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Category: How often should I have sex?

  • Are You “Doing It” Enough? Here’s What the Science Recommends

    Are You “Doing It” Enough? Here’s What the Science Recommends

    Science Recommendations

    Many couples wonder if their intimate life is “normal” or “healthy.” Magazines and websites try to make sense of trends with surveys and suggestions about how often you should have sex, while friends quietly compare notes in search of a magic formula for how often they should be getting busy.

    As a Men’s Health Clinic, we’re here to set the record straight: There is no perfect amount of sex a couple should be having.

    While sex offers many health and relational benefits, coming up with an “ideal” amount of times couples should be intimate in a given week or month ignores the complexity of each relationship. Physical, emotional, and psychological health all play into the development of each couples’ norms, and a “healthy” sex life can look different for different people.

    But what about those health benefits?

    While relationships and personal preferences should always drive decisions about your sex life, some studies show  how often you should have sex if you’re looking to improve your health. Staying active in the bedroom can contribute to a healthy lifestyle in ways you may not know about. Understanding these benefits can help you and your partner create healthy habits together, and decide what amount of intimacy is right for you.

    Improving the Health of Your Heart

    Research has shown that men who have sex two or more times per week are 45% less likely to develop cardiovascular disease. Does this have to do directly with how often you should have sex? Maybe. These results may suggest a correlation between heart health and intimate activities, or they may simply show that people with better heart health are more sexually active.

    What does that mean for you? If things are slowing down significantly in the bedroom, a men’s health specialist can let you know if your heart could be the culprit. And if things are moving along fine, chances are your cardiovascular system is seeing some benefits!

    Stress Relief

    As more and more studies link stress to a myriad of health problems, nearly anything that can alleviate the pressure of daily life can feel like a good idea. For some, that solution is a vice like comfort food – but sex can offer a healthier way to get relief.

    Sex releases endorphins into the brain, which can provide short term euphoria and, if one has sex frequently, longer term relaxation. If you can’t go all the way, daily physical contact and touching can release similar chemicals to a full-throttle encounter. Those who don’t have a sexual partner can still benefit from a little “self-love” for a release as well.

    Higher Quality Sleep

    The best part about this benefit is that, unlike the ones discussed above, it has little to do with how often you should have sex. It not require a certain amount of gettin’ busy to kick in. Your ability to sleep should benefit from each climax.

    Orgasm in men releases prolactin, a biochemical which creates fatigue. Additionally, according to Mark Leyner and Billy Goldberg, M.D., “It is thought that exertion during sex and after climax depletes the muscles of energy-producing glycogen. This leaves men feeling sleepy. Since men have more muscle mass than women, men become more tired after sex.”

    For women, the increase in estrogen levels from sex might not create initial sleepiness but can allow for a deeper REM sleep. This means that although falling asleep after sex is usually attributed to men, both sexes can benefit from better rest as a result of an intimate encounter.

    Your Health and Sex Life Are Intertwined

    At FullMast, we believe that your sex life is an important part of your personal health. While some people may be asking “How often should I have sex?” others may simply wonder “How can I have sex?” Some people might be less active by choice, but many are unable to have the intimate life they desire due to issues with erectile dysfunction.

    That’s where we can help. If ED is keeping you from enjoying the sex life you want, give us a call at 1-844-500-1177 or book your free, confidential consultation online today.

  • Since health is a fundamental human right, so sexual health must also be a basic human right

    Since health is a fundamental human right, so sexual health must also be a basic human right

    sexual health

    The World Health Organization defines sexual health

    The WHO defines sexual health as a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled. (WHO, 2006a)

    I like that definition as it defines the full spectrum of sexual health. Often I see patients who initially present with an organic cause of their erectile disorder and after treating them with a multimodal approach which can include sonicwave therapy, pelvic floor exercises and testosterone treatment, they are still not up to the task (excuse the pun). Speaking with these men I realize that as a consequence of their organic cause many of them have developed a profound psychological component affecting not only their ability to achieve an erection but may also interfere with the man’s overall well being, self esteem and interpersonal relationships.

    It is important to think about the psychological impact on both partners when dealing with sexual issues and offer one or both counselling with a therapist trained in sexual health.

  • Not in the mood? Do it anyway. It’s good for you.

    Not in the mood? Do it anyway. It’s good for you.

    Sextual Mood

    How many times have these words “I’m not in the mood” stopped you and your partner from getting intimate? There are many reasons Canadian couples start having less sex, especially as relationships mature. This not only takes a toll on a relationship but can affect mood, sleep cycles, heart health and more. That’s why many experts say you should think twice before turning down intimacy, even if you aren’t “feeling it” in the beginning.

    At FullMast Men’s Health Clinic, we often describe sex as being akin to going to the gym. We all know we should do it. When we’re there, we feel good. When we’re done working out, we feel great. We wonder why it had been so difficult to motivate ourselves to hit the gym in the first place. This can be the same with sex – it can seem like a chore in the beginning, but the intimacy and release can make it very worth your while. Here are a few reasons it could be worth pushing past the lack of “mood” to revitalize your sex life.

    Responsive desire means people can get “in the mood” after some fooling around.

    Many people think that the desire to have sex should be a spontaneous craving. However, much like going to the gym, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes you don’t feel like having sex, but if you start kissing and caressing each other, you suddenly find yourself ready for intimacy. This is called responsive desire and is the primary desire style for 30% of men and 80%-90% of women.

    For many people, particularly women, arousal typically comes before the desire for sex. Engaging in foreplay can often set that arousal into motion. In other words, the act of touching and teasing motivates couples to have sex, instead of the other way around.

    “Responsive desire happens when you’re not really looking for it but something sexy like your partner comes along and starts kissing your neck,” says Emily Nagoski, a women’s sexuality lecturer. “You’re in a good state of mind, your body lights up and you go, ‘Oh right, sex! That’s a good idea! We should do that.’”

    Why science says regular sex is good for your health.

    We know that sex on a regular basis is good for our health. It lowers our blood pressure, reduces our risk of heart disease, and boosts our immune system. Here are just a few of the recent findings from researchers exploring this topic:

    How to promote a healthy sex life at home.

    An active sex life may come naturally early on in a relationship, but as time wears on it may take a bit more effort to stay active and engaged in the bedroom. While science says it is well worth the work, there are some realities that can make this difficult. Here is some of our top advice for navigating these common challenges.

    “We’re just too busy!” 

    Couples need to make good, regular sex a priority. It might not seem very sexy or spontaneous, but the best way to do this can be clearly scheduling the time. Remember, research into responsive desire clearly shows that sex doesn’t have to be spontaneous for it to be satisfying. So go ahead – mark “Touchy Tuesdays” on the calendar. Your body and relationship will thank you.

    “I’m tired.”

    Sex should be part of a healthy lifestyle. If you are sleep deprived, overworked, or spend too much time watching TV, chances are fatigue will catch up with you. It’s important to find and address the root cause of your tiredness in order to regain your sex life. And remember, if trouble falling or staying asleep is the culprit, an orgasm can actually help you get a better night’s rest.

    “I can’t perform like I used to.”

    From erectile dysfunction to vaginal pain, there are many medical reasons couples could put sex on hold. But there is no reason to let medical issues stop you from having sex. There are plenty of safe, effective treatments for ED now available – you can check out our list of erectile dysfunction treatments for Canadian men to learn more. Difficulty performing sexually is often a sign of more serious medical issues, so this is one checkup that could save your relationship and your life.

    If you need medical support to understand and treat ED, we are here to help. Schedule your free, confidential consultation with the FullMast Clinic in Toronto or Vancouver, or call 1-844-500-1177 for more information.