Photo by W R from Pexels1. Boosts Immune System
People who have sex have higher levels of what defends your
body against germs, viruses, and other intruders. In a study of immunity in
people in romantic relationships, people who had frequent sex (one to two times
a week) had more immunoglobulin A (IgA) in their saliva. People who had
infrequent sex (less than once a week) had significantly less IgA. IgA is the
antibody that plays a role in preventing illnesses and is the first line of
defense against human papillomavirus, or HPV. But those who had sex more than
three times a week had the same amount of IgA as those who had infrequent sex.
The study suggests that anxiety and stress can possibly cancel out the positive
effects of sex.
“Sexually active people take fewer sick days,”
2. Good Appetite
People with active sex lives tend to exercise more
frequently and have better dietary habits than those who are less sexually
active.
3. Boosts Your Libido
Having sex actually boosts desire and help you crave more of
it. Sex boosts vaginal lubrication, blood flow to the vagina, and elasticity of
the tissues, all of which make for better, more pleasurable sex and heightened
libido.
4. Better Sleep
You may nod off more quickly after sex, and for good reason.
During orgasm, your body releases oxytocin, also called the “love” or
“intimacy” hormone, and endorphins which is responsible for the feelings of
relaxation and sleepiness. The combination of these hormones can act as
sedation for better sleep. Better sleep can contribute to a stronger immune
system, a longer lifespan, feeling more well-rested, having more energy during
the day, headache relief, provide full or partial relief from migraines and
cluster headaches.
5. Improves Women's Bladder Control
A strong pelvic floor is important for avoiding urinary incontinence,
a condition whereby the muscles and nerves are unable to help the bladder hold
or pass urine. Good sex is like a workout for your pelvic floor muscles. When
you have an orgasm, it causes contractions in those muscles, which strengthens
them.
6. Keeps you Fit
Sexual activity is controlled by a complex and coordinated
interplay of both the somatic and the autonomic nervous system in multiple
components of the brain, spinal cord, and relevant peripheral organs. Sex uses
about five calories per minute, bumps up your heart rate, burns calories and
uses various muscles. There is increased movement and circulation of blood to
these parts of the body. Though sex isn’t enough exercise on its own, it can be
considered light or good cardiovascular exercise.
7. Lowers BP and 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. 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.
Being close to your partner can soothe stress and anxiety.
8. Reduced Prostate Cancer Risk
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. An Anti-Aging Pill
Frequent sexual activity, whether with a partner or alone, can make you
look younger. This is partially due to the release of estrogen during sex. Looking
younger is a confidence booster.
Sexual activity in men can:
- Lessen risk of developing prostate cancer.
- Increase quality and health of sperm
- Reduce mortality
Sexual activity in women can:
- improve bladder control
- reduce incontinence
- relieve menstrual and premenstrual cramps
- improve fertility
- build stronger pelvic muscles
- help produce more vaginal lubrication
- protect against endometriosis, or the growing of tissue outside your uterus
- reduce stress and anxiety and increase happiness.
Disclaimer:
Sex isn’t the only indicator of health or happiness. You can still lead
an active and happy life without sex. The benefits of sex come from the feeling
of pleasure, which studies show can also come from listening to music, good
diets, other forms of exercise, interacting with pets, and having strong
religious faith. According to the National Health Service in the United
Kingdom, a long-term study of nuns reported that many of them lived well into
their 90s and past 100 years old.