Top Ten Reasons Sex is Good for You
Okay, we know that sex is fun, but guess what? It’s good for you too! The top ten healthy benefits of good sex are even backed up by experts, researchers and scientists:
1. Sex is a stress reliever
Sex can lower blood pressure and reduce stress. One study looked at women’s heart rates and cortisol levels as a measure of stress response. It found women showed less stress after good sex with a partner. Emotional support alone didn’t have the same effect.
2. Sex boosts immunity
Good sexual health can mean better physical health. Having sex once or twice a week has been linked with higher levels of antibodies that can protect you from getting colds and other infections.
3. Sex burns calories
Thirty minutes of sex burns around 85 calories. That may not seem like much, but the more sex you have, the more you burn. Sex versus the gym… hmmm?
4. Sex improves cardiovascular health
Women who have more sex tend to have higher levels of estrogen, which protects against heart disease.
5. Sex boosts self-esteem
Researchers at the University of Texas found that a self-esteem boost was one of 237 reasons people have sex.
6. Sex improves intimacy
Orgasm and having sex increases levels of oxytocin, the so-called love hormone. It helps us bond and build trust. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of North Carolina evaluated 59 premenopausal women before and after contact with their husbands and partners. They found that the more contact, the higher the oxytocin levels.
7. Sex reduces pain
As the hormone oxytocin surges, endorphins increase and pain decreases. So if your headache, muscle aches or PMS symptoms seem to improve after sex, go ahead and thank the oxytocin.
8. Sex strengthens pelvic floor muscles
Bring on the Kegels! Doing a few of these exercises during intercourse offers several benefits. Women have more pleasure; they’re strengthening their pelvic area and helping to minimize the risk of incontinence later in life.
9. Sex helps you sleep better
According to researchers, oxytocin released during orgasm also helps you catch more z’s.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a Comment4 Comments
Stacy, great article with good stats to motivate your readers. I also emphasize the many health benefits of an active sex life in my latest book IN THE MOOD AGAIN. I am interested in your source for the sex-estrogen-heart health connection. Can you provide?
July 12, 2010 - 11:50amThanks so much!
This Comment
Nice blog. It gives me lot of information. Thanks for sharing post.
August 26, 2011 - 4:04amLove it! I wrote a similar article about Sex being the True Fountain of Youth and Good for your Health! http://www.oceanusnaturals.com/blog/the-true-fountain-of-youth-sex-is-go...
September 1, 2011 - 2:59pmThanks for sharing this! It's always good to remind ourselves that our sexual health needs attention too, after all it is a large part of ourselves and our happiness :)
January 11, 2012 - 10:35am