What is sex: Benefits and side effects

Stress is negatively associated with sex, that is, the more sexually intimate and content you are with your partner, the less likely you are to be stressed. This has been reported by several studies claiming the several health benefits of sex due to an increase in the release of sex hormones by the body.

A study conducted on 103 female participants preceding an important exam found that stress was significantly lower among women with higher sexual activity as compared with women who were not sexually involved at all. The findings and daily stress levels were recorded by the women over a duration of 3 months.

Another study conducted on male and female participants showed similar results. These findings suggest that sex has a major role in stress alleviation, which may be due to the feeling of closeness with the partner. It is thus beneficial to engage in sexual activity of any kind to maintain optimal hormone levels and reduce daily stress.

The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) published research on its website in 2020 regarding the beneficial effects of sex in reducing mental stress during COVID-19. This research claims that engaging in sexual activities can help alleviate stress and depression, and it may also contribute to the treatment of mood disorders.

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As some of you may know, stress has fatal effects on the heart, associated particularly with hypertension (high blood pressure) and other cardiovascular disorders. By alleviating stress, sex may have a positive effect on your heart. Moreover, it has been suggested that any form of physical activity and exercise is good for your heart health. Sex, being one, may have a protective role, even without the feeling of fatigue as experienced after intense physical workouts.

Experts recommend having sex along with the inclusion of physical activities and exercise for optimal heart health. They say that sexual arousal helps in raising the heart rate. Better health benefits of sex have been found for women, as compared to men. A lower risk of cardiovascular disorders and hypertension has been reported in women with sexual activities.

A study recognised that partnered sex promoted cardiovascular health in older women, while its lack acted as a risk. The reverse was found to be true for men. So, you must be careful while having sex if you are suffering from cardiac disorders. It is best to consult your cardiologist beforehand. 

(Read more: How to have safe sex)

Sex is an intense physical workout. Don’t believe it? Well, there is sufficient research to support that. A study conducted on 21 heterosexual couples confirmed that sexual activity burns around 85 kcal when performed with moderate intensity. An average of 3.6 kcal/min was reported.

Other than being a physical workout, sex is also a potent stressbuster and a hormone regulator. It has been recognised that stress and hormonal imbalance are significantly associated with weight gain, so, by managing these factors, sex may also assist in weight loss.

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This fact holds no surprise; a higher level of sexual activity is undeniably associated with better fertility since it keeps your sex hormones in check. Research evidence has suggested that men who had sex more often, ie, at least once in a week, had better semen health than men who did not. That is why, experts often recommend having sex more often if you are looking to get pregnant, and not just around the ovulating period in women. This will improve the chances of conception.

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Sex has profound health benefits, which may be different for both men and women, due to the difference in sex hormones released. In women, sex raises the levels of estrogen, enhancing their fertility.

Other than having a role in fertility, estrogen performs several other functions in females. It is responsible for the growth of breast tissue, which is important in women, particularly those who are lactating. It also improves vaginal lubrication, which helps in preventing vaginal dryness. It has been recognised that the dryness of the vagina is a significant risk factor for vaginal pain and the development of vaginal infections. The likelihood of vaginal yeast infection is particularly increased.

A study conducted on women found that dyspareunia (painful sex) is more prevalent in women with limited sexual activity. This may also be a cause of vaginal dryness. So, it is likely that an indulgence in sexual activities may be protective against these risks.

To alleviate pain and dryness, the use of a mild lubricant may be prescribed to these women. Further, as much as sex is important, foreplay has a greater role in maintaining lubrication in women and must be performed efficiently by the partner.

The risk of vaginal dryness and vaginal atrophy is substantially higher among women after menopause, so they must not refrain from sexual activities. Doctors also recommend the use of topical or vaginal estrogen in postmenopausal women to counteract vaginal atrophy (thinning of the vaginal tissue with age).

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The cardioprotective actions of sex for women have already been discussed. This is a reason enough to indulge in sexual activities even after menopause. If not, you may be astounded to know that sex may also improve the appearance of your skin. It has a role in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that appear as one ages. This can be explained on the basis of two theories.

Stress is more commonly associated with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and may even be involved with their intercourse appearance. By having a role in stress alleviation and aiding in the feeling of happiness, sex may help in reducing these signs of ageing.

According to the other theory, sex helps in raising estrogen levels, which is responsible for maintaining skin elasticity. This may help in the reduction of wrinkles. Whatever be the theory, it is important to note that sex may have a role in improving your skin texture.

Other than this, sex is also likely to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Some studies on animal models have also put forward that sex enhances awakeness in women, while others have not revealed of any specific relation. Further studies are required in this regard.

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As seen, sex has several health benefits for women, but what about men? The benefits of sex for men have been discussed here. Having frequent sex raises the fertility of men as that of women, as demonstrated by an improvement in the quality of semen in them. It raises the levels of the hormone testosterone, which is essential for sexual health and functioning of men. It may also have a role in improving muscle mass in men.

Just like women, having more sex may lead to prolonged youthfulness in men, which is reflected in their skin health and level of energy. Some studies have suggested that sex helps in regulating the sleep cycle in men, which helps to reinforce sleep in them. This may be due to the hormones released after an orgasm, which puts them at ease and favours sleep.

Other than this, several studies have demonstrated the benefits of sex in reducing the risk of prostate cancer in men. According to one study, it was found that there is a 15% reduction in the risk of prostate cancer by increasing the frequency of ejaculation to more than thrice weekly.

This can be ascertained to stress alleviation achieved by the process of ejaculation, and the flushing out of carcinogenic agents by the body along with the ejaculated semen. Another study confirmed these findings stating that this activity offered a one-third reduction in risk of prostate cancer even in older men. These finding clearly demonstrate the health benefits of sex for men and give you all the more reasons to indulge in some more sexual intimacy with your partner.

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Following are the side effects of sex in women:

Sex causes urinary tract infection in women

Sexual activity is likely to increase the risk of urinary tract infection (characterised by an increased urge of urination and pain while micturition) in women of all age groups.

(Read more: Is sex good for heart health)

Sex affects immunity

Although the mechanism is not clear, sex may be associated with a lowered immunity, particularly in depressed women.

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Sex and sleep in women

Studies have shown that sex enhances wakefulness in women, which may pose a problem if they are trying to fall asleep.

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Sex and cancer in women

Some studies have linked higher estrogen levels, which may be achievable by excessive sex, to an increased risk of endometrial cancer, but these findings are not clear and require further investigation. 

Following are the side-effects of sex in men:

Sex and cardiovascular disorders

A recent study hinted at a greater risk of heart diseases by sexual intercourse. Among elderly men, cardiovascular disorders are twice more likely in sexually active men than with the inactive.

Sex may affect exercise performance

While sexual activity does not directly reduce exercise performance, it has been reported that having sex as close as 2 hours before athletic performance, may hinder maximal potential.

Sex may cause irritation

In men allergic to latex, sex may cause itching or irritation due to the use of latex condoms. It is recommended to use polyurethane condoms in such cases.

Sex and sleep

Contrary to the effects observed in women, it has been noted that sex induces sleep in men, which may be a problem if performed before work or other activities.

Sex and fatigue

Sex is also likely to cause fatigue, particularly in men. So, too much of it must be avoided.

Sex causes painful urination

Some men may experience intense pain while urinating immediately after sex, which is likely to diminish soon after.

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