10 Unexpected Benefits of Intimate Relationships

There is an assumption that someone who regularly has sex gets sick less often. This is because the benefits of intimate relationships are not only able to strengthen the intimacy of partners, but also bring many health benefits.

There are many positive reasons for married couples to have sex more often. Apart from its nature as an activity to reproduce, having sex regularly is one way to have fun, maintain intimacy, and keep the body in shape. If you are planning to have or have more children, there are several sex positions that are believed to increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Benefits of Intimate Relationships

Healthy sex can be done at any time, either in the morning or at night before going to bed. Let's look at the various benefits of intercourse below.

  • Helps maintain the immune system

    Someone who has sexual intercourse has a relatively strong body against germs, viruses, and bacteria that cause disease. A study even states that having sex 1-2 times per week on a regular basis can increase levels of antibodies that can protect the body from infection.

    However, if you have sex more than three times a week, the antibody levels in your body are the same as those who don't have sex regularly. The researchers suspect, stress and anxiety to be the cause.

  • Burn calories

    Sex is a physical activity. Having sex is as heavy as the activity of walking fast. Having sex for 30 minutes can burn about 200 calories. Therefore, scheduling intercourse is the right activity to burn calories on a regular basis.

  • Maintain heart health

    Heart health is one of the keys to a healthy body. Studies have found that men who have sex twice a week have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, when compared to men who only have sex once a month. This study does not confirm that sex can prevent heart disease. But researchers agree that sex is part of maintaining a healthy heart.

  • Increase happiness

    According to research, frequent quality sex can increase feelings of happiness. This relates to the benefits of intimate relationships that can help reduce stress.

  • Increase the closeness of the couple

    Orgasm releases the hormone oxytocin or the love hormone, which helps married couples increase their sense of trust and strengthen the bond between them. Regular sex with one person also increases the level of commitment, so the risk of divorce can be reduced.

  • Improve bladder control

    As women get older, women will experience bladder control problems so that urine can flow uncontrollably. The benefit of intercourse in this case for women is to help tighten the lower pelvic muscles, with muscle contractions during orgasm.

  • Lowering blood pressure

    According to research, intercourse, excluding masturbation, was beneficial in lowering blood pressure. High blood pressure is associated with the risk of heart disease and stroke. Allegedly intercourse helps dilate blood vessels, increase the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the body's cells, as well as reduce blood pressure because it is included in physical activity with an intensity similar to exercise.

  • Relieve pain

    Another benefit of intercourse is to relieve pain. During intercourse, the brain releases endorphins. Endorphins not only make the body more relaxed, but also can relieve pain, such as migraines and back pain.

  • Reduce the risk of prostate cancer

    Research reveals that ejaculating at least 21 times a month is thought to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. However, there is no research that confirms the cause of why sex can reduce the risk of prostate cancer, so further studies are needed to prove this connection.

  • Improve sleep quality

    After orgasm, the body produces the hormone prolactin which can cause a sense of relaxation and sleepiness so that you will sleep faster and more soundly. A good night's sleep can contribute to strengthening the immune system and increasing energy.

The thing to remember is that although there are various benefits of having sex, in terms of maintaining health, you still need to practice a healthy lifestyle and safe sex. A healthy lifestyle includes adequate rest, regular exercise, consumption of healthy foods, and complete vaccinations. It takes exercise or active body movement about 2.5 hours a week, to maintain a healthy body. Of course, this cannot be achieved only through intercourse. Therefore, keep exercising regularly, such as swimming, cycling, or just walking briskly.