Someone told me that having orgasms was beneficial to your health – is that true?

Consensual Text is featured on Twitter and on Facebook .  Fan and follow us for info on a range of topics pertaining to sex and sexual health!Believe it or not, it is true!  There is a long list of physical benefits to having orgasms. This should truly encourage all of us to engage in some healthy and natural ways to increase our health and lower our health risks.

Orgasms relieve tension and decrease stress.  Sexual pleasure makes our heart beat, our blood flow faster, and our muscles tighten up.  Then an orgasm relaxes everything and relieves the many tensions that we often have stored up in our nervous system.

Orgasms calm your cravings:  Everyone has food craving…but not everyone knows that orgasms can calm them. Sex stimulates a natural amphetamine in our bodies that regulates the appetite!  So instead of heading into the kitchen the next time you have a craving, head into your bedroom instead.

Orgasms burn calories:  Research shows that we burn about 200 calories during sex and orgasm – the equalivant of about 15 minutes on a treadmill. Which would you rather do?

Orgasms and sex are good for the heart:  And we’re not just talking about love and romance. Sex and orgasms help keep the heart strong and healthy.  The heart is a muscle and muscles enjoy exercise.   

Orgasms boost your body’s olfactory abilities: During sex and orgasm, there is a rise in prolactin. This hormone makes the brain’s stem cells grow new neurons that help our sense of smell. 

Orgasms decrease the risk of prostate cancer:  Here is the real reason men should have lots of orgasms! An Australian study found that frequent ejaculation between the ages of 20 and 50 helps decrease the risk of prostate cancer.

Orgasms can work as natural pain management:  During orgasm, your body releases endorphins (something like morphine), which makes you feel great. Suddenly that headache or sore leg is not as painful anymore.

Orgasms help you sleep better:  The endorphins released during and right after an orgasm drop your blood pressure and create a calm relaxed, feeling–which helps you sleep.

Orgasms help the immune system:  During an orgasm, our bodies release DHEA (Dehydroepianddrosterone), which helps promote bone growth and balances the immune system. Studies show that those who have sex regularly (once or twice a week) have 1/3 higher levels of immunoglobin, an antibody that boosts the immune system and infection fighting cells.

Orgasms improve the quality of our skin:  Sexual arousal and orgasm elevates your heart rate and makes you breathe more deeply. This in turn allows more oxygen to circulate throughout the body, keeping your organs and tissues healthy, including skin tissue.  Secondly, most people perspire during sex, which helps flush out toxins and actually helps release skin-nourishing oils. Take a look at yourself after you have had a good orgasm.  You will notice you are glowing.

Remember orgasms can be enjoyed with a lover or on your own!  Here’s to your health

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England’s Education Department carefully selects all weekly questions. All questions are actual inquiries made to PPNNE by college-aged students.

Do you have a question you would like to see included?  Please email goddess@ppnne.org