Sexual activity is an important part of life for many people. It's also known to have physical and mental health benefits, including increased feelings of happiness and wellbeing. However, it can also affect your body chemistry in ways you may not expect. One example is through the hormone prolactin, which plays a role in both fertility and mood regulation.
Prolactin is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland at the base of your brain. Its primary function is to stimulate milk production in women who are breastfeeding, but it also has other functions throughout the body. For example, it helps control mood, sleep, libido, and ovulation.
When levels of prolactin rise during pregnancy or breastfeeding, these changes are normal and necessary. But if they stay elevated outside of these periods, it can lead to problems like irregular menstrual cycles or sexual dysfunction. This is called hyperprolactinemia.
Elevated prolactin levels can be caused by medications, stress, or tumors in the pituitary or hypothalamus glands. In some cases, however, sexually arousing activities such as kissing, touching, or having intercourse can cause prolactin release.
Researchers believe this is because sexual arousal triggers the release of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control reward-seeking behavior. When dopamine levels increase, it signals the brain to stop producing more prolactin.
But what about regular sexual activity? Does frequent sex affect prolactin levels over time? Research suggests yes. A study published in 2013 found that people who had more frequent orgasms tended to have lower prolactin levels than those who didn't. Another study from 2005 found that higher levels of sexual satisfaction were associated with lower prolactin levels among married couples.
Why might this matter? Prolactin plays a role in regulating mood, so keeping levels low may help prevent depression or anxiety. It also has an impact on libido itself - lower prolactin levels correlate with higher sexual desire in both men and women.
However, more research is needed to understand how exactly these effects work. For now, if you're looking for ways to boost your mood and enhance your libido, engaging in regular sexual activity may be one way to do it.