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According to Stuart Brody, a psychologist at the University of Paisley, UK (Biological Psychology, vol 71, p 214) sex keeps stress levels low in stressful moments. This hypothesis was tested by Brody by having 24 women and 22 men keep diaries for a fortnight of how often they would engage in penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI), masturbation or partnered sexual activity excluding intercourse. A stress test was then conducted after the sexual event having the participant either doing mental arithmetic out loud or being involved in public speaking.

Those volunteers who had PVI were the least stressed and their blood pressure normalised much faster after the stressful event compared to those who had only masturbated or had non-coital sex.

Brody notes that "The effects are not attributable simply to the short-term relief afforded by orgasm, but rather, endure for at least a week." Brody reckons that the hormone oxytocin is reponsible for this calming effect in stressful situations.

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