8 Surprising Benefits of Attaining Orgasm
Physical intimacy, including sex, plays a key role in adult relationships. When our sex life falls apart for whatever reason (stress and health are big issues), we tend to feel less connected to our partner.
While sex is not the only bond between couples, it definitely helps strengthen the overall one. Besides the obvious feel-good benefits of orgasm, it also plays an important role in our emotional and physical wellness.
Here are eight ways that orgasm can make your life so much better.
Why Frequent Orgasms Are a Boon
Orgasms don’t just feel good but are also great for your mind and body. Whether you prefer penetrative sex, solo play, or any other healthy sexual act, here are eight of the biggest benefits of orgasm.
1) Relieves Stress
When you achieve orgasm, your body releases happy hormones like oxytocin, endorphins, and prolactin which lower blood pressure and make you feel calm and happy.
According to a study in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, people who have sex regularly are happier and healthier than those who don’t. Researchers examined 4,000 women and kept track of their mood, sexuality, and menstrual cycle. They found a strong link between their sexual interest and overall well-being. Likewise, those with a higher sense of well-being also enjoyed a more powerful sex drive and better quality of life.
2) Improves Sleep
If you suffer from insomnia or chronic fatigue, here’s some good news! Orgasm boosts the release of hormones like dopamine and oxytocin (which make you feel connected to your partner) and lowers cortisol (an inflammatory hormone released by the adrenal glands). This makes you feel happy and stress-free, which ultimately helps with sleep. It’s no wonder so many people doze off after sex!
3) Boosts Immune System
In one study, 11 men were asked to masturbate to completion. Blood was drawn, and it was seen that sexual arousal and orgasm increased the number of "killer" cells (leukocytes).
Another study suggested that those who experienced sexual arousal once or twice weekly had immunoglobulin levels 30% higher than those who didn’t. This means that sex (rather than just orgasm) can boost your immune system and help you stay healthy year-round.
4) Promotes Healthy Skin
In a study conducted in 2009, it was found that orgasm increases estrogen levels, and estrogen helps prevent your skin from aging.
Firstly, it prevents the decrease of collagen; an important protein for maintaining healthy, beautiful skin. Secondly, it helps with your skin’s elasticity; preventing wrinkles and fine lines (thanks to estrogen’s effect on the skin’s elastic fibres). And, finally, estrogen locks in the skin’s moisture to keep it plump and glowing.
5) Reduces Pain
If you suffer from menstrual symptoms like cramps, headaches, and backaches, you will be happy to know that orgasm can help reduce pain by releasing endorphins and corticosteroids.
Similarly, for men who suffer chronic leg pain, headaches, or muscle ache, an orgasm can do the trick. So, the next time you reach out for an aspirin, consider having an orgasm instead.
5) Increases Chances of Conception
For those planning to start a family, timing plays an important role. Research indicates that women who orgasm soon after their male partner ejaculates retain more sperm than those who never hit the Big ‘O’. This is likely due to the release of oxytocin following orgasm, which helps alleviate stress and increases chances of conception.
What’s more, the vaginal and uterine contractions that occur when a woman orgasms helps move sperm up through the cervix into the fallopian tubes, where fertilization takes place. Naturally, this increases the chances of conception in women who have sex during their fertile window.7) Strengthens Pelvic Floor Muscles
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and ligaments that form a floor-like structure that supports key organs, including the bladder and bowels (and uterus for women).
Weak pelvic muscles can be caused by various factors like childbirth, aging, menopause, chronic coughing, strain due to constipation, obesity, pregnancy, and constant lifting of heavy objects. The pelvic muscles contract and relax during orgasm, which strengthens your pelvic floor and improves bladder control. This can also benefit men who suffer from erectile dysfunction.
8) Keeps Prostate Cancer at Bay
Research shows that men who orgasm regularly are less likely to develop prostate cancer, since ejaculation helps flush out toxins and promotes healthy prostate functioning.
Another study suggests that young men who masturbated 21 or more times a month reduced their risk of prostate cancer by 19% compared to those who masturbated between 4 and 7 times a month. For the older group, those who masturbated at least 21 times a month dropped their risk by 22%.
Now that you know some of orgasm’s biggest benefits, it’s safe to say that an orgasm a day keeps the doctor away. The next time you experience dull skin, headache, menstrual cramps, poor bladder control or a common cold, think of cumming instead of popping a pill.
