The keys to great sex: Key 6 - Good Physical Health
Over the past few weeks, I’ve looked at five keys to great sex in a long term relationship. These include communication, solid foundations, learning each other’s love languages, and mental health.
But did you know that your physical health can also have a huge impact on your level of sexual desire? Obesity, diabetes, heart problems and age all affect libido.
Balanced hormones, particularly for women, are a big part of physical health, and often one of the biggest contributors to low libido. Remember; hormones are chemicals which affect your brain and therefore affect your feelings, behaviour and levels of desire.
All women will experience hormonal imbalances and changes when they go through menopause. This usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55. There are also many physical changes that happen to women during this time that affect sexual functioning.
For men, bad physical health could lead to blood pressure and heart conditions which may ultimately cause erectile dysfunction.
Age and intimacy
It is important for people to know that they can continue to have fulfilling and satisfying sex lives way into their old age if they look after their physical health.
According to research by the University of Chicago, men over the age of 55 in good health gained up to seven years extra sex life than those in bad physical health. Fit and healthy women gained up to seven years extra sex life.
Exercise & a healthy lifestyle
Regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle combat stress – which is one of the major causes of low libido in both men and women. Couples who make exercise part of their daily life also experience a better sex life.
Being physically fit improves:
- Libido
- Blood circulation
- Sexual functioning
- Self esteem
- Sperm quality in men
- Fertility in women
Once you know how to balance your relationship and your physical, emotional, psychological and environmental health, you are well on the way to having a long and fulfilling sex life with your partner.