Health and Well-being Benefits of Sexual Behavior Human sexual activity Homosexual behaviour in animals may be sexual activity among same-sex species. Yet, researchers in fields as diverse as psychology, medicine and sociology have become ever-more intrigued in the past two decades in all the ways having sex (or more sex, or less sex) influences our lives. Sex, a topic that was once considered taboo, is now acknowledged as a factor in physical health, psychological well-being, and the quality of relationships.
This article focuses on evidence-based facts about the good effects of sex, pulling from peer-reviewed studies and trusted health research to underscore its benefits.
1. Physical Health Benefits
Cardiovascular Health Sex helps your heart.
Having sex is good for your cardiovascular health. According to results of a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology, men who had sex two or more times per week were less likely to get heart disease than those who had sex less often (Hall et al., 2010). The physical effort of having sex raises heart rate and blood flow, which is equivalent to mild or moderate exercise.
Immune Function
Sex might also give the immune system a boost. A study conducted at Wilkes University revealed that people who had sex once or twice a week were found to have more immunoglobulin A (IgA) — an antibody necessary for warding off respiratory infections (Charnetski & Brennan, 2004). This seems to indicate that having sex regularly can boost the body’s ability to fight off infection.
Pain Relief and Hormonal Regulation
When we climax the body pumps out the endorphins and oxytocin, which are both natural painkillers. Research shows that sex can inhibit menstrual cramping, relieve arthritis, and even cure headaches (Whipple & Komisaruk, 1985). In men, history of frequent ejaculation is linked with decreased prostate cancer risk, with one such large prospective cohort study (European Urology) indicating protective effects of ejaculation twenty-one or more times per month (Rider et al., 2016).
Sleep Quality
Relaxing and sleeping better: Released after orgasm, the hormone prolactin has been associated with relaxation, which can both improve sexual function and make it easier to fall asleep. People who have sex feel more rested than those who don’t, study shows If you get lucky, you’re guaranteed a better night’s sleep, new research says, lastella 2019 journal of health and social behavior }> lastella et al 2019 journal of health and social behavior.
2. Psychological and Cognitive Benefits
Stress Reduction and Mental Health
Sex has well-documented stress-reducing properties. Sexual activity was related to lower stress-induced blood pressure in comparison to abstinence and other intimate activity in Biological Psychology (Brody, 2006). Furhermore, sex causes a release of dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters involved in regulating your mood. This might explain why sexually active adults have lower anxiety or depression.
Self-Esteem and Confidence
Physical attraction in consensual relationships can help body-image and confidence. Similarly, the Journal of Sex Research found that those who reported more good sex also indicated greater self-esteem and life satisfaction (Muise et al, 2013).
Cognitive Function
Sexual activity in older adults is associated with improved memory and executive brain functions. Work published in The Journals of Gerontology (Wright & Jenks 2016) showed that both men and women aged 50 and older who had sex more often did better in verbal fluency and in lessons testing their short-term memory. This indicates that sex could be protective in cognitive ageing.
3. Relationship Benefits
Emotional Bonding
“They call oxytocin the ‘bonding hormone,’ so when you’re having sex, you’re increasing the level of trust and the level of intimacy with your partner,” Yoo says. Hormones and Behavior showed that increased oxytocin levels were associated with increased relationship satisfaction and emotional intimacy (Burri et al., 2014).
Communication and Conflict Resolution
Healthy sex leads to better communication One night of hot, steamy sex often leads to candid conversations. Those who can talk openly with their partners about their sexual desires tend to have those mutual bonds. Couples who enjoy their sex lives are couples who are more likely have a “happy” marriage and stick together in the face of adversity, according to a report from the National Marriage Project (Wilcox & Dew, 2012).
Commitment and Stability
Frequent sex has also been associated with stability in long-term relationships. Other research involving the same longitudinal data indicates that a couple that has a stable rate of sexual intimacy is less likely to dissolve, and thus sex appears to work to strengthen bonds and commitment (Lichter & Carmalt, 2009).
4. Social and Cultural Implications
Encouraging the health of sex has significant social implications. The more we can demystify sex and make it okay to talk about—like any other health concern or life-wrecking problem—the more likely people are to get the medical care they need for issues like erectile dysfunction, painful sex, or low sexual desire. This kind of openness is stigma-reducing, and it drives preventive care that contributes to wider public health goals. In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged sex good health as an essential element of general health indicating that its value goes beyond just reproduction.
5. Responsible and Safe Sexual Practices
With so many positives associated with sex, it is best enjoyed when its practice is safe and consensual. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stresses the need for condom and sex disease testing for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies. And equally important is consent: That only consensual and respectful sex yields the benefits featured in studies.
Conclusion
Consensual and safe sex has many health and well-being benefits. From lowering stress and enhancing immunity, to building better bonds and even boosting cognitive health the information is believable. Not just a dirty little secret, sex is key to human thriving. And as the world of science goes on to reveal such advantages, one thing remains certain: sex is good for the body, good for the mind, and good for the bonds that bind us to one another.
