READ TO KNOW

In 2011, a survey conducted by the Department of Research and Market Intelligence of Editora Abril was released, revealing the latest developments in the sensitive subject matter of conjugal relationships.

 

This study included a sample of 1700 people throughout Brazil, between 20 and 40 years, including diverse socioeconomic classes, cities and personality profiles. The research was designed to understand how people behaved regarding the issue of "conjugal/sexual faithfulness".

 

The results left the researchers perplexed. More than 70% of the men interviewed, and about 60% of women, admitted to already having betrayed their partner (sexually and affectively), at least once in their lives.  68% of men and 46% of women admitted to having betrayed their current spouse/partner. When researchers take into account that many people do not speak the truth when they know they are practicing a socially reprehensible act, or when they are unsure whether that information will be used against them, it is likely there is an even higher percentage of  unfaithful partners. The survey also revealed that only one out of every ten couples was faithful to their partners. There are very good reasons for people to take an interest in sex:

 

Having a longer life

 

Research in the UK has shown that individuals who had sex at least twice per week had greater longevity, living 10 to 15 years longer than those who only had sex once a month.  A similar study, conducted by Americans and Swedes, confirmed that men who stopped being sexually active at a very young age, lived less than those who maintained their weekly sexual activity until a more advanced age. The study maintained that longevity in sexually active men maintain was caused by keeping their prostate functioning and frequently eliminating semen, thus reducing the chance of cancers of the prostate or reproductive system. So if you don't want your man to die early due to prostate problems, be sexually proactive.

 

Having a healthier heart

 

The same UK study indicated that people who have sex at least twice per week have a smaller risk of suffering from heart attacks and other deadly conditions. Conversely, the study also revealed that having sex once a month or less increases the chances of heart problems. So sex is good to strengthen your heart.

 

Reducing blood pressure

 

Professor and researcher Stuart Brody of Stanford University Medical School in California, has shown that men and women with a more active sex life (minimum of 4 times per week) have lower blood pressure than those with a lower frequency of sexual activity. The study also showed that people who have sex more frequently registered less acute blood pressure peaks during stressful situations. Thus, people who practice sex are usually more relaxed. Dr. Stuart Brody’s study wasn’t really necessary to prove that.

 

Lower risk of developing breast cancer

 

Now, we will discuss a very important piece of news for women who enjoy sex. The French occupy the 13th place on the list of people who most like sex (Greece is 1st and Brazil is 2nd in this ranking). And A French study revealed that women who had vaginal sex more frequently were less likely to develop breast cancer. Apparently, the production of sexual hormones prevented the development of this type of disease. Women, to your battle stations!

 

Reduction of pain

 

Studies have shown that having sexual pleasure helps relieve pain in the spine and other parts of the body, including relief for migraines and other headaches. Now that you know this, you had better hope your man doesn't read this book, because if you are the type that uses a headache as an excuse to avoid sex, he will now want to give you the right medicine.

 

Skinnier body

 

The Germans have conducted an extensive study on the effects of sex on the burning of calories. According to their observations, a person may burn between 60 and 100 calories during each act of sexual intercourse. This means that if a person has only 3 sexual relations per week, he or she could burn between 720 and 1,200 calories in a single month. You'd lose 14,400 calories in a year of pleasure. It is not surprising that people who really enjoy sex are slim. If you walk 5 km in one hour, you will lose 400 calories. In general, a good copulation session lasts between one and two hours. That is, you will be able to burn more calories than during a vigorous 5 kilometer walk. My recommendation is that you take as much initiative as possible in the relationship, and that you do this as vigorously as you can. A little sweat and pleasure will produce a healthier you.

 

Lower testosterone levels

 

The previously mentioned studies that researched the effects of male hormones in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (premature ejaculation or sexual impotence) indicated that those with a more active sex life in youth, who maintained the regularity of their sexual relations (two times at least per week) had appropriate testosterone levels, even at a more advanced age. In other words, quantity, not just quality, makes a difference.

 

Reduction of the menopause symptoms

 

The American researcher Stuart Brody also analyzed a survey conducted with women who were close to entering menopause. He observed that those who had more frequent sexual intercourse often felt fewer heat waves than those with less frequent sexual activities. This phenomenon is also correlated with the regulation of hormone levels. The body is more balanced in hormonal terms with regular sex. The women participating in this study, who engaged in 4 acts of sexual intercourse per week, said they practically did not feel the negative effects of menopause.

 

Better semen quality

 

At least three major universities in the UK, the United States and France have proven that men who have sex more than twice each week have more and higher quality semen. This translates into a bigger count of healthy spermatozoa with more mobility, which increases the chances of fertilization.

 

(*) Mathias Gonzalez is  Clinical Psychologist