Two Day Magazine

Top Ten Reasons to Get Busy Between the Sheets!

It’s a well-known fact that most men don’t need more reasons to have sex, but how many guys actually stop and think about the fact that sex could be playing a key role in their overall health? For that matter, how many women take the time to stop and think the same?

Sex is a cost-effective and enjoyable way for both men and women to ensure long-term health; it’s cheaper than a gym membership and a lot better for your waistline than a nightly six pack.

Here are ten reasons to get busy tonight:

#10: Calorie Burn – While sex alone may not be enough to create bulging biceps and washboard abs, intercourse definitely gets the blood pumping, raising the heart rate and burning calories. Estimates show that an average session between the sheets can burn 85 to an upwards of 200 calories in 30 minutes; if you spent half an hour having sex daily, that could lead to a weight loss of ten pounds or more over the course of a year. And it’s hopefully more fun than a run on the treadmill.

#9: Strength Training – In addition to burning calories, sex aids in testosterone production, which can strengthen bones and muscles. Testosterone is also responsible for maintaining healthy energy levels, mood, fertility and sexual desire. So having sex today could help keep your sex drive up down the road. In addition, decreasing testosterone levels in men, known as andropause or male menopause, can result in a number of side effects including decreased libido, fatigue, and depression, among others.

#8: Cancer Prevention – A number of studies show that men who ejaculate on a regular basis are more than 30% less likely to develop prostate cancer.1 Regular ejaculations, whether from intercourse or masturbation, help flush out the prostate, which may help curb the development of prostate cancer.

#7: Stress Relief – The decreased blood pressure that can result from sex could help lower your stress level. Various study participants have been shown to have a smaller rise in blood pressure during stressful situations after sex, as compared with other test subjects2. In addition, sex releases feel-good endorphins that can help lower anxiety. And who doesn’t want to forget about a tough day at the office with a good roll in the hay?

#6: Boosting Your Immunity – Everyone is looking for ways to keep their immune system strong during this flu season – one that has potentially been the worst in years. What people may not realize is that regular intercourse increases levels of immunoglobulin A, an antibody known to boost the immune system. Having sex once or twice a week could help ward off colds or the flu. (Way yummier than an apple a day!)

#5: Improved Intimacy – Right before orgasm a number of endorphins are released and levels of the hormone oxytocin, sometimes referred to as the “love hormone,” surge to five times their normal level. Oxytocin has also been linked to an increased feeling of generosity, and is known to act as a neurotransmitter in the brain, building trust and helping to strengthen bonds.

#4: Pain relief – In addition to bonding you with your partner, oxytocin, serotonin and other endorphins released during your sexual peak can help alleviate pain associated with common problems like headache or arthritis. Next time you’re suffering from neck pain or a stress headache, try forgoing the Advil and hopping in the sack instead.

#3: Better sleep – Oxytocin may sound like the new wonder-drug when you consider that research has also shown that the increased levels of the hormone, along with the anti-depressant chemical serotonin, released during orgasm, promote deep sleep. Getting a restful night of sleep has been associated with a number of other health benefits, such as maintaining a healthy weight and lowering blood pressure.

#2: Use it or lose it – Just as men need regular physical activity to stay healthy and fit, exercising the penis, by achieving erections, is key to maintaining a long and healthy sex life for years to come. Men who don’t regularly engage in sexual activity or masturbation are at a greater risk for penile atrophy down the road. Just as they aim for a full-body workout three times a week, men should try to exercise the penis at least three times a week as a way to help ward off erectile dysfunction or other sexual health issues later in life.

#1: Fighting aging  - Sex is a form of exercise – (the calorie )burn and stress relief can help battle the onslaught of the years. The feelings of rejuvenation and happiness often associated with having sex just might help with your total well-being. And ladies, it sure beats wasting money trying the latest wrinkle cream!

A little about Dr. Barry Buffman:
Dr. Barry Buffman is a Board Certified urologist who joined the Los Angeles Boston Medical Group in 2002 as the physician of the Los Angeles office.  He graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Psychology, and later completed his medical degree at Rush Medical College in Chicago.  During his early academic career, Dr. Buffman studied the early markers of prostate cancer and compared their effectiveness as early screening tools.
After completing his surgical residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York, he went on to complete a residency in urology at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. In the course of his career, Dr. Buffman has enjoyed over 20 years of private surgical practice in sub-specialties in sexual dysfunction, oncology, laser and trauma.