How does Christianity explain the health benefits of sexual intercourse I have a lot of friends (both Christians and non-Christians) that are currently taking human sexuality courses in school. These friends will come to me and tell me about the health benefits of sexual intercourse. I've done some research myself on the topic and I find many physical health benefits of the human body having regular orgasms. These scientific studies claim that even masturbation causes the body to experience these health benefits. These benefits include things like stress relief, strengthened immune system, lower blood pressure and heart attack risk, brain stimulation, and the list goes on. 

As a new Christian, this is all very confusing information to me. I suppose my question comes down to: *Why would God create us to physically benefit from sexual immorality and masturbation if these things are evil/immoral? 
*
It is a misconception that the Bible is anti-sex.

Indeed, the Song of Solomon is an erotic love story.
Even the Catholic Church admits that sex is supposed to be pleasurable. Likewise, the only story about masturbation really doesn't say that masturbation is the reason for punishment.  And, even Southern Baptists are saying that the church needs to be more sex-positive - in the right context

That the church would teach that sex should be reserved for marriage is consistent with it - most sexologists will tell you that sex is better with the same partner.  

In Hookups, Inequality Still Reigns - NYTimes.com


  “As far as my ability to climax consistently, that’s something I was able to have in my monogamous relationships that I never had” in less committed circumstances, she said. ... Yet mediocre sex was a small price to pay “for the freedom to be able to enjoy it all.” The physical aspect of a tryst with a relative stranger was gratifying, she said, even if her chances of reaching orgasm were limited. When her partner’s performance was lackluster, she still took pride in her own sexual prowess.


This article was interesting to me in how it keeps justifying the sexual revolution. It flat out admits that casual sex isn't nearly as good as committed - but they continue to say, “Go for it anyways!” By contrast, a committed, monogamous, marriage-based relationship is one that is far more fulfilling to emotional and mental health.