The "Big O" – orgasm – is probably one of the most interesting and typically best understood topics of all human sexuality. But for far too many people, it is still a murky area, despite the fact that it is everywhere in popular culture and in all the encounters people have themselves. This article attempts to unlock the mysterious world of orgasms, exploring everything from the psychological to the physiological. It’s about time we educated ourselves and bust some common myths about what orgasms can do for our sexual wellbeing.
Savvy Orgasm: What Happens in the Body?
In essence, an orgasm is defined as a series of rhythmic contractions of the muscles surrounding the vagina that cause the release of accumulated tension and brings pleasure. The muscles in and around the genital area and pretty much the whole body flex with these contractions. But in that place known as the imagination, the story begins years before.
The sexual response, which includes arousal, desire, and orgasm is one hugely impacted by the brain. Dr Nicole Prause with the Brain Activity Map, which shows that distinct regions of the brain are activated during sexual desire, producing a 'heady cocktail' of chemicals that could lead to an orgasm In a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, distinct areas of the brain were activated as women experienced sexual desire, creating a 'complex cocktail' of brain chemicals. The “feel-good” chemical dopamine rushes the brain, heightening feelings of pleasure and reward.
From Arousal to Afterglow in the Sexual Response Cycle
The four basic human sexual response patterns: Excitement: the engorgement of the genital organs Plateau: the muscles and genitalia in their highest peaked level orgasm: release Resolution: the body returns to normal Appeared in 1960 studies conducted by pioneering researchers Masters and Johnson.
Excitement: This phase is when sexual arousal begins, and you will experience many physical reactions such as rising blood pressure, an increased heart rate, and a large amount of blood flowing to the genitals.
Plateau: The changes started in the excitement phase become more intense, and the sexual tension can be felt in every pore of the body; the orgasm is imminent.
The zenith of the sexual response cycle is called an orgasm. This is the most active stage, and also the briefest, lasting for a few seconds to a minute. This phase is marked by a deep-outward release of sexual tension as well as pelvic contractions alternating with intense sensations of pleasure.
Resolution – In the entire ending phase the body slowly goes back to the initial state. Ladies often find connection, relaxation and a connection all at once.
Orgasms' Health Benefits
But the good news about orgasms doesn't stop there — other than the simple fact that they feel amazing, that is. They can have wide-ranging positive effects on many dimensions of bodily function and health, from the immune system to brain antibodies. Here is a list of some of the well-documented health benefits:
Helps to relieve stress: Orgasms trigger the release of natural feel-good chemicals called oxytocin and endorphins in the body. These can act as powerful mood lifters and natural pain reducers, helping to alleviate stress and promote a sense of general wellbeing.
Sleep Enhancement: Tiredness is frequently felt after orgasm. This happens because the body releases prolactin, a hormone that is central to controlling the sleep rhythm.
Enhanced Immunity: Immunoglobulin A, the antibody responsible for fighting off infections could be produced in higher amounts with regular sexual activity and orgasms.
Cardiovascular fitness: According to research from the American Journal of Medicine, regular sexual intercourse and orgasms could noticeably decrease a man’s risk of heart disease. The heart and blood vessels are getting a good workout during sex and the increased blood flow and heart rate lead to benefits for the entire cardiovascular system. If you have more sex than you did last month, you're in luck as researchers found that having frequent sex can lower the risk of both stroke and heart disease.
Pain Management: Orgasms can help to alleviate many types of pain (menstrual cramps, migraines etc). This is due to the release of endorphins and oxytocin began and both hormones have analgesic properties.
Increased fertility: Regular orgasms are thought to increase the probability of conception, especially when a woman is ovulating. The muscle contractions during orgasm could help in guiding sperm into the cervix.
Pulling in of the pelvic floor muscles: The pulsing movements from orgasm help to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Strong pelvic floor muscles can reduce the risk of prolapse and improve bladder control.
Lower Prostate Cancer Risk: Studies have shown that men who engage in regular ejaculation that leads to orgasm, possibly not possible in subsequent orgasms, may be at a decreased risk of developing prostate cancer.
Better Skin: The rush of blood to the skin during sex and orgasm can give your skin an oxygen boost, aiding in wrinkle-reduction and giving your skin a youthful glow.
