13 health benefits of sex

13 health benefits of sex

Medically reviewed words Rosie Saunders, Dr Louise Wiseman MBBS, BSc (Hons), DRCOG, MRCGP

·10-min read

This article is a repost which originally appeared on yahoo!style

Edited for content

Not only does a healthy sex life boost levels of intimacy, affection and wellbeing in your relationship, according to science, but it’s also great for your physical and mental health.

And while we all know between-the-sheets action is a calorie burner – it can torch through calories equivalent to a 30-minute jog – there are so many great health benefits of sex that go way beyond energy expenditure.

With Tracey Cox, sex and relationships educator, and Mia Sabat, in-house sex therapist at Emjoy, we run through 13 evidence-backed health benefits of sex – plus, tips for fostering a healthy sex life:

13 health benefits of sex

Sex can be beneficial to your health in many ways, from boosting your immune function to reducing your risk of heart disease and supercharging your self-esteem. Here, we run through 13 evidence-based health benefits of sex, according to science:

1. Sex helps you sleep

During climax, the brain releases a hormone called oxytocin, which induces a relaxed feeling that helps you sleep better. ‘Great sex is one of the best cures for sleeplessness and insomnia – oxytocin is the hormone that promotes feelings of intimacy, and it jumps to five times its normal level during climax,’ says Cox. ‘It also makes you feel sleepy. While men drift off two to five minutes after orgasm, women usually take 20 to 30 minutes.’

2. Sex makes you look younger

Couples who have sex at least three times a week look more than 10 years younger than those who get frisky less often, according to research by Dr David Weeks, clinical neuropsychologist at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. He adds, the pleasure from having sex is a ‘crucial factor’ in staying young. Additionally, having sex boosts blood circulation and causes your body to release endorphins, giving your skin a natural glow. Human Growth hormone (HGH) somatotropin is also released, which improves skin elasticity and fends off wrinkles.

3. Sex reduces headaches

Sex can be a powerful painkiller, especially for headache sufferers. A study carried out by the University of Munster in Germany found that sex can actually be more effective than painkillers when it comes to reducing headache pain. This is because sex triggers the release of endorphins – the body’s natural painkillers – into the central nervous system. The effect is so powerful, their research shows, that more than half of people who have sex during a headache experience an improvement in symptoms.

Some headaches occur as a result of sexual activity and this should be discussed with your doctor.

4. Sex relieves stress

Given that so many mood-boosting chemicals are released during sex, it makes sense that getting frisky can act as a natural, powerful stress-reliever. In one rodent study, having sex daily for a fortnight caused cell growth in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that keeps stress levels under control. And in a similar human study, people who had daily intercourse for two weeks experienced a reduction in stress-related blood pressure.

5. Sex promotes healthier food choices

Believe it or not, sex can help to curb sugar and fat cravings. How? By lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which stimulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism for fast energy, promotes insulin release and impacts blood sugar levels. This trifecta of actions not only boosts your appetite, but leads you to crave sweet, high-fat foods, which are typically lower in nutrients.

6. Sex boosts immunity

Research from Wilkes-Barre University found that the intimacy of sex stimulates the body to produce Immunoglobulin A (IgA), an antibody that forms a barrier against a cold. People who have sex more than once or twice a week, they found, have more of these antibodies than those who are less sexually active. Obviously in the unusual context of covid – awareness of symptoms of infection is important in making decisions about intimacy.

7. Sex eases period pain

At the moment of climax, the uterine muscles contract and send pain-relieving and mood-enhancing endorphins to the brain. These act as a natural painkiller, and help to ease menstrual cramps, depression and irritability associated with PMS. The muscle contractions that occur when you orgasm may also help to relieve tension in your uterus, providing relief from cramps.

8. Sex reduces prostate cancer risk

The prostate is important in the male reproductive system – it produces the alkaline components of semen, which help to protect the sperm. Research from Harvard found that men who ejaculate on a regular basis – defined as five times or more each week – are less likely to develop prostate cancer.

9. Sex boosts heart health

The less frequently you have sex, the higher your risk of heart disease, according to an observational study spanning more than 1,000 men published in the American Journal of Cardiology. Compared to men who reported having sex a minimum of two or three times per week, men with sexual activity of once per month or less were 45 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.

