5 Surprising Ways a Healthy Sex Life Improves Mental Health

Let’s talk about sex baby....cue Salt-N-Pepa! Not only is sex is one of the best forms of exercise and stress relief, but for people who crave the intimacy of a sexual relationship, a healthy sex life is a vital part of a full and happy life. In fact, having sex can help with everything from sleep problems to anxiety by increasing endorphins, dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and other hormones that improve your mental health. 

If you don’t have a sexual partner, don’t worry, masturbation has the same benefits! So if you’re looking for a free, natural, and FUN way to improve your mental health, here are five ways having good sex or masturbation helps!

Sex releases neurotransmitters that are good for our mental health

The act of sex and orgasm boost serotonin, which helps improve your mood and fight off depression. Dopamine, the “pleasure hormone” that helps regulate moods by increasing motivation, focus and energy levels, is also released during sex. Finally, oxytocin, the "love hormone", is released during orgasm, which lowers cortisol and blood pressure, and helps us feel more connected and bonded to our partner.

Feeling like you could use some more of the love hormone, oxytocin? Try our Oxytocin Boost Bundle!

Sex creates feelings of intimacy

You can think of “intimacy” as “in-to-me-see”. To feel seen, heard, and understood is a deep human need. Intimacy helps us feel connected, and like we belong, which is so crucial for mental health. You can thank oxytocin again for that feeling of intimacy!

Even if you are having fun solo, you are creating that feeling of intimacy with yourself, which helps boost feelings of self-worth and self-esteem!

Having regular sex can help combat the negative effects of stress.

Stress can have a major impact on our mental health, but having regular sex can help combat the negative effects of stress!

Sex releases endorphins, which are hormones that make us feel happy and relaxed. These hormones can help relieve stress and improve your mood. In fact, research shows that people who have more sex tend to be happier than those who don't!

Endorphins are also responsible for making you feel less pain--so if you're stressed out about something or hurting from an injury, having sex may help ease those physical symptoms as well as boost your mental health by reducing anxiety or depression (which often come with chronic pain).

Sex can relieve pain and anxiety

Orgasm leads to a boost in endorphins, serotonin and dopamine--all natural painkillers that also play a role in mood regulation. Ladies…here is your sign to masturbate or have sex during your period; yes, orgasm helps reduce pain from menstrual cramps! And if you're feeling anxious about something? Sex can help you relax too.

Sex increases feelings of self-esteem

Many people find a huge boost in self-esteem when they are able to make their partner or themselves feel pleasure and achieve orgasm. Having sex alone or with a loving partner also allows you to spend time being present with your body, and appreciating your body, which can help boost positive body image.

Good sex improves your sleep

Sex also improves how you sleep. It’s very common to fall asleep after sex because your body releases prolactin, a hormone that helps you feel rested and relaxed. The orgasm also releases oxytocin, a hormone that promotes sleep. Since a lack of sleep can worsen mental health, better sleep promotes a healthier, more refreshed you.

Psst, having trouble sleeping? Our Mood Magnesium was formulated with three research-backed types of magnesium proven to reduce stress and improve sleep.

The importance of safety and respect in sexual relationships for mental health

The caveat to everything mentioned above is that it’s important that the sex you’re experiencing, whether alone or with a partner, also comes with respect. Being sexually involved with someone who does not make you feel good about yourself and who does not make you feel safe will have the opposite effect!

What if you’re having trouble getting in the mood or achieving orgasm?

Low libido (sex drive) is a common problem, affecting up to 1 in 5 men, and even more for women, at some point in their life. Many people also struggle with problems like difficulty achieving orgasm, difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, or vaginal dryness.

It’s important to understand why this is happening in order to solve the issue. Often there are multiple factors!

A very common factor for low libido is the chronic stress of our day to day lives. 

As our Medical Advisor Dr. Nicole Beurkens puts it, “When our brain is focused on stress management, it doesn’t leave us with bandwidth for putting attention and energy to other things, like sex or intimacy. Our body is doing its job beautifully; if it feels we are in survival mode, the last thing it wants us to think about is sex! So if we want to have the energy freed up to have interest in intimacy and the ability to engage in sexual activity, we have to reduce the stress.”

Other possible contributors to problems with sexual health are:

• A neurotransmitter/hormone imbalance like low testosterone, low serotonin or dopamine, or low estrogen
• Side effects of medications like antidepressants or hormonal contraceptives
• Poor diet
• Lack of exercise
• A history of sexual trauma
• Not feeling comfortable or safe with the other person
• Feelings of shame or guilt around sex or masturbation
• Body image issues or performance anxiety
• Overuse of porn or excessive masturbation

Also, having a healthy libido doesn’t have to mean you’re in the mood ALL the time. In fact, a woman’s libido fluctuates throughout her monthly menstrual cycle as her hormones rise and fall throughout the month. Some people are asexual, and that’s normal too! It’s important to learn your body and what is normal for YOU, so you can notice when something is off.

How PYM Mood Chews can help boost libido and sexual health

PYM’s all natural, vegan Mood Chews are formulated with two important amino acids, GABA and L-Theanine to help you..well, get in the mood! 

When you're facing a "threat" (like the daily stressors of life), your body prioritizes producing cortisol and adrenaline, and de-prioritizes producing serotonin and oxytocin. 

GABA and L-Theanine help calm your stress response to get you out of “survival mode”, to increase serotonin and help oxytocin release.

So go ahead, pop a..."in the Mood Chew"...and get busy😉

*Always consult with your doctor if you are experiencing mood disorders, erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, difficulty achieving orgasm or any other sexual health concerns to determine the root cause and possible treatment options.

Sources

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0265407511431185 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167268115000050 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0304395985901642 

https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fhea0000600 

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive/loss-of-libido#:~:text=Loss%20of%20libido%20(sex%20drive,as%20pregnancy%2C%20childbirth%20or%20breastfeeding.