If we ask several people what sex brings, each will answer in a different way. For most of us, it is a way of entertainment and enjoyment. If we ask doctors the same question, however, they will reveal to us how intimate contact affects our health. Yes, sex is not just the fusion of two bodies, but something much more. Two of the most famous sex researchers – William Masters and Virginia Johnson study in more detail the separate stages of sexual intercourse. They are four – arousal, plateau, orgasm and relaxation. They feel different for each person, but the impact of sex on their body is the same. Here are four ways sex helps the body: 1. Relieves pain, lowers stress Hormones that our brain releases during sex help relieve pain and reduce stress levels. A 2010 study conducted at Princeton found that rats that were more sexually active were much less anxious. The reason is that sex stimulates the growth of cells in the hippocampus (an area of ​​the brain associated with the regulation of stress and tension). Although we cannot 100% compare rats and humans, there is a lot of evidence that the results will be the same in humans. One thing is certain – the endorphins released during sex act as natural pain relievers. Many sexologists recommend having sex or masturbating during intercourse because they have the ability to relieve menstrual cramps 2. Sex strengthens the relationship As strange as it sounds, oxytocin, which is released during intimate contact, makes the relationship stronger. When a couple has more frequent contact, relationship problems decrease. In the absence of sex in the relationship, the conflicts between the two increase because of the decreased level of oxytocin. The more orgasms a man and a woman have, the more harmony there is in their relationship. 3. Sex cares for the heart Intimate contact can increase heart rate, blood pressure and change breathing. Blood is directed to the penis, vagina and nipples, making them hyper-sensitive to sensory input. Because the body works harder during sex than it does at rest, the act itself aids cardiac endurance. The heart rate increases from about 70 beats per minute to 150. NEWS_MORE_BOX Sexual activity can also harm the heart, especially in older people who have health problems. Studies show that sex also improves the immune system. For example, research by psychologists Carl Czarnecki and Francis Brennan Jr. found that students who had sex once or twice a week had much higher levels of immunoglobulin A, which is one of the body’s first immune responses against viruses. That is, they have a lower risk of colds, compared to their peers who did not have sex. 4. Sex is home fitness Intimate relationships not only heat up the body,but they also help burn calories. If you try different poses, you can stress your body without going to the gym. There are major muscle groups that are certainly affected by sex, especially if it is longer. Being more active can help eliminate between 85 and 250 calories. It’s not enough to get us in shape and it can’t replace working out with our instructor, but it certainly helps our body at least a little. It mainly strengthens the thighs, abdomen, arms.