How Healthy Is Sex?

Did you know the perks of sex extend well beyond the bedroom? Sex not only feels good. It can also be good for you. Find out how!

People who have sex have higher levels of what defends your body against germs, viruses, and other intruders.

You should still do all the other things that make your immune system happy, such as:

Eat right.
Stay active.
Get enough sleep

Having sex will make sex better and will improve your libido. For women, having sex ups vaginal lubrication, blood flow, and elasticity, all of which make sex feel better and help you crave more of it.

A strong pelvic floor is important for avoiding incontinence, something that will affect about 30% of women at some point in their lives. Good sex is like a workout for your pelvic floor muscles. When you have an orgasm, it causes contractions in those muscles, which strengthens them.

Sex uses about five calories per minute, four more calories than watching TV. It gives you a one-two punch: It bumps up your heart rate and uses various muscles.

So get busy! You may even want to clear your schedule to make time for it on a regular basis. “Like with exercise, consistency helps maximize the benefits.

A good sex life is good for your heart. Besides being a great way to raise your heart rate, sex helps keep your estrogen and testosterone levels in balance. Before you reach for an aspirin, try for an orgasm.