Intimate life is a significant marker of physical and psycho-emotional well-being. We looked at how closeness affects well-being and why it remains important with increasing age. Experts explained how sexual intercourse benefits the brain, heart, and kidneys Improves memory and attention In animal studies, scientists found that sexual intercourse promotes the brain to form new neural connections in the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for information absorption and memory. A large-scale study in 2019 showed that intimate activity can help prevent age-related decline in cognitive abilities in men. Older adults showed a correlation between the level of sexual activity and higher scores on cognitive tests. In particular, this applies to working memory and executive functions—skills that involve planning, self-control, and problem-solving. The study involved 73 people aged 50 to 83. Furthermore, in a 2018 study, older adults who had sex more often and had stronger emotional bonds with their partners performed better on episodic memory tasks. Sex instead of medication—we consulted a doctor to see if it works May help with kidney stones Frequent sexual intercourse can help both men and women get rid of kidney stones. According to researchers, this is related to the release of nitric oxide during intimacy, which then helps relax the muscle tissue of the ureter. In one small study, a group of men with kidney stones was advised to have sex three to four times a week. After two weeks, kidney stones passed naturally in 82% of the participants, while in the control group, this only happened in 53%. Scientists concluded that intimacy can increase the likelihood of natural stone passage and partially alleviate the associated pain. In another 2020 study, 80% of women with kidney stones who had sex three to four times a week passed their stones within two weeks. Researchers also noted that they less frequently required painkillers. May delay the onset of menopause A study conducted on nearly 3,000 women demonstrated a link between frequent intimate activity and the age of menopause onset. Women who reported weekly sexual activity were 28% less likely to reach menopause compared to those who engaged in intimacy less than once a month. Researchers hypothesized that more frequent sex is a signal to the body that the possibility of conception still exists and that egg release should continue. However, it is worth mentioning that this is an established correlation, not a proven cause-and-effect relationship. Intimacy during menopause: what to do about desire Reduces the risk of prostate cancer in men Urologists and oncologists pay special attention to the role of regular sexual activity in preventing prostate cancer. A large cohort study revealed a significant inverse correlation between ejaculation frequency and the risk of developing this ailment in men. It was established that higher activity is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer compared to those who led a less active sex life. Scientists believe that frequent ejaculation helps flush potentially unhealthy substances from the prostate that may contribute to the development of malignant cells. Does not increase the risk of heart attack Sex almost never triggers a heart attack, and most people who have had a heart attack can resume sexual activity. Researchers studied 536 patients aged 30 to 70 and found that the frequency of intimacy in the year leading up to a heart attack did not increase the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events. Most patients engaged in sex once a week or more, and only 0.7% reported intimacy within an hour before the heart attack. The physical exertion during sexual intercourse is comparable to climbing two flights of stairs or a brisk walk, which is why it does not pose a significant strain on the heart. A 2024 study showed that the frequency of sex affects heart condition and the risk of premature death in adults aged 20–59. It was found that activity that is too infrequent (less than 12 times a year) or excessively frequent (more than 365 times a year) increases the risk, while moderate activity (about 1–2 times a week, or 52–103 times a year) is associated with the lowest probability of heart problems and premature death. Intimacy after 50: when passion can turn into a heart attack Summary Intimate life is a significant marker of physical and psycho-emotional health. It improves memory and attention, supports cognitive functions in the elderly, aids in the natural passage of kidney stones, may delay the onset of menopause in women, and reduces the risk of prostate cancer in men. Sex almost never causes a heart attack, and the physical exertion during it is comparable to climbing two flights of stairs. New findings from 2024 indicate that activity that is too infrequent or, conversely, too frequent increases the risk of cardiovascular problems and premature death, whereas moderate activity is associated with the lowest risk.
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