Turn on Marvin Gaye because it’s time to get it on.* We all know sex is a fun form of exercise and can reduce stress, improve your mood and lower blood pressure; but fortunately for you, that’s not where the health benefits end. Here, our experts divulge the naughty truth.

A Healthy Heart

According to Karla Alberts, ND, at Revolutions Naturopathic in Folsom, “There are a plethora of physical and protective benefits to reap from this innate act of love. Heart health is much improved from a more optimized balance in hormones, a decrease in systemic inflammation, and a lowering of blood pressure.” 

Fight the Flu

“Research has shown that those who engage in more frequent intercourse have stronger immune systems,” Alberts says. Thanks to increased levels of immunoglobin A, you’ll be better equipped to fight off germs and prevent illness.

Deeper Sleep

Nichole Tyson, MD, OB/GYN at Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center, and an expert in pediatric and adolescent gynecology, says that in addition to reducing pain and relieving headaches, sex also aids in improving sleep. After sex, prolactin—a relaxation-inducing hormone—is released, which can help with a more restful slumber. 

Live Longer

“A Welsh study that followed 918 men aged 45-59 for 10 years found that those who had two or more orgasms per week had 50 percent fewer instances of mortality than those who had low or no incidence of sexual activity,” Tyson says. “A similar study followed 252 people in North Carolina for 25 years. At follow-up, men who reported having frequent intercourse lived significantly longer than those who didn’t. Research like this is done more often on men because [their incidence of heart disease] is higher. One study on women did find that those who reported enjoying their sexual encounters over the years lived longer than females who didn’t.”

Look and Feel Better

“Some other, smaller studies have shown [having sex] helps in these areas: looking younger, stronger muscle tone, improved memory, chronic pain relief, increased immune markers, and reduced prostate cancer,” Tyson says.

Improves Empathy

Jennifer Ballerini, PsyD, a licensed psychologist and couple’s therapist at LifeWork Psychotherapy Center in Fair Oaks, says having sex helps increase levels of the hormone oxytocin, “which researchers call ‘the cuddle hormone’ and promotes closeness and bonding between partners, leaves you calm and blissful, and reduces signs of anxiety and depression by suppressing the stress hormone cortisol...Oxytocin also improves empathy, helps us stay faithful to our partners (and keep our distance from attractive folks who aren’t our partners), helps sleep, fosters generosity, crystallizes fond memories, reduces drug cravings, and lots of other good stuff.”

A Better Relationship

Good sex deepens a strong bond, and a strong bond takes sex to another level, Ballerini says. “Sex, like empathy and attentiveness, is one of the most important aspects of a happy, healthy relationship,” she says. “A lot of us fear getting tired of the same partner for years at a time, but if the emotional connection is there, we never grow numb to the sexual spark we feel with our sweethearts. In short, how we connect sexually is how we connect emotionally. So, if you want great sex, work at building a great relationship!”   *All of these experts remind you to love responsibly.