The belief is widespread that regular love making make people more resistant to various diseases. We decided to check whether sex really is not only pleasant, but also useful for immunity.

Statement The benefits of sex for immunity are extremely Popular Not only in publications And on sitesdedicated to health and relationships, but also in large media. Publications on the benefits of sex can be found in "News", On sites Lenta.ru "Gazeta.ru","Sputnik Kyrgyzstan", On the Ukrainian portal 112. One way or another this statement Support In the comments of the media, immunologists, but inverse statements are also found. So, for example, in the publication of the Lithuanian edition DELFI It is told about the experiment of scientists, which allegedly shows that sex, on the contrary, can reduce immunity.

Man is one of A few creatures who have sex not only for reproduction of their appearance, but also for pleasure. During intimacy and as a result of orgasm, a number of hormones and neurotransmitters are released. First of all, we are talking about "hormone of love" - oxytocin, produced by the hypothalamus. It increases the level of trust between people and helps to build relationships between partners, launching the mechanisms of attachment and empathy, and also reduces fear and anxiety. And the hormone Vasopressin Creates a feeling of strong emotional connection with a partner, gives a feeling of calm, security and desire to protect it. A couple of oxytocin - vasopressin yet called Hormones of monogamy. In addition, sex stimulates production Endorphin - groups of more than 20 similar hormones that are produced by a hypothalamus and pituitary gland. These substances muffle unpleasant sensations and pain, put a person into a state of light euphoria and give a feeling of prosperity and tranquility. Also, during intimacy, the level increases dopamine - Hormone and neurotransmitter, giving a feeling of satisfaction. Along with oxytocin, dopamine is important for the formation of a sense of love, affection and the desire to maintain loyalty to the partner. Hormone prolactin, distinguished during orgasm, is associated with a sense of relaxation and drowsiness that occurs after discharge, and also provides a deeper and more calm dream after sex.

Regular sexy activity Reduces stress, helps prevent cardiovascular diseases, works as a natural painkillers and strengthens the muscles of the pelvic floor (support the bladder and intestines, as well as the uterus in women and the prostate gland in men).

However, this is also the list of advantages of regular sexual life is not exhausted. In 2004, scientists from the University of Wilks (USA) investigated The content of immunoglobulins A (Iga), an important component of the body's immune defense, in saliva in 112 heterosexual students. Previously, participants filled the questionnaire about their sexual activity with a partner. Based on the data obtained, scientists divided them into four groups:

Those who do not have sexual life at all;
Those who have sex less than once a week;
Those who have intimacy once or twice a week;
Those who have three or more sexual intercourse per week.

It turned out that in a group with one or two sexual acts per week IGA content in saliva was the largest (on average 815.5 mg/l). The other three categories differed insignificantly: 625.4 at the students abstaining from sex, 633.1 for those who had less than one sexual intercourse per week, and 619.5 for the group with the largest amount of sex per week. Scientists were surprised that the smallest concentration of immunoglobulin was the most sexually active students. They suggested that people from this group, due to their age, could have the most unstable relationship, therefore they compensated for the level of trust in a couple of sexual contacts. The uncertainty and anxiety associated with relations could nullify all the benefits for health that regular sex life can give.

During Pandemia of Coronavirus, scientists from Iraq Interested The protective role of sex against Sars-COV-2. They conducted an online anchoring for people over 18 years of age who received a positive test. In total, 16,000 from 33 countries filled it. It turned out that those who had sex more than three times a month infected other people less often - 76.6% of those who contacted them during quarantine did not get sick. The remaining mainly transferred the disease in a slight form. Those who had sex less than three times a month infected other people more often - only 40.43% remained healthy after contact with them. However, the study has a number of significant drawbacks. Online enst is not the most accurate method of collecting information. Respondents did not provide the examinations of those who contacted them, that is, firstly, these people may have already had immunity to the virus, and secondly, they could transfer it asymptomatic. It is also unknown whether the respondents were taken into account only sex with a partner / partners or included episodes of masturbation in the number of sexual intercourse. Finally, there is a chance that those who were not so sick, on the one hand, distinguished fewer pathogens, and on the other, they felt better, so they had the strength for sexual activity. People who transferred the disease are harder, could be more contagious and, because of their condition, did not so much strive for intimacy.

A more accurate methodology Choose Specialists from the University of Indiana. They were interested in the ability of immune complexes in saliva and blood serum to fight pathogens such as E.coli bacterium (E. coli) and fungus Candida albicans. They focused exclusively on women and watched them for one menstrual cycle. The study was attended by 32 women, 15 of which had at least one sexual intercourse per week, while the other 17 abstained at least the last four months. However, scientists did not find a clear laws between regular sex and good immunity. For example, the saliva of sexually active women had more significant bactericidal activity during menstrual, follicular and ovulatory phase than those of practicing abstinence. However, during Lutheinova She practically did not protect their phases from infections, while practicing abstinence in this phase observed the greatest bactericidal activity of saliva. The blood serum in refractions was better protected from fungal infection during menstruation than during the ovulatory phase, while sexually active women were the opposite: the immune complex of blood serum acted more actively against Candida albicans during the ovulatory phase than during menstruation. Although scientists were interested in how the body of women “armed” either against bacteria, and against fungi depending on the phase of the cycle, there was no unambiguous pattern between sexual activity and the ability to withstand pathogenes.

The data is also contradictory in relation to men. Back in 2001, scientists from the University of California Analyzed The stability of male flies-zophyle to the E.Coli bacteria in the following conditions: after complete abstinence, sexual intercourse with one partner and a series of sexual intercourse with four different females. It turned out that the males are the least susceptible to bacterial infection, and the most prone to it that had sexual intercourse with four partners. Scientists suggested that protection against bacteria and sexual activity are two very energy-consuming processes, so the body “forced to choose” one thing.

Experiments in public also did not give an unambiguous answer. Although, how showed The German study of 2004, the number of leukocytes (blood cells that are primarily responsible for protecting the body from pathogens) in the blood in men rises 45 minutes after orgasm, it is not clear how long such an rise will last and whether it can in reality in a clash with pathogen. But oxytocin really Maybe To stimulate the immune response-the intravenous administration of the drug helped the immune system of male volunteers to recognize and destroy the bacterium E.coli.

A decrease in the level of cortisol with sex can also help protect against various infections. Constantly increased cortisol Weakens The immune system reduces the amount of lymphocytes (blood cells that help fight infection). Reducing it, sexual activity gives the body a chance to more effectively withstand diseases.

To date, science does not have an unequivocal answer to the question of whether regular sex life can strengthen immunity. But we can safely say that in general, sex is useful for the body. He trains the cardiovascular system and muscles that support the pelvic organs contributes to relaxation and good sleep, gives a feeling of peace and affection for a partner. If, nevertheless, further studies can prove that regular sex life reduces the risk of colds and other diseases, then this will be a pleasant additional bonus.

Image on the cover: GPT 4O