The physical act of love is known to improve relationships and heal broken hearts, but believe it or not, it can also improve your health. Based on recent data, it has been found that the “normal” rate of having sex is 6-8 times a month or once a week. However, there is no upper limit. If you feel like it, you should go for it.
Dr. Nikhil Shah, D.O., a urologist at Piedmont Healthcare Atlanta says, “The main health benefit is intimacy with your partner. You’re experiencing a release of stress, you’re getting rid of anxiety, you’re getting closer as a partnership, plus there are additional benefits to prostate health and sexual function. You’re exercising the plumbing.”
According to a report on aarp.org, having frequent sex has multi-faceted benefits. Some of them are:
- It regulates blood pressure: There can be several reasons for high blood pressure aka hypertension and high stress is one of the most common ones. Owing to our erratic lifestyles, busy schedules, and long working hours, stress build-up and high blood pressure could be expected. However, if you spend quality time with your partner and improve your sex life; you can deal with this issue naturally without needing medical help. AARP also suggests that according to a European study, the more frequently men had sex, the more their blood pressure reduced.
- It might reduce the risk of heart attacks: Now, many believe that having frequent sex may increase the risk of heart attack and this could be true for men who are physically inactive. For men who are fairly active in their day-to-day lives, sex can go a long way in ensuring good heart health. AARP reports that British researchers studied 914 men for 20 years and found out that as the frequency of sex increased, their heart risk decreased. "Middle-aged men should be heartened to know that frequent sexual intercourse offers some protection from a heart attack."
- It might reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction: Juha Koskimaki, MD, Ph.D., and colleagues at the University of Tampere, Finland concluded that more sex means a lesser risk of erectile dysfunction. "Regular sexual activity preserves potency in a similar fashion as physical exercise maintains functional capacity,” say the researchers. In fact, if you don’t your erections you might lose them, suggests WebMD. Koskimaki also reveals that sex less than once a week significantly increases the risk of erectile dysfunction.
- It might keep prostate cancer at bay: For eight years, National Cancer Institute researchers tracked orgasms and risk of prostate cancer in 29,342 men, ages 46 to 81. They found that as the frequency of orgasms increased, the risk of prostate cancer decreased. The men who had 7 ejaculations a month in their twenties were more likely to have prostate cancer compared to the men who reported 21 or more.
Apart from these, frequent sex can also help you stay fit. Sex is considered to be a moderate exercise which can help you burn 150 calories an hour. It can ease off your anxious nerves, lower hypertension, induce better sleep, and cause deep relaxation, all of which are associated with prolonged life.
A little extra tip: Keep the spark in your relationship alive! Communicate your love to your partner, take your time after work, plan romantic outings, try new things, do not let your personal and sex life get dull. With a romantic and active sex life comes great camaraderie and emotional security.
