Is there any relationship between fitness and sexual health?

Exercise is well acknowledged to be beneficial to one’s general health. According to a new study, this covers sexual health as well. It is stated that men with a larger waist circumference or a higher BMI have a 50% increased risk of erectile dysfunction. The findings were reported in the journal The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Another research published in the same journal in 2021 found that women who exercised six hours per week had reduced sexual discomfort and resistance in their clitoral arteries than those who did not exercise. It was also shown that individuals who exercised had higher levels of desire, arousal, lubrication, and orgasm.

According to the National Institutes of Health, 43 percent of women and 31 percent of men have some sort of sexual dysfunction as a result of obesity and lack of exercise.
According to a review of the existing literature by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, there is substantial evidence of the favourable effects of physical activity on hormones such as oxytocin, cortisol, or oestrogen [39], which appear to alter sexual function and arousal in particular. Similarly, it appears that exercise activates the sympathetic nervous system, which is involved in both sexual arousal and orgasm. Traditional kinds of exercise, such as physical resistance training and aerobic physical training, have been shown to improve sexual function in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

According to Dr. Sheetal Rane, Head of Department, Physiotherapy, Bhatia Hospital, Mumbai, a regular exercise programme improves flexibility, strength, and endurance, which “increases stamina required for sexual engagement.” “Aerobic activities increase general blood circulation and help to avoid blood vessel blockages.” This also helps to keep blood flowing to the sexual organs. As a result, it aids in the prevention of erectile dysfunction in males, which is fairly frequent as men age,” Dr Rane explained.

Exercise, according to Rane, also aids in the release of endorphins in the body, which are also known as ‘happy hormones.’ “These are known to block pain, reduce tension, increase happiness, and enhance pleasure,” Dr. Rane explained.

Exercise in whatever form promotes a healthy flow of blood, which is essential for maintaining good mental and emotional health, as well as personal relationships, according to Dr. Tushar Tayal, senior consultant, Internal Medicine, Narayana Superspecialty Hospital, Gurugram.