Ten Health Benefits Of Sex

 

A good sex life is one way to stay happy, healthy and fit. When you're in the mood, it's a sure bet that the last thing on your mind is boosting your immune system or maintaining a healthy weight. However, you’ll be surprised of the many benefits of good sex, here are just ten of them.

 
1. Sex Relieves Stress

A big health benefit of sex is lower blood pressure and overall stress reduction.

 

 

2. Sex Boosts Immunity

Good sexual health may mean better physical health. Get fewer colds and other infections because of an increase in Immunoglobulin A (IgA), an antibody that fights infection.  Those who have "frequent" sex - once or twice a week - have higher levels of IgA than those who are abstinent, or have sex less than once a week, or even have it very often (three or more times weekly).

3. Sex Burns Calories

Thirty minutes of sex burns 85 calories or more. It may not sound like much, but it adds up: 42 half-hour sessions will burn 3,570 calories, more than enough to lose a pound. Doubling up, you could drop that pound in 21 hour-long sessions.

 

4. Sex Improves Cardiovascular Health

Research has found that having sex twice or more a week reduced the risk of fatal heart attack by half for the men, compared with those who had sex less than once a month.

 

5. Sex Boosts Self-Esteem

Sex has also been found to boost self-esteem and improve intimacy in your relationship. This is because sex and orgasms result in increased levels of the hormone oxytocin - the “love” hormone – that helps you feel bonded to your partner.

 

6. Sex Reduces Pain

As oxytocin increases, so do hormones known as endorphins, which in turn lessens feelings of pain related to everything from headaches and arthritis to symptoms of PMS. It can also help you to get a better night’s sleep.

 

7. Sex Strengthens Pelvic Floor Muscles

For women, doing a few pelvic floor muscle exercises known as Kegels during sex offers a couple of benefits. You will enjoy more pleasure, and you'll also strengthen the area and help to minimise the risk of incontinence later in life.

To do a basic Kegel exercise, tighten the muscles of your pelvic floor, as if you're trying to stop the flow of urine. Count to three, then release.

 

8. Sex Helps Regulate Periods

Women can get more predictable periods because of exposure to male pheromones.

 

9. Sex Improves Your Skin

Natural increases in estrogen improve the appearance of your hair, skin and nails.

 

10. Sex Tones

Sex helps tone your abs, glutes and pretty much any muscle in your body. However, this does not make it a substitute to working out.

 

Of course, these benefits are assuming you’re having sex with a mutually monogamous partner - otherwise you risk catching a sexually transmitted disease.

 

Marta Kargbo

Focus Health Personal Training

www.focushealth.biz