It is a common belief that regular lovemaking makes people more resistant to various diseases. We decided to check whether sex is not just pleasant, but also good for the immune system.

Statement about the benefits of sex for the immune system popular not only in publications and on websitesdedicated to health and relationships, but also in major media. Publications about the benefits of sex can be found in “Izvestia", on websites Lenta.ru "Gazeta.ru", "Sputnik Kyrgyzstan", on the Ukrainian portal 112. Anyway this is a statement support in media comments, immunologists, but there are also statements to the contrary. For example, in the publication of the Lithuanian edition Delfi talks about an experiment by scientists that supposedly shows that sex, on the contrary, can reduce immunity.

Man is one of few creatures who have sex not only to reproduce their species, 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 the “love hormone” - oxytocinproduced by the hypothalamus. It increases the level of trust between people and helps build relationships between partners, triggering mechanisms of attachment and empathy, and also reduces fear and anxiety. A hormone vasopressin creates a feeling of a strong emotional connection with a partner, gives a feeling of calm, security and the desire to protect him. A couple more oxytocin and vasopressin called hormones of monogamy. In addition, sex stimulates the production endorphins - a group of more than 20 structurally similar peptide hormones produced by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. These substances dampen discomfort and pain, put a person into a state of mild euphoria and give a feeling of well-being and calm. Also during intimacy, the level of dopamine - a hormone and neurotransmitter that gives a feeling of satisfaction. Along with oxytocin, dopamine is important for the formation of feelings of love, affection and the desire to remain faithful to a partner. Hormone prolactin, released during orgasm, is associated with the feeling of relaxation and drowsiness that occurs after release, and also provides deeper and more restful sleep after sex.

Regular sexual activity reduces stress levels, helps prevent cardiovascular disease, works as a natural pain reliever and strengthens the pelvic floor muscles (supports the bladder and bowels, as well as the uterus in women and the prostate gland in men).

However, the list of benefits of regular sex life does not end there. In 2004, scientists from Wilkes University (USA) researched the content of immunoglobulin A (IgA), an important component of the body's immune defense, in the saliva of 112 heterosexual students. Participants first filled out a questionnaire about their sexual activity with a partner. Based on the data obtained, scientists divided them into four groups:

those who have no sex 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 intercourses per week.

It turned out that in the group with one or two sexual intercourses per week, the content of IgA in saliva was the highest (on average 815.5 mg/l). The other three categories differed only slightly: 625.4 for students who abstained from sex, 633.1 for those who had less than one sexual act per week, and 619.5 for the group with the most sex per week. Scientists were surprised that the lowest concentration of immunoglobulins was found in the most sexually active students. They assumed that people from this group, due to their age, could have the most unstable relationships, so they compensated for the level of trust in the couple with the frequency of sexual contacts. The uncertainty and anxiety associated with relationships could negate any health benefits that regular sex life might provide.

During the coronavirus pandemic, scientists from Iraq interested protective role of sex against SARS-CoV-2. They conducted an online survey for people over 18 who tested positive. In total, 16,000 people from 33 countries filled it out. It turned out that those who had sex more than three times a month infected other people less often - 76.6% of those who came into contact with them during quarantine did not get sick. The rest mostly suffered from a mild form of the disease. 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 limitations. Online questionnaires are not the most accurate method of collecting information. The respondents did not provide examination data of those who had contact with them, that is, firstly, these people may have already had immunity to the virus, and secondly, they could have suffered it asymptomatically. It is also unknown whether respondents only counted sex with a partner/partners or whether they also included episodes of masturbation in the number of sexual acts. Finally, there is a possibility that those who were less sick, on the one hand, released fewer pathogens, and on the other hand, felt generally better, and therefore had the strength to engage in sexual activity. People who had a more severe illness could be more contagious and, because of their condition, less eager for intimacy.

More precise methodology chose specialists from Indiana University. They were interested in the ability of immune complexes in saliva and blood serum to fight pathogens such as the bacterium E. coli (Escherichia coli) and fungus Candida albicans. They focused exclusively on women and followed them through one menstrual cycle. The study included 32 women, 15 of whom had had at least one sexual intercourse per week, and the other 17 had abstained for at least the past four months. However, scientists have not found a clear pattern between regular sex and good immunity. For example, the saliva of sexually active women had greater bactericidal activity during the menstrual, follicular and ovulatory phases than that of abstinent women. However, during luteal phase, it practically did not protect them from infections, while those practicing abstinence during this phase had the greatest bactericidal activity of saliva. Serum from abstainers was better able to protect against fungal infection during menstruation than during the ovulatory phase, while in sexually active women the opposite was true: the serum immune complex was more active against Candida albicans during the ovulatory phase than during menstruation. Although scientists were interested in how women’s bodies “arm themselves” either against bacteria or against fungi depending on the phase of the cycle, no clear pattern between sexual activity and the ability to resist pathogens was identified.

The data is also conflicting for men. Back in 2001, scientists from the University of California analyzed resistance of male fruit flies to the E. coli bacterium under 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 virgin males were the least susceptible to bacterial infection, and those who had sexual intercourse with four partners were most susceptible to it. Scientists have suggested that protection against bacteria and sexual activity are two very energy-consuming processes, so the body is “forced to choose” one thing.

Experiments on humans also did not give a clear answer. Although, how showed A 2004 German study found that the number of leukocytes (blood cells primarily responsible for protecting the body from pathogens) in the blood of men increases 45 minutes after orgasm; it is unclear how long such a rise will last and whether it can actually help when confronted with a pathogen. But oxytocin really Maybe stimulate an immune response - intravenous administration of the drug helped the immune system of male volunteers recognize and destroy the E. coli bacterium.

Reducing cortisol levels during sex may also help protect against various infections. Constantly elevated cortisol weakens immune system and reduces the number of lymphocytes (blood cells that help fight infection). By reducing it, sexual activity gives the body a chance to more effectively resist diseases.

Today, science does not have a clear answer to the question of whether regular sex life can strengthen the immune system. But we can safely say that, in general, sex is good for the body. It trains the cardiovascular system and the muscles that support the pelvic organs, promotes relaxation and good sleep, and gives a feeling of peace and affection to your partner. If, however, further research can prove that regular sex life reduces the risk of colds and other diseases, then this will be a pleasant additional bonus.

Cover image: GPT 4o