10 Shocking Health Benefits Of Sex - Page 4
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There are a lot of reasons to engage in bedroom activity–couple bonding and intimacy being one of the obvious ones. But there are an array of health benefits that can come from getting it in on the regular.
“Although it may sound like an obvious statement, sex does wonders for our bodies,” board-certified urologist Judson Brandeis told Insider.
Here are a few:
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Immune System Boost
“Anything that makes one more relaxed and happy can improve the immune system,” Dr. Felice Gersh, M.D.told Insider. Continuing, “even without an orgasm, just the human touch alone can be calming and improve immune function and reduce inflammation.”
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Can Help Those With Infertility Issues
“The same antibodies that help fight off bacteria and viruses also can help with conception,” Dr. Zhana Vrangalova, a professor of human sexuality at New York University and co-host of The Science of Sex podcast told Insider.
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Ultimate Stress Reliever
“During orgasm, our brains release chemicals like oxytocin that help us feel better and more relaxed,” Dr. Brandeis told Insider.
“A 2006 study published in Biological Psychology discovered that people not having sex experienced higher levels of stress during activities like public speaking compared to those that had sex at least once over a two week period prior to their speaking engagement.”
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Improves Sleep Quality
“There’s such a complex relationship between sex and sleep,” Dr. Brandeis told Insider. “because they are two of the body’s essential biological functions, fixing one can improve the other.”
“Sex and orgasms both release the hormone oxytocin, which increases trust, well-being and improves the bond between partners. As a result, stress is lowered and sleep is simpler to come by. Not to mention, sex can be quite a workout itself, which may lower your energy levels to just the right spot.” Brandeis explains.
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Mood Booster
“We’ve known for a while that people who report more frequent sex and greater sexual satisfaction with their partners also report greater happiness, that having sex is rated as the most pleasurable and least anger-, anxiety-, or sadness-inducing daily activity, and that people feel better on days with sex than days without sex,” Dr. Vrangalova told Insider.
“Several studies have shown that sex on one day led to a better mood, less stress, and higher meaning in life the next day, suggesting that sex might indeed be causing these feel-good effects. What’s more, this mood boost spills over into the workplace, so people [often] feel more satisfied and engaged at work the [day after a sexual encounter].”
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Can Help You Reach Your Fitness Goals
“Increased blood flow, enhanced flexibility and stamina are all positive results shared by sex and exercise,” Dr. Brandeis told Insider. “Sex itself can be a workout. Just as sex helps improve overall physical fitness, exercise improves sexual desire.”
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Can Help Prevent Prostate Cancer
“If men want to worry less about prostate cancer, they should be having intercourse or have a routine masturbation schedule. Ejaculating flushes out harmful substances from the prostate,” Dr. Brandeis told Insider.
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Pain Relief
“All human touch naturally quiets down the signaling of pain within nerve circuits. Orgasms cause a great release of natural endorphins, [which can lower our perception of pain],” Dr. Gersh told Insider.
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Relief For Menstrual Cramps
Dr. Carolyn DeLucia, OB/GYN and advisor to Remedy Review told INSIDER, “Sex may actually decrease cramps and will definitely make you feel better,” potentially leading to fewer aches and pains during that time of the month.
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Strengthens Pelvic Muscles
“Whenever people orgasm, their pelvic muscles contract, so it’s kind of like doing your Kegels,” Dr. Vrangalova told Insider.
“Sexual activity that includes genital vibration, in particular, may help strengthen your pelvic muscles, by increasing blood flow to the pelvic floor and activating the muscles. So your vibrating toy doesn’t just feel good, it may also have physical health benefits. And vibrating sex toys are often a sex life saver for many people with lower sensitivity in their genital area (like people who are postmenopausal, people with urinary incontinence, those who have sexual dysfunctions, or multiple sclerosis, who often struggle with reaching sexual arousal and orgasm.”
