Feeling irritable? Have an orgasm. Too in your head? Try an orgasm. How about in need of an energy boost? Creatively stifled? Bored? Stuck, emotionally? Orgasm, orgasm, orgasm, orgasm.
Not only do orgasms help with mood–but studies show they also help with mental and physical health, particularly for women.
And don’t worry; if you’re not in a sexual relationship with someone(s), orgasms are just as–if not more– accessible as a solo activity.
So next time you’re about to grab your favorite vibrator, remember, it’s for your health.
Health Benefits of Orgasms
Orgasms trigger a whole chain of events. They elevate your heartrate, increasing blood flow throughout the body, and they release a cocktail of hormones and neurotransmitters like oxytocin, endorphins, dopamine, and estrogen–all of which result in better mental and physical health. Let us count the ways…
Mental and Emotional Benefits:
- Reduced Stress: Orgasms trigger the release of oxytocin and endorphins, which calm the nervous system and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.1
- Improved mood: Again, that cascade of hormones like oxytocin, endorphins, and dopamine improve mood, and even boost self confidence.2
- Better sleep: If Cleveland Clinic says to have an orgasm to sleep better, well, then you better have an orgasm to sleep better.1
- Decreases rates of anxiety and depression: Research shows that orgasms–and particularly sexual connection with others– decreases rates of anxiety and depression.3
Physical benefits:
- Pain relief: Orgasms can reduce physical pain like migraines and menstrual cramps.1
- Stronger immune system: Research shows that orgasms increase the amount of immunoglobulin A (IgA), an antibody that helps defend against certain illnesses.4
- Healthier skin: Orgasms may be the key to better skin, as they increase blood flow, reduce stress levels, can balance hormones, and help with sleep.4
- Improves heart health: Because orgasms increase your heartrate–like a moderate workout–it not only improves circulation, but overall heart health as well.1
- Burns calories: Sex–including solo sex–increases the heart rate and burns calories. Plus, it helps strengthen different muscles in the body, and we all know how important strength training is as we get older, right?
- Maybe even prevents cancer: Studies show that more orgasms help reduce prostate cancer risk for males–but some hypothesize that more orgasms may prevent breast cancer risk in females, due to their effects on oxytocin and hormone levels.5,6
How to Have Better Orgasms
So we get it: Orgasms seem to improve essentially every facet of mental and physical health. They probably even help the environment somehow.
But for those reading who aren’t having great orgasms–or aren’t having orgasms at all–we hope this part helps.
Intercourse isn’t everything
… Or for some females, even all that enjoyable.
For most of us ladies, orgasms happen with clitoral stimulation; not vaginal stimulation. That’s why there is a notorious “orgasm gap” between males and females in heterosexual relationships. For males, the most sensitive part of their penis is getting stimulated during intercourse; for females, it’s generally not.7
So rather than fake it or just simply go without a completely life-improving orgasm, here are some ways you can spice things up– whether with a partner, or not.
Ways To Spice Up Your Sex Life
Get a vibrator or three. Vibrators are a great way to have an orgasm, either on your own or with a partner. If you’re new to the vibrator world, here’s a guide on picking out the toy that’s right for you.
Experiment with other ergonazones. Most people are familiar with the idea that clitoral stimulation = pleasure. However, there are many parts of the body that can also cause pleasure, and ultimately lead to better orgasms. Females can have anal, vaginal, clitorial, and nipple orgasms–and even better, a combination of all four.1
Learn more about your turn ons: Different people get turned on in different ways. In fact, you and your partner may have two totally different erotic blueprints. The first step is learning what turns you on and feels pleasurable, the second is communicating that to your partner.
Take your time: You know what really doesn’t help someone have an orgasm? Feeling pressured to have an orgasm. Whether you’re masturbating or with a partner, try taking the goal to have an orgasm off the table and just simply experiment with what feels good– without the pressure of a certain outcome. Plus, it can take females longer to get aroused than males, so keep this in mind if you’re with a male partner.
Use lube. Lube removes friction, which can make intercourse, foreplay, and even masturbation much more pleasurable.
Lubricants for Women
We mentioned lube as a great way to increase pleasure for better orgasms, but there are a lot of options out there.
So where to start?
When we spoke to OB-GYN Dr. Katherine Schwab for this article, she had this to say about lube: “Silicone lubricants are more slippery and can last longer than water-based lubricants. They’re also more appropriate for postmenopausal vaginal function,” adding, “Look for a pH balanced 4.0 to 4.5.”
For those looking to increase vaginal moisture– and even arousal– naturally, in addition or instead of lube, we recommend URO Vaginal Moisture + Mood and for peri- and postmenopausal women, MENO Vaginal Moisture.
Both of these daily supplements have the benefit of increasing vaginal moisture as well as improving overall sexual function– which can lead to better orgasms, and so better health, and ultimately (probably) world peace.
