Sex is known for its medicinal uses, from managing migraines to alleviating arthritis pain. In some cases, making love may be just what the doctor ordered. Could sex be a cure or is that a false claim? What do doctors have to say about sexual intercourse in relation to certain diseases? Many people suffer of some heart conditions, and they feel too embarrassed to ask their doctor about sex. Fortunately, this article is here to examine the issue of sex as a cure in great detail. What does sex cure?
Certain studies have confirmed that sex can bolster the immune system, relieve pain, ease some types of migraine headaches, and have important psychological benefits. During sex the body releases powerful endorphins, natural pain relievers, which create a healing, relaxing situation for the whole body. Sex can reduce heart disease as well. Those with intimacy in their lives have better levels of white blood cells that affect the immune system.
Other studies have shown that sex on a regular basis helps reduce stress and alleviate PMS in some women, and that an orgasm is a natural analgesic that relieves any kind of pain. Researchers debate the mechanisms of sexual first aid. One theory is that the endorphins activated by an orgasm travel to receptor sites throughout the body and produce effect similar to those of morphine.
Sex and mental health
Sex is extremely important for mental health, which was confirmed in a long-term study of 37,500 adults. People with fulfilling sex lives were found to be in better mental health, more relaxed and self-reliant, with a positive outlook. Marriage therapists say that a tender sex life helps bring out the best qualities in us. When that happens, the ills of both mind and body heal more readily. It is interesting that some sex therapists warn that celibacy can be hazardous to your health. There was an article in the Washington Times with some psychiatrists agreeing that abstinence may prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
However, they also said it could lead to irritability, insomnia, psychosomatic disorders, depression and even suicide.
Sex can boost the immune system
The good news is, sex is definitely good for you, at least in moderation. Psychologists proved that the immune systems of people who have sex once or twice a week receives a ginificant boost. Scientists evaluate how robust our immune systems are by measuring levels of immunoglobulin A, an antigen found in saliva and mucosal linings. This substance, called IgA, is the first line of defense against colds and flu. An important role of IgA is that it binds to pathogens at all points of entry to the body, and then calls on the immune system to destroy them. In a study made to measure amounts of IgA in people who had sex and those who abstain from it, results showed that participants who had sex less than once a week had a small increase in IgA over those who abstained completely. Those who had one or two sexual encounters each week had a 30% rise. Unfortunately, people who had very frequent sex (three times a week or more) had lower IgA levels even than the abstainers.
The high levels of IgA in volunteers who had moderately frequent sex are easy to understand. Sexually active people may be exposed to many more infectious agents than sexually non-active people may. The immune system would respond to these foreign antigens by producing and releasing more IgA. On the other hand, why there was no IgA rise in the most sexually active group is less clear.
Sex and heart disease/stroke
Thousands of heart patients and stroke survivors have learned that having a heart disease, stroke, or surgery does not mean sex life must end. After the first phase of recovery is over, patients find that the same forms of lovemaking are still rewarding. Many myths surround sex after heart disease and stroke, but the most common one is that resuming sex often causes a heart attack, stroke, or sudden death. This just is definitely not true. There is no reason why heart patients or stroke survivors cannot resume their usual sexual activity as soon as they feel ready for it.
If you have any concerns about your heart disease, you should talk to your doctor. Fears about performance and general depression can greatly reduce sexual interest and capacity. After recovery, heart patients and stroke survivors may feel depressed, which is normal. In fact, in 85% of the cases it goes away within three months. You and your partner can prepare for sex in several ways, but first you should maintain and improve your physical conditions and personal hygiene. Second, you should be tolerant of your emotions since temporary mood swings are common.
Before having sex, choose a time when you are rested, relaxed and free from the stress brought on by the day%26rsquo;s activities. You should wait 1-3 hours after eating a full meal to allow time for digestion. Select a familiar, peaceful setting to have sex in, free from interruptions. If prescribed by your doctor, you must take medicine before sexual relations. You should always be aware that your feelings about your body might have changed since your stroke. Try using pillows to help support your affected side during lovemaking.
Sex and stress
Most of us generally recognize that extremely uptight and stressed-out people could benefit from a nice roll in the hay. However, sex is not always included as a top stress management technique, despite all the physical and emotional benefits it provides. The fact and truth is, it should be. Everyone should learn the stress management benefits of a healthy sex life. We should also learn how to get our groove back if stress has put a damper on our libido.
Deep breathing relaxes your body, oxygenates your blood, and reduces the stress you feel.
Sense of touch is important, because massage can be a great stress reliever. In fact, we need touch for our emotional health. Studies also show that babies who are not touched enough can fail to thrive, and touch continues to be important into adulthood. Socially supported people tend to manage stress better, live longer, and enjoy increased overall health.
The type of emotional intimacy that sex can supply is good for all of us. Endorphins released from sexual activity prevent stress effectively. Sex is also able to release some other feel-good hormones.
The physical workout you can have during sex, depending on your level of enthusiasm, can burn many calories. That way you gain the benefits of exercise as well.
Unfortunately, many people find that when they are under stress, their sex drive suffers and their libido is low. In fact, a recent study showed that more than half the partners of people working over 48 hours a week reported that it was damaging their sexual life. Fortunately, the same factors that can decrease the level of stress you feel can rev up your libido at the same time %26ndash; it%26rsquo;s a vicious circle.
So could we say sex is cure?
Should we not all try to have as much sex as possible, since this activity can burn calories, strengthen the immune system, improve circulation, relieve pain, tone muscles, counter depression, make us look younger, uses equipment we already own, and is usually free? All this improves with regular sexual activity with a caring partner. It confers many emotional and psychological health benefits, and there is a growing body of evidence to prove it. When so many doctors say that having a rewarding and enjoyable relationship with sexual intimacy is good for us, we%26rsquo;d better believe it.
Sex in the context of relationship improves both mental health and emotional well-being for both men and women. Research shows that sexually active couples are happier than those who are not sexually active. Legal, non-fattening, and requiring no membership fees, sex may be just what the doctor ordered for your health.
How much calories sex is worth for a woman, studies did not confirm. This is because a woman%26rsquo;s energy expenditure during sex is so variable. Some calorie-expenditure charts say that for the average 145-pound Canadian woman, 20 minutes of moderate sex burns about 93 calories, more than a 20-minute stroll or leisurely cycling, about as much as a doubles tennis match.
Doctors also confirm that sex could strengthen muscles, boost circulation, and improve cholesterol levels. Compared to those who had two or more orgasms per week, those with far fewer orgasms had twice the death rate from cardiovascular disease. Have sex within an hour of getting a migraine, and you could literally be feeling no pain. In some studies, all women experienced complete or partial relief from their classic migraines after having intercourse that included orgasms. In a few unlucky people, however, sex can sometimes trigger a headache.
Other studies have found that sex can relieve menstrual cramps and arthritis pain as well. It seems that arousal and orgasm trigger an endorphin rush in the brain. Since this substance acts as an analgesic, it could work with each type of pain. With migraines, the serotonin released during orgasm causes a constriction of the dilated blood vessels in the brain. (Clotted blood vessels most commonly were the cause of migraine.) The increase in endorphins lasts for an estimated one to three hours, so you could have benefits from sex much longer then you might think.
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