Writing: Nilgün Yıldız Konakcı
If you don’t have a great sexual life with your spouse or lover, we’re sorry, but your health may be at risk. Because research shows that sexual life has health benefits. Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Dr. Betül Görgen also states with the information she provides that sexual life has positive effects on the body. So what are the effects of sexuality on health? It positively affects the immune system. Sexuality positively affects the body’s immune system and increases resistance against disease-causing bacteria and viruses. A study conducted at Wilkes University in America found that the amount of antibodies in the blood of people who had sex once or twice a week was higher than those who had sex less often.
bladder control
A good sexual life is also, in a sense, a pelvic muscle exercise for women. Contractions that occur in the pelvic muscles during sexual intercourse make them stronger. Thus, bladder control is no longer a problem. Many women can get it in their pants when they least expect it, when they cough, laugh, or are surprised by something. Your pelvic floor is like a trampoline that holds all the organs in your pelvis and helps control your bladder. Having sex helps strengthen your pelvic floor. Orgasm causes contractions in the pelvic muscles. You will feel like you have done an enjoyable exercise. The muscles you use to stop the flow of urine while urinating are the pelvic floor muscles.
best exercise
Researchers also found a link between sexuality and lower blood pressure. In particular, systolic blood pressure decreases. Because although sexuality cannot replace the treadmill, it causes you to spend more calories than some activities. During sexual intercourse, 5 calories are consumed per minute, the heart beats faster and many non-working muscles work. Thus, the risk of heart attack also decreases. At the same time, hormone levels are balanced.
It reduces pain
Did you know that sexual satisfaction is like a painkiller? It reduces chronic waist and leg pain, especially in women. Thus, women who have a regular sexual life can stay away from pain.
Prostate cancer
Regular sexual life also reduces the risk of prostate cancer in men. In addition, the prolactin hormone, which increases after sex, creates a desire for relaxation and sleep. It should not be forgotten that regular sleep is one of the cornerstones of mental and physical health.
Sexuality and weight loss
Having regular sex causes you to burn extra calories and therefore lose weight. It also positively affects mental health and eliminates eating disorders caused by depression.
better sleep
Sexuality can eliminate sleep problems because the prolactin hormone is secreted immediately after orgasm, which helps the person enter a relaxed and sleepy state. Thus, the person who sleeps comfortably after sexual intercourse becomes more energetic and fit the next day.
less stress
Orgasm is a source of relief against stress. Oxytocin and endorphins activate the pleasure centers in the brain, which reduces tension, stress and even depression.
Sexuality in terms of women’s health
Women who have a fulfilling and satisfying sex life are less likely to encounter cardiovascular problems in the following five years, despite their advancing age. In other words, a quality sex life protects women from cardiovascular diseases. The mechanism underlying this positive effect is related to the emotional dimension and psychology of the relationship. Because a close and deep relationship is a vital resource, emotionally and socially. It reduces stress and tension, maintains physiological balance and protects cardiovascular health.
Benefits of sexuality during pregnancy
Dr. Betül Görgen said, “Semen contains components called prostaglandins that help open and soften the uterus. During orgasm, too much oxytocin hormone is secreted. This hormone is also the hormone that causes contractions and helps your baby pass through the uterine canal and be born. If your body is ready for birth, having sexual intercourse can trigger the start of labor contractions. When contractions start, if you experience these contractions with your partner, you may be sexually stimulated by being in close proximity with him and due to the high oxytocin secreted. As long as the gestational sac is not opened and the expectant mother’s water has not broken, having sexual intercourse during labor contractions is completely safe and even beneficial for birth. Because it sounds a bit strange, many couples don’t even consider trying something like this. “However, sexual intercourse during contractions can advance labor and ensure that the baby comes into the world more quickly.” Pelvic floor muscles strengthened during pregnancy help the mother recover faster after the birth of the baby. A strong pelvic floor makes the birth of the baby easier, and the recovery process is less painful. However, be sure to consult your doctor about whether sexual intercourse is safe for you during your pregnancy. Op explains that while some women’s interest in sexuality increases during pregnancy, some women’s interest decreases. Dr. Görgen advises expectant mothers to “Do whatever feels right and makes you comfortable.” Addressing men, Görgen said, “Wives, please be careful to make the expectant mothers comfortable. “Do not force your partner to have sex if he/she doesn’t want to, saying that it is possible to have sex during pregnancy,” she says.
How many times a week should ideal sex be?
Unfortunately in real life people are very busy. The sexuality experienced is not like what we see in movies and TV series. But still, the question on many couples’ minds is: Are we having enough sex? Dr. Betül Görgen said, “There is no magic number on this issue. What matters is whether couples achieve a feeling of satisfaction or not. Do not compare anyone with yourself in this regard. Because some people want to have sex every day, for some, sexuality may not be at the top of the list,” he says. A study conducted at the University of Southern California covering 30 thousand Americans found that the happiest couples were those who had sex once or twice a week.
*Taken from Formsante magazine.
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