Spanking can be good for relationships - study

The Age

SCIENCE OF S&M: Sadomasochistic sex can be good for your relationship despite raising stress levels, a study suggests.

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Sadomasochistic sex may be stressful at first, but it could bring you closer to your partner, new research suggests.

US scientists studying an S&M "event" found that levels of the stress hormone cortisol went up in both men and women on the receiving end of S&M activities like spanking, bondage and flogging, the New Scientist magazine said.

At a separate S&M party, women showed significantly higher levels of testosterone when experiencing these types of S&M activities. The researchers said the testosterone boost may be a sign of stress, or may help women deal with the aggression displayed by their partner, New Scientist reported.

However, levels of both hormone soon dropped back to normal if the experience went well. Afterward, many couples reported feeling closer to their partner.

"When sexual intercourse in consensual it is not stressful, even if it is extreme sex," said a scientist quoted by the magazine.

- © Fairfax NZ News