Sex supports ‘bioharmony’

Sexual activity, in whatever consensual form, touches on so many of the physical and mental health factors linked to longevity, and the link remains a fascinating subject for scientists.

“A landmark observational study in the 1990s [published in the BMJ] found that higher frequency of orgasm was linked to lower mortality rates among men – but women [not included in this study] are a bit more nuanced,” says Dr Tamsin Lewis, longevity expert and founder of Wellgevity. “While it wasn’t a definitive prescription for more sex, the paper hinted at a powerful connection between sexual satisfaction and lifespan, giving us a tantalising glimpse into the impact intimacy may have on overall health.”

She explains that there is a growing body of research, including epigenetic studies exploring how lifestyle factors can modify the way our genes are expressed, that suggests engaging in fulfilling sexual intimacy “can nudge our bodies towards what I call ‘bioharmony’ – a synergy of hormones, genes and emotional wellbeing”. This is less about biohacking your way to a longer life, she says, but viewing good lifestyle habits as ‘bioharmonising’, with a healthy sex life a part of that process.

Can regular sex help you live longer? Longevity experts explain the link between sex and the ageing process