Nitric oxide makes sexual activity good for you, bad for coronavirus, say sexologists

Nagpur: There is a clear therapeutic or healing effect of sexual activities on immunity, mitigating co-morbidities like high blood pressure and hypertension, reducing stress and also trigger the release of ‘feel-good’ hormones endorphins, say experts. They highlighted this in connection with the association of nitric oxide, which is connected to erection of our sexual organs, and killing of corona virus when administered via a nasal spray, which is currently under testing in UK and Canada.
Renowned psychiatrist Dr Avinash Joshi, also a sex counsellor, said nitric oxide is responsible for erection in men and also arousal of clitoris and nipples in women. “Scientists are now claiming that nitric oxide based nasal spray also has potential to kill coronavirus in the nasal cavity,” he said.
“Generation of nitric oxide takes place in the body for a short period during sex, especially in helping erections. But it may also have some curative effect during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic,” he said. “Nitric oxide is a vasodilator too, which helps in better flow of blood in the arteries, which again is good for health.”
Dr Joshi also claimed the ‘intra-psychic conflicts’ is a major producer of stress, which again lowers immunity to a big extent. “Sexual activities free mind and release the stress and hence we can associate it as an immunity booster too,” he said.
Sexologist Dr Sanjay Deshpande, also chairman of the Council of Sex Education and Parenthood International, stressed on the significance of vasodilation process during sexual activities. “Vasodilation opens up the arteries and allows better flow of the blood to the organs, which remain well-oxygenated in the process,” he said. “Sex helps to maintain the body structures and functions in normal course and vice versa,” said the sexologist.
Dr Deshpande also highlighted that sexual activities increase the neuromuscular tone too. “During orgasm, the body becomes rigid and later relaxes. This contraction of the pelvic area and genitals can be categorized as neuromuscular actions, which are sort of exercises too, which are helpful for the body,” said Dr Deshpande. He added that vasodilation process can go a long way in reducing co-morbidities like high blood pressure and hypertension.
Dr Deshpande also highlighted the beneficial effect of sex in releasing endomorphin hormone, which is a natural pain reliever and makes one feel happy. “Sex combines the effects of exercise and also a meditative state as you tend to focus on nothing except the coitus activity during it. In order to fight corona, exercise and meditation are both advised for a stronger body and calmer mind. It also has a spiritual dimension,” he said, adding sex is a rare exercise where two bodies help each other to reach a common goal.
Psychiatrist Dr Rajesh Rathi also said sex rejuvenates the body and brings lots of positivity. He also said that sex works well at both physiological and psychological level. “There are quite a number of walk-ins nowadays for consultation, but we tend to tell them that it’s all about quality and not frequency,” he said.