3 Ways Exercise Boosts Your Sex Drive
The phenomenon is almost universal. A few days or weeks at
the gym or doing exercise... we feel sexier, more confident, and our sex drive
starts roaring. Is it in our minds? No. Several studies have in fact shown that
exercise causes a psychological as well as physiological improvement to our sex
life. Here are the facts.
Facts for Men
Several studies have shown that exercise has a positive
effect on the sex drive of men. Separate studies has have shown, for example,
that men who participate in exercise one hour per day, three to five days a
week achieved a significantly greater sex life. The frequency of sex, sexual
function, and the percentage of satisfying orgasms all increased. Overall, the
participants were happier with their sex lives. In general the studies have
shown that the more regular the exercise regime, the higher the sex drive.
Facts for Women
Exercise has a positive effect on the sex drive of women as
well. Studies have shown that women who frequently exercise become aroused more
quickly and are able to reach an orgasm faster and more intensely. The studies
have shown that the effect is both physiological as well as psychological.
Moreover, there is an effect even after a single intense short-duration (20
minute) exercise.
How does Exercise boost our sex life?
1. Better Sexual
Performance
Sex itself is an intense physical activity requiring
strength and endurance. As you exercise, both your strength and endurance will
increase, opening the possibility for more varied sexual positions that require
greater physical control. Physiologically your sexual performance improves
because of the following:
- Increased Sexual Endurance
- Better Muscle Strength
- Greater flexibility
- Increased blood flow to the genital area
In addition to the physiological component, the studies have
shown that there is also a strong psychological component to better sexual
performance after exercise. An overall feeling of increased arousal is caused
by the fact that exercise brings greater blood flow to the genital area. This occurs
in both men and women.
2. Enhanced
Self-image Leads to Greater Sex Drive
A big part of sex is feeling sexy. Research shows that
people who exercise have an improved body image over people who do not
exercise. Being more comfortable with your body leads to better and more
relaxed sex.
The studies also show that men and women who are more
physically fit rate their own sexual performance as well as sexual desirability
higher. As the number of days of exercise per week increased, so did the
ratings of sexual desirability. The more regular our exercise, the better we
feel about ourselves. The better we feel about our body image, the greater our
sex drive.
3. The Potent Sex
Cocktail- Testosterone, Endorphins and Adrenaline
The increased sex drive with exercise has been linked to
higher testosterone levels in both men and women. Elevated levels of
testosterone have been found in men after six weeks and in women after eight
weeks of weight training. With higher testosterone levels, males experience:
- more frequent erections,
- increasing sexual urges
- better bone density
- greater mass and muscular strength
Women experience the
following with higher testosterone levels:
- more frequent sex
- heightened sexual arousal
- elevated moods which may lead to higher sex drive
- reater muscle and bone density
- igher energy levels
Testosterone also reduces depression and chronic fatigue,
which obstructs a good sex life.
In addition to higher levels of testosterone, long workouts
at moderate to high levels, also cause the release of chemicals known as
endorphins and adrenaline. This has been callde the “runner’s high.” The
endorphins and adrenaline create a feeling of pleasure and well-being. The
release of endorphins has been shown to increase sexual arousal or even orgasm
in women. Endorphins also reduce stress, which is a major sex drive inhibitor.
The combination of adrenaline with endorphins and with testosterone is a potent
sexual cocktail!
Caution: Too much Exercise Can Have the Opposite Effect!
One word of caution, excessive exercise can have the
opposite effect on your sex drive. Cardio workouts, strength training work
outs, or endurance training that is too intense can actually deplete the body
of sex hormones if done excessively.
When this is done regularly, the body can reduce or stop the
production of sex hormones and can increase the production of stress hormones
instead. Proper rest and sleep also play a huge role in the increase of
testosterone production.
So, for an optimum sex drive, engage in regular exercise at
moderate intensities. Do not overtrain. Enjoy your exercise and a healthy and
happy sex life!
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