What Aspects of Life and Health Can Sexual Activity Benefit?
Sexual activity can positively influence and impact many aspects of life including-
-
Physical aspects.
-
Psychological aspects.
-
Emotional aspects.
-
Intellectual aspects.
-
Social aspects.
What Are the Physical Benefits of Sex?
Sex is a form of cardiovascular exercise that can benefit the body in the following ways-
-
It burns calories.
-
Muscles are strengthened over time and with regular sexual activity.
-
It reduces blood pressure.
-
It improves heart health.
-
It increases sexual desire.
-
It provides relief from headaches and migraines.
-
It improves sleep.
-
It helps build immunity.
-
It can make people appear younger, particularly due to the release of estrogen during sex.
What Are the Psychological Benefits of Sex?
-
It provides stress relief.
-
It improves mental health satisfaction.
-
It builds trust and intimacy in relationships.
-
It improves emotional intelligence and availability.
-
It lessens feelings of depression and loneliness.
-
It can also improve memory in older adults over 50 years of age.
What Are the Social Benefits of Sex?
Sexual activity increases intimacy and bonding between partners in a relationship. This is especially true if they enjoy a satisfactory sexual relationship together - it is mediated by the release of oxytocin which heightens sexual arousal and increases feelings of attachment and bonding.
Are There Any Specific Benefits of Sexual Activity According to the Gender?
Sexual activity does have benefits specific to men and women. These include:
In Women-
-
Improved blood flow.
-
Pain relief due to the release of certain chemicals.
-
Strengthening of pelvic muscles.
-
Improved fertility.
-
Relief from premenstrual and menstrual cramps.
-
Improved bladder control.
-
Reduced incontinence.
-
Better vaginal lubrication.
-
Offers protection against endometriosis (growth of uterine tissue outside the uterus).
-
Lesser vaginal atrophy.
-
Reduced chance of vaginal prolapse.
In Men-
-
Reduced chances of developing prostate cancer.
-
Having sex more often reduces the mortality risk in men by at least 50 %.
How Does Sexual Activity Benefit Heart Health?
Sex acts as a protective factor against heart diseases. However, the benefits of sex in heart health appear contradictory between genders. Women who are sexually active with a regular partner are apparently at a lower risk of developing heart disease later in life. The opposite is said to be true for men. High sexual activity levels could lead to an increased risk of cardiac events in men according to some studies, while others claim it is protective.
How Does Sexual Activity Benefit Blood Pressure?
-
Blood pressure is an important indicator of cardiovascular health. Blood pressure and sex can mutually affect each other.
-
In older women, regular, satisfactory sexual activity decreases the chances of having high blood pressure.
-
In older men, high blood pressure that already exists may cause a reduction in libido, and also affect their erection ability. In addition, medication for hypertension is not likely to make the situation better. In fact, antihypertensive medication has been linked to reduced libido and may even result in erectile dysfunction.
-
Hypertension may also constitute a risk factor in being able to have sex without fear in those with heart diseases.
-
However, for the most part, people with high blood pressure can engage in sexual activity without fear.
How Does Sexual Activity Impact Headaches?
- Sexual activity improves the symptoms of migraines and cluster headaches and can provide partial to complete relief in patients.
- While the exact mechanism is unknown, it is believed that the release of endorphins during arousal and orgasm is probably at least partially responsible for pain relief.
- Endorphins act as natural pain relievers in the brain and this could be why they potentially numb the painful sensations associated with migraines and cluster headaches.
- However, in some people, sex may lead to either the onset of or the worsening of headaches.
How Does Sexual Activity Benefit With General Pain Relief?
The endorphins released during sex are said to be extremely beneficial in relieving the following kinds of pain:
-
Premenstrual and menstrual cramps.
-
Labor pains.
-
Backache.
How Does Sexual Activity Boost Immunity?
People who engage in frequent sexual activity have demonstrated greater levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in their bodies. IgA acts as a protective factor against illnesses and is also the first line of defense against human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
How Does Sexual Activity Benefit Sleep?
The release of oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins during sex has a sedative effect on the body, while also providing stress relief. The release of prolactin following an orgasm can result in feelings of satisfaction and also causes sleepiness. This can help with improving immunity and energy levels and prolong lifespan.
How Does Sexual Activity Benefit Stress Levels?
Just like they do with sleep, the endorphins and oxytocin released during sex can provide a sense of satisfaction and lead to reduced stress levels. Sexual activity can also cause those with anxiety to experience a reduction in their anxiety levels, and feel mentally happier and more energized.
How Does Sexual Activity Benefit Relationships?
Sexual activity creates a sense of intimacy and bonding (referred to as pair-bonding in terms of the effects of oxytocin). This can lead to a better quality of relationships and improve understanding between partners. Another benefit is in the emotional intelligence and affection that it helps sexual partners display. The intimacy created by sexual activity can lead to better emotional intelligence and expressiveness, and allow partners to understand, adjust, communicate and compromise better within the boundaries of their relationship.
How Has Sexual Activity Been of Benefit During COVID-19?
The pandemic has created confusion, increasing anxiety and depression levels, job stress, and relationship stress. However, it has been noted that sexual activity and intimacy during the pandemic have generally afforded a measure of protection for those living with the stress of COVID-19. This positive impact has been seen in both genders, whereby the sexual, relational, and general psychological health of those who have engaged in regular sexual activity has been better than in those who have not.
How Does Sexual Activity Enhance Bladder Control in Women?
About 30 percent of women may experience incontinence at some stage in their life, so having a strong pelvic floor is essential. Healthy sex is similar to exercising the muscles of the pelvic floor. Those muscles flex during a sexual encounter, strengthening them in the process.
Does Sexual Activity Reduce the Risk of Prostate Cancer?
A 2004 study indicated that ejaculating frequently could lower the risk of prostate cancer. The study examined over 30,000 men, examining the frequency of ejaculation at various stages of their lives. They concluded that males who ejaculated more than 21 times every month were less likely to get prostate cancer than those who ejaculated only four to six times a month. To continue examining the participants' risk of acquiring prostate cancer, the researchers prolonged this trial for an extra ten years in 2016. This investigation supported the preliminary results. Prostate cancer risk was lower in men who ejaculated more frequently than in those who did not.
Why Is It Important to Exercise Caution in Sexual Activity?
Even while having sex can be enjoyable and even healthy, it is crucial to keep in mind that having sex unprotected might be harmful to the general health. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies are risks for people who engage in sexual activity without utilizing contraception. The chance of these consequences can be decreased by using a condom or another form of contraception. A person can lower their risk if they have several partners by cutting down on the sum of people they engage in sexual activity with. See a medical expert if having sex gets uncomfortable or results in bleeding.
Conclusion
The myriad benefits that sexual activity offers to health and general well-being are enough reasons why engaging in sexual activity should be viewed as not only sexually pleasurable but also a general positive influence. However, it must be remembered that safe sex needs to be a consistent watchword before indulging in any form of sexual pleasure.
