It's clear we're all very intrigued about all things to do with sex, with many of us keen to know how getting frisky actually affects our physical health and mental well-being.
But, before we get into all of that, it's important to highlight that someone's relationship with sexual intercourse is completely unique to that individual and varies massively from person to person.
And, whether it’s getting it on beneath the sheets, driving a car or hopping on a plane - almost everything we do has potential risks and potential positives, so it's more about planning ahead where you're able to in order to prevent the major risks.
So, after already getting into debunked sex myths, the impact of abstinence and all things masturbation, let's get into all the main health benefits and risks when it comes to the weird and wonderful world of S-E-X.
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Health benefits of having sex
Now, there are a whole bunch of ways sexual stimulation will benefit you health-wise, so let's get into the main ones that are most noticeable.
At a snapshot, Healthline notes that sexual stimulation brings on a number of benefits, which include but aren't limited to:
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- relieving built-up stress
- sleeping better
- boosting mood
- preventing anxiety and depression
- helping you relax
- feeling pleasure and enjoyment
- relieving cramps
- releasing sexual tension
- improving self-esteem
- having better sex
- bettering your understanding of your wants and needs
But what does all that really mean, and what's the science?
Sex is good for the heart
Around 30 minutes in the bedroom increases your pulse rate and helps keep your ticker fighting fit, experts at Lloyds Pharmacy note.
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This is because, according to a 2013 study, sex is a good form of exercise: on average, men burn 4.2 calories per minute during sex, and women burn 3.1 calories per minute.
Sex reduces stress
Sex can also help you to relax, and take your mind off everyday worries and anxieties.
"During sex your body releases endorphins and oxytocin, and these feel-good hormones create feelings of relaxation and intimacy, as well as helping to stave off anxiety and depression," Lloyd's Pharmacy adds.
Sex could stop us getting sick
One study in Pennsylvania found that engaging in rumpy-pumpy on the weekly also aids the body’s production of immunoglobulin A.
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"This is an antibody that strengthens our immune systems, therefore helping us to ward off disease. However, more research is needed to work out whether sex really could stop us getting sick," Lloyd's Pharmacy outlines.
Sex stops us getting headaches
Interestingly, orgasms actually provide a quick rush of blood to the head that keeps those brain aches away.
Healthine reports that, in a study of people who were complaining of migraines or cluster headaches, 60 percent reported relief after sexual activity.
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Sex helps you sleep
"Oxytocin, a hormone that promotes relaxation, is released by both sexes when they get passionate, research has found," Lloyd's Pharmacy outlines.
Sex improves fertility
According to Lloyd's Pharmacy, experts have shown that frequent ejaculation reduces damage to sperm, explaining that the longer sperm stays in the testes, the greater chance there is of its DNA becoming damaged.
Sex makes our brains sharper
A study from the University of Pavia in Italy found that regular sex encourages new nerve growth, which actually makes us more alert.
According to the experts, this is particularly apparent during the early stages of a relationship.
Sex prevents incontinence
Lloyd's Pharmacy continues: "Having sex is great exercise for women’s pelvic floor muscles.
"They’re the ones that, among other things, help to control the flow of urine, so the stronger they are, the less likely it is you will become incontinent in later life."
Good to know!
Sex makes you happier
Endorphins, which are hormones that are naturally released during sex, are known to improve your mood, thereby boosting your happiness levels, and helping you to stay emotionally healthy.
Health risks of having sex
OK, so that's all great but it's also important to be wary of the fact that there can be side effects of sexual activity, says women’s health expert Sherry A. Ross, MD.
However, as we say, with the right education and preparation, such risks can be widely avoided.
Discomfort
If your hymen hasn't thinned or broken ahead of having sex, you may experience slight discomfort and bleeding.
Your hymen can break due to a number of reasons other than sex, btw, like horseback riding, biking, tampons and self-penetration.
However, 'sex shouldn't be painful', Ross tells Healthine.
"There’s a widespread myth that sex, and especially penetrative sex, is painful for vulva owners," she says. "But pain during sexual intercourse isn’t normal."
She adds: "Soreness after penetrative intercourse is common, but not normal and usually preventable. Typically, it means there wasn’t enough lube, enough time for arousal ahead of time, or penetration wasn’t slow enough."
So, for anyone who finds penetrative sex painful, Ross recommends using lots of lube and taking things slower.
And, if it's still painful, talk to a doctor or other healthcare provider as there are a few conditions that can make penetration painful, including:
- vaginismus
- vaginal scarring
- hypertonic pelvic floor
- endometriosis
- uterine fibroids
Muscle cramps and fatigue
It's totally normal to feel wiped post-coitus - sex is a physically demanding act after all.
Additionally, orgasms release certain endorphins that can have a sedative effect.
Given all that exercise and muscle tension, it's also normal to feel cramps in certain parts of your body, like your hands, feet, hip, and calves.
Drinking enough water ahead of time can help reduce this risk.
Bad feelings after
Healthine explains that what sexual activity feels like depends on a host of factors, including:
- current stress, hydration, and hunger levels
- what your cultural and religious upbringing taught you about sexual activities and pleasure
- how emotionally attracted you are to your partner
- how physically attracted you are to your partner
- the type of intimacy you’re seeking through this interaction
- how safe you feel with your partner
The experts note: "You may feel super connected, relaxed, satisfied, or euphoric if you feel safe and respected by your partner or were raised in a sex-positive household.
"But you could also experience feelings of shame, guilt, vulnerability, or embarrassment if you were raised in a sexually repressive household or don’t trust your partner."
UTI
"Vulva owners are more prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs) than penis owners because the urethral tube is shorter," Ross explains.
To reduce the risk of a UTI after penetrative sex, Ross recommends peeing right after doing the deed: "Urinating helps flush the tube of bacteria."
If you experience any UTI symptoms, talk to a healthcare provider. Symptoms include:
- increased urge to pee
- burning, stinging, or pain while peeing
- blood in urine
- kidney pain
Pregnancy
"Pregnancy is a risk anytime someone with a vagina has intercourse with someone with a penis and doesn’t use birth control, or doesn’t use it correctly," doctor Felice Gersh, MD, says.
So, if you’re taking an oral contraceptive, that means never skipping a pill!
And for anyone using a barrier method - AKA condoms - Healthline notes that that means:
- The barrier is the right size, and not expired or damaged.
- The barrier is put in place before any genital contact occurs.
- There’s a little room between the tip of the penis and condom for ejaculation.
- The wearer pulls out as soon as they ejaculate or start to lose erection.
If you didn’t use contraception and pregnancy is a risk, you may take an emergency contraceptive up to 72 hours after penetrative sex.
STI
"Most don’t know when they have an STI, because the majority of folks experience no symptoms of all," Gersh says. "So it’s possible for an STI to transmit even if you couldn’t visually tell they were infected, or they didn’t know."
Using a barrier, and using it correctly, during oral, anal, and vaginal sex greatly reduces the risk of transmission.
"But some STIs are spread through skin-to-skin contact," Gersh adds. "A barrier will only cover skin-to-skin infection where skin isn’t touching."
Healthine warns: "The only way to know if you have an STI is to get tested. So, if your partner is STI-positive or you or they don’t know their current STI status, get tested two weeks after possible exposure."
The bottom line
The experts assure that, as long as you’re planning ahead, making a risk-aware decision, and doing it with someone you feel safe with, the intimacy and pleasure benefits of sex far outweigh the potential side effects.
Topics: Sex and Relationships, Science, Life, Health, Women's Health, Explained
Rhiannon Ingle