Muscle building has become increasingly popular among boys and young men. But a Canadian study published in Body Image suggests that being overly fixated on building muscle may come with an unexpected downside: problems in their sex lives.
For the study, researchers looked at 1,116 sexually active boys and men between the ages of 15 and 35. Participants were asked about symptoms of muscle dysmorphia—a strong preoccupation with being muscular and dissatisfaction with their bodies—as well as their sexual functioning.
“Muscle dysmorphia is often understood in terms of body dissatisfaction, compulsive exercise or the pursuit of muscularity, but our findings suggest that its impacts may extend into intimate and sexual experiences as well,” the lead researcher said.
Those who reported more symptoms of muscle dysmorphia were also more likely to experience sexual issues, including anxiety during sex, low sexual interest or enjoyment, difficulty with arousal or orgasm, pain during sex, and trouble getting or maintaining an erection. Body dissatisfaction showed the strongest association, while anxiety during sex and difficulty reaching climax were among the most common issues.
Researchers explained that intense body dissatisfaction and self-consciousness can make it harder to relax and stay present during sex. Worrying about how one looks to a partner can also interfere with desire, arousal, pleasure and sexual functioning.
Behaviours adopted to pursue a more muscular physique, including excessive exercise, restrictive eating and the use of muscle-enhancing substances, may also contribute to sexual problems.
“Body image and sexual health are often treated as separate areas of health, but they may be deeply interconnected,” the researcher added. “For some boys and men, addressing distress about their bodies may also be important for understanding difficulties they are experiencing in their sexual lives.”
