13 Ways Sex Can Improve Your Health

Did you know that your sex  life directly affects your health? It does! In fact, there is some fascinating information available  now to help you discover the link between a healthy sex life and how it affects your health.

It seems that researchers are discovering that sex and orgasms have positive effects on most of the major bodily processes. Moreover, these are proving helpful in soothing our stressed-out minds.[1] Research reveals that orgasms are good for you, meaning sexual repression can result in you not being as fit as you could be.

Below are some of the areas of health that are influenced by our sexual activity–specifically the results from experiencing an orgasm on a regular basis.

1. Relieves Tension. After experiencing an orgasm, the moments that follow appear to be one of the few times when people actually allow themselves to completely relax and let go of the day’s stresses. This results in most distractions being put away and left for later as the afterglow of an orgasm is enjoyed.[2]

2. Helps you sleep better. Orgasms have the ability to act as your own personal tranquilizer. Most men tend to have a quick drop in their blood pressure after orgasm, whereas a woman’s drop is presure is more gradual. Experiencing an orgasm causes the release of endorphins in the brain, which results in calmness throughout the body. This is why most men are ready for a nap following orgasm, and women wish to enjoy times of cuddling and resting with their husband.[3]

3. Boosts your immune system. With orgasm, DHEA is released and as Dr. Theresa Crenshaw says, “DHEA may be the most powerful chemical in our personal world. It helps balance the immune system, improves cognition, promotes bone growth, and maintains and repairs tissues, keeping your skin healthy and supple. It can mean less frequent colds and flu.”[4]

In addition, Wilkes University in Pennsylvania says that those who have sex once or twice a week show 30% higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A, which is known to boost the immune system.[5]

4. Can cure headaches. The next time your wife says, “Not tonight honey, I have a headache,” gently share with her that sex has an added health benefit to act as a pain reliever. Because the hormone oxytocin is secreted during sexual activity, endorphins are released. The rise in the level of endorphins has been shown to relieve headaches, cramps and overall body aches.[6]

5. Can boost hormone levels. During sexual activity, both testosterone and estrogen levels experience a boost. Testosterone helps fortify bones and muscles, while keeping your heart in good working condition. In women, estrogen levels increase which help protect against heart disease.

“Ever wonder why women love the touchy, feely stuff so much? It’s because of their rise in estrogen levels. This hormone also plays a huge role in a woman’s body scent. While estrogen makes women sentimental, a rise in their testosterone levels is what makes them desire penetration.”[7]

6. Strengthens your body: It seems that the contractions that are experienced during orgasm can help to improve erection problems and incontinence. When 178 Belgian men with minor erection problems participated in a four month daily rehabilitation program which primarily focused on Kegel exercises, 74% showed improvement and 43% reported they were cured. For women, Kegels strengthen the entire uro-genital tract, aid in easing childbirth, and prevents the onset of incontinence.[8]

7. Alleviates Pain: Oxytocin is secreted in the body and it helps to release endorphins. These two hormones are natural opiates. When an orgasm is achieved, it then becomes a powerful analgesic because it elevates the pain threshold. Orgasms can even help to relieve the pain of arthritis, whiplash and headaches.[9]

8. Reduces your risk of heart disease: It’s simple — by having sex three or more times a week, individuals reduce their risk of heart attack or stroke by half.[10]

9. Increases blood flow: As arousal leads to orgasm, all parts of our body become saturated with fresh oxygen and hormones, while used blood is removed. This also helps to remove waste products that can cause fatigue and illnesses. This is caused in part by the deep breathing and muscle contractions that take place during arousal and orgasm.

10. Helps you lose weight: For every 3500 calories you burn you will lose one pound of fat. Sexual intercourse burns approximately 150 calories per half hour. In comparison, yoga uses 114 calories per half hour, dancing 129, walking – 3mph 153, weight training 153, volleyball 174. The pulse rate in an aroused person rises from about 70 beats per minute to 150–the same as that of an athlete putting forth maximum effort. British researchers have determined that the equivalent of six Big Macs can be worked off by having sex three times a week for a year.[11]

11. Creates healthier relationships: Oxytocin is also considered the bonding hormone–another reason to love it. It spikes three to five times higher than usual just before orgasm, actually triggering it. It can also be elevated through touch. Maybe that’s why so many of us feel compelled to blurt out how much we love our partner at climax.

12. Helps you to live longer: A British study of 1,000 people found that those who had at least two orgasms a week had half the death rate of the rest of the country, which admitted to indulging in sex less than once a month.

13. Sex causes you to crave more sex: When lovemaking takes place, it elevates the chemicals in your brain that are associated with desire. This means that when you have sex and enjoy your times of lovemaking, your libidos increase. This often increases your desire to have sex more often.[12] Maybe the converse is true. If we don’t do it, we’ll lose the desire? Or said another way, “Use it or lose it!

Footnotes:

[1] Dr. Kathleen Van Kirk, “Orgasms: Good for Body, Mind and Soul.” Found at http://www.sexualhealth.com/article.php?Action=read&article_id=401. Published 6.28.05. Viewed on 8.26.07.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] “The Secret Health Benefits of Orgasms,” by AskMen.com. Viewed at http://love.ivillage.com/lnssex/0,,askmen_bgswkm45-p,00.html on 7.31.07.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Dr. Gary and Barbara Rosberg, “Keep Sex Fun,” by Marriage Partnership. Article viewed at http://www.christianitytoday.com/global/printer.html?/mp/2006/004/3.38.html on 3.29.07.