When we think of sex, a variety of thoughts or reactions can come to mind. While some may be embarrassed to discuss it openly, others view it as a natural occurrence or expression of love between two people. But have you ever wondered about the health benefits of sex?
The truth of the matter is that while sex certainly supports a deeper connection between partners, it has some pretty incredible health benefits. So, let’s take a look at some of the top benefits of sex to learn all about how it actually supports whole-body health!
Is sex good for you? When consensual, the short answer to this is a resounding yes! Curious about how it supports your health? Here are five of the top health benefits of sex.
During times of stress, cortisol (the stress hormone) rises to help your body adapt to the stress and respond accordingly. But with our busy modern lives, chronic stress is on the rise, which results in consistently elevated cortisol levels. The result? We’re left feeling stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, and unable to successfully complete our everyday tasks.
Interestingly, one of the major benefits of sex is its ability to help lower cortisol levels, resulting in more feelings of calm. Research has shown that when a majority of women experienced feelings of arousal, desire, and satisfaction, they also showed a decrease in cortisol levels.
Another one of the great benefits of sex is its ability to boost endorphins, also known as the “happy hormone.”
According to a 2016 review of clinical studies, researchers confirmed that most physical exercise, including sex, not only helps to reduce cortisol and adrenaline levels but also stimulates the production of endorphins. Known specifically to naturally elevate your mood, endorphins are also known to help relieve pain and reduce stress.
Interestingly, the 2016 review also confirmed that one of the top benefits of sex is the release of oxytocin, which not only promotes emotional bonding but also supports cardiovascular health.
Speaking of cardiovascular health, another one of the top benefits of sex is its ability to help reduce blood pressure!
According to one European study, those who reported having sex more frequently were revealed to have slower heart rates and lower blood pressure than people who had sex less frequently.
Meanwhile, other research has shown that men who had sex at least twice each week were almost 50 percent less likely to develop heart disease in comparison to men who had sex once a month.
If you’re exhausted due to insomnia, odds are that having sex is the last thing on your mind. You just want to sleep! But you may be surprised to learn that one of the best benefits of sex is that it actually fights insomnia and promotes better, more restful sleep.
According to a 2016 study, women with a history of insomnia who had sex and achieved an orgasm shortly before going to sleep were not only able to fall asleep easier and faster but also stay asleep longer.
Finally, as humans, we’re hardwired to seek and crave emotional connection—something that’s essential for our well-being. And perhaps one of the greatest benefits of sex is that it promotes bonding and forming a deeper connection with your partner.
Research has shown that the release of oxytocin that happens during sex not only supports feelings of trust but also promotes feelings of love and bonding in couples. That said, studies have shown that it’s also vitally important to continue to foster an emotional connection outside of the bedroom with your partner in order to reap the full benefits of having a healthy, loving, romantic relationship.
