An active sex life is good for both body and soul. It does not only bring happiness and better connection to each partner, but also makes you physically healthier. You might not notice that having regular and enthusiastic sex confers a host of measurable physiological advantages. A lot of studies show how sex affects your quality of life and overall health. Research from the University of the West of Scotland divulged that people who had intercourse at least once over two weeks were better able to manage stressful situations such as public speaking. Another study by Queens University in Belfast, published in 1997 in the British Medical Journal, revealed that men with the highest frequency of orgasm enjoyed a death rate half that of the laggards. It is one of the most credible studies correlating overall health with sexual frequency.
A good sex life is also associated with the following benefits:
- Pain-relief. The increased love hormone (oxytocin) levels boost the release of endorphins, which act as your body’s painkillers. The endorphins that are released during an orgasm can effectively relieve pain. They alleviate the pain caused by headache, migraine, and even arthritis. In women, sex also prompts production of estrogen, which can reduce the pain of PMS.
- Immunity booster. Having sex regularly (once or twice a week) can increase the levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA). These antibodies can protect you from getting colds and other infections.
- Reduce stress. Hormones that are released during sex can create feelings of intimacy and relaxation, which help stave off anxiety and depression.
- Promote better blood pressure. A study found that people who often have sex tend to have lower diastolic blood pressure (the second number in a blood pressure test). Another study also found that women who get lots of hugs from their partner tend to have better blood pressure.
- Minimize the risk of heart disease. A study conducted in 2001 found that having sex three or more times a week could reduce men’s risk of heart attack or stroke by half.
- Weight loss. Having sex is like doing an exercise. A study in The American Journal of Cardiology revealed that sex can burn 85-250 calories, about the same as running 15 minutes on a treadmill or playing squash. Even British researchers have determined that the equivalent of six Big Macs can be worked off by having sex three times a week for a year.
- Strengthen your muscle. Sex does not only burn calories but also trains your muscle. Muscular contractions during intercourse work the pelvis, thighs, buttocks, arms, neck and thorax. Sex also increases the production of testosterone, which can make bones and muscles stronger. This is definitely a joyful kind of exercise with a lot of benefits.
- Reduce the risk of getting prostate cancer. Some experts believe that there is a relationship between the frequency of ejaculation and prostate cancer. Research showed that frequent ejaculations (especially in 20-something men) may lower the risk of getting prostate cancer. A study published in the British Journal of Urology International, for example, revealed that men (in their 20s) who had more than 5 ejaculations a week can reduce by a third their chance of getting prostate cancer. However, ejaculations are not the only factor that mattered since there are many other factors that affect the development of cancer.
- Ensure sounder sleep. The endorphins help to relax your mind and body, so it is easier for you to have a good sleep. Getting enough sleep also promotes a healthy weight and better blood pressure.
Leave a Reply