7 Benefits of Orgasm

There are numerous benefits to orgasm, including pain relief and improved mood. The advantages of getting the big O go beyond simply increasing sex pleasure. It may also improve sleep quality, pelvic floor strength, and pain relief. Grace Wade is a Health.com associate editor. She is passionate about many scientific and medical topics, including nutrition, mental healthcare, the wellness industry, and the relationship between the environment and public health. 

Grace was previously an associate editor at Insider, where she focused on changing Google's algorithm. She contributes to and validates Popular Science information. When she is not working, Grace enjoys hiking in the mountains and exploring Brooklyn with her film camera. Grace graduated from Northwestern University with a dual degree in journalism and science in human cultures, with a focus on the environment, science, and society. 

An orgasm, whether alone or with a partner, not only increases sexual pleasure but may also alleviate pain, and stress, or provide other health benefits. It is also referred to as peaking, climaxing, or approaching. However, because everyone's experience is different, there isn't a lot of research on the benefits of orgasms. "Others orgasm multiple times, some once, and some never," says Rosara Torrisi, founder and licensed sex therapist of the Long Island Institute of Sex Therapy. 

The following seven benefits are not intended to be exhaustive or a guarantee to everyone. They may, however, provide you with some unexpected health and mental benefits that extend far beyond the bedroom. 

1. Anorexics are happier. The release of feel-good hormones during orgasm may make you feel happier, more relaxed, and less anxious. Health-related proverbs Dr. Kate White is an obstetrics and gynecology professor at Boston University School of Medicine and the academic vice chair of Boston Medical Center's obstetrics and gynecology division. According to Logan Levkoff, Ph.D., a licensed sexuality educator and advisor to the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, reaching climax may also provide you with a sense of accomplishment, which may improve your mood. Due to a lack of research in the field, Dr. White believes it is difficult to predict how long these mood-improving effects will last. 

2. Orgasm raises awareness of one's own body. Orgasms, particularly those experienced while masturbating, can reveal both normal and unusual aspects of your sexual health. Torrisi claims that it is one of the few times when people, especially those with vulvas, allow themselves to touch their genitalia. Peaking can be a good time to reconnect with your body and pay attention to any changes that may indicate a health problem, such as a yeast infection or an STI. According to Levkoff, being aware of how your body normally acts, appears, and even smells can help you spot irregularities. Orgasms raise the stakes even higher because you're unlikely to be as forthcoming about your medical history if you're not comfortable in your own skin. According to Dr. White, a person's discomfort or lack of knowledge about their genitalia may cause them to be afraid of having their pelvic examined or hesitant to speak with medical experts about their issues, causing the start of critical care and therapy to be delayed. Torrisi believes that climaxing also helps to reassure her chronically ill patients that their bodies are capable of producing delightful experiences. 

3. Orgasm exemplifies how to have fun. You won't be able to fully understand what causes orgasms without them, which may prevent you from having the satisfying sex you desire. Dr. White claims that, contrary to popular belief, many people are unable to regularly orgasm after penetration. Masturbation can help you understand the type of stimulation required to achieve the big O if this sounds familiar. Dr. White suggests using sex toys or touching yourself in various ways to figure out what feels good for you and to be able to articulate what you like and dislike when you're with a partner. Understanding that your body has the natural capacity to pleasure itself is empowering, and that this capacity is independent of a love partner is liberating, according to Levkoff. Recognize that you can experience certain emotions and grow as a sexual being on your own. 

4. Orgasm strengthens interpersonal bonds. Orgasms can strengthen and deepen your bond with a partner, as well as your relationship with yourself. According to a review article published in Socioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology in 2016, prolactin and oxytocin levels rise during an orgasm. Bonding is thought to be promoted by these two neurotransmitters. The authors of the study speculate on a possible connection between experiencing a climax and seeking a sexual partner. Of course, just because you aren't always in the best of moods with your partner doesn't mean your relationship is in trouble. Torrisi claims that if they are exceptionally skilled at luring you in, you will want to have sex with them again and are more likely to commit to that relationship. Furthermore, knowing they can make you happy may make them feel more confident and satisfied with themselves. 

5. Orgasms promote sleep. If you have trouble falling asleep, taking more Os may help. Orgasms, according to Levkoff, usually cause people to fall asleep, making them an excellent addition to your nighttime routine. How do orgasms put people to sleep? It's possible that once you've reached peak performance, your body begins to produce more soothing hormones. Or it could be because orgasming is similar to gradual muscle relaxation, as Torrisi hypothesizes. Using the progressive muscle relaxation technique, you clench a group of muscles as tightly as you can before releasing them. Similar to how muscles clench after a climax and then relax, releasing tension can aid in sleep. Or it could simply be conditional. According to Torrisi, some people begin orgasming before bed to sleep better. Given that their bodies are aware of it, this indicates sleep.

6. Orgasm strengthens the pelvic floor muscles. Orgasms, which are a series of muscle contractions, may help to maintain or improve the pelvic floor, according to Levkoff. Similar contractions can be felt when your pelvic floor muscles are purposefully tightened during Kegel exercises, held for three to ten seconds, and then released. It feels like you're holding poop when you do Kegels. Orgasms, according to Sonia Bahlani, MD, an OB/GYN and pelvic discomfort expert, improve pelvic floor health by increasing blood flow to the area, which promotes muscle growth. A previous health article stated that flexing your pelvic floor muscles frequently can improve sex by increasing orgasmic intensity, improving vaginal lubrication, and reducing penetration pain. This is because a stronger pelvic floor allows for a firmer grip during penetration and increased blood flow to the genitalia. 

7. Orgasmic pain relief Dr. White believes that orgasm-induced chemicals like oxytocin and endorphins have painkilling properties in addition to improving mood and sleep. "Such pleasurable impulses tend to dull feelings of pain," says Levkoff, and "some people report relief from menstrual cramps after having an orgasm." Some people may discover that getting up from the couch aggravates their period pain, according to Torrisi. Why? Orgasmic uterine spasms aggravate uterine contractions caused by your period. If you're in pain, whether from your period or something else, try climaxing. However, don't expect a miracle cure because everybody is unique.