Sex has major benefits, both emotionally and physically. A good sex life can be a recipe for happiness, while simultaneously aiding your immune system, sleep patterns, and overall bodily health. Need some convincing? Let’s get specific. Here 10 reasons why sex is good for the mind, body, and soul:
- Sex improves heart health
Like any physical activity, sex is good for the heart. As you increase your heart rate during sex, you are burning calories and getting in some extra “excercise.” Additionally, sex can lower blood pressure, decreasing the risk of heart attacks.
- Sex potentially protects from endometriosis
According to a Yale study, women who engage in sexual activity during menstruation are 1.5 times less likely to have endometriosis (characterized by the growing of tissue outside your uterus) than women who do not. When women orgasm, uterine contractions occur. These contractions induce more effective fluid clearance of the uterine cavity, which in turn can help fight endometriosis.
- Sex builds stronger pelvic muscles
The act of sex can help strengthen your pelvic floor. A strengthened pelvic floor can also offer benefits like less pain during sex and reduced chance of a vaginal prolapse. One study shows that PVI can result in reflexive vaginal contractions caused by penile thrusting.
- Sex reduces incontinence and improves bladder control
The strength of pelvic muscles affects stress incontinence; the weaker those muscles are, the less control you have over leakage during physical activity. Therefore, by increasing the strength of your pelvic muscles, you gain more control over your bladder.
- Sex helps produce more vaginal lubrication
When a woman becomes sexually aroused, her vagina produces extra lubrication. Lubrication is a key to preventing and aiding vaginal dryness. Since vaginal dryness can cause pain or discomfort during sex, soreness and itchiness around the vagina, and urinary tract infections, extra lubrication can be an excellent way to reduce or prevent physical irritation and unease.
- Relieve menstrual cramps
Menstrual cramps are a result of a woman’s uterus contracting to release lining. Likewise, when a woman orgasms the muscles of her uterus contracts, but they also release. This release eases the constant state of muscle tension during menstruation, relieving women of period cramps.
- Sex can bring glowing, younger looking skin
Ever heard of “morning after” glow? It’s not as crazy as it sounds: women do really look better after sex. Sex therapist Sandra L. Caron, PhD says that sex helps women look younger because of the combination of stress relief, lightened mood, and flush of the skin due to arousal.
- Sex improves fertility by enhancing the immune system
The fact that sex improves fertility might seem like a no brainer, but the reality is that the fertility boost comes from the positive effects sex has on the immune system. When you engage in sexual activity, your body becomes familiar with sex, sperm, and the chemcials that your body procudes from sex. Your immune system recognizes that these foreign “invaders”are not a threat, so it’s prepared to support rather than attack a zygote or fetus in the future.
- Sex relieves stress and lowers blood preassure
Sex triggers the release of endorphins, which boosts mood by relieving stress and pain. Further, a study from Biological Psychology found that sexual activity can prevent blood pressure from spiking during stressful events.
- Better Sleep and Increased Sexual Desire
Sex and sleep work hand in hand! If you do one, your chance of the other increases. Studies have shown that orgasms release the hormone prolactin, which increases sleepiness and relaxation. In turn, getting enough sleep can improve sexual drive.
Whether solo or with the partner of your choosing, the benefits of a robust sex life last well beyond the momentary pleasure.
by Brooke Kenerson