WE all know the importance of a healthy balanced diet – packed with vitamins and minerals but you could be forgetting your ‘vitamin O’.
Aside from making us feel pretty great, orgasms have some surprising health benefits whatever your gender or age.
Experts say that having an orgasm can help with all sorts of different health issuesCredit: Getty
Whether you’re dealing with medical issues and limitations or not, you’ll be amazed how much good a daily boost of ‘vitamin O’ can do you.
Experts have previously revealed the best ways to boost your sex life, from tantric sex to using ice cubes.
Now, London based sex tech brand Hot Octopuss’ have shared their nine reasons as to why an orgasm can be beneficial to your health.
1. Immunity
Previous studies found that orgasms can increase your immunity and therefore help fight off infection.
A study of college students, published in Psychological Reports found that that those having frequent sex had 30 per cent more immunoglobulin A in their systems than those who had sex less often.
This is important as this is the the body’s first line of defence against infection, the experts said.
2. Lower risk of cancer
This is prostate cancer in particular and research shows that men who ejaculated more than 21 times a month were almost a third less likely to develop prostate cancer than those who ejaculated less than seven times a month
The experts said: “While no one is certain why this is, it’s thought that regular ejaculation might clear old semen out of the penis that could otherwise become carcinogenic.
“It’s not exactly the cheeriest reason for regularly bashing one out, but if you do feel you need an excuse then you can opt for something like the Guybrator which can help with more efficient masturbating and intense orgasms”.
3. Menopause
If you’re middle aged and have sex on a regular basis then scientists say this can trick the body into producing plenty of hormones and in turn pushing the menopause back.
One study of women in their 40s and 50s who were engaged in sexual activity once a week found that they were less likely to have been through menopause than those who weren’t sexually active.
The experts added: “Not only that but if you are going through the menopause transition, regular orgasms will keep your vagina healthy by increasing blood flow and lubrication to the area.
“If you’re finding yourself a little slower or less sensitive than you used to be, which is common around menopause, you can use something to help you get there, such as a vibrator.”
4. Mental health
We all need a bit of me time and there’s no better way to boost your mental health than some vitamin O.
Orgasms relieve stress and partnered sex releases oxytocin, a hormone that promotes relaxation and a sense of trust and connection, as well as reducing levels of the stress hormone cortisol in your body.
Participants in a study previously masturbated in MRI machines and it found that orgasms help release a cocktail of chemicals in the brain including stress-relieving oxytocin.
You are then rewarded with the chemical dopamine, and the ‘happy neurotransmitter’ serotonin.
Orgasms relieve stress and partnered sex releases oxytocin so if you and your partner are stressed then why not try getting beneath the sheetsCredit: Getty
5. Performance at work
Psychologist and life coach Dr. Cliff Arnall previously stated that employees should introduce masturbation breaks for their staff to help them focus more and so they were less aggressive to other colleagues.
6. Life expectancy
Experts previously found that women who orgasmed regularly during sex would live longer than those that didn’t.
This is because more enjoyable sex, they say, is usually with equal, happy partnerships.
The experts at Hot Octopuss’ said there are plenty of other studies that suggest the same link between regular, satisfying sex, improved health, and longer lifespan, like this 1997 study of middle-aged men, which found that those who orgasmed at least twice a week had a 50 per cent lower chance of death from coronary heart disease than those who orgasmed less than once a month.
7. Pain
Research has shown that pain tolerance goes up when you masturbate or orgasm.
It also previously found that people with migraines and cluster headaches find the pain reduces during sex.
The experts added: “This is probably because of the endorphins (natural painkillers) released by the brain at orgasm.
“If you get period cramps, sex is one of the best ways of tackling the pain without pills.”
8. Sleep quality
There are many reasons why getting an O may lead directly to getting more Zzz’s.
Number one is that the sleep-inducing hormone prolactin is produced during orgasm, plus feelgood oxytocin, responsible for feelings of relaxation and comfort, which make a good night’s sleep more likely.
In addition, energetic sex can help tire out your body and get it ready for sleep.
People who have bad sleep often suffer from a myriad of other health issues so making sex part of you routine might be a good way to boost your health and wellbeing.
9. Exercise
Burning calories and having an orgasm, what’s not to like!
Exercise that raises your heart rate and makes your breathing faster is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.
That includes vigorous sex: the heart rate during orgasm is approximately the same as when you’re climbing a flight of stairs.
The NHS suggests doing at least 75 minutes of this kind of exercise a week – which might be more pleasurable than slogging it out on a treadmill.
Experts have previously revealed a number of ways that you can get your daily exercise in.
One TikTok trend claimed you could get abs without dieting, while one trainer revealed how you can build abs with just a ten minute work out.