10. Sex increases self-esteem

Having sex can help boost self-confidence and develop a more better positive attitude about yourself. ‘Never underestimate the power of confidence,’ says Sabat. ‘Expressing what you want clearly and without fear is one of the most desirable things you can do, especially while being intimate with another person. Love the power of your body and acknowledge that you deserve to experience pleasure. Doing this will help you to communicate with more clarity and confidence.’

11. Sex boosts libido

The more frequently you have sex, the more likely you are to want to do it again. This is because getting frisky prompts your brain to release dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in the motivation and reward process. And among women specifically, sex boosts estrogen levels and blood flow, which increases the desire for sex.

12. Sex improves memory

Getting intimate may boost your brain function by stimulating areas of the brain that are associated with memory. In a long-term study by the University of Wollongong, frequent sexual activity was found to be associated with better performance in a short-term memory test. This research is supported by the findings of a study by Manchester University, which revealed that sexually active adults have better brain power.

13. Sex enhances sperm quality

Ejaculating every day for seven days improves men’s sperm quality by reducing the amount of DNA damage, according to research by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. As well as seeing ‘substantial and statistically highly significant’ changes in the quality of the sperm, ‘in addition, we found that although frequent ejaculation decreased semen volume and sperm concentrations, it did not compromise sperm motility and, in fact, this rose slightly but significantly,’ said lead author Dr David Greening.

10 tips for a healthy sex life

Having regular sex may bring about a variety of health benefits, but being able to communicate and experience sexual satisfaction is key to making the experience pleasurable. Here, we run through 10 tips for a healthy sex life:

1. Connect with self-pleasure

Make time to get to know yourself – self pleasure is still a form of sex. ‘Every sexual experience begins within ourselves, and masturbation embodies this experience,’ says Sabat. ‘Beyond stimulating our sex drive, self-pleasure allows us to connect with our minds and bodies to focus on our desires and sexuality. This helps us to better communicate our needs and preferences, and ultimately engage in a more fulfilling sexual experience.’

2. Talk to your partner

Talk openly with your partner before entering the bedroom to establish consent, work out what you are both comfortable with, and what you’d like to explore, Sabat recommends. ‘Not only is consent always key, but ensuring you talk openly about your preferences gives everyone involved time to decide if they do, or do not, want to explore a specific type of sexual activity,’ she says.

3. Learn about erogenous zones

An erogenous zone is an area of the body that has heightened sensitivity, which may elicit a sexual response when stimulated. ‘Everyone has unique parts of their body which they love being touched, or gain arousal from,’ says Sabat. ‘You’d be surprised where you can find them – but the best places to start are often sensitive areas like the lips, neck and breasts.’

4. Bring erotica into the bedroom

To spice things up, why not talk to your partner about exploring different kinds of erotica together? ‘I recommend couples engage with audio erotica because, when listening, each individual can engage with their own fantasies, preferences and turn-ons, while still connecting over the same storyline or narrative,’ says Sabat.

5. Explore your biggest organ

Your skin, of course! ‘The skin is a highly responsive organ, and finding new ways to stimulate it can be very arousing,’ says Sabat. ‘Consider investing in new materials that will play on your sense of touch. This could be anything from leather and silk to latex or sensory lubricants. Just be careful of any allergies and introduce objects to both of your bodies in a responsible way.’

6. Try a new location

Sex doesn’t have to stay between the sheets, says Sabat. ‘Next time you’re feeling more adventurous, try taking it to the kitchen, bathroom, or even the hallway – these new locations will mean you have to work out new positions while enjoying the excitement of a new situation,’ she says.

7. Grab a toy

Sex toys can be used to complement both penetrative and oral sex throughout your experience – and they don’t need to be focused on penetration to create pleasure, says Sabat. ‘If your partner is open to bringing items like leashes, feathers, whips, and bondage toys such as handcuffs into the bedroom, bringing toys that focus on stimulating external areas into the bedroom can often lead to a more fulfilling sexual experience,’ she adds.

8. Engage with your fantasies

We all have fantasies, Sabat says, so it’s important to embrace them without shame. ‘Not only do fantasies increase sexual desire and arousal, but they let us explore facets of our sexuality that can often be forgotten or neglected,’ she says. ‘In fact, they can even help you to become more creative in the bedroom. While not every fantasy should be acted upon, discussing the parts of the fantasy that make you most excited with your partner can lead to healthy conversations about your sexual needs.’

