Sexercise Keeps the Doctor Away

One of the world’s most famously prudish countries is instructing children — via a pamphlet entitled “Pleasure” — that they have a “right” to an enjoyable sex life, and that sex is good for their cardiovascular health. Sex can also reduce the likelihood of a heart attack, "Pleasure" says.

The pamphlet, written by England's National Health Service, reads: "Health promotion experts advocate five portions of fruit and veg a day and 30 minutes' physical activity three times a week. What about sex or masturbation twice a week?"

Not surprisingly, the pamphlet is not exactly pleasing everyone.

“I’d like to know what scientific evidence there is to back this up,” Dr. Trevor Stammers of lobbying group Family and Youth Concern told the U.K.’s Daily Mail. “There are an awful lot of overpaid and under-occupied health promotion officers around who are obsessed with sex.”

Steve Slack, one of the authors of the pamphlet and the director of Sheffield’s Centre for HIV & Sexual Health, told Tonic: “The 'Pleasure' leaflet is in response to professionals across the country saying that they wanted support and guidance around this issue. Far from promoting teenage sex, it is designed to encourage young people to delay losing their virginity until they are sure they will enjoy the experience.”

"Pleasure" includes the slogan "An orgasm a day keeps the doctor away" — leading us at Tonic to wonder what sort of cheery go-for-goal suggestion (à la "Strive for Five") may soon be posted in schools across Britain. One a Day: Yes! Yes! Yes! Or maybe: Come On, Get It On?

Photo courtesy of Rama via Wikimedia Commons.