When pregnant, you naturally tend to be a little conservative about what activities are safe and healthy. Many people think that intimacy should be shelved while you are pregnant, but in reality, this is far from the case. During most healthy pregnancies, sex isn’t merely safe — it can provide numerous physical and emotional advantages for you and your partner. And this is only the beginning. Even during pregnancy, maintaining an active sex life can work wonders for your overall health, particularly as you age. Let’s see how intimacy can be a big health booster, whether you’re having a baby or living life after 50.
Is Sex Safe During Pregnancy?
For women with normal pregnancies, sex is generally totally safe and can even be pleasurable. Your body is equipped to keep your baby safe, with the amniotic fluid, powerful uterine muscles, and mucus plug that blocks the cervix serving as natural barriers. It’s understandable to be concerned about inducing labor or miscarriage, but there has been no association between healthy sex and these conditions, according to studies. As always, communication with your partner is key since hormonal fluctuations can influence how you feel physically and emotionally.
Increased Orgasms and Stress Relief
Surprisingly enough, orgasms during pregnancy can be even more intense, particularly in the second trimester. Greater blood flow to the pelvic region and increased hormone levels are a big part of this. And, when you climax, your body releases endorphins and oxytocin — those good-feeling chemicals that boost your mood and help calm stress and anxiety. They even act as natural painkillers, which can be a wonderful relief for pregnancy aches and pains, such as headaches and backaches.
The stress-relieving effects of intimacy aren’t exclusive to pregnancy. In a 2019 study, researchers discovered that men and women who remained physically intimate with their partners — sexually or otherwise-experienced lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone. It’s yet another reason why connection is good for your health.
A Fun Way to Stay Active
Sex can also double as a pretty fun workout. During pregnancy, it helps keep your heart healthy, burns calories, and works out muscles you’ll want strong for labor and recovery, like your pelvic floor muscles. Keeping those muscles strong can make a big difference when it’s time to give birth and bounce back afterward.
And post-pregnancy, the advantages just keep on rolling in. For older adults, sex is a wonderful way to remain active and maintain heart health. A study in PLOS One discovered that men expended around 101 calories and women around 69 calories during a 24-minute encounter. It won’t become a substitute for your cardio workout, but it’s certainly a delightful means of exercising your body.
Increasing Brain Health and Memory
Sex not only benefits your body — it does your brain good as well. Studies indicate that frequent sex improves memory and cognitive skills, particularly as we grow older. One study in 2016, with almost 7,000 participants between the ages of 50 to 89, discovered that the sexually active subjects performed higher in memory tests. Another study conducted in 2018 associated closeness of feeling during intimacy with better memory performance.
There’s even some animal research that indicates that sex can stimulate the growth of new brain cells, which may be yet another secret to remaining mentally quick through the decades.
Improved Sleep and Relaxation
If you’ve ever caught yourself feeling even sleepier after sex, there’s a reason for that. When you’re having sex, your body is releasing oxytocin and prolactin, hormones that will help relax you and make you feel comfortable. This change in hormones facilitates falling asleep and quality sleep.
Actually, in a study, 63% of individuals said they fell asleep more quickly after an orgasm, and 71% slept better in general. And these impacts aren’t limited to one individual — they are experienced by both males and females.
Confidence and Emotional Well-Being
Pregnancy and aging can certainly alter your perception of your body, but regular intimacy can make you feel more connected and confident. Feeling wanted by your partner can boost your self-esteem and make you love your body at all stages of life. During pregnancy, particularly, that emotional support can make a huge difference in feeling strong, beautiful, and empowered.
For seniors, a healthy sex life can affirm feelings of vitality and closeness. Frequent sex has even been associated with a longer life in some studies. In areas such as Ikaria, Greece, where there is a high percentage of individuals living to over 100, more than 80% of adults aged 65-100 say they are sexually active. Experts credit connection and intimacy as part of the key to their health and longevity.
A Natural Glow and Youthful Energy
Sex can even do a body good. Those post-sex hormones stimulate collagen and skin elasticity, leaving your skin with a healthy, young glow. The increased blood flow during sex brings oxygen to your skin, while lower stress levels can translate into fewer breakouts and skin issues.
If you’re concerned about hair health, don’t worry about that either. The estrogen spike associated with sex can encourage fuller, thicker locks. And when you like what you see, you’ll be more likely to do the healthy things like eat right, exercise regularly, and look after your body — all of which contribute to a healthy, youthful energy.
Whether you’re preparing to welcome a new baby or thriving after 50, the benefits of intimacy are undeniable. From lowering stress and boosting brain health to keeping your body strong and your spirit high, sex can be an incredible part of living a healthy, joyful life.
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