Most of us are aware of benefits to having sex— pleasure and stress relief being just a few. But did you know sex may make you look younger, too? According to researcher and clinical psychologist Dr. David Weeks, having sex regularly can make you look somewhere between five and seven years younger.
To conduct his research, Dr. Weeks interviewed men and women of all ages over a period of more than 10 years. Those who looked youngest had sex 50 percent more frequently.
Weeks suggests that sexual pleasure and satisfaction are key factors in preserving our youth. Intercourse with the same partner is most beneficial, Dr. Weeks says. This is because casual sex can bring on emotional states like anxiety and a lack of security, both of which are associated with a loss of youth.
“Sexual satisfaction is a major contributor to quality of life. It ranks as high as spiritual or religious commitment and other morale factors. Therefore, more positive attitudes towards mature sex should be vigorously promoted,” he says in the Huffington Post. “Sexuality is not the prerogative of younger people and nor should it be.”
While Dr. Weeks’ research is promising, further research is needed to learn more about whether sex really makes us look younger, and if so, why. But aside from potentially making us look younger, sex comes with a lot of other amazing benefits, like increasing your confidence, lowering your blood pressure and heart attack risk, making your skin glow, reducing pain, and increasing libido. It can even boost your immune system.
If you would like to meet with a knowledgeable doctor, consider contacting Women’s Health Arizona. As Arizona’s largest ObGyn group, we’re trained and solely dedicated to delivering the best ObGyn experience in convenient and comfortable settings around Phoenix.