You’ve probably heard that sex is good for your health. And, barring STD’s, this is true. The perks of sex extend well beyond the bedroom.
Studies show multiple benefits for both men and women, ranging from better sleep to warding off cardiovascular disease to preventing incontinence.
So like it or not, consider incorporating sex into your fitness regimen.
Now for the benefits of sex:
- Sex can keep you fit by burning extra-pounds. Quickies of 20 minutes weekly equates to 7,500 calories annually. That is almost 75 miles of jogging. A sex session can burn about 200 calories. That is like running 15 minutes on a treadmill. Sex strengthens muscles; the pushing, pulling, bending and vigorous movement develops muscles of your pelvis, thighs, buttocks, abdomen, chest and arms.
- Sex can also be a pain reliever. Studies show that having sex and having an orgasm can be up to ten times more effective than pain relievers. Immediately before an orgasm occurs, levels of the hormone oxytocin rise by five times, releasing a substantial amount of endorphins. These chemicals calm pain, from a minor headache to arthritis and with no side effects. Migraines can also disappear because the pressure in the brain’s blood vessels is lowered while having sex.
- Sex improves the sense of smell. Following an orgasm, a rise of the hormone prolactin causes the brain to form new neurons, heightening one’s olfactory (sense of smell) abilities.
- Sex can help fights off allergies. Having sex is a natural antihistamine which helps combat asthma and hay fever.
- Sex balances hormones. Estrogen protects a woman’s heart and it can also be helpful to fight against Alzheimer’s and osteoporosis.
- Sex means better control of the bladder. The muscles that are utilized while having sex strengthens the pelvis, allowing for better control of the muscle responsible for the urine flow.
- Sex fights cancer. Researchers have found that sexually active women have a lower risk of developing breast cancer. Many cancers can be boosted by impairments of the hormonal balance, and perhaps sex and orgasm can fix this. Indeed, increased estrogen levels have been linked to higher risk of many cancers and increased testosterone levels in men has been linked to greater risk for prostate cancer.
- Sex can produce softer skin. While having sex, the estrogen level in the body doubles, and this makes the skin become supple. Sweating while having sex opens and cleanses the skin pores, renewing the skin thereby decreasing the risk of developing eczema.
BONUS: Sex also stimulates the release of estrogen, decreasing PMS.
