Studies have found that regular sex can have a host of health benefits for both men and woman.
For many in relationships, being able to connect with your partner on a physical level is crucial, but sex can also be important for our overall health, mood and stress levels.
Sexual activity, whether with a partner or through masturbation, can help boost wellbeing with several psychological and emotional benefits.
Much like exercise, can help reduce stress and anxiety as well as increase levels of serotonin and improve the quality of our sleep, according to the Daily Star.
Below are just some of ways that sex can improve our health.
What are the health benefits of sex?
According to WebMD, surprising health benefits from having sex include:
- Keeping immune system strong
- Boosting libido
- Helping with women’s bladder control
- Lowering blood pressure
- Counting as exercise
- Lowering heart attack risk
- Lessening pain
- May make prostate cancer less likely
- Improving sleep
- Easing stress
(Image: Getty Images/EyeEm)
Benefits of sex for men
A study with a 10-year follow-up was conducted in South Wales.
Researchers wanted to examine the relationship between frequency of orgasms and mortality.
The study took place from 1979 to 1983 with 918 men included aged between 45 and 59.
The men were given physical examinations that included a medical history, blood pressure reading, electrocardiogram and cholesterol screenings.
They were also asked about their frequency of orgasms.
At the 10-year follow-up, it was found that the mortality risk was 50% lower among men who had frequent orgasms (defined in the study as two or more per week) than among men who had orgasms less than once a month.
Benefits of sex for women
Sexual activity in women can:
- Improve bladder control
- Reduce incontinence
- Relieve menstrual and premenstrual cramps
- Improve fertility
- Build stronger pelvic muscles
- Help produce more vaginal lubrication
- Potentially protect you against endometriosis, or the growing of tissue outside your uterus.
“Many people do not recognise the vast array of health benefits sex has,” says Charisse Cooke, relationship psychotherapist.
“Of course, psychologically, sex is about bonding and connection, reassurance and feeling close to our partners.
“But there are many general health benefits to sex, including lowering our blood pressure, improving our heart health, acting as a pain reliever and boosting out immune system.
“Not only that, but it also helps us neurologically, improving our ability to focus and think analytically.”
Charisse added how research shows further benefits of sex are improved sleep, a decrease in mental health issues including depression and anxiety, and maintaining the health of the sex organs.
“In relational terms, sex also offers important benefits to our libido, the functioning of a couple and our ability to experience pleasure,” she said.
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