Is It Bad to Have Sex Every Day?

So, you're having sex every day. First of all, hell yeah, brother. Atta boy. You’re proud of your sex life, and you’re particularly confident in bragging to anyone who will listen because — best part — it’s with a partner, not just masturbation.

But between the achy muscles and the birth control packaging stacking up in your bedroom trash, you're also wondering if there's anything about your current arrangement that can be bad for you.

You know, the whole “too much of a good thing” theory. Is there any reason to worry about side effects from having sex everyday?

We have some great news. Not only is having sex every day like, “biggest goals ever” status, but it actually may provide real benefits for both your physical and mental health.

Read on for answers to common questions about having daily sex, from whether or not it’s “normal” to how it can affect your health and well-being.

You’ll also find a few tips and tactics you can use to avoid common sex-related issues that may pop up if you have sex every day.

Is It Healthy to Have Sex Every Day? 

When you and your partner first start dating or move in together, it’s far from uncommon to have sex every day. 

But at a certain point, the sore muscles and constant washer/dryer cycles for the bedsheets might make you wonder if the number of orgasms you two are racking up might get the attention of OSHA or NAFTA — are these safe working conditions?

Well, as long as you’re not operating any heavy machinery without a license (no, that vibrator doesn’t count) daily, frequent sex is absolutely safe and healthy.

There’s no scientific evidence linking frequent sex to any health conditions — short of dehydration, and you two can prevent that by taking a water break between rounds. 

Daily sex is fine and normal. But remember, it’s also very common and normal to go for several days or weeks without sex. 

So “healthy” is how the two of you define it — what works best for your relationship is the definition of healthy.

Benefits of Having Sex Every Day

Let us hit you with some facts real quick. This 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. So if you’re having daily sex, you’re getting roughly seven times the benefits of the average person. 

Those benefits may be subtle or hard to measure, but there are some really great ones, including:

• Cardio. Vigorous sex is famous for its ability to get your heart pumping, which can improve endurance and heart health. And getting winded during sex can also encourage good behavior outside of the bedroom, like exercise and better eating. Sexual activity can also lower your blood pressure, which can also reduce your risk of heart attack.

• Endorphins. Sex is well known for releasing endorphins, which are a natural pain reliever. Have an injury you’re recovering from? Have your partner get on top and be your own personal Advil.

• Stress relief. The thing about endorphins, and another chemical released during sex called oxytocin (which is sometimes referred to as the love hormone) is that they can both lower cortisol — the stress hormone. So while you may not “feel like it” after a hard day, sex might be the best thing for you.

• Burning calories. Oh, and if you’re trying to slim up before a beach trip, you might want to add more sex to your workout plan. The data varies about how many calories you can burn during sex, based on things like how vigorous and how long your sessions are, but in our opinion any minute spent working out is a minute well-spent. Just remember that you get even better health benefits in more active sex positions, so if you’re trying to turn this two-way into your two-a-day, offer to do the work.

Are There Disadvantages of Having Sex Everyday?

No. There’s no scientific evidence that shows that having sex every day is bad for your physical or mental health. There’s also no evidence for any “optimal” or “perfect” frequency for a healthy sex life. 

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 rough or forceful sex. 

It’s also possible for women to develop soreness from frequent sex. Especially if you don’t use lubrication, the friction caused by the back-and-forth motion during sex may cause you and/or your partner to develop irritation. 

These issues usually get better on their own over a few hours or days. In the meantime, it’s best to take it easy and enjoy a break. You’ve certainly earned it.

Another thing to keep in mind is that sex, just like any activity, can become a problem when it takes over your life. 

If your sex life is getting in the way of your job, studies, ability to pay bills or other aspects of your life, it might be worth scaling it back a notch. 

Can Too Much Sex Cause Erectile Dysfunction? 

No. In fact, most of the research currently available suggests that men who have sex on a regular basis are less likely to develop erectile dysfunction 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.

Now, it’s important to note that you might find it difficult to get and stay hard all the time if you and your partner have sex several times per day. 

This is a result of your refractory period — 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.

Your refractory period might affect your erections in the short term, but it generally isn’t thought of as a form of erectile dysfunction. 

Tips for Having Sex Every Day

Frequent sex is a good thing that can improve your physical and mental health and the quality of your relationship with your partner.

Here are ways to make regular sex easier, healthier and more enjoyable, and get the full benefits of having sex everyday: 

• Use protection. It’s important to keep yourself protected, especially if you have sex with more than one person. Hims’ Ultra Thin Condoms are designed to keep both you and your partner protected without reducing sensitivity.

• Use lubrication. Sex is no fun when excess friction is involved. If your partner is prone to dryness or if you’re starting to chafe, consider applying a lubricant such as Hims’ Glide Water-Based Lube.

• If you have 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 talking to your 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, recovering from an injury or if you’ve recently undergone surgery.

• 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. 

Is Having Sex Every Day Bad? The Final Word 

Let’s get real for a second. The amount of sex you have isn’t a measure of your worth, your masculinity or your proficiency in foreplay. 

Having a lot of sex (or wanting to, because you’ve got a bonkers sex drive) doesn’t mean you’re better or worse than anyone else. 

It’s important to acknowledge these things, because our society has placed a high value on sex in ways that don’t really correlate. 

And just like sex doesn’t determine your worth, sexual activity also doesn’t contain any inherent risks — and it probably shouldn’t be your only form of “healthy” activity.. 

Sure, frequent rendezvous may get your heart rate up enough to reduce your risk of heart disease, just the same way that lifting your partner up against the wall with poor technique might cause some lower back pain. 

But aside from preventable risks like those of UTIs and STIs (and sexual addiction risks), sexual intercourse isn’t something you can overdose on. 

Here’s your quick bulleted refresher, if you’ve been humble bragging about your escapades by asking if they’re dangerous:

• Having sex every day isn’t bad for you. 

• In fact, research suggests that frequent sex may help reduce your risk of developing erectile dysfunction.

• There’s no “perfect” frequency of sex to have. 

• It’s most important to have fun, 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 to stretch and hydrate.