9. Try different positions

Inject a sense of adventure into your bedroom antics by trying out different positions. ‘We often fall back on techniques that we know will result in orgasm – be it specific types of stimulation, favourite positions, or repeating the same moves over and over again,’ says Sabat. ‘Trying new positions helps us to experience intimacy in different ways. Explore new angles by using pillows, or mix things up by switching roles – if you’d normally be in control or on top, why not let your partner take the reins?’

10. Communication is key

Every sexual encounter is different, even if it’s happening with the same person, says Sabat. ‘What matters is that you learn your partner’s preferences and desires, and focus on communicating what you do and do not like,’ she explains. ‘Not only will this lead to more pleasure for you both, but it helps us reject the stigma that one partner is responsible for the other’s pleasure. Remember that sex is a shared experience, with shared responsibility. Communicate with your partner, feel empowered by your desires and let go.’

Last updated: 10-09-2020

Acupuncture And Penis Enlargement

Acupuncture And Penis Enlargement

By Swagger Contributors

This article is a repost which originally appeared on SWAGGER

Edited for content

It seems men are never satisfied with their penis size and the quality of their erections.

So what’s a man to do?

The last thing any guy may want to hear in response to that question is acupuncture.

No, you can relax, an acupuncturist isn’t going to stick needles into the penis. However, the thought process behind acupuncture for penile health is to increase blood flow to your package.

This could possibly improve the quality of an erection via a few different processes.

Let’s take a look at how acupuncture affects penile health.

Acupuncture And Penis Enlargement

Almost everyone is familiar with what acupuncture looks like or has a general idea of what it is, but it’s not just some lady haphazardly shoving needles into your body.

An acupuncturist uses needles don’t go very deep into your skin.

Unfortunately, there’s no hard data linking acupuncture’s effectiveness with penis size.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s something you should give up on so quickly. There are some ways acupuncture has an indirect influence over penile health.

Before you understand how needles in the skin affect the quality of erections, you need to know how erections work in the first place.

You have different chambers inside of your penis…

These chambers, when given adequate blood flow, are what make the penis erect. The goal is to have healthy blood flow going into the penis, so there’s more going in than there is coming out.

This works in combination with signals that your brain sends to the penis to have it open the floodgates for your arteries to pump in blood.

Erectile dysfunction occurs when there are issues with the blood flow into the penis, blood vessel inflammation, or a problem with the nerve pathways telling your penis to get erect.

That’s why it’s essential to understand sticking needles into specific points on your body isn’t going to make your penis hard, but it can take care of the issues keeping it from getting or staying erect.

Let’s look at ways acupuncture can help blood flow…

Acupuncture Increase Blood Flow

An erection is a complicated beast that takes many different processes to work at once.

However, there’s no denying that inadequate blood flow plays a massive part in the erection as the blood is the only thing that fills the spongy tissue inside the penis.

Fortunately, acupuncture increases blood flow by stimulating a vasodilator, nitric oxide, in your body.

This helps the blood vessels to widen, which allows more blood flow. Those who have blood circulation issues take nitric oxide supplements to help get blood flow to vessels and tissues lacking nutrient-rich blood.

When tissues that haven’t been getting adequate blood flow start getting nutrient-rich blood back, then they can start repairing themselves.

This process of stimulating blood flow works hand in hand with acupuncture’s antihistamine-effect, which also opens up the blood vessels to give tissues that were previously deprived of oxygenated blood more nutrient-rich blood.

Acupuncture Reduces Inflammation

Inflammation affects your quality of life that also, unfortunately, includes your penile health.

Inflammation doesn’t just affect the penis itself, but it can completely get in the way of your routines in your daily life. It can cause pain, depression, and other issues that lead to erectile dysfunction.

One cause of inflammation is pro-inflammatory cytokines that come about as part of your body’s immune system response.

Unfortunately, your body can go a little overboard with its cytokine response to diseases.

Fortunately, acupuncture has been shown to reduce the pro-inflammatory cytokines that worsen inflammation.

Not only does acupuncture reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, but it also helps increase the much healthier anti-inflammatory cytokines.

While the regulation of cytokines makes acupuncture a safe, yet effective, alternative to treating inflammation, it can also help release endorphins into the body.

These endorphins are natural pain relievers, and if you’re suffering from pain that affects your mental or emotional well-being, it can help increase your mood and sex drive.

If inflammation or blood flow aren’t the culprits behind your erectile dysfunction, then it’s time to take a look at the central nervous system.

Acupuncture Stimulates the Central Nervous System

Sometimes erectile dysfunction is caused by a dysfunction in the central nervous system. The brain reacting to visual or audio stimuli can make men erect.

