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Top Ten Reasons Sex is Good for You

By Stacy Lloyd HERWriter June 17, 2010 - 8:27am
 
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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 our HERWriters' experiences, 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 Comment6 Comments

paulsmith1988

Im 19 year’s old, starting university in September so this is a pretty big year in my life. I've always been one to fail in love with girls. There was however this one lass who messed me over and cheated on me. Ever since I have been unable to really fall in love with a girl. I started to lose interest in girls all together to be honest, and it panicked me. Since her I haven’t been able to get turned on at all, I worry about being gay which makes me think i have anxiety. Don’t get me wrong there's nothing wrong with being gay, but I’ve always liked girls so i don’t really want to be gay. I'll admit when a guy is good looking, but recently because I’m so paranoid about my low sex drive that it’ll over analyses everything. When i think of girls, or watching porn, i do get hard, not majorly but i still see the result. Because i was so worried I’ve thought about men and sex but i get no reaction from my dick. Am i gay? Do i have low testosterone Low Testosterone ? Or anxiety? I just want to go back to how i was, i used to watch porn loads and was fine, as soon as i started to worry about it it’s like it’s getting worse and worse. Or I am Tensed that if I am suffering with any sexual dysfunction.

November 25, 2012 - 11:33pm
SteveBrad13

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September 11, 2012 - 12:36am
SondraBloxam Blogger

Thanks 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
alluragrace Blogger

Love 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 - 2:59pm
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Anonymous

Nice blog. It gives me lot of information. Thanks for sharing post.

August 26, 2011 - 4:04am
genie james

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?
Thanks so much!

July 12, 2010 - 11:50am
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