8. Reduces stress
“One of the top benefits of sex, particularly in the acutely stressful world in which we’re living these days, is its ability to immediately melt away built-up stress,” says Paul Hokemeyer, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in New York City.
When you’re stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. One 2019 study showed that intimacy with a partner, whether sexual or not, reduced elevated cortisol levels in both men and women.
Another study, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, found that anxiety and depression scores were significantly lower in those who were sexually active during the COVID-19 shutdown.
In addition, when you have sex, your body releases a cocktail of hormones and neurotransmitters that “help calm us down and make us feel safe and secure in the world,” Hokemeyer explains.
9. Burns calories
Getting busy with your partner isn’t going to replace a session on the treadmill, but it does count as physical activity.
In a study published in the journal PLOS One, Canadian researchers found that men burned 101 calories on average during a 24-minute session, while women burned 69 calories. “These results suggest that sexual activity may potentially be considered, at times, as a significant exercise,” the authors wrote.
Of course, how many calories you actually burn depends on how long your session lasts and how vigorous it is. But even if your romp lasts only six minutes, the typical length of a session, that’s still better than doing nothing at all. The latest research on physical activity reveals that getting your heart rate up even for just a few minutes conveys health benefits.
10. Enhances brain health
Several studies suggest that frequent sexual activity may have a beneficial effect on the brain, particularly in older adults.
A 2016 study of nearly 7,000 adults aged 50 to 89 found that those who engaged in sex more often demonstrated enhanced recall on memory tests.
Another study of adults ages 50 and over, published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior in 2018, found that frequent sexual activity and greater emotional closeness during partnered sexual activity was associated with better performance on memory tasks.
Social psychologist Justin Lehmiller, a Kinsey Institute research fellow and host of the Sex and Psychology podcast, notes that animal studies show regular sexual activity is linked to more neuron growth in the brain.
11. Helps you sleep
If you tend to doze off after sex, there’s a scientific explanation for that. During sex, the body releases hormones such as oxytocin and prolactin that induce pleasant and relaxing feelings, Marashi says. Sex also reduces cortisol, which is associated with stress.
“This can cause someone to feel relaxed and drowsy and make it easier for them to fall asleep,” Marashi says.
In one study, about 63 percent of participants reported that it was easier to fall asleep after orgasm, and 71 percent of participants reported better sleep quality after orgasm. Despite common perceptions that men are the ones who roll over and start snoring after sex, there was no gender difference in the results.
If you struggle with sleep, try sex in lieu of a nightcap or sleep medication, Marashi advises.
12. Extends your life
You’re never too old to have sex, researchers say, and making it a regular part of your routine may be a tool to extend your life span.
In Ikaria, Greece — one of the regions of the world where people live significantly longer than average — more than 80 percent of people ages 65 to 100 are having sex, according to Blue Zones, an organization that researches the world’s longest-lived cultures.
A variety of studies have found a correlation between an active sex life and a longer life. For example, an observational study of 15,269 U.S. adults published in 2020 in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that death rates were about 50 percent lower for those who had sex at least once a week, compared with those who rarely had sex.
More recent research indicates that sexual activity is especially beneficial for women and those with depression: women who rarely have sex face a 70 percent higher risk of death compared to those who have sex at least once a week, and those with depression have a 197 percent higher risk of death if they have sex less than once a week, the study showed.
Experts believe the lower risk of death likely stems from all the other known health benefits of sex, including better heart health, improved sleep, lower stress and a closer relationship with your partner.
Thomas and Marashi both stress that help is available if physical problems such as erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness are keeping you from being sexually active.
“You may not be as frisky as you once were, but [sex] should still be a part of your identity,” Thomas says. “If there is pain or a lack of desire or another problem, there are people out there who can help.”
Editor’s note: This story, first published Nov. 17, 2022, has been updated to reflect new information.
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