In addition to feeling good, sex is good for you! Sex perks extend way beyond the bedroom. There are definite documented benefits to a healthy sex life.
We’ve all thought or voiced intimations of “he/she needs fi go get some and lef mi alone” in response to overbearing bosses or nagging friends. While often said out of jest or annoyance, the statement does hold weight. Healthy, enjoyable, satisfactory sex affects our lives in many ways, below we’ll explore some benefits.
1. Helps Your Immune System
People who have sex have higher levels of antibodies that defend our bodies against germs, viruses, and other intruders. Researchers at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania found that people who had sex once or twice a week had higher levels of a certain antibody compared to people who had sex less often.
You should still do all the other things that make your immune system happy, such as:
- Eat right.
- Stay active.
- Get enough sleep.
- Keep up with your vaccinations.
- Use a condom if you don’t know both of your STD statuses.
2. Boosts Your Libido
Longing for a more lively sex life? Having sex will make sex better and will improve your libido. People who have received complaints about their sexual performance should be especially mindful of this. Sometimes, practice makes perfect. Ever wonder why people tend to go after people who have a reputation for having been with multiple partners? It seems we may subconsciously auto-subscribe to the theory that they’ve had a lot of experience, so they may be better lovers.
For women, having sex ups vaginal lubrication, blood flow, and elasticity, all of which may make sex feel better and leave you craving more.
3. Improves Women’s Bladder Control
A strong pelvic floor is important for avoiding incontinence, something that will affect about 30% of women at some point in their lives.
Good sex is like a workout for your pelvic floor muscles. When you have an orgasm, it causes contractions in those muscles, which in turn strengthens them. Kegel exercises also help in strengthening your pelvic floor and vaginal muscles.
Want better control over your muscles and him? Start practicing the “quint it, quint it”.
4. Lowers Blood Pressure
Research suggests a link between sex and lower blood pressure. There have been many studies that bolster this claim. One landmark study found that sexual intercourse specifically (not masturbation) lowered systolic blood pressure. That’s the first number on your blood pressure test.
5. Counts as Exercise
Sex is a really great form of exercise. It won’t replace the treadmill, but it counts for something.
Sex uses about five calories per minute, four more calories than watching TV. And, you get a one-two punch: It bumps up your heart rate and uses various muscles.
Get busy! You may even want to clear your schedule to make time for sex on a regular basis. As with any form of exercise, consistency helps to maximize the benefits.
6. Lowers Heart Attack Risk
A good sex life is good for your heart. Besides being a great way to raise your heart rate, sex helps keep your estrogen and testosterone levels in balance.
When either of those is low you begin to experience a range of problems, like osteoporosis and even heart disease.
Having sex more often may help. During one study, men who had sex at least twice a week were half as likely to die of heart disease as men who had sex rarely.
7. Lessens Pain
Before you reach for an aspirin, try an orgasm.
Orgasms have been shown to be effective pain blockers. During an orgasm, the hormone oxytocin is released, this helps to increase the pain threshold.
Stimulation without orgasm can also do the trick. Vaginal stimulation can block chronic back and leg pain, and many women reported that genital self-stimulation can reduce menstrual cramps, arthritic pain, and in some cases even headaches.
8. May Make Prostate Cancer Less Likely
Going all in may help to deter prostate cancer.
Men who ejaculated frequently (at least 21 times a month) were less likely to get prostate cancer during one study, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
You don’t need a partner to reap this benefit: Sexual intercourse, nocturnal emission, and masturbation were all part of the equation.
It’s not clear that sex was the only reason that mattered in that study. Lots of factors affect cancer risk. But more sex won’t hurt.
9. Improves Sleep
Some people may nod off more quickly after sex, much to the consternation of their partners; but, there’s a good reason.
After orgasm, the hormone prolactin is released. This hormone is responsible for feelings of relaxation and sleepiness after sex. Having issues with sleeplessness? Try 1 proper-proper sort-out 2x nightly for a week. Caution: do not combine this medication with any other drugs as it may result in delayed, decreased, or enhanced absorption of the medication.
10. Eases Stress
Being close to your partner can soothe stress and anxiety.
Touching and hugging can release your body’s natural “feel-good hormone.” Sexual arousal releases a brain chemical that revs up your brain’s pleasure and reward system.
Sex and intimacy can boost your self-esteem and happiness. It’s not only a prescription for a healthy life, but a happy one.