Intimacy and Emotions: And emotional aspects of orgasms provide benefits beyond just the physical, including the opportunity to bond with your partner, build trust, and feel connected to them on a deeper level.
Shorter Menstrual Period:Orgasms can help ease menstrual cramps (read above) and some women find that orgasms shorten the length of their period. The contraction of the uterus during an orgasm may cause the period blood to flow out faster.
Enhanced cognitive function Better blood flow to the brain during sex and orgasm have been known to improve cognitive function, and may also spur creativity.
Improving the Experience of Orgasm
Helping expand and deepen her orgasmic experience will be of inestimable benefit to her overall sexual health. There is need to recognise that every person’s orgasmic experiences are inherently different and what is pleasurable for one individual does not translate as an enjoyable experience for another. Here are some suggestions that might help:
Get to Know Your Body: Understanding your preferences is important when it comes to improving your orgasm. Take the time to get to know your body and figure out what rhythms, pressures and types of touch you respond to.
Mindful Masturbation Solo exploration can be useful for figuring out which particular stimulation is responsible for your orgasm. Take this time to try out different methods, pressures, and speeds to see what feels best for you specifically.
Try a Sex Toy Adults toys like butt plugs, dildos, or vibrators can help ramp up the orgasmic experience by bringing in more sensations.
Lubricants Lubes can make a world of difference when it comes to sex by cutting down on the friction and increasing feeling. Items such as Astroglide, which is long lasting and has great skin-friendly ingredients, may be especially helpful.
Pelvic Floor Workout: Some say Kegel exercises tighten the muscles of the pelvic floor, resulting in a stronger orgasm. You could get some help from devices like the Elvie Trainer, which is made for these workouts.
Calmness and mindfulness: Stress and distractions tend to decrease your chances at experiencing an orgasm. Practices like Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Deep-Breathing, and Mindfulness, can help you relax and focus on the present.
Communicate with your lover: If you are in a committed relationship, discussing your likes, sexual preferences and what feels good to you will always improve the quality of your orgasm.
Try Different Positions: Not only can certain positions make it easier to stimulate the G-spot, experimenting with different positions can deliver different kinds of pleasurable sensations and possibly even stronger orgasms.
Fantasizing: Sexual fantasizing can raise arousal for much more intense orgasms. Feel free to experiment with your body and desires alone or with a partner.
Stimulating during the foreplay The intense feeling of the orgasm could start during foreplay when the erogenous zones are stimulated, which could help the orgasm feel stronger later.
Diet and Water: Eating healthy and drinking enough water can have a significant impact on your sex life. "Omega Darvish says that you'll also want to introduce some Omega-3 fatty acids into your palate–fish foods in particular have been proven to increase blood flow, and thus the quality of your orgasm.
Learn More: If you want to find out more about the sexual response cycle or how to have better orgasms, read books, attend workshops, or speak with a sex therapist.
Just remember that the process is every bit as important as the goal. Try not to be so result-oriented but enjoy the experience and not sweat too much about how everything’s going for you.
Last Remark
Setting out on a mission to learn more about orgasms — what they are, how they work, how can you facilitate them — can be an empowering idea indeed. Understanding the complicated interplay human sexual response cycle can not only enhance personal sexual experience, but can also help to provide more mutual understanding, openness and comfort in personal relationships.
Through this journey, we learned that orgasms are so much more than just the climax. These songs convey a complex intermingling of emotions, psychology, neurology, and biology. There are also many dimensions of our existence and enjoyment of life that revolve or depend on our capacity to experience orgasm which points to a built in potential of pleasure for the body. Benefits stretch far beyond the bedroom and are not limited to just the physical well-being but mental as well.
But it's important to remember that orgasms are a physical pleasure, not the epitome of pleasure in sex. Equally significant though is remaining present for the entire trip—intimacy, connection and mutual pleasure. There's no one 'normal' or 'right' way to do sexuality - the range is as varied as the people experiencing it!
Remember, the point of having sex is to enjoy the experience not just obtain an orgasm. Whether you’re going solo or with your partner, the emphasis is on mutual comfort, consent, and pleasure. Sexual experimentation should be a fun, satisfying and safe time.
So stay with the learning, exploring, and talking. Your path to orgasm is your very own; relish it, and above all, let that be your ultimate affirmation of your greatest love and understanding of yourself.
