Regularly having good sex can lower blood pressure as effectively as some medicines, a study has found.Volunteers’ readings had fallen by up to 13 per cent the day after they made love, US scientists discovered.
Taking a water pill diuretic, a common treatment for high blood pressure, achieves similar results, they said.
Georgia State University researchers reported: ‘The more pleasurable the orgasm, the lower the readings on the day after intercourse.’
They believe sex works by boosting the ‘cuddle’ hormone oxytocin that can reduce stress. The study saw volunteers have sex while wearing a heart monitor.
They also rated orgasm intensity, rating it from 66 to 106, with an average of 87.
Those involved had an average systolic blood pressure of 115mmHg at the start of the tests. After sex it fell by up to 17mmHg.
They also rated orgasm intensity, rating it from 66 to 106, with an average of 87.
Those involved had an average systolic blood pressure of 115mmHg at the start of the tests. After sex it fell by up to 17mmHg.