What Making Love Can Do for Your Health

You can hardly wait for your partner to walk through that door so you can take them in your arms, kiss them enticingly and begin the foreplay that will lead to a few hours of sensual play, erotic passion and total exhaustion. It’s hard for anyone to ignore the urge when it takes us over… but did you know that there are a number of health benefits to making love. Yes, there are more reasons then just because it feels good. Here is a list of what love making means to your overall health.

1. Exercise. “Sexual activity is a form of physical exercise,” according to Dr. Michael Cirigliano of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Making love three times a week burns around 7,500 calories in a year — the equivalent of jogging 75 miles. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather make love to my husband then run 75 miles!
2. Heavy Breathing. A night of love can raise the amount of oxygen in cells, helping to keep organs and tissues functioning at their peak.
3. Strong Bones and Muscles. “Any kind of physical exercise is going to increase testosterone,” states Dr. Karen Donahey, director of the Sex and Marital Therapy Program at Chicago’s Northwestern University Medical Center. Testosterone is believed to help keep men’s bones and muscles strong. If you really love your partner then show him by making love to him, let him know that you are interested in his long term health.
4. Lowered Cholesterol. Making love regularly can lower levels of the body’s total cholesterol slightly, while positively changing the ratio of good-to-bad cholesterol.
5. Pain Relief. Sex can lower levels of “arthritic pain, whiplash pain and headache pain,” according to Dr. Beverly Whipple, president-elect of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists. Hormones that are released during sexual excitement and orgasm can elevate pain thresholds. What does this mean… it means that old excuse of “Not tonight I have a headache,” has gone out the window! Having a headache is now a plea for pleasure fulfillment!
6. DHEA — Without Supplements. DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), a popular supplemental hormone, is released naturally during lovemaking. Just before orgasm and ejaculation, DHEA spikes to levels three to five times higher than usual.
7. Prostate Protection. Researchers say prostate trouble may arise or be worsened by fluid buildup within the gland. Regular ejaculation will help wash out those fluids. Be cautious when suddenly changing frequency — sudden changes may also trigger prostate problems.
8. Stress Relief. Sex can be a very effective way of reducing stress levels. I think that’s a no brainer but felt that it should be included in the list of health benefits.
9. Love Will Keep Us Together. Affectionate touch will increase levels of oxytocin — the “bonding hormone.” Oxytocin is a desire-enhancing chemical secreted by the pituitary. Regular oxytocin release may help encourage frequent lovemaking.
10. Hormones — Naturally. Regular lovemaking can increase a woman’s estrogen level, protect her heart and keep her vaginal tissues more supple.

So, if there was every a doubt as to why making love is important this list should help erase that. I do want to clarify that this should be healthy sex, that both people consent to and are able to enjoy. Intimacy is an incredibly important aspect to any relationship… that intimacy needs to spread outside of the bedroom so that attraction, desire, respect and confidence and trust are felt in every aspect of the relationship.