Sex and your well-being
>> Thursday, January 27, 2011
Many women have asked me about the benefits of sex in relation to health and well-being. Well, it turns out there has been a lot of scientific research done to give us some insight into this.
Studies done in the U.S. and England have revealed that couples who have sex at least 2 times a week had significantly lower stress levels. This was monitored by putting participants into highly stressful situations like public speaking or intense exercise and the checking their diastolic blood pressure and catecholamine levels afterward. The couples having more frequent sex showed better levels. Hmmm, interesting.
Sex also boosts the immune system. The same studies also found that having sex at least 2 times per week helps boost the amount of immunoglobulin in your bloodstream. This helps combat colds, flu viruses and other illnesses.
Sex can also be a great way to burn calories. A recent study showed that thirty minutes of sex burns 85 calories or more. It may not sound like much, but it adds up! Every little bit helps; plus, this exercise is enjoyable. 42 thirty minute sessions will burn 3,570 calories, so burning off those pounds may be within reach after all! In addition, lowered stress and lowered weight can lead to a reduction in cardiovascular disease. Amazingly, this reduction can be quite significant. The study in men actually showed that, when they had sex two times or more a week, there was a reduction in the risk of fatal heart attack by ½ as compared to those who had sex less than once a month.
Isn’t this interesting? Who would have thought sex could have so many positive health benefits
The studies also found that frequency of ejaculations in men in their 20’s correlated with reduction of prostate cancer later in life. The number of partners didn’t matter, but 5 or more ejaculations a week in the 20’s reduced prostate cancer by 1/3. Another study showed that 21 ejaculations or more per month in elderly men (as opposed to 4-7) was also linked to lower rates of prostate cancer.
And listen ladies, the more orgasms we have, the stronger it makes our pelvic floor muscles, which helps bladder control and frequency issues, especially as we get older. If your pelvic floor muscles are stronger, then you have better bowel control and are better able to hold back gas at those crucial times, oohhlaalaa! The stronger the muscles the stronger the orgasms, too.
During sex we release a very strong hormone called oxytocin. This is the hormone that gives us all the warm, loving feelings. Women release it during labor and when breast-feeding, and it helps them bond with their babies and make breast milk. They have found that when people are given this hormone, they are able to tolerate pain better, and that is why many of us find our headaches, PMS, and arthritis pain improve after sex. Oxytocin also improves our self-esteem, and that’s why having sex makes us feel better about ourselves. It has been called the love hormone, and because of that, having sex can improve intimacy and help us learn to bond and trust. When couples were tested for higher levels, they were shown to be more loving and generous to each other.
The last thing which I think we all know already, is loving sex promotes good sleep. What a surprise.
Studies done in the U.S. and England have revealed that couples who have sex at least 2 times a week had significantly lower stress levels. This was monitored by putting participants into highly stressful situations like public speaking or intense exercise and the checking their diastolic blood pressure and catecholamine levels afterward. The couples having more frequent sex showed better levels. Hmmm, interesting.
Sex also boosts the immune system. The same studies also found that having sex at least 2 times per week helps boost the amount of immunoglobulin in your bloodstream. This helps combat colds, flu viruses and other illnesses.
Sex can also be a great way to burn calories. A recent study showed that thirty minutes of sex burns 85 calories or more. It may not sound like much, but it adds up! Every little bit helps; plus, this exercise is enjoyable. 42 thirty minute sessions will burn 3,570 calories, so burning off those pounds may be within reach after all! In addition, lowered stress and lowered weight can lead to a reduction in cardiovascular disease. Amazingly, this reduction can be quite significant. The study in men actually showed that, when they had sex two times or more a week, there was a reduction in the risk of fatal heart attack by ½ as compared to those who had sex less than once a month.
Isn’t this interesting? Who would have thought sex could have so many positive health benefits
The studies also found that frequency of ejaculations in men in their 20’s correlated with reduction of prostate cancer later in life. The number of partners didn’t matter, but 5 or more ejaculations a week in the 20’s reduced prostate cancer by 1/3. Another study showed that 21 ejaculations or more per month in elderly men (as opposed to 4-7) was also linked to lower rates of prostate cancer.
And listen ladies, the more orgasms we have, the stronger it makes our pelvic floor muscles, which helps bladder control and frequency issues, especially as we get older. If your pelvic floor muscles are stronger, then you have better bowel control and are better able to hold back gas at those crucial times, oohhlaalaa! The stronger the muscles the stronger the orgasms, too.
During sex we release a very strong hormone called oxytocin. This is the hormone that gives us all the warm, loving feelings. Women release it during labor and when breast-feeding, and it helps them bond with their babies and make breast milk. They have found that when people are given this hormone, they are able to tolerate pain better, and that is why many of us find our headaches, PMS, and arthritis pain improve after sex. Oxytocin also improves our self-esteem, and that’s why having sex makes us feel better about ourselves. It has been called the love hormone, and because of that, having sex can improve intimacy and help us learn to bond and trust. When couples were tested for higher levels, they were shown to be more loving and generous to each other.
The last thing which I think we all know already, is loving sex promotes good sleep. What a surprise.
