Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Vaginal intercourse frequency and heart rate variability.

Stuart Brody1, Ragnar Preut

  • 1Institute for Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Germany. stuartbrody@hotmail.com

Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
|September 25, 2003
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Rationalization is a suboptimal defense mechanism associated with clinical and forensic problems.

The Behavioral and brain sciences·2020
Same author

A Comparison of the <i>Neurospora</i> and <i>Drosophila</i> Clocks.

Journal of biological rhythms·2019
Same author

Circadian Rhythms in Fungi: Structure/Function/Evolution of Some Clock Components.

Journal of biological rhythms·2019
Same author

Specifically Penile-Vaginal Intercourse Frequency Is Associated With Better Relationship Satisfaction: A Commentary on Hicks, McNulty, Meltzer, and Olson (2016).

Psychological science·2017
Same author

An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for female anorectal dysfunction.

International urogynecology journal·2016
Same author

An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for female anorectal dysfunction.

Neurourology and urodynamics·2016
Same journal

The Effect of Spousal Support on Sexual Quality of Life and Psychological Well-Being Among Menopausal Women.

Journal of sex & marital therapy·2026
Same journal

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the Vulvar Pain Assessment Questionnaire (VPAQscreen) for Brazilian Portuguese.

Journal of sex & marital therapy·2026
Same journal

Sexual self-schemas across midlife: examining differences using computerized text analysis.

Journal of sex & marital therapy·2026
Same journal

Female Sexual Dysfunction Across Diabetes Types Compared to Non-Diabetic Controls: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Journal of sex & marital therapy·2026
Same journal

Sexual Inhibition Moderates Associations Between Coerced Unwanted Sexual Contact and College Women's BDSM Fantasies.

Journal of sex & marital therapy·2026
Same journal

Correction.

Journal of sex & marital therapy·2026
See all related articles

Higher heart rate variability (HRV), an indicator of cardiac health, was linked to more frequent penile-vaginal intercourse (FSI) in healthy adults. This association was not found with diastolic blood pressure or other sexual activities.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Autonomic Nervous System Function
  • Sexual Health

Background:

  • Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects cardiac autonomic control and parasympathetic tone, impacting cardiovascular health.
  • Previous research suggested a link between sexual activity and physiological markers.
  • Understanding these associations can inform public health initiatives related to well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between penile-vaginal intercourse (FSI) frequency and resting heart rate variability (HRV).
  • To examine the association between FSI and resting diastolic blood pressure (DBP).
  • To explore potential moderating factors such as personality traits and partnership satisfaction.

Main Methods:

  • 120 healthy adults (aged 19-38) participated in the study.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Recalled and diary-recorded FSI frequency were assessed.
  • Resting HRV and DBP were measured; participants with high scores on the Lie scale were excluded.

    • Main Results:

    • Greater HRV was significantly associated with higher FSI frequency.
    • This association was specific to FSI and not observed with masturbation or non-coital sexual activities.
    • The previously reported negative association between FSI and DBP was not replicated in this study.

    Conclusions:

    • Increased HRV is positively correlated with penile-vaginal intercourse frequency in healthy adults.
    • The findings suggest a potential link between parasympathetic activity and sexual behavior frequency.
    • Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this association and to clarify the relationship with blood pressure.