However, when there’s a disconnect somewhere along the nerves, then it can make it hard to get an erection or maintain one.

One of the interruptions between the penis and the brain is stress.

Stress affects how your brain sends signals to the rest of your body during arousal from penile reaction to increased heart rate.

In fact, the hormones released during the body’s stress response affect your penile function.

Fortunately, acupuncture doesn’t just promote the tissue’s ability to heal itself with increased blood flow, but it can also help the nervous system’s ability to regenerate.

The strategic placement of the needles releases chemicals into your nerves, brain, and spinal cord that help activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

With acupuncture having the ability to take care of all these different causes of erectile dysfunction, it only makes sense that acupuncture improves the erection quality.

Acupuncture Improves Erection Quality

It’s no secret that exercise affects the size of the penis but not in the way you expect.

Unfortunately, exercises, the activity meant to boost your health in many ways, temporarily causes shrinkage.

It’s nothing to worry about because your body doesn’t need blood flowing to the penis during exercise, as it needs it for other parts of your body like your  muscles.

Fortunately, acupuncture can help get the blood flowing back in the right direction.

Acupuncture stimulates both the flow of energy and blood to areas of your body it needs.

Regenerating the nerves and tissues in the area to achieve balance. This doesn’t just improve the quality of your erection, but it also helps you maintain the erection during sexual intercourse.

Acupuncture helps increase the quality of the erection, but it can boost testosterone and sperm count in the penis.

Men who suffer from low testosterone will experience everything from low-libido to reduced penile function.

Boosting testosterone and balancing blood flow is a good recipe for better erection quality.

Acupuncture And Penis Enlargement – Conclusion

Erectile dysfunction is caused by a myriad of psychological or physical conditions, from stress to hormonal imbalances.

While acupuncture won’t necessarily make your penis bigger than it is, it definitely has an effect on your penile health.

With acupuncture, you’ll handle the physiological issues that get in the way of healthy sex drive and strong erections

And in my opinion, it’s may be worth dealing with a few needles to make that happen.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2932548/

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2013/591796/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11964139/

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2013/591796/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4896824/

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190711141256.htm

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165183899000909

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4551211/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30157368/

8 Penis-Friendly Foods to Boost T-Levels, Sperm Count, and More

The best way to boost penis health? Food.

Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo, LDN, RD — Written by Tiffany LaForge — Updated on October 23, 2018

This article is a repost which originally appeared on HealthLine

Edited for content

We often eat with our hearts and stomachs in mind, but how often do we consider how foods affect extremely specific body parts?

First things first though: no matter what we eat, the benefits are holistic — it goes where our bodies need it.

But, let’s say, if you know, that apples and carrots are good for your prostate and penis health, wouldn’t you be inclined to eat these foods more often?

That’s the goal of our below-the-belt food list.

Instead of eating as if your penis needs special attention, fill your day with foods that optimize your whole body, and in turn, help your blood bring the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals your penis needs to function. (Erectile dysfunction in younger men is rising and about 1 in 9 men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime.)

On the plus side, enhancing your diet just might help with other concerns, such as heart disease, hormonal imbalances, fat burn, and more.

From prostate cancer, low T-levels, ED, and possibly infertility, these foods are here to help.

1. Spinach to boost testosterone levels

Spinach worked for Popeye, and it’ll help you, too.

Spinach is a super source of folate, a known blood flow-booster. Folic acid plays a critical role in male sexual function and a deficiency in folic acid has been linked to erectile dysfunction.

Cooked spinach contains 66 percent of your daily folic acid requirement per cup, making it one of the most folate-rich foods around. Additionally, spinach contains a fair amount of magnesium, which also helps improve and stimulate blood flow and has been shown to boost testosterone levels.

Spinach for penile health

  • A good source of folic acid which may help prevent erectile dysfunction.
  • Contains magnesium which has been shown to boost testosterone.
  • Pro-tip: Try our favorite spinach recipes for your next date night.

2. A daily cup of coffee for better sex

Your morning cup of java can be a below-the-belt pick-me-up, too!

Studies have found that drinking two to three cups of coffee a day may prevent erectile dysfunction. This is thanks to coffee’s most beloved ingredient: caffeine.

Caffeine is shown to improve blood flow by relaxing penile arteries and muscles, leading to stronger erections. Cheers!

