Not Only Satisfaction With Desire, Get To Know 5 Other Benefits Of Orgasm For The Body

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JAKARTA - Physical intimacy is an important part of relationships. When sex is no longer done, couples can feel less connected to each other and problems such as communication and stress can develop into conflict.

Although sexual intimacy is important in order to keep your partner bound and happy, the benefits of sexual pleasure do not only end there. Regular orgasms provide a number of benefits for mental and physical health.

"Orgasm is the pinnacle of sexual arousal and causes intense feelings of pleasure," saidten De Four Jones, MD, head of the association for childbirth at the Katz Women's Hospital at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Hempstead.

Here are five benefits of orgasm for better health, adapted from Everyday Health, Tuesday, July 9.

When orgasm, the body releases dopamine, which is known as the 'happy' hormone. This is triggered by anything that makes a person happy, including orgasm.

"Dopamine works in the brain area to give you a feeling of joy, satisfaction, and motivation," says Dr. De Four Jones.

It also activates the path of appreciation in the brain that causes us to want this activity more.

Dopamine and other mood-boosting hormones released during sex, including serotonin, vasopressin, and oxytocin (hermon love) can also help lower levels of cortisol, the body's main stress hormone.

While cortisol is important for many body functions, too much cortisol in the body over time due to chronic stress can have negative effects, including increased blood pressure, increased blood sugar, and sleep disorders.

Since orgasm can increase mood and help reduce stress, this is believed to help improve sleep quality, says De Four Jones. A small survey published in May 2023 in the journal Sleep found 75 percent of participants reported better night sleep after having sex or orgasm ahead of bedtime.

In another study, 250 participants filled out daily questionnaires for 14 consecutive days about their perception of how sex and orgasm affect sleep quality. The results show sex and orgasm are associated with a significant increase in sleep latency (the amount of time required to fall asleep) and sleep quality.

Although still limited, several studies show that orgasm can strengthen the pelvic floor, especially in those who have just given birth. The basic strength of the pelvic is important because it can prevent urine and fecess incontinence and increase sexual function.

A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in May 2022 observed 55 women who had given birth to one child and had normal childbirth without complications. About half are recommended to exercise Kegel every day (a method known to strengthen the pelvic floor) while the other half are instructed to start orgasm through self-stimulation or partner at the same time as Kegel exercise every day. The researchers assessed participants every month for six months. And found that sexual functions and the ability to relax the pelvic floor are significantly higher in orgasm groups.

The many health benefits of sexual pleasure, including reducing stress and improving sleep quality, can also contribute to positive effects on the heart, says De Four Jones.

Scientific research supports this, and research shows that orgasm and sexual activity have long-term benefits for heart patients.

In an observational study published in March 2022 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, researchers interviewed 495 survivors of heart attacks aged 65 years and over about their sexual activity during the recovery period. They found that returning to normal sexual activity or increasing over the first six months was attributed to a 35 percent reduction in the risk of death over the next two decades.

"Dopamine hormones can reduce pain," says De Four Jones.

"A large amount of endorphins released during orgasm can affect the body's reaction to pain," he explained.

Although research on this matter is still limited, there is some scientific evidence that supports orgasm as a form of pain reliever. In an observational study of 304 migraine sufferers and 96 people with cluster headaches, 60 percent of migraine sufferers reported reduced pain with sexual activity during attacks. Among individuals suffering from cluster headaches, 37 percent experienced healing.