Sex
Good Sex is Good for your Health
By Dr. Natasha Turner, ND
Think of your top 10 favorite things in life and I’ll bet that like most people, great sex ranks close to the top. Good sex is fun, feels great and studies prove it’s good for our health.
Like exercise, a balanced diet, sleep and a good attitude, it’s all about hormones. Having regular, safe sex gives us a host of physiological benefits. According to a 1997 study published in the British Medical Journal, men who enjoyed more orgasms had a death rate that was half of those lagging behind them. And wait, there’s more:
It reduces pain: Sex causes increased production of oxytocin. Before orgasm, oxytocin, which is released from the brain, surges up to five times the normal level, which in turn causes the release of endorphins, our natural pain-killing hormones. The area of the brain involved in pain reduction is highly activated during arousal and endorphins are released; endorphins soothe nerve impulses that may be causing menstrual cramps, migraines or joint pain, providing a nice comeback to the old “not tonight honey, I have a headache.” Oxytocin also affects the way we feel, helping us form strong emotional bonds as well as reduce pain. Regular sex can also boost your self-esteem and increase intimacy between partners.
It reduces depression: The endorphins released during sexual intercourse and orgasm are naturally calming and may ease mild depression or even work to prevent it. Be wary though, too much sex without meaning can actually cause depression.
It helps you sleep better: Sex is calming. After orgasm there is a point of extreme mental and physical relaxation—what a great way to prepare for bed!
It aids wound healing: Yet another benefit of the oxytocin surge in sex. Swedish researchers found that rats with cuts on their back who received injections of oxytocin healed twice as fast as those who did not.
It boosts immunity: Researchers have found higher levels of Immunoglobulin A in individuals who have regular sex. Immunoglobulin A is a type of antibody that helps to protect us from infections. It is normally found in high levels in the mucous membranes of the digestive and respiratory tracts.
It’s good for your heart: Intercourse, depending on your level of enthusiasm (and possibly skill) can be considered aerobic exercise, burning up to 200 calories per session. Research has found that men who have sex two times per week have fewer heart attacks than those who do not. The hormones released during sex cause an increase in blood pressure and heart rate and, like swimming, it can use almost every muscle in the body. After sex, blood vessels dilate and blood pressure is reduced. This change in blood vessel constriction may also help with tension headaches. Need I say more?
It gives you a glow: The glow of good sex is real. Women who have more sex have higher levels of estrogen, which is essential to healthy, smooth and shiny skin. is increase in estrogen also helps to protect us from heart disease, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease. Not only that, the more sex you have, the more you will be offered; when we are more sexually active we give off more pheromones, the chemicals we produce to increase the interest of the opposite sex.
Still not feeling in the mood?
If you notice a decrease in your libido, do not let it go unaddressed. Your sex drive is a basic human need—if you have no sex drive it is an indication that something is wrong. Relationship problems, depression, hormonal imbalance or stress can contribute to a lack of libido. Consider supplements to raise testosterone or reduce stress and see you doctor for proper assessment.
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