Why Intimacy May Be the Key to a Longer Life

Find Intimacy in your relationship

An apple a day might keep the doctor away, but an orgasm a day works twice as well! Regular sex is the key to longevity and a key factor in finding intimacy. This contradicts a lot of advice about health. In traditional Indian culture, ejaculation was seen as a drain on men’s vitality. In French culture, an orgasm is called, ‘le petit mort’, ‘the little death’. Why would sex prolong life? There are several exciting explanations and here are some of the best.

Sex improves the immune system – When you feel a cold coming on, have sex. Researchers in Wilkes University, Pennsylvania discovered that people who have sex frequently, possess greater levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), an antibody that prevents colds.

Sex reduces the risk of heart disease– Heart disease is a leading cause of death for men and women. The New England Research Institute’s study showed that men who have sex twice a week can reduce their risk of heart disease by half. Sex is great exercise, and it gets your heart pumping. According to research from the University of Montreal, men burn 100 calories in the average sex session while women burn 69. Losing calories and getting orgasms sounds like the ultimate deal.

Sex reduces stress– We all get stressed. Stress leads to serious health problems that can shorten one’s life. Dr Stuart Brody’s researchproved that people who have regular sex exhibit lower blood pressure in stressful situations.

Sex keeps the cells healthy– Cells are the building blocks in our bodies, and sex keeps them healthy and increases lifespan. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco discovered that constant sex helps to lengthen the telomeres, the set of proteins in the cell’s nucleus that stabilizes the ends of the chromosomes.

Sex reduces the risk of breast and prostate cancer- A study revealed that women who had sex more than once per month, had a lower risk of getting breast cancer. During sex, ‘happy’ hormones like oxytocin and DHEA are released which may help prevent breast cancer. Similarly, Australian researchers published a study showing men who ejaculate often between the ages of 20-50, are less likely to develop prostate cancer.

Orgasms can add years to your life- Regular romps in the hay can lengthen your days. This study found that men who had multiple orgasms a week had a 50% lower risk of death than those who didn’t orgasm as much. Other studies show that women who have frequent orgasms are more likely to live longer than those who don’t.

Frequent sex means an intimate relationship. These studies prove that close personal ties enhance health and extend longevity. So next time you have sex, remember that you’re prolonging your life.

Find out more about our couple's counseling services here: Give us intimacy!

Amanda Patterson, LMHC, CAP decided to become a therapist while attending Nova Southeastern University. She saw the need to help people achieve the life they wanted to live, while creating a life of her own. She completed her master’s in Mental Health Counseling and started a career in the juvenile justice arena. Since then, she has started a private practice in Pembroke Pines, Florida, specializing in depression, anxiety relationship issues, and substance abuse. Amanda is a believer in holistic treatment and she practices veganism, meditation and yoga in her life. Find out more about her practice here. For a free 15-minute consultation, call or text Amanda at 954-378-5381 or email her at amanda@amandapattersonlmhc.com.