Naughty PlansIntimacy and health: what the science says
We often hear that making love is "good for your health". Studies tend to agree, with one important nuance: they observe links without always proving the cause. Here is what they really say.
The heart
One study followed more than 1,100 men aged 40 to 70 for about sixteen years. Those who had sex once a month or less had more cardiovascular problems than those who had it at least two to three times a week, even after accounting for age and other risk factors. A regular intimate life may be a sign of good overall health as much as a cause: the two often go together.
The prostate
A large American study followed nearly 32,000 men for eighteen years. Those who reported 21 or more ejaculations a month had a risk of prostate cancer about 20% lower than those who reported 4 to 7. The mechanism is unknown and the study is observational, but the result held after ten more years of follow-up.
Immune defences
A small study among students measured an antibody in saliva that protects against infections, immunoglobulin A. It was higher in those who had sex once or twice a week. It included only 112 people and has not been repeated since: an interesting clue, not a certainty.
In short
- A regular intimate life is associated with better health, especially of the heart.
- These studies show links, not a recipe: desire and quality matter more than frequency.
- For any health question, talk to a doctor.
Sources
- Hall S.A., Shackelton R., Rosen R.C., Araujo A.B. (2010). Sexual activity, erectile dysfunction, and incident cardiovascular events. American Journal of Cardiology, 105(2), 192–197. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Rider J.R. et al. (2016). Ejaculation frequency and risk of prostate cancer: updated results with an additional decade of follow-up. European Urology. doi.org
- Charnetski C.J., Brennan F.X. (2004). Sexual frequency and salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA). Psychological Reports, 94(3), 839–844. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
This article is for information only and does not replace the advice of a health professional. The studies cited describe groups of people and predict nothing for any one person.