Let's Talk About Sex...

• By Beth Meirav
• My Blog

So, the blog/email I wrote about the importance of having sex 6 or 7 months ago elicited quite a few responses. I wouldn't normally harp on this topic however I was watching Grey's Anatomy (yes, it's still on the air) and the entire episode was about why sex is so good for your health. Perhaps the writers read my original blog post (a girl can dream no?).

I like to think I saved some marriages with that last post I did. I am hoping many of you took my suggestions and the rationale behind it to heart. If not, I have a few more reasons for you to utilize my advice and hit the sheets! This post isn't just about burning calories, although if done properly you will burn on average 69-101 (men on the higher end of that scale of course). I am also writing about why it's so important for your overall well-being.

• Sex is good for your heart- Sex raises your heart rate which we all know is important, plus it helps to keep your estrogen and testosterone levels balanced. When those hormone levels are low it can lead to heart disease and osteoporosis. Check this out ..."during one study, men who had sex at least twice a week were half as likely to die of heart disease as men who had sex rarely." (WebMD)
• Orgasms can block pain-  Yes, orgasms are fleeting, but while having them they can actually help reduce pain. By the way, this works when you are having them alone too.
• Strengthens your pelvic floor - Ladies, you know what I am talking about. Bladder control as we age is not a very sexy thing to talk about, however it is important to know that sex does work out those key pelvic muscles.
• Glowing skin - Whether it's the orgasm or the better mood or the lowering of stress, your skin tends to glow after "exercising" with your partner. Take a look in the mirror!
• Good for your immune system - Having sex once or twice a week helps boost the immune system, according to research published in Psychological Reports. The study found those people having sex regularly "had a 30 percent increase in IgA (an antibody that shows how tough our immune system is) compared to those who don’t." Wow!

So I guess the big takeaway here is...

make it a "date night" as often as possible!