For healthy, consenting adults, sex can be
great or even mind-blowing. But getting busy
with a partner can also have some legit
benefits beyond our brainwaves. Studies
have found that regular sex can do way
more than make us feel warm and fuzzy.
Go through my list as explained below..
- It helps ward off cold and flu.
Researchers found that university students
who engaged in sexual activity a few times a
week had higher levels of immunoglobulin
A-an antibody that helps fight infections
and the common cold-in their saliva.
Interestingly enough, the IgA levels were
highest in couples who consistently had sex
a few times a week, but lower in people who
had no sex or lots of sex.
- It reduces depression and stress.
No need for chocolate: Some studies show
that contact with semen during intercourse
can act as an antidepressant for women .
But don't worry: Doing the deed has positive
mental-health associations for everyone! in
general, intercourse can make blood
pressure less reactive to stress and reduce
overall stress levels .
- It boosts brainpower.
A study on adult rats found that the sexually
active rodents experienced an increase in
neurons in the hippocampus-a part of the
brain that stores memories-compared to
their virginal rat buddies. Not only that, but
researchers at the University of Amsterdam
found that sexual encounters may improve
tne gym, consider tnis: working out regularly
tends to improve our sex lives, and having
sex regularly can improve physical fitness.
Everyone who's ever watched an R-rated
movie knows sexytime can be quite the
Cardio workout-in fact, half an hour of sex
can burn more than 144 calories. Studies
have also shown that exercising frequently
can enhance sexual performance.
- lt relieves pain.
Gettin' frisky releases a bevy of hormones
that can reduce pain. Oxytocin, the "cuddling
hormone" that makes folks want to snuggle
up after sex, reduces stress and promotes
feelings of calm and wellbeing. Sex also
releases serotonin, endorphins, and phenyl
ethylamine, hormones that generate feelings
of euphoria, pleasure, and elation-and make
people forget all about that nagging sore
muscle or back twinge. Other studies have
shown intercourse can stop migraines in
their tracks and reduce the uncomfortable
side effects of rheumatoid arthritis.
- It improves sleep.
|t’s a cliché that dudes pass out right after
sex, but intercourse actually can help both
men and women nod off. Feeling relaxed and
comfortable are big factors in hitting the big
O, so it makes sense that there's a tendency
to want to snooze right after. During and
after sex, the brain releases powerful
hormones (including norepinephrine,
serotonin, oxytocin, and vasopressin), which
can trigger the urge to cuddle or just pass
out. Men are especially likely to zonk out
because the prefrontal cortex-the part of
the brain responsible for interpreting and
responding to new information-slows
waaaay down immediately after orgasm in
males.
- It enhances your sense of smell.
Oddly enough, spending some time between
the sheets can help our noses do their job
even better. After sexual intercourse, the
body produces the hormone prolactin, which
creates new neurons in the olfactory
bulb-the part of the brain that controls how
we understand and react to smells.
- It makes us look younger.
A little afternoon (or morning) delight
doesn't just make you feel great; it can
actually make you glow! A Scottish study
showed that loving, supportive couples who
had intercourse three or more times a week
appeared on average 10 years younger than
their actual age. Orgasms trigger the release
of the sex hormone estrogen in both men
and women. Estrogen improves hair and
skin quality, making people look more
attractive .
- It lowers blood pressure.
High blood pressure puts pressure on the
blood vessels, leading to damage and
narrow, hardened arteries. The same effects
that endanger the cardiovascular system
can also cause erectile dysfunction in men
(think about it for a second...) and reduced
arousal and ability to achieve orgasm in
women. Testosterone, a sex hormone power
player for both ladies and gents, could be a
solution. Studies have shown a link between
low testosterone and high blood pressure,
while the spikes in testosterone associated
with sexual activity might help lower blood
pressure
- It decreases risk for heart disease.
Good news, dudes! Studies show doing the
deed actually reduces risk of stroke and
coronary heart disease in men . According to
the study, men who had sex once a month or
less were 45 percent more likely to contract
a cardiovascular disease than friskier
fellows. The evidence suggested the men
with better overall health had higher libidos
and therefore more sex overall, which
reinforced their healthy cardiovascular
systems.
- It regulates periods.
Some athletic (hetero) lovemaking once or
twice a week can, on a very basic level, make
it less likely that Aunt Flow will show up
unexpected. in one study, scientists found
that women exposed to male sweat were
calmer and more relaxed than the control
group. These women also experienced
smaller Changes of levels of luteinizing
hormone (which controls the menstrual
cycle) in the blood. Getting’ jiggy with it also
reduces stress, another contributing factor
in keeping periods more regular.
- lt improves tooth health.
This one's a bit of a reach, but bear with us.
in addition to sperm, semen contains
minerals like calcium, magnesium, and
zinc-which are also found in root canal
fillings. Zinc and calcium are also
ingredients in most commercially available
tooth rinses. We'll let you do the math...
- lt fights prostate cancer.
The link between frequent ejaculation and
prostate health is still up for debate.
According to some studies, regular sex
“flushes out" any carcinogens lurking in the
prostate gland, making it less likely to
become cancerous . But a more recent study
showed that very frequent sexual activity in
young men (20s and early 30s) could
actually increase the risk of developing
prostate cancer . Meanwhile, frequent
ejaculation in middle-aged or older (50+)
men decreased disease risk. in other words,
the verdict is still out on this one-though
things look pretty good for the older gents
among us.
It lowers risks during pregnancy.
Pregnant ladies, time to get your groove on.
Frequent sexual intercourse-and exposure
to semen-can reduce the risk of developing
a serious pregnancy complication called
preeclampsia (which can cause swollen
extremities, headaches, nausea, and even
seizures). A protein found in semen, called
HLG-A, can regulate women's immune
systems and lower the possibility of
experiencing these complications.It makes fertilization easier.
For people trying to get a bun in the oven,
there's no such thing as too much "trying." A
study at an Nigerian fertility center showed
that men who ejaculated daily for seven
days had higher-quality sperm at the end of
the week. The sperm's rate of DNA
fragmentation dropped from 34 percent to
26 percent, meaning it was heartier and
more likely to fertilize an egg-probably
because frequent sex (and ejaculation)
means sperm spend less time in the
testicular ducts and are less likely to be
damaged over time.
