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COSTA RICA |
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Ten
Surprising Reasons Sex Is Good For You
By Christina Larmer / The Sunday Telegraph
Here is something to get you in the mood
tonight: a 10-year Welsh study found that
those who enjoyed an active sex life were 50
per cent less likely to have died during
that time than those who did not.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg when
it comes to sexual health benefits, says
body+soul's sex and relationships therapist
Dr Gabrielle Morrissey.
"It makes sense that sex is good for you
because we need lots of inducements to do it
so that we stay on the planet," she says.
"Sex involves our circulatory, nervous and
muscular systems and brains, so it's a
tune-up and workout of everything that’s
important."
Sadly, it's often the first thing to go when
our health is on the blink. "We have the
attitude that sex is a luxury item instead
of a necessity for wellness. We also think
of it as something only for the young and
strong, but its effects are a bonus as we
age."
Still need convincing? Here are 10 health
reasons to ramp up your sex life:
1. Less heart attacks and strokes
Films often depict men having heart attacks
in the throes of passion, yet the estimates
of this happening are about one in a
million. Research actually shows that having
sex several times a week may cut your risk
of a heart attack or stroke in half.
"Sex releases feel-good hormones such as
dehydroepiandrosterone and oxytocin," says
Dr Darren Russell, president of the
Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health
Medicine. "You get more blood moving through
the blood vessels."
2. Lowers blood pressure and stress
A small Scottish study exposed people to
stressful situations and found that those
who had regular sexual intercourse responded
better to stress than those who engaged in
other sexual activities or abstained. A
partner's hug can do wonders, too: a US
study found it can lower blood pressure and
heart rates in premenopausal women.
"Touch releases quantities of oxytocin, so
you don’t have to orgasm," Dr Morrissey
says.
3. Reduces depression
Those feel-good hormones also help keep
depression at bay, although US psychologist
Dr Gordon Gallup found that women whose
partners did not wear a condom during sex
were less likely to be depressed than those
whose did. His theory? Semen contains the
hormone prostaglandin, which may be absorbed
through the vagina and act like an
antidepressant. But this doesn't mean you
should avoid condoms, he warns.
4. Prevents osteoporosis
"Men and women who have regular sex have
higher testosterone levels, (which) are
linked to a lower risk of osteoporosis and
bone problems," says Dr Russell. More
studies are needed.
5. Keeps colds and flu at bay
Lots of sex means fewer colds and flu,
say researchers from Wilkes University in
Pennsylvania, USA. They found that having
sex once or twice a week increased
production of the immune-boosting antibody
immunoglobulin by a third. A German study
found that even masturbation can increase
men’s white blood cells.
6. Prevents prostate cancer
Several large studies have shown that
men in their 20s who ejaculate frequently
(about 21 times a month) can reduce their
risk of prostate cancer later in life by a
third, compared to those who ejaculate five
to seven times a month.
"It doesn’t necessarily have to be
intercourse," Dr Russell adds.
7. Relieves headaches
Research shows that sex can alleviate an
aching noggin, especially in women. The
endorphins and corticosteroids released have
an analgaesic effect, alleviating the pain
of headaches, arthritis, cramps and body
aches.
"Endorphins are a natural painkiller," Dr
Russell says. The production of oestrogen in
women may also ward off period pain.
8. Improves sleep
Dr Russell prescribes sex for people
with sleep problems. "Sex helps people sleep
better and is less addictive than things
like Valium," he says. Again, it's those
powerful oxytocins at work. In turn, sleep
boosts mental and physical health.
9. Keeps you fit
Some experts say that 30 minutes of
vigorous sex is comparable to 15 minutes on
a treadmill or walking up two flights of
stairs, and burns between 360 and 835
kilojoules. Sex works the pelvis, thighs,
buttocks, arms, neck and thorax. Your pulse
rate doubles from about 70 beats per minute
to 150, the same as an athlete mid-stride.
10. Prevents incontinence
The muscles that stem the flow of urine,
reducing leakage and incontinence, are given
a workout during sex, says Dr Morrissey.
"Orgasm is best because the entire pelvic
floor contracts." Flexing your pelvic
muscles during sex maximizes the benefits
and makes sex more pleasurable.
Use it or lose it
Regular sex keeps your genital organs in
good working order, says Dr Darren Russell.
Abstaining for long periods may cause the
following:
Erectile problems in older men: A Finnish
study of men aged 55 to 75 found that those
who had intercourse less than once a week
had twice the risk of erectile dysfunction
than those who had sex more often.
Vaginal atrophy in women: A decline in
oestrogen, especially during menopause, can
result in the thinning and inflammation of
the vaginal walls. "Once the oestrogen is
gone, the vagina can atrophy and the tissues
can wither away," Dr Russell says.
This can cause pain and irritation if you
return to sex after a long break. "Regular
sex keeps
the vagina lubricated and in good working
order as a woman goes past the menopause."
Vaginal oestrogen creams can also help.
More great reasons to say "Yes!" tonight:
Regular periods: US researchers found
that women who have sex at least once a week
have more regular menstrual cycles than
those who have sex less often.
Look younger: In Secrets Of The
Superyoung (Berkley), Dr David Weeks says
his research found that couples who had sex
three times a week looked seven years
younger than those who had sex less often.
Other researchers say sex raises a woman’s
oestrogen levels, making her hair shinier
and her skin more supple.
Better skin and teeth: Some argue
that the minerals in semen (such as zinc and
calcium) help stop tooth decay and improve
skin, but Dr Morrissey is not convinced.
"The kind of momentary exposure, even over a
long, repetitive experience, couldn’t
possibly have any kind of impact, let alone
the minimal number of minerals you’re
talking about." |
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