Frequent Sex Makes Men Healthier
The health of the prostate is an integral part of a man's overall sexual health. The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped gland in the pelvis. Its function is to produce the fluid components of semen, as well as to help propel semen outward during ejaculation. The prostate is very prone to medical problems compared to other parts of the body. In fact, prostate problems are so prevalent that about one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer within their lifetime. This is considered an age-related disease; 80 percent of prostate cancer cases occur in men over the age of 65. It's crucial that men know how to protect their prostate health.
Frequent Sex Reduces Prostate Cancer Risk
It may seem too good to be true, but having lots of sex can reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Some of the male health benefits of sex are due to the exercise component or other factors. However, the sex-prostate cancer link seems to be due to the act of ejaculation itself. Researchers from the National Cancer Institute followed nearly 30,000 men over the course of eight years. They found that men who had orgasms more frequently were less likely to suffer from prostate cancer later in life. Specifically, men who had at least 21 orgasms per month were 33 percent less likely to develop cancer of the prostate than men who had only seven orgasms per month. So, having sex more days than not is a great option for reducing your prostate cancer risk.
However, your sex life (or masturbation habits) are by no means the only factor that influences your prostate cancer risk. A family history of prostate cancer is a notable factor. Research also suggests that black men may have an increased risk of prostate cancer compared to other ethnic groups and that they are also more prone to aggressive forms of the disease.
In addition to having plenty of sex, there are other ways to reduce your risk of prostate cancer. Research has found that stopping smoking, exercising regularly and increasing your consumption of fruits and vegetables are effective measures. Additionally, the American Cancer Society recommends that men should receive prostate cancer screening every one to two years beginning at age 50. Men with an elevated risk, including black men and men with a first-degree relative who had early prostate cancer, should start routine screening at age 45. If you have more than one first-degree relative who had early prostate cancer (before age 45), you should begin your yearly screenings even earlier at age 40.
Sex Is Good For Your Heart
With a healthy lifestyle, routine screenings and a robust sex life, you can greatly decrease your risk of prostate cancer and avoid the troubles and medical expenses that come along with it. However, having a lot of sex also has many other health benefits for men. One area of health especially pertinent to men is heart health—men are more likely to have a heart attack than women.
Many assume that the exertion of sex is bad for the heart and may trigger a heart attack. This can be true, but mostly for men who already have a pre-existing heart condition. Unless your doctor has advised you against having sex for the sake of protecting your heart, having sex more frequently is actually beneficial to heart health. One Welsh study followed over 900 men for 20 years; the researchers found that men who had sex more frequently had a reduced risk of experiencing a heart attack.
Sex Reduces High Blood Pressure
Men are also more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. If you have high blood pressure, research shows having a healthy sex life can reduce it. This is probably due to the fact that sex acts as a mild aerobic exercise, plus it is greatly relaxing. These two factors relieve high blood pressure. Having lots of sex could help you avoid complications from high blood pressure including heart disease, aneurysm, kidney problems, vision loss, metabolic syndrome and medical problems.
Having Sex Boosts Immunity
There is evidence that sex improves your immune system. One study, conducted at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania, surveyed 112 volunteers about their sex life. Then, researchers analyzed their saliva samples. They found that people who reported having sex at least once or twice a week had the highest levels of infection-fighting immunoglobulin A, which is the body's first line of defense against the common cold virus. Since men naturally have weaker immune systems than women, doing what you can to boost immunity (including having lots of sex) is important.
Sexual Activity Prolongs Your Life
There may be many other health benefits of frequent lovemaking that scientists have yet to discover. After all, sex is deeply relaxing, and relaxation has its own range of positive effects on mental and physical health. Did you know that taking the time to relax regularly can improve memory and decision-making, reduce your risk of stroke and depression and help you maintain a healthy weight?
The many health benefits of having plenty of sex all come together to lengthen your life as a whole. One study, involving over 900 middle-aged men, found that men who only had sex once a month or less were twice as likely to die of any cause than men who had sex twice a week. Sex helps you live longer—is there any better reason to have more of it?
