Having sex can flavor our nights, and days, with sweet pleasure and excitement, relieving stress and worry. And, of course, sex has been key to ensuring that the human race lives on. Recent studies have shown that it can have an effect on how much we eat, and how well the heart functions. As we have reported on Medical News Today , sex has been cited as an effective method of burning calories , with scientists noting that appetite is reduced in the aftermath. Also, a study published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior in found that women who have satisfying sex later in life might be better protected against the risk of high blood pressure. Many of the effects of sex on the body are actually tied to the way in which this pastime influences brain activity and the release of hormones in the central nervous system.
PARTNERED SEXUALITY OF OLDER ADULTS: A SOCIAL RELATIONSHIP AND LIFE COURSE PERSPECTIVE
Short-term Positive and Negative Consequences of Sex Based on Daily Reports Among College Students
Sex and sexuality are a part of life. Aside from reproduction, sex can be about intimacy and pleasure. Sexual activity, penile-vaginal intercourse PVI , or masturbation, can offer many surprising benefits to all facets of your life:. Sexual health is more than avoiding diseases and unplanned pregnancies. This study suggests that sex can be good cardiovascular exercise in younger men and women. People with active sex lives tend to exercise more frequently and have better dietary habits than those who are less sexually active.
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Try out PMC Labs and tell us what you think. Learn More. We consider characteristics of partnered sexuality of older men and women, particularly sexual activity and sexual quality, as they affect cardiovascular risk. Cardiovascular risk is defined as hypertension, rapid heart rate, elevated CRP, and general cardiovascular events. We find that older men are more likely to report being sexually active, report having sex more often and more enjoyably than are older women. Results from cross-lagged models suggest that high frequency of sex is positively related to later risk of cardiovascular events for men but not women, whereas good sexual quality seems to protect women but not men from cardiovascular risk in later life. We find no evidence that poor cardiovascular health interferes with later sexuality for either gender. Involvement in social relationships has long been demonstrated to promote health Umberson and Montez The sexual relationship, which we define here as either a long- or short-term connection with a partner that includes sex, particularly sexual activity and sexual intimacy, is one of the most fundamental types of social relationships, and it has long been recognized as an essential part of human life Masters and Johnson ; Satcher ; Schnarch Yet, our scientific understanding of sexual relationships, especially the consequences of partnered sexuality for health, is in its nascent stage both theoretically and empirically.
However, several studies on the subject are now outdated, and not all potential benefits apply to everyone. Scientific research has highlighted several possible benefits besides procreation that come with sexual intercourse. These pluses include preserving heart health in some people, reducing blood pressure , and boosting immunity. In this article, we look at the possible health benefits of sex and highlight relevant research, focusing on the physical rather than emotional aspects. Partnered sex appears to have some protective effect on cardiovascular health, especially in women. This research found that sexually active women have a lower risk of cardiac events later in life. However, the study also concluded that high levels of sexual activity might increase the risk of cardiovascular events in men.
