Having Sex Has Benefits? Here Are 7 of Them

Have you ever thought whether sex has any health benefits? Okay, this may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of sex or wanting to have sex. But does it?

We have grown up in a society where sex has been heavily tabooed. So much so that we have replaced “had sex” with “got action”, “getting laid”, “did the nasty”, “getting it down”, “devil’s dance”, “doing it”, and many, many more (God bless the Gen Z lingo!).

Only if we could claim that having sex has benefits, right? Fear not; there are a fair few benefits, and they are not made up. If you are “getting action”, here are some of the benefits you are qualified for.

1. Boosts Immunity

A study published by Psychological Reports showed that people who have regular and frequent sex can have an improved immune system.

It found that people who have sex once or twice a week had a 30 per cent increased IgA(immunoglobin A) compared to those who don’t. IgA is an antibody that indicates how strong our immune system is.

The greater the immunity, the greater your body’s capacity to fight infections and to bounce back more quickly when sick.

2. Relieves Pain

Sex can provide help with migraines and cluster headaches. Having an orgasm releases endorphins, which can lead to pain relief. A study found that 60% of people who suffered migraines and 37% of those with cluster headaches felt better after having sex during an episode.

3. Burns Calories

Yes, a no-brainer. You will burn a few calories if you get busy in the sack. It gets you moving. It engages your core muscles. It quickens your heart rate.

The level of exertion depends on how long you have sex, but it is definitely more than going for a walk! Oh, and more importantly, it is much more than doom scrolling.

If you are going to sit in front of the TV and binge Netflix, sex could be a healthier alternative! Netflix and Chill for the benefits!

4. Reduces the Risk of Prostate Cancer

There has been research that suggests that frequent ejaculation could lower your risk of prostate cancer.

A study of nearly 32,000 men over 18 years found that men aged 20 to 29 who ejaculated 21 times or more per month were 19% less likely to develop prostate cancer. The benefit was even greater for men aged 40 to 49, with a 22% lower risk.

Twenty-one might sound like a lot, but it does not necessarily mean that you need to have sex to reap the benefits - masturbation can help, too! So, if you are having difficulty getting laid, just fly solo.

5. Strengthens Your Pelvic Floor

Engaging in sex could also be extremely beneficial for women as well as it can help strengthen the pelvic floor. Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can help improve bladder and bowel control, reduce the risk of a vaginal prolapse and increase in sexual sensation.

If done safely, sex is an answer to many questions, it seems!

6. Improves Cardiovascular Health

Want to be healthier but hate doing cardio? Guess the answer: HAVE SEX! Sex helps to get your heart rate up and improves circulation.

There are studies that show that sexually active people have a lower risk of developing a heart problem. Sex can also help lower your blood pressure, which is, again, great for your heart.

Even though it can be beneficial, you should not cancel your gym membership just yet. Sex still counts as a moderate workout, but you should not completely replace exercise with it.

Nevertheless, it gets your heart rate up, engages your core muscles, increases flexibility, and, hell, even burns a few calories! If you are going to skip the gym, you might as well have sex.

7. Lowers Stress Levels

Sex can trigger the release of feel-good hormones like oxytocin and endorphins. Oxytocin’s stress-reducing effects, combined with the natural pain reliever effects of endorphins, can almost lull you to sleep.

That feeling of pleasure and utmost bliss that often accompanies post-sex is a result of the deluge of neurotransmitters in your brain keeping you stress-free and happy.

Hopefully, health benefits are not why you are having sex. But they do make the deal sweeter. Sex has both physiological and psychological benefits. It improves your mood, helps you lose calories, and, most importantly, PROTECTS YOU FROM CANCER!

I don’t know if you’d ever get a better deal than this, but if you do, you know where to find me!

Q. Is sex safe to have on your period?

A. It is absolutely safe to have sex on your period. However, it’s important to note that you may still get pregnant or contract an STI, so remember to use contraception.

Q. How often should I have sex?

A. No limit specifies how much sex one should have. But there’s a study that suggests having sex once a week is ideal for couples. Again, there is no rigid number.

Q. Why do I feel sleepy after sex?

This is natural as our body releases the hormones oxytocin, prolactin and melatonin. All of these hormones can make you feel extremely relaxed, and a combination of all three can easily knock you out!

Q. Can having sex lead to a longer life?

There have been studies that have linked longer life to people who are sexually active after the age of 65. Sex can improve your heart health and prevent heart attacks.

Q. What if a sexual experience doesn’t include an orgasm?

This is especially true for women. While some neurotransmitters only activate with an orgasm, there are still plenty that are triggered regardless. Even if you do not orgasm, it can still be a beneficial and satisfying experience.