Generally speaking, humans are sexual creatures. Most people are sexually active for a good portion of their lives. Only about 1 % of the population are considered asexual and do not engage in sexual activity throughout their lives. Sexual intercourse certainly has a biological function, allowing for procreation. Indeed, that is why and how we were born. Our parents had sexual intercourse. But there are other benefits that go far beyond conception.
Health Benefits of an Active Sex Life
While the continuation of our species is certainly an important reason we engage in sexual activity, there are other reasons to maintain a healthy sex life. So while many couples have sexual intercourse in order to conceive, most intimacy occurs for the purpose of satisfying sexual urges. The health benefits of a healthy sex life – and orgasms- are enormous, and include:
- Lower blood pressure
- Better immune system
- Improved heart health, possibly including lower risk for heart disease
- Enhanced self-esteem
- Decreased depression and anxiety
- Increased libido
- Immediate, natural pain relief
- Better sleep
Sexually active people even take fewer sick days, resulting from better immune systems. For women, having sex improves vaginal lubrication, blood flow, and elasticity of the vagina which can improve the quality of sex and increase your desire to engage in sex.
Good sex acts like a workout for your pelvic floor muscles. A strong pelvic floor is important for avoiding incontinence, which is a problem for about 30% of women at some point in their lives. When you have an orgasm, it causes contractions of those muscles, working to strengthen them.
Sex certainly counts as exercise, helping you burn five calories per minute, four more calories per minute than is caused by watching TV. It pumps up your heart rate and uses a variety of muscles, making a good sex life good for your heart. In addition to being a great way to raise your heart rate, sex helps keep your estrogen and testosterone levels in balance. Balanced hormones help you avoid problems associated with low hormone levels, such as hypertension and heart disease. This is especially true for men.
Sex can even help with pain management. Before reaching for an aspirin, try an orgasm. Orgasms can block pain by releasing oxytocin and prolactin that help raise your pain threshold. Stimulation without orgasm can also be an effective way to relieve pain. Researchers found that vaginal stimulation can block chronic back and leg pain and many women even report that genital self-stimulation can help reduce menstrual cramps, arthritic pain and, and in some cases, even headache. Orgasms in men can also help ward off prostate cancer. Men who ejaculate more often have lower rates of prostate cancer. This includes nocturnal emissions and masturbation.
A healthy sex life even improves sleep. After orgasm, the hormone prolactin is released, which is responsible for relaxation and sleep. Additionally, being close to your partner can soothe stress and reduce anxiety. Touching and hugging can release your body’s “feel good” hormones. Having orgasms may even improve fertility and protect against endometriosis.
Psychological and Emotional Benefits of Sex
Sexual activity, with a partner or through masturbation, can provide important psychological and emotional benefits. Like exercise, sex can help reduce stress and anxiety and make you ah happier person.
Studies suggest that sexual activity (defined as penile vaginal intercourse), may also correlate with better mental health, increased levels of trust, greater intimacy and love in your relationships, as well as an improved ability to perceive, identify and express emotions. Related to that, sex also lessens the use of your immature psychological defense mechanism and reduces distress from emotional conflict.
For older people, sexual activity may even affect your overall well-being and ability to think. Research has shown that sexually active adults between 50-90 years of age or older have better memory and are less likely to feel depressed and lonely.
Physical and Relationship Effects of Sex
Frequent sexual activity, whether with a partner or alone, can make you look younger, due in part to the release of estrogen during sex. One study found that more frequent sex is associated with significantly younger appearance (7-12 years!!!!). The majority of the individuals associated with the study were also comfortable expressing their sexuality and sexual identity.
Sex can help you connect to your partner, thanks to oxytocin, which can play a role in developing relationships. You may find that consistent, mutual sexual pleasure helps promote bonding within a relationship.
Masturbation can offer many of the same benefits as sex, but is also has its own advantage, including:
- Enhanced sex between partners
- A greater understanding of your own body
- Increased ability for orgasms
- Boosted self-esteem and body image
- Increased sexual satisfaction
- Reduced likelihood for sexual dysfunction.
The Kinsey institute has done a lot of research into this topic and has a remarkable website devoted to this topic: www.OMGYes.com helps lift the veil on women’s sexual pleasure and demystify some of the facts behind sex.
The Benefit of Orgasms
ORGASMS are a critical component of sexual activity. Sometimes, the ability to reach orgasm can be diminished in women or men as the aging process occurs. Our practice offers the O-Shot for women and P Shot for men, a treatment specifically designed to improve orgasms. Our machine extracts healing properties from the patient’s own blood stream. After appropriate numbing ,we infuse those healing properties back into the patient.
For women, it can really help to achieve orgasm, but can also enhance bladder control. Men find they also have better erections with this procedure. These procedures are done in the office, with no significant preparation or down time. We also utilize the CO2RE Intima laser to treat vaginal problems related to estrogen deficiency, such as dryness and urinary incontinence.
