ARE you depressed or stressed? Tired or ill? If you suffer from one of these problems, perhaps the last thing on your mind is having sex.
But writing yourself a prescription for more bedroom antics may be just what the doctor ordered, for physical, emotional and even financial health.
Yes, sex is good for your bank balance as well. A study at Anglia Ruskin University found that workers who have sex two or three times a week earn 4.5 per cent more than colleagues going without.
Dr Nick Drydakis said: “Celibacy results in lower wages, as well as lower wages leading to less sex. It is important to gain knowledge of the factors that can positively or negatively affect your sexual activity.
“Health is one of the biggest factors of all.
“Maslow’s ‘need hierarchy’ claims that the happier and more fulfilled individuals are, the more productive and successful they will be in their work, translating to higher wages.”
In case you need more encouragement, here we reveal why you should have more nookie.
Helps you sleep
If you are a night owl who struggles to drop off, getting rid of excess energy by having sex will help.
The relaxation hormone prolactin is released during orgasm. Kristin Mark, director of the Sexual Health Promotion Lab at the University of Kentucky, in America, said: “Having sex and reaching orgasm may help you nod off faster.”
Plus a US study at the University of Michigan has found the tendency to fall asleep after sex is associated with greater partner desire for bonding and affection.
Reduces stress
A little action in the bedroom helps reduce blood pressure and stress levels, a Scottish study has found.
Volunteers recorded their sexual activity for a fortnight and those who had sex experienced smaller blood- pressure spikes when asked to speak publicly and solve a maths problem out loud.
They also recovered more quickly from stressful tasks.
Professor Stuart Brody, who led the study, said: “Research shows it is specifically intercourse that is associated with a broad range of psychological and physiological benefits.”
Boosts immunity
Getting enough horizontal exercise will also boost immunity and could stave off the common cold.
In a study at Wilkes University, in Pennsylvania, US, students who had sex once or twice a week had 30 per cent more immuno- globulin in their saliva than those who had sex less frequently.
Immunoglobulin is an antibody produced to help fight off infections.
Studies have also shown sexually active people take fewer sick days.
Eases depression
If you want to smile more, spend time in the sack.
Women exposed to semen were less likely to be depressed than others, research at the State University of New York found.
The study monitored moods in women who used condoms and those who didn’t – finding those who used condoms were more likely to be depressed.
A study of 300 women by psychologist Gordon Gallup also found that women in long-term relationships were less susceptible to depression.
Relieves headaches
“Not tonight, Dear, I have a headache” won’t cut it now – because according to a German study, sex may help cure headaches.
When volunteers had sex during a headache episode, 60 per cent of migraine sufferers and 30 per cent of cluster-headache sufferers reported total or partial relief from symptoms.
Dr Mark W. Green, of Columbia University, US, said: “Pain sometimes has to do with blood flowing to one particular area, such as the head. Sex helps to take the pressure off by redirecting the flow.”
Slows ageing
Forget paying for Botox – being on a promise could make you look five to seven years younger.
Neuropsychologist Dr David Weeks, of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, carried out a ten-year study into the benefits of an active love life.
He said: “In my study of 3,500 people who looked and felt significantly younger than their years, they generally had about 50 per cent more sexual intercourse throughout their lives.
“Sex has much more profound effects on health, both emotionally and physically, than previously thought.”
Oesteoporosis
Low oestrogen levels have been found to be a cause of osteoporosis in later life.
The good news is that getting down to it in the bedroom regularly boosts oestrogen levels in post-menopausal women, which could offer protection against the bone-thinning condition.
Men can gain some protection at the same time, as low testosterone levels are also associated with the condition.
And as men’s testosterone levels also rise during sex, chaps with a regular sex life could benefit too.
Fertility
Daily sex sessions have been found to improve sperm quality in men.
Australian research studied 118 men who had higher-than-normal DNA damage to their sperm.
The men were instructed to ejaculate daily for a week and their sperm quality was monitored.
As a result, 81 per cent experienced an average 12-per-cent decrease in sperm DNA damage.
Dr David Greening said: “Keeping the river flowing means the sperm doesn’t hang around so long and become damaged.”
Pain relief
Forget an ice pack, or popping paracetamol, climaxing has been shown to help with pain.
“Orgasm can block pain,” said Professor Barry R. Komisaruk, of Rutgers University, in New Jersey, US, who has studied orgasms for 30 years. “It releases a hormone that helps raise your pain threshold.”
Sexual stimulation without orgasm also helps with pain relief. Prof Komisaruk added: “We’ve found that vaginal stimulation can block chronic back and leg pain.”
Happiness
Want to feel happy? Spend more hours between the sheets. A marriage with regular sex brings the same levels of happiness as earning an extra £66,000 a year, a study by America’s National Bureau of Economic Research found.
Andrew Oswald, from the University of Warwick, said: “Sex is enjoyable but it is surprising that the happiness effect is bigger than that from a large pay rise. Perhaps the British should leave the office earlier.”
Regulates periods
If you’re one of millions of women with irregular periods, an early night with him indoors may help.
Endocrinologists at Columbia and Stanford Universities, in the US, found women who have sex at least once a week have more regular menstrual cycles than those that do it less.
Sex has been shown to regulate hormone levels, which regulates periods.
Another US study con- firmed the findings by com- paring hormone levels and menstrual cycles in women who had sex once a week to a control group who had it less.
Protects against cancer
A session between the sheets could help to ward off cancer.
Men who ejaculate at least 21 times a month have a reduced risk of prostate cancer, studies have shown. And where women are concerned, getting jiggy can help reduce the risk of breast cancer.
A French study showed women who had sex at least once a month were less likely to develop cancer than those who abstained.
But a Greek study found men who orgasm less than six times a month were more likely to get cancer.
Heart attacks
Men who have sex three or more times a week halve the risk of heart attack and stroke, research at Queen’s University, Belfast, found. Women benefit, too.
An Israeli study found ladies who had two orgasms a week were 30 per cent less likely to have heart disease.
To get you going…
Pharma Nord Lady Prelox tablets
£37.95,
A dietary supplement designed as a natural support for female sexual function and pleasure, resulting in a more fulfilling sex life.
DTP V-pro capsules
£8.49,
An over-the-counter Viagra substitute designed to help with sexual problems, it promises to increase sexual stamina and promote arousal.
2Seduce intimate sensual cream
£19.99,
Combining aphrodisiacs and sexual stimulants, 2Seduce cream, formulated for women, is made from all-natural ingredients and promises to enhance sexual pleasure and support your libido.
Milk chocolate body paint
£6,
For those with a sweet tooth, this chocolate body paint is the perfect way to build an appetite for sex.
Candy G-string
£5,
Fancy experimenting with edibles in the bedroom? Who knows where nibbling on an edible G-string will lead to…
Candy bra
£5,
If the edible knickers aren’t enough, make it a matching set with an edible bra. It could be the sweet treat your loved one has been waiting for.
Rude love hearts
£4,
If you feel suggestive, why not give your loved one a box of naughty love hearts?
Super Dragon 6000 Delay Spray
£15.99,
Designed to combat premature ejaculation, a light spritz contains ten-per-cent lidocaine, a numbing spray designed to reduce sensitivity to keep men going for longer.
Tracey Cox Supersex orgasm gel
£6.99,
Designed to increase the intensity of female orgasm, a dab of this menthol and arginine-infused formula will enhance sexual sensation for women.