- Regular sexual activity has been shown to improve physical and mental health
- Men and women can also benefit from the health benefits of sex in old age
- In addition to health benefits, sex helps maintain a relationship
Do you want to support the health of your blood vessels, reduce headaches or are you just looking for a way to feel younger and more confident?
It may sound like a pointless request for a miracle pill, but it won’t even be necessary. Regular sexual activity can handle it.
Scientific studies examine sex from all angles and confirm that safe sex has many interesting benefits for the human body. What are the biggest ones?
1. Protection against cardiovascular diseases
Vascular heart disease has long been the most common cause of death in the world. Regular sexual activity can protect against cardiovascular disease. Are you saying that you are no longer of age and fitness for sex? According to experts, sex is safe for all people who can perform physical activity with an intensity of 3-5 MET without heart problems, which corresponds to faster walking.
A 2010 study found that men who had sex at least twice a week had a significantly lower risk of myocardial infarction and stroke compared to men who had sex less than once a month.
2. Sex as a physical activity
Sexual performance is unlikely to replace your workouts, but it can still help increase your overall daily energy expenditure. In a 2013 study, researchers measured that men burn an average of 101 kcal in “one number”, while women burn about 69 kcal. Of course, it depends on the individual activity during the sexual activity itself, because in the study itself, one man managed to burn even 300 kcal, which already corresponds to a short workout in the gym.
Regular sex thanks to calories burned helps to fight overweight and obesity. It also increases physical fitness, explaining many of the health benefits observed.
3. Better sleep through evening lovemaking
Reaching orgasm leads to the leaching of the hormone prolactin, which is in the blood at elevated levels for about 30 minutes after reaching orgasm. Prolactin is responsible for drowsiness after sex and also a reduced ability to continue sexual performance in men. It simply paves the way for an undisturbed sleep.
4. Headaches, migraines and sex
An unpleasant migraine is in many cases the reason why sex is postponed. But scientific studies show that sex can be an effective solution. An observational study from 2013 showed that 58% of women and 73% of men improved their migraine status after sexual activity. These numbers are consistent with previous experiments.
Experts see distraction from headaches during sex as the main explanation. In addition, however, flooded endorphins, relaxation after orgasm or changes in blood pressure may improve the condition.
5. Strengthening the body’s defenses
A study of 112 students showed that those who have regular sex once or twice a week have higher levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) compared to students who have sex less often or not at all. Immunoglobulins A are antibodies of the immune system that occur, inter alia, on mucous membranes. Here they function as part of mucosal immunity and protect the body from the entry of foreign microorganisms.
But beware! Students who have sex more than three times a week have been found to have comparable IgA levels to those who have sex irregularly or not at all. As they say, everything in moderation.
6. Does sex have rejuvenating effects?
In an experiment involving 3,500 men and women, sexually active individuals were found to look younger than they actually are.
Specifically, the researchers found that in a group of people whose estimated age was 7-12 years lower than reality, the average frequency of sexual intercourse was 3 times a week. They were also people who felt more confident about their sexual identity.
7. Sex helps maintain a relationship
In addition to health benefits, partner sex also has the effect of maintaining a healthy relationship and bond between partners. Sexual activity between partners helps to reduce stress, increases trust and brings satisfaction.
Immediately after reaching orgasm, the hormone oxytocin, which is sometimes referred to as the hormone of love and trust, is responsible for these feelings. However, scientific studies show that sexual satisfaction (experts call this an “afterglow”) lasts on average up to 48 hours after sexual intercourse.
What to take from it?
Regular sexual activity in reasonable amounts brings a lot of health benefits. It helps protect our cardiovascular and immune systems and also improves mood, builds trust in partner and makes sleep easier.
Don’t forget the rules of safe sex. Unprotected intercourse can lead to the transmission of sexually transmitted infections or unplanned pregnancies.
