Humans are social animals. Our lives thrive on relationships, and sex is an integral part of human relationships. It caters to reproductive function and contributes to one’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. Physical contact has always been an expression of love and affection among living beings and it is important for survival. But there are surprising benefits of sex when it comes to human beings.
Sex is a way to bond with one’s partner emotionally. For some, having sex means bolstering a relationship. While for others, it is a merely fun and pleasurable act that improves self-confidence and helps partners connect positively with each other as well as with their own bodies. Whatever the reasons you may have for sex, it’s important to know that having healthy sex has many benefits in addition to pleasure.
Surprising Ways How Sex Can Benefit Your Body
1. Sex boosts your immunity
Studies show that a surprising benefit of individuals who lead a healthy sex life is better immune status than their counterparts. People having sex at least two times a week have increased levels of antibodies in their saliva. It is also observed that women are less prone to bacterial and viral diseases in their reproductive lives. On the other hand, females are more prone to autoimmune diseases in the same age cohort, implying their immune system has the upper hand during their active sexual years.
Sex causes the release of the hormone oxytocin, which in turn decreases the cortisol hormone. Cortisol is a red flag for our immune system. Indeed it is shown that hugging, holding hands and other fondling measures help ease anxiety and stress by cutting back the cortisol levels. This is big regarding boosting immune status.
2. Sex improves libido
You may be surprised to learn that sex can benefit your libido. So hold back the urge to put off sex for later. Sex improves the local blood supply to the genital area and local tissue elasticity, which makes having frequent sex even more of a pleasurable experience.
3. Sex improves heart function and lowers blood pressure
Sex serves as a cardiovascular exercise. It helps strengthen muscles, improves heart health, and reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease in general. Studies reveal that sex lowers blood pressure, which further acts as an adjunct to heart health. It is also seen that women who enjoy a regular sexual routine were less prone to cardiac ailments in later life.
4. Sex relieves pain
Researchers have observed that people who suffer from cluster headaches and migraines get partial or complete relief when they engage in sex, as this study shows. This may be due to sex causing the release of hormones called endorphins, which act as natural pain-relievers in the body. Also, sexual activity results in the release of oxytocin, serotonin (a natural antidepressant) and phenylethylamine (activator of the brain’s pleasure center) all play a role in getting our bodies out of stress, thereby alleviating painful conditions like menstrual cramps, arthritic pain and even back pain.
5. Sex reinforces pelvic floor muscles
Sex has some remarkable benefits for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles in women. Generally, women experience weak bladder and urine incontinence after passing the childbearing age into menopause. Regular orgasms and sex tones the pelvic muscles the same way as kegel exercise.
A study revealed that intercourse causes reflexive vaginal contractions caused by penile thrusting. It also showed that hormones in the semen cause increased blood flow and oxygenation in the vaginal tissues, a process thought to contribute to vaginal health.
6. Sex aids weight loss
While sex may not be the ultimate solution for the obesity pandemic, it still counts as physical exertion. You may be a gym buff but believe me when I say that sex can contribute to shedding some extra pounds on the weighing scale. A study was carried out to calculate the amount of caloric output during sex and showed that men burned on average 101 calories and women 69 calories when they had sex. The researchers placed the intensity levels higher than walking but lower than jogging, corresponding to moderate-intensity exercise. It is safe to conclude that revving up your sex gear may help you lose some figures around your waist.
7. Sex helps you sleep better
Have you ever noticed the sleep wave that comes over you after a sexual encounter? It is because sex causes the release of hormone prolactin that is a natural sleep aid. The hormone helps induce a relaxed state. This, in addition to the effects of oxytocin and other stress-relieving hormones, acts as a sleep elixir. In women, the after-sex increased levels of estrogen hormone induce a deep REM sleep phase.
8. Sex lowers cancer risk
Sex decreases the risk of prostate cancer in men who frequently have penile-vaginal intercourse. A study found that men who experienced four to seven ejaculations per week had 36% fewer prostate cancer chances before the age of 70. Similarly, in women, frequent sex is linked with fewer chances of endometriosis, a condition that may develop into cancer in high-risk individuals.
9. Sex delivers anti-aging upshots
Can sex turn back the clock? It seems it can. Researchers may have found the fountain of youth when they say that sex has anti-aging benefits. How? Well firstly because of all the right hormones being released during sex. Oxytocin, endorphin, estrogen, and so on. Sex also delivers anti-inflammatory upshots by improving immunity, enhancing blood supply, and increasing the body’s toxic waste removal. So we do not suggest to ditch your skincare regime but rev it up by having sex at least twice a week.
A vibrant, healthy sexual life can impact your physical health in many ways. More than a warm and fuzzy effect, sex can relieve stress, lower your risk for chronic disease and even cut back on cancer risk.
