Sex effects

It burns fat
Love-making is a cardiovascular event, giving your heart and lungs a workout and lowering cholesterol levels. It burns 150 calories every 30 minutes. So think about this: would you rather run 75 miles, or have sex three times a week for a year? Both of these activities burn the same number of calories – 7 500 – so take your pick!

It releases the good stuff
During sex, a number of health-enhancing chemicals are released into the body. Endorphins are natural chemicals that have a similar effect to morphine, acting as a painkiller and reducing anxiety levels.These natural antidepressants can help to relieve insomnia, migraines and stress-related back and neck pain.

In men, sex stimulates the release of growth hormones and testosterone, which strengthen the bones and muscles. Testosterone transports a hormone that assists in the functioning of the immune system, improves brain function, repairs tissue and has antidepressant benefits.

In women, sex boosts oestrogen levels, which protects the heart. It also releases oxytocin, which heightens your pain threshold, relieves aches and pains and triggers a nurturing instinct.

It exercises your pelvic muscles
The muscular contractions associated with orgasm exercise the urogenital muscles in men and women. These muscles are important in maintaining a healthy prostate and preventing incontinence in later life.

It makes you look younger and live longer
Making love three times a week can take 10 years off your face, says David Weeks, a neuropsychologist at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Scotland.

Over the past decade, his team interviewed 3 500 European and American men and women aged between 20 and 104. They all had one thing in common: they looked young for their age. A vigorous sex life was found to be one of the most important determinants in slowing down the ageing process – only physical activity proved more important.

Interestingly, casual sex with different partners did not produce the same benefit – in fact, it may cause premature ageing because it can lead to worry and stress.