Most of us are aware of the benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Increased energy, improved mood, better sleep, better strength, improved self-confidence, and enhanced longevity and quality of life are all oft-touted benefits of a healthy lifestyle. However, did you know that a healthy lifestyle may also support sexual satisfaction? According to a new study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, engaging in healthy behaviors contributes to the maintenance and enhancement of sexual satisfaction over time.
Understanding what contributes to long-term sexual satisfaction is important for overall well-being, impacting a person’s self-esteem, relationships, and health. Previous research has explored how factors like age, gender, and physical health influence sexual satisfaction.
It has also been shown that factors like exercise, alcohol consumption, chronic disease, and smoking can all affect sexual function. For example, physical activity has positive effects on sexual functioning, while smoking has negative effects. Longitudinal studies suggest a link between good health behaviors and sexual function, but their impact on satisfaction with sex life remains underexplored.
Therefore, the creators of this study aimed to fill this gap in knowledge by investigating how multiple positive health behaviors over nine years would impact a person’s sexual satisfaction, providing a broader understanding of health behavior’s role in sexual well-being.
To this end, the researchers utilized data from the Health and Social Support Study, a Finnish study focused on the working-age population. This study included responses from follow-up surveys conducted in 2003 and 2012, with a longitudinal sample of 10,671 individuals after exclusions.
The health behaviors of the participants, including exercise, diet, alcohol consumption, and smoking, were assessed through self-reported measures. Each behavior was scored 0 or 1, 0 for not meeting the health recommendation and 1 for meeting the recommendation, resulting in a health behavior sum score (HBSS) ranging from 0 to 4.
Satisfaction with sex life was measured using a 7-point Likert scale, with 1 being “very satisfied” and 7 being “very unsatisfied.” Linear regression models were employed to examine the association between HBSS (health behaviors) in 2003 and satisfaction with sex life in 2012, adjusting for various covariates such as chronic diseases, importance of sex life, and living status (whether living with a partner or alone).
In the study, 63.7% of the participants were women, with fairly equal representation across age groups. Most participants (77.7%) lived in a couple relationship. Those with better health behaviors in 2003 showed improved satisfaction with sex life in the 9-year follow-up. Satisfaction with sex life in 2012 was associated with various factors, including baseline satisfaction, age, gender, education, presence of chronic diseases, importance of sex life, and living status.
Ultimately, this study showed a positive link between healthy behaviors and satisfaction with sex life over nearly a decade, even when considering other important factors. This finding could be a potential motivator for individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles. While the effect of health behaviors on satisfaction with sex life was modest compared to other factors, it highlights the broader benefits of healthy living beyond physical health.
For more information on this topic, please read these publications from the ISSM Journals: The Journal of Sexual Medicine, Sexual Medicine Reviews, and Sexual Medicine Open Access:
Sexual Function, Obesity, and Weight Loss in Men and Women
References:
Stenlund, S., Sillanmäki, L., Koivumaa-Honkanen, H., Rautava, P., Lagström, H., & Suominen, S. (2024). A healthy lifestyle can support future sexual satisfaction: Results from a 9-year longitudinal survey. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 21(4), 304–310. https://doi.org/10.1093/jsxmed/qdae009
You may also be interested in...
SMSNA Patients
Sex and Multiple Sclerosis: Barriers Between Patients and Providers
May 18, 2021Did You Know?
What Is the Average Penis Size?
June 1, 2021Blog
The Gynogram: Paving the Way for Better Postmenopausal Sex?
July 6, 2021SMSNA Patients
New Survey Finds Most Adolescents Who Have Labia Minora Surgery Are Satisfied
May 4, 2021Blog
The Role of the Mind in Erections and Erectile Dysfunction
May 27, 2021Did You Know?
Outercourse
March 23, 2021Did You Know?
Alcohol and Temporary Erectile Dysfunction
February 2, 2021SMSNA Patients
Benefits of Sexual Activity During COVID-19 Lockdown
February 9, 2021Did You Know?
Q&A on “Blue Ball” Syndrome
January 20, 2021Other Popular Articles
What Is Jelqing, and Does It Actually Work?
The term “jelqing” refers to a set of penis stretching exercises that some believe can make the penis bigger. Although the practice has gained attention and popularity in blogs and internet forums in recent years, there is no scientific evidence that it is an effective way to permanently increase the size of one’s penis. In fact, in some cases, jelqing may actually cause damage to the penis, so it is a good idea to get all the facts before setting off to try it.
What Is Sensate Focus and How Does It Work?
Sensate focus is a technique used to improve intimacy and communication between partners around sex, reduce sexual performance anxiety, and shift away from ingrained, goal-oriented sexual patterns that may not be serving a couple.
What Is the Average Penis Size?
If you have ever wondered how your penis compares to others in terms of size, you are not alone. Many men are curious to know how their penises stack up compared to the average. Unfortunately, general curiosity can sometimes give way to full-on obsession and anxiety about penis size. This can be an unhealthy and often unnecessary fixation, especially because most men who think their penises are too small have perfectly normal-sized penises.
What Is Edging and Why Do People Do It?
Edging is the practice of stopping sexual stimulation before reaching orgasm to prolong a sexual experience. The term stems from the concept of approaching the metaphorical “edge” of orgasm but stopping before going over the edge.
Can Sex Reduce Menstrual Cramps?
The SMSNA periodically receives and publishes ‘guest editorials.’ The current article was submitted by Mia Barnes, a freelance writer and researcher who specializes in women's health, wellness, and healthy living. She is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine.
Having sex while you experience menstrual cramps is healthy and can provide significant benefits. While it might not be the first activity that comes to mind when your PMS or period cramping begins, many people enjoy sex to reduce menstrual cramps, experience increased pleasure and benefit from other advantages. Learn more about having sex while menstrual cramps are happening and how it can help your body.
The Sex-Positivity Movement: What it Means to Be Sex-Positive
You may have heard references to “being sex-positive” or “the sex-positivity movement” in popular culture. Various celebrities have brought attention to this movement by speaking out about their beliefs and personal experiences regarding sexuality, sexual health, body positivity, “slut-shaming,” and sexual assault.
