1. Sex keeps colds and flu at bay
A study done at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania (US) found that couples who had sex at least twice a week had better immunity against colds and flu. Sex bumped up their levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), an antigen found in saliva and the mucosal membranes, which protects against cold and flu by attaching itself to bacteria and then activating the immune system to destroy them.
2. Sex keeps you young
In their book Secrets of the Superyoung (Berkley Books), Dr David Weeks, a clinical neuropsychologist, and science journalist Jamie James, refer to a study showing that people who have and enjoy sex at least three times a week tend to look younger and are more confident and comfortable with their sexual identity.
3. Sex soothes migraines
Dr Randolph Evans, a professor of neurology at Baylor College of Medicine (US), says that orgasms occasionally relieve the pain of migraines.
4. Sex is a stress reliever
Forget that massage or shopping spree. Rather have a quickie. Says a study in Biological Psychology: sex may relieve stress due to release of the hormone oxytocin, which lowers blood pressure and induces a sense of calm.
5. Sex helps you sleep
Orgasm causes a rush of endorphins and oxytocin which helps you fall asleep, says Dr Michel Odent. And a US study by Professor Carol Ellison found that 32 percent of the women surveyed who masturbated, did so to get to dreamland.
6. Sex may reduce your risk of endometriosis
A study done at Yale University, School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut (US), suggests that women who orgasm frequently reduce their chances of developing endometriosis, a condition that could lead to infertility and is associated with the back up of menstrual fluid. “An orgasm probably does move debris, but instead of going backward it helps to get it out,” said researcher, Dr Harvey Kliman.
7. Sex burns kilojoules
It doesn’t replace exercise or eating a balanced diet, but it does help you burn a few kilojoules. In another study by Prof Ellison, she found that those who have active sex lives exercised more and had better eating habits, which resulted in more self confidence; leads to more and better sex; which lead to more exercise and healthy eating habits; and therefore resulted in more self confidence. And so the cycle continues…
8. Sex keeps your cycle in sync
Having sex at least once a week can keep your period regular. It also lessens your risk of infertility and makes menopause more bearable. All this due to the exposure to male pheromones (the natural odours we release) suggests researcher Professor Winnifred Cutler, founder of the Athena Institute, a biomedical research organisation in the US.
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