The Many Health Benefits of Sex
Sexuality and sex are a big part of life. Along with reproduction, sex can be about pleasure, intimacy, and self-love exploration. Further, sexual activity — everything from penile-vaginal intercourse to masturbation to other sexual activity — can offer surprising life and health benefits.
Here, we’ll look at all the amazing benefits sexual activity can offer beyond pleasure.
The Surprising Benefits of Sex and Sexual Activity
Safe and healthy sexual activity — whether solo or with a partner — offers benefits in all aspects of life including:
- Socially
- Physically
- Psychologically
- Emotionally
- Intellectually
What Kind of Benefits Does Sex Offer?
Did you know sex can actually be considered light exercise? Because of this, it may offer health benefits.
Some of the potential benefits of sex include:
- Reduced blood pressure
- Increased calorie burn
- Strengthened muscles
- Increased libido
- Increased heart health
- Boosted immune system
- And more!
People with active sex lives also tend to exhibit heathy behaviors such as more frequent exercise and better dietary habits than individuals who are less sexually active.
Can Sex Lead To Better Sleep?
Sexual activity can help your body release oxytocin, a hormone known as the “intimacy” or love” hormone. During orgasm, endorphins are released. The powerful combination of these hormones can act as a natural sedative that can support a relaxed state and healthy sleep.
Better sleep can help support:
- A longer lifespan
- A boosted immune system
- A feeling of being well-rested
- Improved energy levels
- Headache relief
What Are the Sex Benefits Specific To Women?
While sex certainly offers perks that apply to both sexes, there are a variety of amazing sex benefits for women such as:
- Reduced incontinence
- Improved bladder control
- Reduced menstrual cramps
- Improved fertility
- Stronger pelvic muscles
- Increased vaginal lubrication
- Natural pain relief from chemicals released during orgasm
- A strengthened pelvic floor
What Are the Benefits of Sex After Menopause?
Along with all the other benefits of sex, women who are sexually active after menopause can experience even further benefits such as reduced risk of vaginal atrophy and vaginal wall thinning.
Does Sex Offer Mental Health Benefits?
Sexual activity, through masturbation or with a partner, can offer a variety of important emotional, psychological, and physical benefits:
- Improved satisfaction with your mental health
- Improved levels of intimacy, love, and trust in relationships
- Improved ability to express and identify emotions
Can Sex Make You Look Younger?
Think you need a fancy procedure or face cream to keep your youthful glow? Don’t forget about sex, too! Regular sexual activity, alone or with a partner, releases estrogen and can actually help you look younger.
How Does Sex Benefit Relationships?
Thanks to oxytocin — often dubbed the love hormone — sex can help connect you deeply with your partner and can play a key role in your relationships. Couples often find that mutual, consistent sexual pleasure helps enhance their bond and strengthen their relationship.
Sharing and exploring each other’s sexual needs and desires is also a great way to express yourself, gain trust, and grow closer in a relationship.
What Are the Benefits of Masturbation?
Masturbation offers similar benefits to sex, but it also offers its own advantages such as:
- An increased understanding of your body
- An enhanced connection to your body and sexuality
- Enhanced sex between partners
- Boosted sexual satisfaction
- No risk of pregnancy or STIs
- Increased mental well-being
- Boosted body image and self-esteem
- Boosted ability for orgasms
Do Celibacy and Abstinence Offer Benefits?
Sex is not the sole indicator of happiness or health. You can absolutely lead a happy, active, healthy life without sex.
Many of the benefits sex provides comes from feelings of pleasure. These feelings can be replicated through other enjoyable activities such as listening to music, interacting with pets, spending time outdoors, or exercising.
Final Thoughts
Sex is an important part of life that offers physical, emotional, and psychological benefits. Whether through masturbation or with a partner, sexual activity can bring you more than just pleasure.
However, if you aren’t at a point in your life where you are sexually active — maybe you are healing from sexual trauma, do not currently have a partner, or whatever you are going through — there are other ways to support your emotional, physical, and mental health.
If you want to learn more about self-love, fun sex tips, masturbation, orgasms, and more, check out my blog or join my private Facebook group — a safe space to share all your questions regarding love, sex, and relationships.