Are There Truly Health Benefits of Sex?

People often say that sex is the key to a long life, but is there truly scientific and medical evidence to back these claims up? Let's start with the facts surrounding sex. First of all, having a healthy sexual appetite is only good if you are having sexual intercourse with a sexual partner that you are 100 percent familiar with, including their sexual history. Your sexual partner should be completely free of any sexually transmitted diseases and you should not be afraid to ask for proof of this before having sex with this person for the first time. It is always a good idea to use a condom or some other form of protection even when using birth control.

According to Forbes, having regular and enthusiastic sex can provide the individual with a large number of advantages over someone who is not having sex on a regular basis. These advantages can be very psychological. A study printed in The British Medical Journal, 1997, said that people who have sex several times a week have an improved sense of smell, a reduced risk of heart disease, experience weight loss and overall fitness, reduced depression, pain relief, less frequent colds and flu symptoms, improved bladder control, stronger teeth and a happier prostate.

For sexual partners who can safely have unprotected sexual intercourse, BBC News reports that women who have been exposed to their sexual partner's semen during sexual intercourse may find that they feel happier. Scientists throughout the world believe that semen has mood-altering affects that boost a woman's mood. Semen contains a large range of mood-altering hormones that are absorbed through the woman's vagina. These hormones help to improve the woman's mood.

Sexually functioning is controlled by the sex glands that release hormones. Individuals interested in boosting the normal function of these glands, should increase their intake of vitamin A, B, C and E. These specific vitamins are extremely beneficial to sexual health. Of the four vitamins, vitamin B is the most beneficial to a normal and healthy sex life.

Finally, sex can not only help improve mood and reduce depression, but is good for the body overall. People who are sexually active several times a week are burning additional calories and tend to have more energy.