Orgasms are pure enjoyment, not to be overthought while having one. But have you ever wondered (afterward) about the vast array of physical, emotional and psychological rewards that occur during orgasm?
“There are a lot of positive health benefits of an orgasm,” Logan Levkoff, Ph.D., a certified sex educator told Huffington Post. “And the emotional [and] psychological benefits are even better.”
Jennifer R. Berman, M.D., co-founder of the Female Sexual Medicine Center at UCLA, said to Huffington Post, “[orgasms] are a component of general health and wellness.” These benefits range from the physical to the emotional.
Huffington Post said that one of the main reasons that orgasms are touted as having health benefits is the fact that a number of hormones are released during arousal. Oxytocin, dopamine and endorphins are released and all have powerful mood-enhancing effects.
Orgasm is a powerful pain killer. Oxytocin and endorphins surge before and during climax. Beverly Whipple, professor emeritus at Rutgers University, found during a study that when women masturbated to orgasm “the pain tolerance threshold and pain detection threshold increased significantly by 74.6 percent and 106.7 percent respectively.”
Self.com reported that oxytocin is an analgesic, not an anesthetic, meaning it suppresses pain without affecting sensitivity to touch.
Several experiments have shown that oxytocin can help stubborn sores, like those suffered by diabetics, to heal by regenerating certain cells. Other studies show that having orgasms while menstruating actually protects against endometriosis, a potentially dangerous uterine condition that can lead to infertility.
Orgasm helps with sleep. Oxytocin’s ability to reduce cortisol levels create an overall feeling of relaxation and even sleepiness for some. Vasopressin, another chemical associated with sleep, is also released during orgasm.
There are even more great benefits of oxytocin, such as lowering blood pressure. Orgasms can even protect your heart. Sexual activity and orgasm are shown to reduce stress due to the surge of oxytocin.
Sex, an aerobic activity, is great for cardiovascular health. Dr. Rachel Needle, a psychologist at the Center for Marital and Sexual Health of South Florida told Cosmopolitan Magazine, “One act of intercourse is the exercise equivalent of 30 minutes of jogging and walking nine holes of golf."
The extra stimulation from orgasm causes blood to rush into the genital tissue, keeping it supple and refreshed. And having sex keeps the brain sharp. In increasing blood circulation, it transports oxygen-enriched blood to the hypothalamus (the brain’s center for memory and learning).
Some say orgasm can help with an enhanced sense of smell. An orgasm also releases a hormone called prolactin, which causes stem cells in the brain to develop new neurons in the brain’s olfactory bulb.
Sources:
Alexander, Brian. "Not just good, but good for you - Health - Sexual health - Sexploration | NBC News." Breaking News & Top Stories - World News, US & Local | NBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Sept. 2013.
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/5263250/ns/health-sexual_health/t/not-just-good-good-you
Breslaw, Anna. "Health Benefits of Orgasm - Are Orgasms Good for You - Cosmopolitan." The Online Women's Magazine for Fashion, Sex Advice, Dating Tips, and Celebrity News - Cosmopolitan. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Sept. 2013.
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/advice/orgasm-health-benefits#slide-1
Gray, Emma. "Orgasms And Health: Do We Over-Emphasize The Benefits Of The Big 'O'?" Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Sept. 2013.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/13/orgasms-health_n_1010209.html
"The 5 Health Benefits of Having an Orgasm: Flash: Self.com." SELF Magazine, nutrition, health and advice: Self.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Sept. 2013.
http://www.self.com/blogs/flash/2011/09/the-5-health-benefits-of-havin.html
Turner, Natasha. "Five unexpected health benefits of orgasms - Chatelaine." Chatelaine - Healthy Cooking Recipes, Easy Meal Plans. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Sept. 2013.
http://www.chatelaine.com/health/sex-and-relationships/five-unexpected-health-benefits-of-orgasms
Reviewed September 5, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith