Sex and Health - 10 Reasons to GET IT ON!

Most of us enjoy sex, but we generally don't think about how it may add to our overall well being.  After, all if getting "healthy" were as fun as having sex, we would all beach body, spinach eating, gym rats!  In addition to the glorious euphoria and reproduction, there are 10 great reasons to have sex that may improve your health.  

1. Helps Keep Your Immune System Healthy
“Sexually active people take fewer sick days,” says Yvonne K. Fulbright, PhD., a sexual health expert.  The frequency of sex a person has is directly related to the levels an antibody that defends against germs, viruses, and other intruders found in the body. Researchers at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania found that college students who had sex once or twice a week had higher levels of the antibody compared to students who had sex less often.  You should still do all the other things that make your immune system healthy, but sex is definitely an added perk!

2. Boosts Your Libido
Do you want a more lively sex life? “Having sex will make sex better and will improve your libido,” says Lauren Streicher, MD.  For women, having sex increases vaginal lubrication, blood flow, and elasticity, she says, all of which make sex feel great and increases the desire for more of it.  Many woman lose the desire for sex and are longing to have it back.  Why not test this advice and try having sex 5-6 times in a week?  Sure beats the cost of hormone treatments.

3. Improves Women's Bladder Control
Ladies, if you have birthed child naturally, you probably have experienced some weaking in the vaginal area.  For example, when you jump on a trampoline, or jump repetitively period, you may involuntarily have a bit of "peeing on yourself".  Good sex is like a workout for your pelvic floor muscles. When you have an orgasm, it causes contractions in those muscles, which strengthens them.

4. Lowers Your Blood Pressure
Research suggests a link between sex and lower blood pressure, says Joseph J. Pinzone, MD.   “There have been many studies,” he says. “One landmark study found that sexual intercourse specifically (not masturbation) lowered systolic blood pressure (the first number on your blood pressure test).”

5. SEXercise
Sex can be really great form of exercise.  You can burn an average of 5 calories per minute.  Sex can increase your heart rate and works various muscles.  So get it on! 

6. Lowers Heart Attack Risk
Besides being a great way to raise your heart rate, sex can lower your risk of heart attack.  Sex helps keep your estrogen and testosterone levels in balance, which in turn, keeps problems at bay.  During one study, men who had sex at least twice a week were half as likely to die of heart disease as men who had sex rarely.

7. Reduces Pain
If an aspirin and an orgasm had the same effect, which would you rather have?
Doctors suggest that orgasm can block pain because it releases a hormone that helps to raise your pain threshold.  Stimulation without orgasm is also known to help.  Vaginal stimulation has been known to block chronic back and leg pain as well as reduce menstrual cramps, arthritic pain, and in some cases even headache.

8. Lessen Prostate Cancer Risk
Going for the "O" may help ward off prostate cancer.  A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggested that men who ejaculated frequently (at least 21 times a month) were less likely to get prostate cancer.  This benefit can be gotten from sex or masturbation or both!  While it's not clear that sex was the only reason that mattered in that study, its safe to say more sex won’t hurt.

9. Improves Sleep
Ever notice how great you sleep after having sex?  The hormone prolactin is released after an orgasm.  This hormone is responsible for the feelings of relaxation and sleepiness.  I am ever so curious to know if this helps those with insomnia.

10. Reduces Stress
We have all had the special someone that when close to them, can instantly soothe stress and anxiety.   Just the simple act of touching and hugging can release your body's natural “feel-good hormone.” The brain chemical that stimulates your brain’s pleasure and reward system is released when you are sexually aroused.

As if the sheer pleasure of sex were not enough, there are an additional 10 great reasons to have it more often!  What's your thought?  Do you find that more sex leaves you feeling better overall?

BodyNista

Reference: http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/guide/sex-and-health
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