I like sex!

I’m not ashamed to admit it, because enjoying sex is a very normal and innate part of human nature. Most people do, in fact, like some aspect of having sex, or else it wouldn’t get so much attention. Chances are, if you are a normal, mentally healthy adult without a history or sexual abuse or trauma, you probably like sex too.

We constantly hear public service announcements about the unhealthy and unsafe dangers of sex: sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy, emotional consequences. School children are taught abstinence, adults are told to protect themselves, don’t sleep around, use barrier protection, and be tested regularly. All of this is great advice, to a point, but it leaves the public with this negative image that: sex is bad!

It’s not!

Sex, in fact, is fantastic. Well, at least it is when it’s done right.

More than that, good sex and a healthy sex life have many health benefits that are very real, scientifically tested and proven, and can actually help people live better lives all the way around. Yes, sex heals. Yes, sex prevents certain problems, and let’s face it, it just makes you feel pretty darn good on top of all that.

Health Benefits of Sex for Women

Regular sex has been shown to help regulate the menstrual cycle, reduce the frequency and/or severity of menstrual cramps, increase estrogen levels (particularly important as a woman ages), improve fertility (which may not always be a good thing), and might actually help calcium absorption. Women who have regular, healthy sex have been shown to be less likely to develop osteoporosis, and also my have fewer post-menopausal changes to the vaginal lining, such as dryness.

Now, gentlemen, I highly discourage you from using this as an example of why your wife should have sex with you the next time she ‘has a headache’, but nothing wrong with covertly dropping this link to your woman, now is there?

Health Benefits of Sex for Men

Never fear, men, because you guys have some health benefits from having sex too! For men, having a healthy sex life can help reduce heartburn symptoms, improve posture, reduce stress and anger, decrease violent outbursts or tendencies, and improve circulation. Probably the biggest health benefit to sex for men though is the health of the prostate gland. Regular sex and/or ejaculation greatly reduces the risk of problems with the prostate, including prostate cancer.

Ladies, the next time your man is worked up and stomping around the house angry, throw him down on the bed and have at it. Guaranteed to improve his mood drastically in a very short period of time or your money back!

There are other shared benefits of sex for both men and women though, so let’s look at just a few of them now.

Health Benefit of Sex #1: Human Touch

Human beings are born needing to be touched. Human touch, the power of it, is essential to emotional well being and that is linked to physical health. Yes, hugs, pats, kisses and casual contact can suffice, but when two naked bodies are pressed together enjoying the health benefits of sex, well, you just can’t get much more human touch than that.

Health Benefit of Sex #2: Exercise!

Do you hate to exercise? I know I do, but guess what? An average sex session has the health benefit of burning nearly 200 calories, more if you get a bit aggressive and kinky, and it increases your heart rate the equivalent of jogging for 15 minutes. While you might not want to hang up your gym shoes just yet if you’re looking to lose weight, regular sex can help add activity to your lifestyle.

Health Benefit of Sex #3: Improves Sleep

Ah, orgasm. The mystical, ultimate and hopefully achievable goal at the climax of sex, literally. Sex by itself releases endorphins that help the body relax, and sex with orgasm releases more of those endorphins and a hormone called oxytocin. It’s no wonder you might feel relaxed and sleepy after sex. Improved sleep quality has been shown to help improve health dramatically and your body heals and repairs itself mentally and physically during sleep, so if you’re having trouble sleeping, you might consider getting it on right before bedtime. Hey, this trick works even if you’re having ‘sex for one’.

Health Benefit of Sex #4: Reduces Pain

I’ve never understood the old joke about not having sex because a woman has a headache. The very best cure for a headache is sex! Think about it, during sex, those minor aches and pains just don’t seem all that painful, do they? Granted, if you have a major injury, sex might just make it worse, but I really don’t think you’ll be complaining about a paper cut during sex, you know?

Endorphins and corticosteroids are released during sex and particularly during orgasm that greatly reduce, even if just for a short time, the sensation of pain while increasing the pain threshold. The next time you have a minor backache, headache, muscle cramp, etc. grab your partner and experience the pain relieving health benefits of sex.

Health Benefit of Sex #5: Relieves Stress and Reduces Depression

It’s really hard to be in a bad mood and be angry or stressed out after really good sex, and even harder after a fantastic orgasm. Regular sex will reduce the frequency of bad moods, reduce some minor depression symptoms, and relieve stress and tension both mentally and physically.

Honestly, I could go on and on about the health benefits of sex. There’s increased mobility, circulation, improved cholesterol, improved blood pressure, improved mood, and even, yes, it’s true, better eyesight! This only touches the surface of the potential health benefits of sex.

Now, it’s important to note that this doesn’t mean everyone should just go out and have as much sex as they want with whomever they want. Sadly, that would make things worse. There are emotional and safety issues to take into consideration, but when practicing safer sex techniques, particularly with a partner you know, trust and love, regular sex, at least a three times per week, is better than the old cliche apple a day for your health.

Personally, since I have some health problems, I’ve decided to make it my mission to have so much sex that I completely heal myself! Three times per week? Nah, I’m shooting for three times per day!

Okay, so maybe that’s reaching a bit, and since I wasn’t able to find any documented cases of sexual activity sending diseases into remission or curing cancer or anything like that, sex isn’t a miracle wonder cure or anything. Even so, regular, consensual, good sex can indeed improve the overall quality of your health and your life.

Hey, finally something that is good for you that feels good too!