Grace J. couldn’t have predicted what would happen to her life when she took a break from social media to support her partner, but she was delighted by the result.

“His therapist recommended less screen time to help his insomnia,” she said. Gradually, the pair started connecting more intimately. “We cuddled more, talked more … and two weeks in, we had sex for the first time in almost a year.”

Experts agree that while social media can enhance your sex life by providing valuable information, the downsides are worth avoiding. “Many people think social media is a harmless distraction, but it subtly rewires how we connect, regulate our emotions, and value ourselves, and that ripple effect will show up in the bedroom,” said Holly Nelson, a certified EMDR therapist who specializes in overcoming sexual anxiety and shame.

Research highlights reasons people like Grace and her partner glean perks from stepping away from the digital platforms. A 2024 study linked heavy social media use with an increased risk of vaginal dryness, erectile dysfunction and low libido.

It’s all too easy to compare yourself to others when you’re scrolling through Instagram or Facebook.

Here’s a look at ways social media use can wreak havoc on your sex life, plus expert tips for turning it all around. Social media can exacerbate:

1. Low Self-Esteem

It’s all too easy to compare yourself to others when you’re scrolling through Instagram or Facebook. Such comparison is human nature, according to Mindy DeSeta, a sexologist and sexuality educator at the dating app Hily. The problem is, she said, “When we compare ourselves to a snapshot of another person’s life, we always come out on the bottom.” And when you feel blah about yourself or your relationships, you’re likely to feel depressed about sex, too.

“Sex is between the ears, not just the legs,” DeSeta said. “If we are experiencing low self-esteem, self-doubt or anxiety, we are at risk for sexual dysfunction or not desiring sex at all.”

2. Poor Body Image

If you’ve ever groaned at your reflection after scrolling social media, you’re far from alone. Fitspiration-type posts, in particular,........

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