The Health Benefits of Having Sex
by kalyani10
You always knew that there was nothing like an early morning romp between the sheets to prep you up for the day. Now however you can attribute the feel-good effects of sex to actual medical grounds. Health experts and researchers are coming up with more evidence every day which suggests that sex is not only good for your relationship but for your health too. Here are some health benefits of having sex – whether as a long-drawn passion play or even a quickie.
A well-toned body
Unlike posting Facebook updates or watching telly, sex is one of those pleasurable things that cannot be done in a sedentary posture – to the get the best of your lover, you need to get moving. Even the pot of gold at the end of the love-making marathon has benefits similar to a workout – in other words, the orgasm attained like all forms of exercise is useful for reducing weight and keeping the body in shape. In fact, according to some estimates, one can burn up to 200 calories during just a half-hour love-making session which in turn is sure to – at least theoretically - include an orgasm or three.
Relieves stress
That an orgasm after sex has a calming influence is by now well-known since men are often comically portrayed in popular culture as falling asleep right after making love, without so much as mumbling a ‘good night’. But recent studies show that the same easing of stress may be available to women too. The faster heartbeat, the increased blood flow and the muscular tautness associated with sexual pleasure all come to a relaxing conclusion with an orgasm, and in the process relieve tensions pent up in the nervous system. Also the rush of hormones like oxytocin and endorphins stimulated by orgasms not only reduces stress but also lower blood pressure levels. This is good news for your cardiovascular system since high blood pressure coupled with greater stress can lead to heart attacks.
You sleep better
The same endorphins that help you de-stress after an episode of lovemaking can also relax your mind and body, thus priming you for slumber, according to Cindy M. Meston, Ph.D., director of the Sexual Psychophysiology Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin and co-author of Why Women Have Sex1. Endorphins are known for having a sedative effect which is especially beneficial to partners harried with overtime at work and multitude of chores at home. Moreover, during orgasm, the hormone prolactin is released which could have a strong relation with sleep since prolactin levels in the body are naturally higher during sleep.
And yet before you decide to try sex as a cure for insomnia, bear in mind that a hectic romp between the sheets can actually have the opposite effect – making you energetic and active when the last thing you want is to go to sleep. So if you are planning to turn in early, go about a subdued love-making session and you will drop off in no time.
Soothes pain
The soothing influence of orgasm may go further and it could be a powerful pain-killer. Oxytocin, a natural chemical in the body that surges before and during climax, is believed to be the main source of pain-relief along with a couple of other compounds like endorphins which closely resemble morphine, and hence are effective in relieving pain. Also sex may help women to get relief from menstrual cramps and even result in lighter periods. This is because when a woman orgasms, her uterus contracts and, in the process, rids the body of cramp-causing compounds. Besides this, the increased number of uterine contractions can also help expel blood and tissue more quickly, thus helping to end a period sooner.
In fact you don’t even need your partner around to get its benefits which can be just as easily availed with some solo sex. According to a study by Beverly Whipple, Professor Emeritus at Rutgers University and a famed sexologist and author, when women masturbated to orgasm “the pain tolerance threshold and pain detection threshold increased significantly by 74.6 percent and 106.7 percent respectively”2. Best of all, it is an analgesic, not an anesthetic, meaning it suppresses pain without affecting sensitivity to touch -- a critical factor in ensuring a happy sex life for men and women.
Heals wounds
The surge of oxytocin during orgasms can have more noticeable effects too among its benefits. Some experiments have shown that oxytocin can help even stubborn sores, like those suffered by diabetics, to heal by regenerating certain cells.
Prevents infections
People who have sex were found to have higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IGA), according to researchers at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania3. These antibodies help combat diseases and keep the body safe from colds and flu. In women, orgasms can serve to keep the private parts healthy and well-lubricated. The extra stimulation preceding and accompanying an orgasm causes blood to rush into the genital tissue, keeping it supple and refreshed. In fact loss of lubrication in the female genitals is associated with a host of urinary tract problems, ranging from vaginal dryness to urinary tract infections too.
Lowers cravings
Sex resulting in both partners hitting an ecstatic peak can also be an effective way to calm your cravings for junk food and sometimes for cigarettes. Sexual stimulation activates the production of phenetylamine4, a kind of natural amphetamine that regulates your appetite and could prevent mindless binging or other unhealthy addictions.
Look younger
That radiant look your friend has been sporting after falling head over heels in love could actually be because he/she has been playing nooky more often than before. The youthful glow commonly ascribed to being in love is one of the results of greater release of hormones like testosterone and estrogen on account of more frequent sex. The release of these hormones can keep the body looking young and vital and estrogen especially has also been shown to promote soft skin and shiny hair.
Better Bonding
Finally what is sex but a way of bringing two people closest in both the physical and emotional sense? While lovemaking is the most obvious way men express their love with their partners, Evolutionary theorists have explained the bonding benefits of female orgasm too. The chief among these focuses on the emotional effects of orgasm which in primitive times was believed to have brought about closer bonding with a single partner and hence made her a more capable nurturer of the offspring on the way.
References:
- Log in to post comments
