7 Health Benefits You Get From Sex

Is skipping sex in favor of beauty sleep really in your best interest? Maybe not, as it turns out. Lucky for you, there's a way to spend more quality time with your husband while improving your relationship, looks, and overall health. The answer is simple: sex. And lots of it!

Yes, you read that right. Fooling around regularly with your husband could improve fertility, your chances of pregnancy, your overall mood, and hair growth! Read all the benefits below.

Better Fertility and Chances of Pregnancy

The vaginal canal is highly permeable to water. This means that water (and whatever is in it) can easily pass from the vaginal lining through skin cells and into the body. As semen is largely made up of water, whatever components in it are small enough will be absorbed by the body into your bloodstream.

Alongside a variety of beneficial minerals, a man’s ejaculate also contains the FSH hormone (responsible for healthy egg maturation) and LH hormone (responsible for timely ovulation). These two hormones help with fertility, which is why some scientists believe the reason semen contains these hormones is an evolutionary tactic to increase a mated pair’s fertility.

Plus, scientists have found a strong link between sex, successful implantation, and early baby development. A study published in 2000 divided women undergoing IVF into two groups and instructed one group to have sex around the time of the embryo transfer and the other group to abstain from sex. The group instructed to have sex was also told that the man must complete intravaginal ejaculation. This study found that the group engaging in sex was 43% more likely to achieve pregnancy than the group that abstained from sex.

Improved Sleep Quality

Who’d have thought? Semen also contains melatonin, which, as we all know, helps people achieve higher quality of sleep. Scientists suspect the reason for this is initially to aid in sperm quality and motility, but if it’s absorbed by a female after sex, it may increase a woman’s sleep quality. In turn, this could also help female fertility, as good quality sleep keeps a woman’s body out of a state of inflammation which can hinder female fertility.

Better Overall Mood

A man’s ejaculate also contains endorphins, estrone, prolactin, oxytocin, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, and serotonin. These “mood-elevating” compounds in semen are suspected among scientists to stop depressive symptoms in women, which has been shown in a study that surveyed 293 college women. Despite “risky sex” usually being associated with low moods in females, the researchers found that women who engaged in sex without condoms were less depressed than women who used condoms during sex. 

More Luscious Hair

It’s no secret that men love long hair. But once your luscious locks have helped you score a husband, he can also help you maintain them! According to dermatologic surgeon Dr. Joel Schlessinger, research shows that “sex improves the body’s ability to absorb and metabolize nutrients effectively.” For couples who regularly have sex, this may mean an increase in “essential vitamins and minerals” for healthier hair and stronger nails in the long run.

Clearer Skin

It’s out with the jade stone rollers and in with quality time under the sheets with your husband!

Stress hormones, like cortisol, are linked to wrinkles. However, it turns out sex is a great combatant to this, especially if you orgasm. Not only does having pleasurable sex with your husband reduce stress levels, some evidence shows that when estrogen is released during an orgasm, it can boost collagen levels and improve the appearance of lines, making the skin look more elastic.

Balanced Hormones

There are four stages to arousal: Excitement, plateau, orgasm, and climax. The plateau stage, in particular, is often brushed over in order to reach orgasm; however, it’s actually the stage that offers the most hormonal benefits.

During the plateau stage, a woman produces a huge amount of oxytocin and nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a vital molecule that provides lots of health and hormone-balancing benefits. To reap the rewards, you want to be making as much of this as possible. It is also released during climax, but by staying in the plateau stage for longer, you’ll produce more. To increase the length of your plateau stage, an edging technique is recommended.

A Glow-Up

Physical activity increases heart rate and improves blood circulation, and as sex is a vigorous physical activity, it’s no different! During sex, your body increases the flow of oxygen to the skin and other organs, which is what brightens the complexion and gives you and your husband that glow after sex. 

Reconsider Condom Use

We’ve learned over the years that hormonal birth control wreaks havoc on a woman’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Because of this, many couples may have turned to barrier methods such as condoms. Unfortunately, condom usage comes with its own list of cons.

As mentioned previously, the vaginal wall is highly permeable, which means the chemicals used in condoms may be absorbed by a woman during sex. Although we don’t know if all chemicals found in condoms can be absorbed this way (very little research has been done), it’s important to know what these chemicals are so you can make a decision about whether you’d like to take the risk.

Here are the chemicals you need to look out for:

• Nonoxynol-9 – a spermicide that may kill good vaginal bacteria, and irritate, abrade, and damage genital tissues making you more susceptible to STDs.

• Parabens – an endocrine disruptor that can contribute to hormonal imbalance.

• Diethyl Phthalate – another endocrine disruptor that has the potential to damage sperm, cause miscarriage, and negatively affect baby growth.

• Glycerin – a common lubricant that, if left in the vaginal canal long enough, can throw off your pH balance and can make you more susceptible to yeast infections.

• Benzocaine – a numbing agent (not required by manufacturers to disclose on packaging) that has a list of side effects too long to list. You can find the full list here.

• Styrene – used to make a variety of modern day products and found in car exhaust, cigarette smoke, and some coffee cups.

• Nitrosamines – a by-product of latex production which can cause tumor growth when ingested.

• Propylene and Propylene Glycol – chemicals commonly used in condom lubricants as a preservative that can cause vaginal irritation.

If you’re now put off using condoms, don’t worry. There are natural fertility awareness methods you can use to avoid pregnancy. 

Closing Thoughts

We’re sure you and your husband didn’t need any more reason to spend time together under the sheets, but now you can rest easy knowing that what’s good for your relationship is also good for both your beauty and health.