The first article about sex and mortality was actually depressing. I have known that having sex regularly is good for couples' health, and it is just sad to know that people who have no partners are at greater risk of death. And it makes me think that losing sex partner is one of the reasons why losing spouse is bad for health. Even when their spouse is alive, it could create more stress when the spouse has illness and other disabilities as they get old.
I also think, however, that sex cannot always be a good thing. Just like anything, intuition tells me that too much sex would not be good for health. I don't know how much sex would be the right amount, but it would be interesting to know the answer.
On a side note, it's interesting to compare this study to the widespread notion during the Renaissance: the link between sex and death. Back in the days people believed that sex is linked to death, and it is often found in Victorian literature. Maybe it did ring true to them because they were not as protected from STDs as today's people are.
The second article goes along with the first one, and it was a very weird study. Not all orgasms have the same effect, according to this psychoneuroimmunological evidence. I am dumbfounded by the fact that noncoital sex and masturbation deter the health effects of genital intercourse and only coital sex was truly beneficial, yet I don't think the article was clear about why intercourse entails better stress coping than other types of orgasm or non-orgasm. (It quotes Freud's perspective, but who still believes Freud nowadays?)
On the other hand, this study seemed like reinforcing the traditional view on sex. The result that only genital-to-genital sex is ideal reminds me how sodomy has been deemed undesirable throughout history. It also excludes homosexual relationships, so more research seems needed.
Great points Walter!
It is sad that those who don't have a sexual partner may be at greater risk for mortality but I don't think it is only about sex. I believe sex is a positive outcome of a good relationship and that the love, care and security of that relationship is likely what produces the greatest benefit to health.
I am not sure how much sex would be detrimental. Certainly if it was an addiction and it led to all kinds of unprotected sex with multiple partners. Too much sex with one partner would need to be so extreme that it prevented them from engaging in their normal everyday functioning and responsibilities. There may be cases like this but for the vast majority, I have to believe that more sex is always welcome.
Your other points are well taken yet as much as we like to dismiss Freud, there is some evidence that repressing sexual desire can be stressful and may have harmful effects on mental health.
I feel that it is the relationship piece that is strengthened when a couple has frequent and enjoyable sex and it is quality close relationships that ultimately provide the most health benefit. Sex is a tough subject to study especially when investigating variations that depart from the missionary position for men and women.
I would bet that as long as both partners consent and enjoy sex, then the variations should not matter in terms of their health benefit. Most of the research tends to differentiate between partner sex and masterbation in effect to show that the benefits from sex is likely more from what it does for the relationship rather than what an orgasm does biochemically.