Having sex could save your life from COVID, doctor suggests

A London-based NHS doctor by the name of Ravina Bhanot has revealed to her audience on social media how having regular sexual intercourse can save your life.

Good for the heart

According to the doctor—founder of Zonas Fertility—a steady amount of sex can reduce the chances of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. One study has found that, in men particularly, having sex at least twice a week reduced the chances of developing a serious heart condition compared to those who were sexually active once a month or less.

The video on TikTok, which has amassed more than 1.5 million views since first being posted, indicates that not only is sex good for the heart but for one's mental health and their immune system as well.

Good for the mind

Dr. Bhanot explained that the effects sex can have on your brain will have a ripple effect on the rest of your well-being. Sex produces dopamine and oxytocin—the neurotransmitter and hormone responsible for pleasure and reproduction respectively— which play a big role in our overall mood. She also goes on to explain that, in many cases, the more positive one feels, the less likely they are to become sick. Similarly, those with higher morals tend to make it through harder times, both when physically or mentally sick.

This has been proven when it comes to sex and the way our bodies react when they become afflicted by a disease—such as with the coronavirus. One research found that women who were unable to have sex during the pandemic reported experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety, which ultimately led them to become more susceptible to the disease.