Have you ever wondered if the frequency of your intimate moments might impact your health? A recent study suggests that for women, it might just be more important than you think.
According to research from Walden University in Pennsylvania, women who engage in sex less than once a week could be facing a significantly higher risk of early death.
The study, published in the *Journal of Psychosexual Health*, found that women aged 20 to 59 who had sex less frequently than weekly had a 70% higher chance of dying from any cause within five years compared to those who had sex more than once a week.
This increased risk was linked to higher levels of a protein associated with inflammation, which can damage healthy cells and organs.
Interestingly, the same effect was not observed in men. The researchers pointed out that the connection between sexual activity and mortality was specific to women.
How the Study Was Conducted
Researchers analyzed data from a vast database provided by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
They examined national survey data, which included details on depression, obesity, ethnicity, and sexual activity from over 14,500 participants.
The study asked participants about their sexual activity over the past year with various frequency options ranging from none to daily.
The findings revealed that around 95% of participants had sex more than 12 times a year, with 38% engaging in it once a week or more. This data was then cross-referenced with death records from the CDC and the US National Death Index up to the end of 2015.
Depression and Sexual Frequency: A Gender Divide
The researchers discovered that women with low sexual activity and depression faced a staggering 197% higher risk of death compared to those who were depressed but had higher sexual frequency.
Lead author Dr. Srikanta Banerjee explained that sexual activity might mitigate some harmful effects of depression, but this benefit appeared to be unique to women.
Dr. Banerjee suggested that the different ways depression affects men and women might explain why regular sex is more beneficial for women. He hypothesized that the release of endorphins during sex could be contributing to better health outcomes.
Implications for Men
For men, the study highlighted a surprising twist: too much sex might actually be harmful.
Men with very high sexual activity were found to be six times more likely to experience increased mortality compared to their less active counterparts.
This finding was consistent even after accounting for various health and demographic factors.
The study concluded that while regular sexual activity has clear benefits for overall cardiovascular health and reducing heart rate variability, there is a threshold beyond which the risks might outweigh the benefits for men.
Conclusion
The researchers emphasized that sexual frequency seems to play a significant role in health, particularly for women.
By understanding these dynamics, it may be possible to address broader health disparities more effectively.
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