10 surprising health benefits of getting busy in the bedroom
1. Good for your immune system
Apparently, sexually active people take fewer sick days and have higher levels of what defends your body against germs, viruses, and other intruders!
2. Boosts your libido
It’s a Catch 22 kind of situation – having sex apparently improves your libido, which in turn is good for your health.
3. Improves your bladder control
Good sex is like a workout for your pelvic floor muscles. When you have an orgasm, it causes contractions in those muscles, which strengthens them. Good to know for somewhere down the line.
4. Lowers your blood pressure
Research suggests a link between sex and lower blood pressure. But why do we feel so flustered afterwards then?!
5. Counts as exercise
Sex is a really great form of exercise. It won’t replace the treadmill, but it definitely counts for something. Sex uses about five calories per minute, four more calories than watching TV. It gives you a one-two punch: It bumps up your heart rate and uses various muscles.
6. Good for your heart
A good sex life is good for your heart. Besides being a great way to raise your heart rate, sex helps keep your estrogen and testosterone levels in balance. When either one of those is low you begin to get lots of problems, like osteoporosis and even heart disease.
7. Lessens pain
Before you reach for an aspirin, try for an orgasm instead. Studies have shown that orgasms can block pain. It releases a feel-good hormone that helps raise your pain threshold.
8. Reduces risk of cancer
In men that is. Studies have claimed that men who ejaculated frequently (at least 21 times a month) were less likely to get prostate cancer.
9. Improves sleep
You may nod off more quickly after sex, and for good reason. After orgasm, the hormone prolactin is released, which is responsible for the feelings of relaxation and sleepiness. Sound familiar?
10. Eases stress
Being close to your partner can soothe stress and anxiety. Touching and hugging can release your body’s natural feel-good hormone and a brain chemical that revs up your brain’s pleasure and reward system.
