7 surprising ways sex can improve our health

Eating delicious food, getting a good night’s sleep and sexy times. Some may say these are three of the best things EVER! And not only can it be a lot of fun, but there are some MAJOR HEALTH benefits of sex that we never knew about!

Check out these 7 ways sex can improve your health!

7 health benefits of sex the doctors won’t tell you!

1. Pain relief

In a 1980s study, research found that when they experienced an orgasm, women’s pain tolerance thresholds increased by nearly 75 per cent. So next time you have a headache or cramp, ditch the Panadol and head to the bedroom!

2. Combats stress

When we have sex, happy hormones called endorphins are released so we immediately feel less stressed. Couples who have sex more frequently also have fewer blood-pressure spikes and react to stressful situations in a healthier way.

3. Helps you bond with your partner

When we’re physically intimate with our partner, the love hormone oxytocin is released and that can help increase those romantic feelings between the two of you.

Are you a fan of cuddling post-sex? Well studies have also shown that couples who spend extra time with each other after sex release even more oxytocin and are more satisfied in their relationship.

4. A healthy heart

Whoever said sex isn’t exercise is WRONG! Our heart rate is up when we’re getting busy, so it builds our cardiac stamina and gives the heart a workout, nice!

5. Immune system

Feel the sniffles coming on? Well sex may be the medicine you need!

Researchers gave students questionnaires about their sex lives, then tested them for levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), an antibody that helps fight off viruses. Those student who had sex once or twice a week had 30 per cent more IgA than those who had less sex.

6. Brain booster

Oxford University and Coventry University conducted a study that found that people who have regular sex were more likely to score higher on various mental tests especially when it came to verbal fluency and visual tests.

Next time you have a sexy session with your partner, maybe give a brainteaser puzzle a go!

7. It burns calories

Now this is a workout we can definitely get behind! Ok it may not be much, but a study found that women burn around 69 calories and men burned around 101 calories per session.