Sex is not just about pleasure or intimacy: it can also have surprising health benefits. From boosting your immune system to improving your sleep, here are 10 benefits of a healthy sex life that you may not know about.
Having sex regularly can improve mood, reduce stress and improve heart health. Sex relieves stress
When you are stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. Although small amounts of cortisol help your body function properly, too much can make you feel tense or tired. But sex causes the release of endorphins, feel-good hormones that can improve your mood and help bring cortisol levels back to normal. Presented
Sex also stimulates the release of oxytocin, known as the “love hormone,” which helps you feel relaxed and more connected to your partner, further reducing stress levels.
Sex helps you sleep
Among the hormones that your body releases during sex, especially during orgasm, is prolactin. Prolactin plays a role in sleep regulation. After sex, the increase in prolactin is largely responsible for the feeling of sleep and relaxation that often follows. This not only helps you fall asleep more easily, but also promotes deeper and more restful sleep.
Sex strengthens your immune system
Sex can strengthen your immune system by increasing the production of antibodies that protect against infections, including the human papillomavirus (HPV). A small study by researchers at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania found that college students who had sex three or more times a week had more immunoglobulin A antibodies in their saliva, which improves the body’s ability to fight certain viruses and bacteria. Another study in 2021 found that sex was associated with a better ability to fight the COVID-19 virus.
One of the best things you can do for your immune system is to get enough quality sleep every night. Since sex is linked to better sleep, having it regularly can help boost your overall immune health.
Sex provides natural pain relief
The same hormones that help your body manage your stress also act as natural pain relievers. During sex, your body is flooded with endorphins, which interact with pain receptors in the brain, blocking the transmission of pain signals.
A 2013 study from the University of Münster found that among people suffering from migraine attacks or cluster headaches, sex helped alleviate their symptoms.
Sex promotes menstrual health
If you have menstrual cramps, sex can help ease the discomfort. Cramps occur when your uterus contracts to shed its lining. While orgasms also cause contractions of the uterine muscles, they are followed by a relaxation that can ease the tension. If you are not comfortable with period sex, masturbation has the same benefits.
Some research suggests that regular sex can help balance reproductive hormones such as estrogen and promote consistent ovulation in women with normal menstrual cycles who are not using hormonal contraception.
Sex benefits your mental health
During sex, your body releases feel-good hormones such as endorphins, oxytocin and dopamine. These hormones help reduce stress, improve mood and deepen emotional intimacy with your partner, which contributes to better mental health. Some studies also suggest that regular sexual activity is associated with lower rates of depression. In a survey of 16,000 American adults, respondents said that having sex at least once a week makes them as happy as earning $50,000 a year.
Sex strengthens your pelvic floor
When you have an orgasm, your pelvic floor muscles contract and relax naturally, giving you a gentle workout. These muscles support the bladder, intestines and uterus (in women) or prostate (in men). They also play a role during intercourse. For people with a vagina, being able to relax the pelvic floor can improve arousal and make orgasm easier; For men with penile pain, the pelvic floor muscles help control erection and ejaculation. Strengthening these muscles can not only make sex more pleasant, but can also give you better control of your bladder, reducing your chances of suffering from incontinence as you age.
Sex can improve heart health
Having sex can be good for your heart in many ways. This increases the heart rate, which is great for circulation and helps keep blood pressure in a healthy range. Some studies suggest that in younger and healthy men, regular sex can be associated with a lower risk of having a heart problem later.
For women, a study showed that the quality of their sexual experiences, rather than the frequency of sex, was associated with a reduced risk of heart problems. Another 2020 study found that heart attack patients who had sex at least once a week were 10% less likely to die from heart disease. But more research is needed to fully understand this link, and individual health is also likely to play a role.
Sex can prevent prostate cancer
Growing evidence suggests that men who ejaculate more often may have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. When you ejaculate, your body removes fluid and cells from the prostate, which can help remove potential toxins or harmful substances that could increase the risk of cancer. Although research varies on exactly how long sex lasts, a 2016 study found that men in their 20s and 40s who ejaculated at least 21 times a month reduced their risk of prostate cancer by up to 20 percent.
At hand
Regular sex has a long list of health benefits that can improve your overall well-being. To get the most of these benefits, try to incorporate sex into your routine regularly, either with a partner or for self-care such as masturbation. By doing so, you will not only improve your physical health, but you can also set yourself up for a happier and healthier life.
