Whether you are a man or a woman, the benefits of sex, practiced safely, are multiple and go beyond pleasure.
Sex is highly recommended! And not only because of the enjoyment you experience when practicing it, but it also has many health benefits. We bring you 10 healthy effects that sex can bring to your physical and emotional state. For example, having sex can make numerous discomforts disappear, including migraines. But yes, for the benefits to your health to be effective, it is necessary to practice it frequently.
10 benefits of sex for your health
1. Sex strengthens your immune system
Sexually active people get sick much less since the immune system is reinforced by generating more antibodies than someone who does not have sex. Our body is thus more protected against viruses and germs.
A study revealed that people who had sex regularly, at least once or twice a week, had levels of immunoglobulin A – an essential part of the body’s defenses – 30% higher than people who did not practice it. This meant that their immune system was strengthened and, therefore, better prepared to avoid illnesses such ascolds and flus.
2. Having sex lowers blood pressure
Among the benefits of sex, according to many studies, is a favorable effect on blood pressure. In particular, regular sexual intercourse lowers systolic blood pressure, the maximum value of blood pressure when the heart contracts.
3. Sex helps you control stress
Sex has a favorable effect on stress while intercourse is going on. Being close to our partner relaxes us, reduces our anxiety, increases self-esteem and happiness and is therefore a good anti-stress recipe. It is scientifically proven that sex decreases stress and anxiety levels thanks to the fact that it reduces the secretion of cortisol, known as the stress hormone.
Hugging, touching and kissing our partner makes us feel good, because during intercourse a brain chemical is released that speeds up the pleasure and reward center of the brain. In addition to all, it is known that after sexual intercourse (and especially after reaching orgasm) a state of perfect relaxation is reached.
4. Practicing sex keeps you in shape
Sexual activity, although it cannot be replaced by running or cycling, counts as physical exercise and therefore you can lose weight by practicing it. When you practice it you use several muscles of the body and your heart rate accelerates, which makes you fitter. On average, you burn about 5 calories per minute.
5. Sex helps you sleep better, especially if you are a man
After intercourse, men release a series of hormones, such as oxytocin, serotonin and prolactin, which induce sleep. For this reason, after a sexual encounter, men can fall asleep more quickly than normal. In the case of women, however, they tend to be more active, even feeling greater sexual desire once the relationship has ended.
6. Among the benefits of sex is also pain relief
Do you feel any kind of pain? Make love with your partner. According to several studies, orgasm is capable of blocking pain, since a hormone is released that helps raise the pain threshold. The typical headache excuse is no longer valid. In fact, having sex can actually relieve a migraine. This is so because a large amount of nitric oxide is mobilized during intercourse, which especially benefits vascular-type migraines.
On the other hand, the endorphins and oxytocins that are released during sex can work as an analgesic and are effective weapons to combat gynecological, traumatological or muscular pain.
7. Sex is good for your heart
The practice of sex has an inversely proportional relationship with the presence of cardiovascular diseases: the greater the frequency of relationships, the fewer diseases. Having sex is good for cardiovascular health for several reasons: it lowers blood pressure, activates blood circulation…
Several studies have shown that having sex at least twice a week halves the chances of dying from heart disease. Despite this, and although regular sexual activity is associated with good cardiovascular health, it is important that, in the event that there is a cardiovascular pathology, you consult your sexologist to be sure.
8. Benefits of sex for your pelvic floor
The pelvic floor is not something that is exercised on a regular basis. Having sexual intercourse activates the pelvic muscles, which results in toning of the pelvic floor. This is because when women have an orgasm there is a contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, which strengthens that area. And this is important because if the pelvic floor is not exercised and becomes distended, there is a greater chance of urinary incontinence, a problem that affects around 30% of women at some point in their lives.
9. Sex protects against some types of cancer
Some studies show the relationship between sexual intercourse and protection against some cancers, such as breast or prostate cancer. In breast cancer, for example, the increased release of the hormones DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) and oxytocin that occurs during orgasm can help protect against this particular tumor.
On the other hand, for men, having sex makes them less likely to develop prostate cancer. According to a study, ejaculating at least 21 times a month protects against cancer, so masturbation works too.
10. Sex makes you feel happier
And finally sex makes you happy. Practicing sex contributes to the proper functioning of your partner, to having better health, while improving communication and trust between the two. Your body emits a lot of pheromones during sex that makes you feel more desirable and sure of yourself. That is why the people who have the most sex are those with a better mood and, therefore, happier.
Now that you know the benefits of sex, there are no more excuses, let’s practice it!
