The health benefits of sex go far beyond the pleasure of an orgasm. Getting intimate in the bedroom gives you a health boost in all sorts of ways, from lowering blood pressure to reducing stress. Sex is, therefore, a wonderful remedy. Below, we’ll discuss 7 of the biggest health benefits—and at the same time, 7 reasons why you could definitely use some damiana, maca, or catuaba tonight! In the Dutch-Smart store, you’ll find plenty of aphrodisiacs—so-called “sex herbs” that can give your sex life a perfect boost. And here’s why you need them...
1. Sex relieves stress
When you’re stressed, sex might be the last thing on your mind. But if you can get in the mood, sex is a major stress reliever. The act of sex floods your brain with all kinds of feel-good chemicals while reducing the stress hormone cortisol. Dopamine, which affects the brain’s pleasure and reward centers; endorphins, which can reduce pain and stress; and oxytocin, also known as the “cuddle hormone,” are all released during sex, with higher levels after orgasm. When combined with a soothing herb like blue lotus, you’re guaranteed a wonderfully stress-free day.
2. Sex makes you happy
Oxytocin promotes feelings of well-being and happiness. A study of 30,000 American men and women between 1989 and 2012 found that having sex at least once a week in a committed relationship was enough to make people happy. It’s more than just sex that offers benefits. Studies of older adults found that holding hands, hugging, kissing, and mutual caressing also contribute to a better quality of life. Sex can also ward off depression. Studies show that men and women who have sex with their partners report greater satisfaction with their mental health.
3. Sex improves your sleep
Prolactin, a hormone that helps you relax, is also released after an orgasm. The combination of prolactin and the rest of the “feel-good” hormones is why most people sleep better after sex. To achieve the highest levels of prolactin, science suggests having an orgasm with a partner, if possible. Research shows that prolactin levels in men and women after sexual intercourse “can be 400% higher than after masturbation.” According to a 2015 study, women who got a good night’s sleep were more likely to experience sexual desire the next day. In fact, an increase in sleep duration of just one hour correlated with a 14% increase in the likelihood that a woman would have sex with her partner.
4. Sex reduces the risk of prostate cancer
Good news for men: frequent ejaculation appears to be linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer. A 2004 study published in the British Medical Journal examined the sex lives of more than 50,000 American men aged 40 to 75. Men who reported 21 or more ejaculations per month had a lower risk of prostate cancer than men who ejaculated four to seven times a month. A follow-up study published in 2016 showed the same results. The study found that sex toys are often used during masturbation.
5. Sex improves heart health
Men who have sex at least twice a week are 45% less likely to develop heart disease than men who have sex only once a month or less, according to a study by the New England Research Institute. The 17-year study, which began in 1987, tracked the sex lives of more than 1,000 men aged 40 to 70; the researchers controlled for other risk factors in the results, such as age, weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure. "It’s not so much the number of orgasms or how intense the sexual experience is that predicts a woman’s sexual satisfaction," the researcher explains. "It’s how close they feel to the person they’re having sex with—through kissing and cuddling, as well as orgasms. That’s the key to emotional and physical well-being."
6. Sex improves your cognitive function
If you’re looking for a good reason to give your sex life a boost as you get older, this is definitely one of them. Studies show that keeping your sex life active well into old age protects and even improves your brain function and memory. Analyzing data from the English Study of Aging, British researchers found that sexually active men between the ages of 50 and 89 had enhanced cognitive function, as measured by exercises and word recall, even after adjusting for quality of life, loneliness, depression, and physical activity. Both men and women who were more sexually active performed better on the tests than those who had less sex.
7. Sex acts as a pain reliever
Studies have shown that sexual activity can reduce menstrual cramps, chronic back and leg pain, and even migraines. A 2013 study of 1,000 German headache patients found that 30% of those with cluster headaches and 60% of those with migraines reported partial or complete relief of their pain when they had sex during an episode. Orgasm researcher Barry Komisaruk of Rutgers University points to research stating that “the sensory input produced by vaginal stimulation produces a powerful analgesic effect.” Scientists credit hormones released during sex, such as endorphins, which block pain and stress, and oxytocin, the hormone that helps mothers and babies bond and has pain-relieving properties.
