Believe it or not, sex is not only their for carnal pleasures. It is also good for your health:
Improved sense of smell:
Prolactin (a hormone produced after sex)
stimulates the olfactory nerve, the center for smell, increasing smell
perception.
Reduced risk of heart disease:
For men! Having sex 3 – 4 times a week will
cut your risk of heart attack or stroke in half! Women also benefit in this
category though the results are not as clear in percentage.
Weight loss, overall fitness:
During sex, the average person maintains
their heart rate above 70% of the maximum, making sex a wonderful workout. (So
although quickies are fun, marathons can be great cardiovascular workouts!)
Reduced depression:
Sperm contains prostaglandin (a male sex
hormone) that when absorbed in the female reproductive tract helps to regulate
female hormones maintaining a balance and decreasing mood swings and
depression.
Pain Relief:
Endorphins released immediately upon orgasm
are natural pain relievers that remain active in the body for several hours
after climaxing. Intercourse also produces more estrogen in the female body
which helps to reduce the discomfort of monthly PMS.
Improved immunity:
People who have sex once or twice a week
have been shown to have higher rates of immunoglobulin A, a known immune
booster.
Better bladder control:
The muscles used during sex are the same
used in doing the infamous "kegel exercises". Yes, this applies to
men too!
A happier prostate:
To produce seminal fluid, the prostate and
the seminal vesicles take minerals, zinc and calcium, concentrating them up to
600 times. However, any carcinogens in the blood would also be concentrated to
this amount. Urologists support ejaculation as a measure of prostate cancer
prevention by removing the concentrated carcinogens, rather than allowing them
to cluster and cause damage.
The Moral of the Story
Sex has many health benefits throughout all
our different stages of life. Overall, it promotes physical, psychological and
sexual health. And if you are in between lovers, abstaining, or waiting for
that one special person, remember your roots; masturbation. It is a natural
part of your sex life that will bring along many of the benefits of sex with a
partner, plus provide a great time learning more about your own body and
sexuality.
