Sex is healthy — SteemCN

Sex and health go hand in hand. Research has linked it to a slimmer waistline, a stronger heart and a lower risk for prostate and breast cancers. It’s also a boon for mental health, since sex is associated with lower rates of depression and better mood.

But Americans today are having less of it than Americans a decade ago, according to a just-released study appearing in Archives of Sexual Behavior.

From 2010 to 2014, the average American adult had sex nine fewer times per year than Americans did from 2000 to 2004, the researchers found. That drop in frequency was even steeper for married couples who live together; they had sex 16 fewer times a year.

What’s going on? “We can only speculate,” says the study’s first author, Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University and author of Generation Me. But the increase in time spent working and parenting may be possible explanations for the drop in sex among married people. she says. Plus, with the rise in quality and accessibility of streaming entertainment, competition for free time is stiffer. “There are now so many other ways to spend leisure time at home,” she says. The allure of Netflix and other device-based diversions may be elbowing sex aside.

But despite these declines in hanky panky, our lives are far from sexless. The average adult enjoys sex 54 times a year, or a little more than once a week, Twenge’s data show. While married couples under the same roof don’t fool around quite as much, they still have sex about 51 times each year.

That’s a good thing, because having sex once a week may be “optimal” if you’re hoping to maximize happiness, according to research from Amy Muise, an assistant professor of psychology at York University in Canada.

Muise and her study team found that couples who have a lot of sex tend to experience better wellbeing. “Sex is associated with feeling more satisfied in a relationship,” Muise says. But beyond once a week, the wellbeing benefits of sex seem to level off. That’s not to say that having sex a few times a week (or more) is a bad thing. It just doesn’t seem to make couples any happier, she says.

Of course, it’s hard to show cause and effect when it comes to sex and your health. Leading a happy, healthy lifestyle likely leads to more sex; the act itself doesn’t necessarily improve your physical and mental wellness. Still, whether sex is a symptom or a cause of wellbeing, a healthy sex life is worth the work.

If you’re falling short of that once-a-week quota, making an effort to have more sex could be a good idea, as long as it doesn’t feel too forced. A 2015 study from Carnegie Mellon University concluded that couples who tried to have more sex did not feel happier—but that study’s author, economics and psychology professor George Loewenstein, takes his own findings with a grain of salt. “In retrospect, I believe that this study was misguided,” he says. “Instructing couples to double their frequency might have turned sex into a chore for them.” Muise also points out that the couples in Loewenstein’s study were already having sex once a week. “It’s possible that they were already maximizing the association [between sex and] wellbeing,” she says.

“I still think that couples could benefit from a bit of outside encouragement to have more sex,” Loewenstein says. That’s especially true if you and your significant other have been together for a long time. “When a couple has been together for some time, the mere presence of the other person, even unclothed, ceases to be exciting or arousing.” But that doesn’t mean doing it won’t be just as fun and invigorating as it used to be, he says. It may just take a little more work to get your fires started.

Some tips for a healthy sex life

Feeling a bit lacklustre in the bedroom recently? Your physical and mental wellness has a great impact on your sex life.

We gathered 20 tips that can help improve your sex life. What are you waiting for? Start 2018 off with a bang…

Do your Kegel exercises

You might have heard about Kegel (pelvic floor muscle) exercises, but what’s the deal? Several factors, such as pregnancy and age, weaken these muscles over time. When kept strong, it doesn’t just lower your risk for incontinence, but it can also benefit your sex life tremendously.
Don’t treat sex like a chore

While it’s often difficult to find the time between exhausting schedules, sex can become another thing on the to-do list if you treat it like a chore – and that can zap any spontaneity or passion from the deed.

According to a study published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, more sex between couples doesn't necessarily equate more happiness. The reason? Doing it so much made it feel like a chore. Make time, but keep the spontaneity.

Don’t dismiss the experts

Struggling to open up to your partner? Worried about the fact that your partner wants more sex than you? Do you have niggling relationship issues holding you back?

Don’t cringe at the idea of bringing in the experts. You both might benefit from couple’s therapy or sex therapy. You can also ask Health24's sexologist, Dr Marelize Swart, any sex-related questions.

…or foreplay for that matter

There is nothing wrong with spontaneous sex, but women often take a bit longer to be aroused than men. And getting to the point of full arousal will ensure a greater sexual experience (and an orgasm) for both of you. So don’t dismiss foreplay – it stimulates the blood flow to the genitals, which makes for stronger orgasms and more fulfilling sex in general.

Get tested for everything

This doesn’t only include STDs, but everything. Regular medical tests may rule out underlying conditions that may be causing your sex life to be unpleasant. Erectile dysfunction might be an indicator of cardiovascular problems and frequent painful sex can indicate gynaecological problems. Don’t skip out on those annual health checks.

Talk to your doctor or gynae if something is bothering you

Are you experiencing a weird discharge or strange cramps during sex? Do not hide this information from your doctor or gynaecologist. They are trained to deal with these types of problems and there is no need to feel embarrassed, especially not about a condition that could impair your sex life and may be a more serious problem.

Exercise can boost your sex life

What’s that saying about couples playing together staying together? It rings true. Exercise doesn’t only benefit your physical health which can lead to greater sex, but if you often schedule a workout or fun leisurely activity such as a beach walk with your partner, you are also strengthening your communication outside the bedroom. This will in return boost your sex life. And if exercise ups your self-confidence, it’s a win for everybody.

Check your medication

Are you and your partner experiencing a lack in sex drive? Some medications, such as antidepressants, birth control pills or even antihistamines, can zap your libido. Always talk to your doctor about chronic medication if this is influencing your sex drive – there might be an alternative without the pesky side-effect.

Eat right

Diet can play a big role in your sex life. Poor food choices can ruin your sex drive, deplete your energy levels, lead to inflammation and even result in erectile dysfunction. Weight gain due to bad eating habits can also have an impact on your sex life – not only is excess weight bad for your heart, but it can also affect your self-esteem negatively.

Eat more foods that can benefit the libido – fresh fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, protein, such as salmon, and good-quality red meat. Treats such as dark chocolate and red wine are packed with polyphenols which