Sex may still be considered taboo to talk about, but it may be just the thing you need to hear about when it comes to keeping healthy.
Some surprising health benefits of sex include a stronger immune system, minimized pain, weight loss, improved sleep, reduced blood pressure and it decreases serious health issues— such as prostate cancer, heart failure and alleviates stress.
According to Women’s Health, “People who have sex were found to have higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA). These antibodies help combat diseases and keep the body safe from colds and flu.”
From headaches to back pains, sex can serve as medicine to keep the day going, pain free. After an orgasm a surge of hormones are released, which then alleviates pain. The endorphins that are released resemble morphine, which helps with pain.
Some students say sex helps to relieve stress from their busy lives.
“See, nowadays sex is the easiest and fastest stress reliever that you can find out there,” said Javier Gomez, junior communication studies major. “To top it off, it lost that intimate passion of that aspect of where you can say, ‘I’m going to make love to this individual and please their mind body and soul and arouse their deepest and darkest secrets.”
Sophomore media advertising major, Jocelyn Torres said that although many students and even friends may use sex for recreational purposes, she said she has sex out of love.
“More out of love for me, because if you are comfortable with the person and if you have the ability to connect with the person, and you have feelings with the person you will be able to connect with them,” Torres said.
In addition to health benefits, there are some health risks that could be detrimental if necessary precautions aren’t taken. Sexually transmitted diseases are always a possibility for those who are sexually active and can lead to temporary health risks and potential permanent health issues, such as HIV/AIDS.
Licensed psychoanalyst with El Paso Counseling Associates, Mary Webb Tafoya, said that although neuroscience shows that it does lower stress because of the release of hormones, it can lead to serious health risks.
“People don’t talk about those things,” she said. “Often times, people are engaging in sex while under the influence and do not have the talk—if they are clean and if they are free of illnesses. Even if they are educated, they don’t get tested.
Webb-Tafoya also said all too often people have sex with a person specifically for the relief rather than in the search for a partner, which can lead to STDs.
“You don’t necessarily have to be with another person to get relief,” she said. “When you weigh all of the possibilities and the consequences of being with another person, and with all of the risks, it is better to find another way to relieve yourself. If you have to get relief, why not masturbate?”
Amanda Guillen may be reached at [email protected].
