Sex and your health

A study from Queens University in Belfast tracked 1,000 middle-aged men over the course of a decade. The results were startling. Men who reported the highest frequency of orgasms enjoyed a death rate half that of men who lagged behind.

Other studies have shown that having sex a few times a week can:

• reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke (thanks to the cardiovascular workout sex provides, as well as the stress relief)

• weight loss (sex is an aerobic exercise and a vigorous bout can burn up to 200 calories about the same as running 15 minutes on a treadmill)

• pain-relief (the hormone oxytocin quintuples before orgasm, causing a release of endorphins, the body's natural pain reliever)

These are just some of the health benefits related to sex. And few of the studies take into account how much fun it is. As Diet & Fitness magazine has said before fun is healthy! Just be sure to have safe sex if you are with a new partner!