Think back – you’re sitting in ninth-grade health, giggling about words like P-E-N-I-S and V-A-G-I-N-A while your teacher lectures you about the dangers of sex and why you should wait as long as possible to give away your precious virginity. While that was all well-intentioned, sex-ed in my neck of the woods was not exactly educational. All they seemed to do was scare us all into thinking if we even looked at someone we were attracted too we would contract some horrible STD. It wasn’t until college that I even heard a teacher use the word “condom” because abstinence was preached and hollered. While I firmly believe no one should have sex until they are in a safe and loving relationship, it should be taught that sex isn’t all bad.
While everyone should stick to their beliefs and do what is right for them, there are a lot of benefits to sex. Here are some top health benefits of sex!
Boosts Your Immune System
Many studies have been done, and the results are in! Research suggests that people who have sex more often build up more levels of immunoglobulin A, which is an antibody that helps fight infections like the common cold and the flu.
Improves Women’s Bladder Control
Keep doing your kegels, but sex is also a great way to strengthen your pelvic floor and improve bladder control.
It Counts as Exercise
It won’t ever be as great as a long walk or going to the gym, but having sex does burn calories and gets your heart pumping. If you want to make it sound fancier, call it “bedroom cardio.”
It Helps You Sleep Better
Way better than NyQuil. A study at CQ University in Australia polled 460 adults between ages 18 and 70, and they reported that 64% of the respondents said sex helped them sleep better, more so when the sex resulted in orgasm.
It’s a Mood Booster & Manager
Sex has been proven to help with depression and anxiety. According to EveryDayHealth.com, one surprising recent study actually suggests that exposure to semen may help fight depression. Beyond sperm, the research found that semen may provide mood-boosting hormones and chemical compounds for women.
It’s Good for Your Heart
According to an article from Telegraph.co.uk, researchers have found that men who had sex at least twice a week were less likely to develop heart disease compared to men who only had sex once per month, according to a 2010 study published in the American Journal of Cardiology.
Sources:
https://www.health.com/sleep/sex-benefits-sleep-study
https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/is-sex-an-antidepressant.aspx