STOCKHOLM – As red-blooded beings, we love having orgasms. They come in all shapes and sizes. You can have clitoral orgasms, G-spot orgasms, nipple orgasms, full body orgasms and many, many more types.
Most us probably aren’t 100-percent satisfied with every orgasm, but there’s nothing wrong with practice.
With that in mind, pleasure products manufacturer LELO has compiled a list of the top eight reasons everyone should have more orgasms.
People who orgasm four or more times a week look up to seven years younger.
Dr. David Weeks, a British clinical psychologist and former head of old age psychology at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, surveyed 3,500 people and found those who had more orgasms looked younger. A vigorous sex life, Weeks said, was the second-most important determinant of how young a person looked. Only physical activity proved more important than sex in keeping aging at bay.
Orgasms are a natural stress reliever and are known to alleviate pain.
When we orgasm, the hormone oxytocin is released from nerve cells in the hypothalamus (a region of the brain) into the bloodstream. This molecule, affectionately known as the “love molecule,” helps people feel warm and fuzzy and induces feelings of optimism, increased self-esteem and trust. Studies also have shown that a rise in oxytocin levels can relieve pain from headaches and cramps, as well as overall body aches.
Semen has antidepressant properties.
A study at the State University of New York found women who regularly have unprotected sex are less depressed. Turns out that semen contains a hefty cocktail of molecules including mood-elevating estrogen and oxytocin, cortisol, melatonin, and the anti-depressants prolactin, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TSH) and serotonin.
Orgasms boost the immune system.
According to the British Medical Journal, there’s a strong correlation between orgasms and mortality rates. Those who orgasm two times a week or more often can add up to eight years to their life. Why? Apparently orgasming boosts the immune system, heart health and brain power. So, orgasms not only make us look younger, but they also can help us to live longer.
Orgasms get better with age.
The LELO Global Sex Survey indicated only 4 percent of females are fully satisfied with their climax and only 31 percent orgasm during intercourse. But the older women get, the more satisfaction they report, with more than 75 percent of those older than 60 claiming their satisfaction is better than ever before. More women over 60 also claim to orgasm during intercourse. Finally, there’s something to look forward to about getting older.
Both men’s and women’s orgasm contractions occur at 0.8-second intervals.
Most couples tend not to orgasm together during coitus, with the vast majority of females — 69 percent — stating they rarely or never orgasm from intercourse alone. On the other hand, 75 percent of males orgasm during intercourse, according to the LELO Global Sex Survey. The study also indicated more than two thirds of all women prefer clitoral stimulation to vaginal stimulation. Regardless sex, preferences or frequency, when men and women do reach climax, their orgasmic contractions occur at 0.8 second intervals.
You can train yourself to have better orgasms.
The muscles that contract during orgasm are called PC muscles. They compose a hammock-like structure that supports the pelvic organs. Kegel exercises train this set of muscles and offer well-known benefits such as better bladder control. In both men and women, performing regular Kegels can increase the intensity and frequency of orgasms, as well.
“Your intimate muscles are like any other muscle: Their power and efficiency improve with a regular work out,” Dr. Ian Kerner, author of She Comes First, noted. “It doesn’t need to be a long, tiring training regimen. You can begin right now, wherever you are. Just squeeze your Kegel muscles for 10 seconds and release, then start again as many times as you want throughout the day.”
Orgasms tackle insomnia.
Anecdotally, sleepiness after orgasm is more associated with men than women, but it actually can affect both sexes. As stated above, our brains release a cocktail of chemicals, including oxytocin and vasopressin, upon climax. These chemicals are associated with releases of melatonin, which helps regulate sleep. And, of course, orgasms soothe anxieties and better prepare you for a solid night’s rest.
