Sex is an integral part of your life. For healthy and consenting adults, it can be a great way to boost their intimacy and make their bond stronger.
However, apart from improving the relationship, sex can also offer numerous health benefits. Maintaining a healthy sexual life is crucial for both your mental and physical health.
Studies have found that regular sexual activities can improve the quality of your life in many surprising ways. Want to know how?
Continue reading to learn about some research-backed benefits of a healthy sexual life.
Health Benefits of Sex
Known as an excellent cardiovascular exercise, sex can also improve your immune system, lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of any cardiovascular disease, eliminate stress, and many more.
1. Sex Can Promote Healthy Heart.
Partnered sex can be extremely beneficial for cardiovascular health, particularly for women.
A 2016 research states that sexually active women have a lower risk of heart disease later in their life.
It’s because regular healthy sex can increase your heart rate and keep your testosterone and estrogen level in balance.
2. It May Reduce Blood Pressure.
Having high blood pressure can increase your risk of having a heart attack. Taking medicines for high blood pressure can have some adverse effects on your health, such as decreasing libido and causing erectile dysfunction.
Research on older women found that those who were satisfied with their sexual life tended to have less heart attack. However, the result wasn’t the same for older men.
3. Sex Can Boost Your Immunity.
Sexually active people become less sick than others. It’s because those who have frequent sex have more immunoglobin A (IgA) in their system compared to others, according to a 2004 research.
IgA is an antibody that lives in the nose, salivary glands, and vaginal tissue. It’s responsible for preventing illness such as human papillomavirus, or HPV.
Conducting healthy sex regularly can make your defense mechanism stronger against certain germs, pathogens, and deadly viruses.
4. It May Reduce The Risk of Prostate Cancer
Regular sexual intercourse may help ward of cancer among men. Those who have frequent penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI) are less likely to develop prostate cancer.
A recent study has found that men who have an average of 4.6 to 7 ejaculations a week have reduced the risk of prostate cancer before the age of 70.
Besides, maintaining a healthy sexual life can also affect mortality. The research concluded that there is a 50% less mortality risk among the men who have frequent orgasms.
5. Sex Can Improve Sleep.
You may fall asleep pretty quickly after having sex, and there’s a good reason for that.
Sexual activity has some hormonal benefits for sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
It’s because sex can release hormones like dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins throughout the body. These hormones can reduce stress and promote better sleep.
Besides, a hormone called prolactin starts to circulate after a person has an orgasm, which can induce feelings of relaxation and satisfaction, thus helps you to sleep.
6. It Can Reduce Pain in Women.
Sexual activity in women can increase blood flow and release natural pain-relieving chemicals. That’s why sexually active women less likely to have menstrual cramps than others.
Maintaining a healthy sexual life can strengthen your pelvic floor, meaning that you will have less during sex. It can also reduce incontinence, improve fertility, bladder control.
Besides, frequent sex may protect you from endometriosis, a disease that causes tissue growth outside your uterus.
7. Sex Can Improve Your Mental Health.
Any sexual activity, through masturbation or with a partner, can significantly improve your psychological health.
Research suggests that regular sexual intercourse may increase satisfaction, improve the ability to express emotion, and reduce anxiety, depression, and stress.
Besides, those who maintain a healthy sex life are highly likely to have a better memory when they get old.
8. It May Help You Look Younger & Confident.
Frequent sex can help you look younger than others. It’s because the estrogen hormone gets released during sex, which allows you to look significantly younger.
A study found that having regular sexual activity can make you look approximately seven to 12 years younger than your current age. You will feel more confident and comfortable expressing your sexual identity.
Precautions You Need
Sex has some potential health benefits and can be a pleasurable activity. However, sexual activities without any protection can cause severe health-related problems.
- There is a high risk of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) if you don’t use contraceptives. Always use a condom for the sake of you and your partner’s safety.
- Always check if you or partner have an STD or other diseases that may prevent you from sexual intercourse.
- If the sex causes bleeding and becomes painful, immediately consult a doctor.
Conclusion
In any romantic relationship, sex plays a vital role in making the bond stronger between the partners. A regular healthy sexual activity can increase the trust and love between two persons.
Apart from that, there are so many health benefits that you may have by maintaining a healthy sexual relationship with your loved ones. It can decrease your stress, lower your blood pressure, and decrease the possibility of heart disease.
However, it’s also crucial that you follow some precautions if you’re sexually active. Do not forget to use a condom to ensure safe and healthy sex.