Caffeine for penile health

  • Caffeine has been shown to prevent erectile dysfunction.
  • Improves blood flow by relaxing penile arteries and muscles.
  • Pro-tip: Not a fan of coffee? You can get your daily caffeine fix from Yerba Mate or matcha instead.

3. Apple peels to prevent prostate cancer

Apples have some great all-around health benefits, but one of their lesser known advantages pertains to penis health.

Apple peels, in particular, contain the active compound ursolic acid. This compound has been shown in cell studies to stop the growth of prostate cancer cells by “starving” the cells. Still, you should always follow a medical professional’s treatment plan when faced with prostate cancer.

Eat more fruits and veggies Grapes, berries, and turmeric also have similar effects. Studies suggest that men who consume more fruits and vegetables in general have better odds at beating prostate cancer.

Apples for penile health

  • Contain an active compound that may starve prostate cancer cells.
  • Men who consume more fruits and vegetables have a better prostate cancer survival rate.
  • Pro-tip: The cancer-fighting compound is contained in the peel so be sure to eat your apples with the skin on. You can also make dried apple chips or apple peel tea.

4. Supercharge your libido with avocados

The Aztecs were on to something when they named the avocado tree the “testicle tree.”

An excellent source of healthy fats, potassium, and vitamins, avocados are great for getting you in the mood.

This toast-topper favorite has vitamin E and zinc, both of which have positive effects on male sex drive and fertility. Zinc has been suggested to increase levels of free testosterone in the body, while vitamin E may improve sperm quality.

Avocados for penile health

  • Contain zinc which increases testosterone levels.
  • Are a good source of vitamin E which improves sperm quality.
  • Pro-tip: Out of ideas beyond guacamole and toast? Find inspiration with our 23 delicious ways to eat an avocado.

5. Chili peppers to spice up the bedroom

Can you handle the heat? Studies have found that men who consume spicy foods have higher-than-average testosterone levels.

While this doesn’t mean spicy food gives you testosterone, the chemical capsaicin has been shown to have bedroom advantages.

Found in hot sauce and chili peppers, capsaicin triggers the release of endorphins — the “feel good” hormone — and can rev up the libido.

Chili peppers for penile health

  • Men who eat spicy foods have higher-than-average T-levels.
  • Capsaicin found in chili peppers triggers the release of endorphins.
  • Pro-tip: There’s more health benefits to spicy foods than a healthy libido. Read about our top five here.

6. Carrots keep your sperm healthy

Looking to improve your sperm count? Science says to eat more carrots.

This fertility superfood may improve both sperm count and motility (the movement and swimming of sperm).

Research suggests this is due to the chemical carotenoids found in carrots, which is also responsible for giving the vegetable its orange color.

Carrots for penile health

  • Research finds that carrots can improve male fertility.
  • Carotenoids found in carrots may improve sperm quality and motility.
  • Pro-tip: Another vegetable high in carotenoids is sweet potatoes, which makes our list of the 14 healthiest vegetables on earth alongside carrots.

7. Oats for a bigger O

Oatmeal might not come to mind when you think of the world’s sexiest foods — but maybe it should!

Oats can be beneficial for reaching orgasm and Avena Sativa (wild oats) is considered an aphrodisiac. The amino acid L-arginine found in oats has also been shown to treat erectile dysfunction.

Like Viagra, L-arginine helps penile blood vessels relax, which is essential to maintaining an erection and reaching orgasm.

Oats for penile health

  • Wild oats are a known aphrodisiac.
  • Amino acids found in oats relax blood vessels and can help with erectile dysfunction.
  • Pro-tip: New to oats? Try our quick and easy 10-minute overnight oats, made three ways.

8. Tomatoes are a penile health trifecta

Want all the benefits in one punch? Start with tomatoes.

Tomatoes include several of the benefits listed above and can be eaten in a variety of ways.

Research shows lycopene-rich foods, like tomatoes, may help prevent prostate cancer.

Tomatoes might also be beneficial to male fertility and sperm quality — as tomatoes seem to significantly improve sperm concentration, motility, and morphology.

Tomatoes for penile health

  • Help prevent prostate cancer.
  • Are beneficial to male fertility and improve sperm concentration, motility, and morphology.
  • Pro-tip: Too busy to make your own marinara? You don’t just have to cook with tomatoes. Try drinking tomato juice for a quick and healthy way to get your daily lycopene.

Looking for more ways to ensure below-the-belt health? Check out our best tips to prevent prostate cancer and non-penile advice on improving your sex life.

After all, your health is more than one body part.