Why s*x is good for your health!

OF course s*x is healthy, but did you know that a good s*x life can provide specific health benefits? We spoke to the experts to find out just how s*x improves our health (not that you needed any convincing).

It could make you thinner

Do you dread working out? Do not break up with your treadmill just yet. But if it is late and you have not made it to the gym, don’t forget that s*x counts as exercise, too. “s*x burns between 75 and 150 calories per half-hour,” says Desmond Ebanks, MD, founder and medical director of Alternity Healthcare in West Hartford, Connecticut. It’s comparable to other physical activities, he says, like yoga; 114 calories per half-hour, dancing; 129 calories per half-hour or walking; 153 calories per half-hour.

s*x may also help your muscles stay lean in the process. “s*xual arousal and orgasm releases the hormone testosterone, which, among other things, is necessary to build and maintain bone and lean muscle tissue,” he adds.

It could improve your heart health

You are probably already aware that heart disease is the number-one killer of women. Eating a healthy diet, and keeping your cholesterol low and sodium in check are great ways to stay on top of heart health, but so is having s*x. “s*x is exercise that raises heart rate and blood flow,” says Dr. Ebanks. “In a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, researchers found that having s*x twice or more a week reduced the risk of fatal heart attack by half.”

It can help you get a better night’s sleep

What do you do to help you sleep? When chamomile tea and other remedies aren’t doing the job, s*x may help—especially if you’re having trouble sleeping due to anxiety or stress. “People having frequent s*x often report that they handle stress better,” notes Dr. Ebanks. “The profound relaxation that typically follows orgasm for women and ejaculation or orgasm for men may be one of the few times people actually allow themselves to completely relax. Many indicate that they sleep more deeply and restfully after satisfying lovemaking.”

 It can boost your immune system

With all the concerns about cold and flu viruses, combating germs can sometimes feel like a full-time job. Surprisingly, there may be something you can do in the bedroom to keep your immune system strong, says Dr. Ebanks, who points to a study by researchers at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania. “Individuals who have s*x once or twice a week show 30 percent higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A, which is known to boost the immune system,” he says. So, make this your new cold-and-flu season mantra: Wash your hands and make a bedroom date with your partner often!

It can improve your mental health

The quickest way to boost your mood, fight depression and beat anxiety? Patricia Tan, MD, a board-certified internist in Arizona and medical expert for JustAnswer.com, says the answer is simple: s*x; in a loving, committed relationship, of course. “Psychologically, s*x improves one’s mental health by building intimacy and reducing stress,” she says. “The stress reduction component lowers a person’s cortisol level, thereby reducing the chances of increased blood pressure, hyperglycemia and increased acidity in the abdomen.”

 It can help relieve pain

You might change “Not tonight, honey, I have a headache” to “Yes, tonight, honey, I have a headache,” or so says Dr. Ebanks, who believes there’s a real correlation between s*x and pain management. “Through s*xual arousal and orgasm the hormone oxytocin is secreted in your body, which in turn causes the release of endorphins,” he explains. “Because of these natural opiates, s*x acts as a powerful analgesic.”

It can help you with bladder control

It may sound weird; the idea that s*x can help you minimise incontinence—but it is true, say experts. s*x therapists have long recommended that women do Kegel exercises (flexing the muscles in your pelvic floor) throughout the day, but also during s*x. Why? Not only can the exercises help increase pleasure, they also strengthen the muscles associated with incontinence. You can do Kegels anywhere (including during intercourse), so don’t be shy! Gently flex and tighten your pelvic floor muscles in the same way you would to stop the flow of urine. Hold for three seconds, then release.

 It may give you healthier skin

Could s*x make you more beautiful? It sounds far-fetched, but Eric Braverman, MD, founder of PATH Medical Center in New York City, says having s*x releases a key compound in the body that is good for all kinds of things—including improving your complexion. During s*x, your body produces a hormone called DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). “It can boost the immune system, give you healthier skin and even decrease depression,” he says.

Courtesy: MensHealth