Sexual activity predicts life expectancy and risk of death for people with high blood pressure between the ages of 20 and 59.
Photo: Maria CUAREMS
Sexual activity predicts life expectancy and risk of death for people with high blood pressure between the ages of 20 and 59. This aspect of sexual life has been studied in China using data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey. The results are published in the journal Sexual Medicine.
To understand how much sex is good for cardiovascular health, and how much, 4,565 men and women with high blood pressure were asked to complete a self-report, sexual behavior questionnaire. Most of the study participants were men, 55.6%, and the average age was just over 40 years.
Over a period of more than five years, 109 (2.39%) people withdrew from the study due to death. For the remainder, sexual activity was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality, the scientists write.
What does it mean? Analyzing the data, it turned out that married people who had sex less than once a month had a higher risk of death from all causes compared to those who had sex more than once a month or more than 4 times a month. month.
At the same time, the relationship between the frequency of sexual intercourse and all-cause mortality was nonlinear, meaning that there is no direct causal relationship between a change in the number of sexual intercourses and a decrease in the risk of death.
SO IS SEX REALLY GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH?
Sexuality itself is an innate need of any person, embedded in the genetic code to preserve our species, an obstetrician-gynecologist, an ultrasound doctor, a specialist in educational and methodological work of the IAMRC IAM RNIMU who leads the name of KP.RU. .RU. NI Pirogov of the Russian Ministry of Health Olga Lutsenko.
1. An explosion of happy hormones for mental well-being
The main component of a sexual encounter is an “emotional explosion”, which is accompanied by the production of four “happiness hormones”: dopamine, endorphin, oxytocin and serotonin. It is interesting that these substances are actively produced in the brain even at moments when a person realizes that some event is important for his survival, for the continuation of his life.
The effects of “happiness hormones” are widely known, but separately we can highlight their ability to improve blood supply to vital organs, such as the heart, brain and kidneys. Also, blood flow directly to the genital area is significantly increased, which prevents the development of female and male diseases associated with congestion in the small pelvis.
A surge of “hormones of happiness” can increase the level of resistance to stress, which has a positive effect on the state of the nervous system. The decrease in dopamine levels is associated with the aging process and the deterioration of cognitive functions: speed of attention, memorization processes.
2. Pleasant physical activity, equivalent to training in a gym
In the process of physical intimacy, the pelvic floor muscles are involved, and most importantly, not only contraction, but also relaxation processes take place, which helps to properly strengthen this muscle group. A regular and energy-efficient sex life can replace a quality workout in the gym, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity.
Immediately after sexual intercourse, the body produces a large amount of the hormone prolactin, which causes physical relaxation, which allows you to level problems with falling asleep and improve the quality of sleep.
3. Well, the final, but far from the least important useful property of sexual life is the strengthening of family relationships and the formation of family values, devotion, trust, attention, care.