published: Friday, November 28, 2008

Natural Medicine

by Michael Visconti, A.P., N.P.

Are you ready for another one of my disclaimer articles?

I am writing this based on the growing trend of ministers and pastors challenging their married congregation members to make love with their spouse every day for anywhere from one week to one month to enhance the relationship and "to combat the evils sex has become associated with in the mainstream media -- among them: the high divorce rate".

To quote one of the pastors: "the church has allowed the culture to hijack sex from the church, and it's time that we moved the bed back in church and put God back in the bed".

As an administrative note: I will use the term "sex" in place of making love in this article simply because there are a lot less letters to type in "sex" and I am typing challenged and try to give myself a break where I can. Thanks.

I'm not writing this to offend or convert anyone's beliefs however - the one commentary I'll offer is mine alone and does not reflect any beliefs or opinions of this newspaper or anyone else for that matter.

I believe there are some conflicting priorities by some people in the religious realm when it is not OK to watch two people in bed together or see a picture of someone with a body part showing (I'm not talking hard core pornography here) but it is perfectly fine to watch -- and cheer at -- movies where people are being shot, mauled, dismembered or blown apart. How about a little perspective there?

Back to the topic at hand. There are many reasons why this challenge is a positive one. I'll leave the Spiritual reasons to the clergy who are initiating the challenges and stick to the medical, public health and psychological ones.

Family counselors and psychologists agree that regular sex in a marriage enhances relationships and a recent study showed the rates of divorce for people in a sexless marriage (having sex less than 10 times per year) was higher than the national average.

Married people tend to be less depressed and anxious, live longer and are healthier than single people. Therefore, doing things to keep people married might be a good idea...

So, you might ask "how does this happen"? (Well, if I have to explain the birds and the bees to you then you shouldn't be reading this!) I'm talking about how sex can improve things in the medical sense.

There are physiological changes that occur when we have sex that improve our health.

First, and some practitioners think most important, are the mental emotional benefits. These include a closer connection with your partner and the stimulation of the pleasure centers in your brain releasing endorphins, which are your bodies own anti-depressants and pain killers.

They can start healing cascades causing many other benefits in our organs and cells, regular releases of these endorphins can lessen depression and can decrease pain levels in the body. Sometimes, actually, lessening the need for medications for those issues.

Another physical benefit of sex is weight loss. Sex, improves cardiovascular health as it increases blood circulation, mildly raises heart rate and breathing rate. It is a mild work-out on it's own and you don't have to join a gym or buy any equipment.

A few years ago, a university study showed that people who had sex three times per week for one year lost an average of ten pounds more than those who did not have sex as often. That's without changing anything in the study groups' diet or exercise patterns. (Dr. Atkins, eat your heart out!)

There are many issues with sex in the culture now, from sex addiction to celibacy, from what's right to what's wrong, from guilt to expressions of love.

I'm not going to give you my views, frankly because it's none of anyone's business. Just like your views are none of anyone's business.

If you have issues you would like to change then talk to a professional.

If the issue is with a physical problem such as erectile dysfunction or vaginal atrophy (a condition in post-menopausal women causing a breakdown of vaginal tissue and dryness) then talk to your doctor.

If it is a spiritual issue talk with a member of your clergy, preferably an open minded one who will not perpetuate guilt.

If it's a psychological or relationship issue then talk to a counselor who can help.

Health is about finding the balance that brings together the Spiritual, physical, mental and emotional aspects of your life in harmony. Sex is part of that balance in many ways.

If you have any questions regarding the challenges I mentioned, look up "Pastor Wirth's 30-day challenge", he is located here in Florida.

Or look up the Texas-based Fellowship Church founder and senior, Reverend Ed Young who gave his sermon "Seven Days of Sex," last Sunday.

Have a great Thanksgiving and remember everything in moderation! It's your life. It's your health!