Is Having Sex Every Day Bad?
How much sex is too much? Between the achy muscles and the potential for dehydration, it’s normal to wonder if too much sex might pose some health risks.
After all, we know that too much of a good thing can be bad for us, so can you have too much sex? Or is it perfectly okay to have sex every day?
In short, it is not bad to have sex every day if you and your partner or partners want to. Sex is a normal biological activity that healthy individuals can engage in as frequently as they like. Regular or daily sex may even provide benefits to your physical and mental health.
However, sex can also become an unhealthy obsession, and in some cases expose you to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and urinary tract infections. And if you find yourself obsessing over it, it may be a clue into some underlying mental health issues.
If you’ve been worrying about your sexual frequency, keep reading to find out what science says about the benefits and risks of daily sex.
Is Having Sex Every Day Bad?
No, it’s not bad to have sex every day as long as you’re content with your sex life and caring for your sexual health.
As long as everyone involved is practising safe sex (and stretching periodically), frequent sex is perfectly healthy. There’s no scientific evidence linking frequent sexual intercourse to any health conditions — short of dehydration, of course.
While daily sex is fine and normal, remember that it’s also very common and normal to go for days, weeks, or even months without sex. There’s also no evidence that any “optimal” or “perfect” sex frequency for a healthy sex life exists.
Our guide to how often couples have sex includes survey data that suggests adults in the United States have sex an average of 53 times per year, or just over once per week—but of course, plenty of people are doing it both less and more.
In a nutshell: “healthy” is how you and your partner define it — what works best for your relationship is the definition of healthy.
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Benefits of Having Sex Every Day
What happens if you have sex every day? Besides getting a pat on your back from your buddies, there are some reported benefits that top the charts.
The benefits of sex (and, to a degree, masturbation) may be subtle or hard to measure, but there are some notable ones, including:
Reduced Risk of Heart Disease
Vigorous sex is a great way to get your heart pumping, which can improve endurance and heart health. Sexual activity can also lower your blood pressure, which can also reduce your risk of heart attack and heart disease.
Pain Relief
During sex, your brain releases endorphins, which are a natural pain reliever. This may be why many women like having sex on their periods — pain relief from menstrual cramps.
Stress Relief
The thing about endorphins (and another chemical released during sex called oxytocin — sometimes referred to as “the love hormone”) is that they can lower cortisol — the stress hormone. So, while sex might be the last thing on your mind after a hard day, it might actually improve your mood.
Burning Calories
The data vary about how many calories you can burn during sex, based on things like how vigorous and how long your sessions are. However, even a small amount of exercise has health benefits, particularly if you’re exploring more active sex positions.
Weight Loss
Burning calories from sex provides some extra opportunities for weight loss as part of good habits and a healthy lifestyle.
Better Sleep
Research shows that sex can improve your sleep, which benefits your mental and physical health. In one 2023 study of 53 individuals, 75 percent of respondents reported that they slept better after sexual activity/orgasm close to bedtime.
Better Immune Health
Ran out of vitamin C tablets? Maybe have sex again. A study performed during the COVID-19 epidemic revealed that sex may strengthen the immune system and your ability to fight off pathogens.
Disadvantages of Having Sex Every Day for Males
According to science, there are no definitive disadvantages to making love every day. The negative effects of too much sex in a man don’t exist, as long as you’re doing it safely.
With this said, having sex very often — for example, several times per day — may lead to certain physical issues. As a man, you could develop a sore penis, especially if you and your partner have rougher sex or don’t use proper lubrication.
You and/or your partner may also develop skin infections, especially if sex leads to skin tearing and irritation or if your partner is female and dealing with vaginal dryness.
These issues usually improve over a few hours or days, but they can still be unpleasant in the moment.
Another thing to keep in mind is that sex, just like any activity, can become a problem when it takes over your life and becomes an obsession or addiction.
Sex addiction (and porn addiction) is real, and people do struggle with it. So, if you think your desire for daily sex is becoming a compulsion, consider reaching out to a mental health professional or sex therapist.
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Can Too Much Sex Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
No, too much sex cannot cause ED. In fact, most of the research currently available suggests that men who have sex on a regular basis are less likely to have erectile dysfunction (ED) than men who rarely have sex.
In a study published in the American Journal of Medicine, Finnish researchers found that regular sex (defined as sex once per week or more) seems to protect against the development of ED in middle-aged and elderly men.
A more recent study carried out in China produced similar results, with researchers noting that men who reported having sex at least one time per week were less likely to have ED.
That said, there’s a caveat: you might find it difficult to get and stay hard all the time if you and your partner have sex several times per day, thanks to something called “the refractory period.”
The refractory period is the period of time after ejaculation during which you won’t be able to get an erection. This period can last just a few minutes or several hours (typically, the older you get, the longer it takes you to recover).
Your refractory period might affect your erections in the short term, but it isn’t considered a form of erectile dysfunction — just a normal sort of maintenance cycle.
Tips for Having Sex Every Day
Frequent sex can improve your physical and mental health and the quality of your relationship with your partner.
To recap, here are ways to make regular sex easier, healthier, and more enjoyable and get the full benefits of having sex every day:
Use protection. It’s important to keep yourself protected, especially if you have sex with more than one person. Ultra-thin condoms are designed to protect you and your partner without reducing sensitivity.
Use lubrication. Without the proper amount of lubrication, sex can be downright unpleasant. If your partner is prone to dryness or if you’re starting to chafe, consider applying a lubricant such as water-based lube.
If you’re experiencing ED, treat it. Erectile dysfunction is a common issue that can get in the way of your sex life. If you occasionally find it difficult to stay hard, consider getting advice from a healthcare provider about ED medication to get the problem under control.
Avoid overexerting yourself. Sex is a mild form of exercise. As such, it’s best to take it easy if you’re feeling under the weather or recovering from an injury or medical procedure.
Be creative. From trying different positions to fantasies and more, mixing things up is one of the best ways to make your sex life more exciting. This guide to having better sex lists six tips you and your partner can try for more pleasurable, satisfying sex.
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Is Having Sex Every Day Bad? The Final Word
The amount of sex you have isn’t a measure of your worth, your masculinity, or your proficiency in foreplay. It’s important to acknowledge these things because our society has placed a high value on sex in ways that don’t necessarily reflect reality.
Here’s your quick bulleted refresher:
Having sex every day isn’t bad for you as long as you are doing it safely. If you are taking care of your sexual health and taking steps to avoid issues like physical injuries, STIs, and UTIs, and you’re content with your sex life, then keep enjoying yourself.
Research suggests that frequent sex may be beneficial to your well-being. It can improve heart health, help you sleep better, reduce pain, and even help reduce your risk of developing erectile dysfunction.
There’s no “perfect” frequency of sex. Your sex drive is unique to you. Sexual desire often declines as we age.
Sex should be fun, so stay safe and enjoy sex the way you and your partner like — without worrying about how you stack up next to other people.
Just remember: stretch often, drink water, and replenish those electrolytes.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.