7 Reasons Why Séx Is Healthy For Your Body And Mind

Below are some of the important health benefits of séx.

1. Reduces chronic pain
Next time you have a headache, just say yes.

Stimulation of your clitoris and váginal walls triggers the release of éndorphins, corticostéroids, and other natural painkillers. As a result, you’ll feel less pain from headaches and sore muscles during séx. The benefit, which begins before you orgásm, can linger for up to 2 days.

2. Lowers breast cancer risk
During arousal and orgásm, your levels of "happiness" hormones rise.

Two of these — oxytocin and DHEA — may help keep breasts cancer free. One study showed that women who have séx more than once a month have a lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who are less séxually active. And Greek researchers found that men who had at least seven orgásms a month in their 50s had a significantly lower chance of developing male breast cancer.

3. Gives your heart a workout
Cardiologists rank intercourse as a mild-to-moderate-intensity exercise that enhances heart health as well as brisk walking does.

As with any workout, the more vigorous you are, the more your heart benefits. The positions you try matter too; being on top is especially cardiac-friendly because it usually requires more effort. Orgásm delivers a bonus: At your peak moment, your heart rate may hit 110 beats per minute, comparable to what you might achieve when walking quickly or jogging. 

4. Protects his prostate
Catholic priests have an elevated chance of dying of prostate cancer, and studies point to celibacy as a factor.

In 2003, research found that those who averaged at least four ejaculations a week had a one-third lower chance of developing prostate cancer than those who had fewer. When you drain the pipes, as it were, you have less clogging.                                                                                                               5. Lowers stress                                                                                                                                       Got a big presentation coming up at work? Spend some time in bed beforehand.

A 2005 study found that men and women who had engaged in intercourse in the 2 weeks before a stressful day had an easier time while doing public speaking and some verbal arithmetic. During their presentations, their systolic blood pressure (the first number in a blood-pressure reading) increased less and then dropped back to its normal level at a faster rate than that of people who had no séxual relations or had other forms of séx, including noncoital interactions or masturbation. One theory about why this occurs is that intercourse requires more complex brain activity; another idea is that it stimulates a number of important nerves not triggered during other séxual activity.

6. Revs your immune system
It's not just apples — séx helps keep the doctor away too.                                                               Research has shown that people who engaged in séx once or twice a week had 30% higher levels of infection-fighting antibodies than did their abstinent counterparts. In 2004, German scientists produced similar results: Blood tests showed that arousal and orgásm in men increased levels of certain pathogen-fighting white blood cells. The effect is comparable to that of other stress-busting activities, such as exercise and listening to music, which also boost secretion of certain proteins that defend the body against infection. 

7. Keeps down below healthy
A healthy séx life can prevent dryness — and the pain that comes with it.

Scientists found that postmenopausal women who had séxual relations more than 10 times a year had less evidence of váginal atrophy than those who reported less frequent séx. That's a sign of healthy tissues. Arousal brings blood to the vágina, which delivers nutrients and oxygen. Keep using this part of your body, and you'll help prevent the tissue from becoming thinner and less elastic as you age, so intercourse can remain comfortable and pleasurable.

Source: Your Tango