultural and social dynamics, many of us miss out on physical contact due to our busy lives and the convenience of technology, which offers alternatives to many of our needs. Instead of meeting friends in person, we can communicate with them at the click of a button. There are fewer opportunities for physical touch, especially for men. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Touch Starvation and Male Loneliness <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experts have raised concerns about what has been termed the ‘male loneliness epidemic<\/a>.’ While it’s true that everyone experiences loneliness, it has been observed to affect men more intensely. Unlike women, men are often encouraged to suppress their emotions<\/a> or simply ‘tough it out.’ Unsurprisingly, suicide rates are rising. According to the International Association for Suicide Prevention<\/a> (IASP), male suicide rates are twice as high as those of females. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this jarring fact, men tend to have fewer friends<\/a> than women. They are also less likely to seek help<\/a> during a mental health crisis. Additionally, men may experience less platonic physical touch in their lives. While friendly physical touch is often seen as positive in society, men may worry about having their masculinity questioned or facing social backlash. On the brighter side, a man may get their physical needs met by their partner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Sexual Dysfunctions Cause Touch Starvation <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reality is that many men cope with touch starvation through romantic or sexual relationships. However, many men suffer from sexual dysfunctions, which can hinder their ability to start or maintain such relationships. Here\u2019s a closer look at how sexual dysfunction can contribute to touch starvation for men: <\/p>\n\n\n\n