Have you ever wondered: why do orgasms feel so good?

The question is pretty simple; the answer, however, is a little trickier. Whether you get there with a partner or with the help of a sex toy , we all know that some orgasms are just next level . But why?

According to statistics, during sex with a partner, women need an average of 14 minutes to reach Magic O, compared to an average of 8 minutes during masturbation. Does this mean that there are different types of orgasms? The short answer - of course!

When we have sex, what we physically experience sends information through our nerves to our brain, which in turn responds by releasing hormones that increase our pleasure. As a result, the term “post-orgasm glow” was coined to describe the euphoric sensation you feel after great sex.

YES! YES! YES!

But first, what exactly is an orgasm ?

When a woman is aroused, blood rushes to the clitoris, vagina, and nipples, causing a sexual flush throughout the body, while heart rate and blood pressure increase. This creates a warm feeling that generally radiates from the pelvis forward and extends throughout the body.

Fun fact: When you orgasm, certain parts of your brain that control emotions shut down. The area that processes fear is deactivated, and your "danger alert" switch also goes off for a while.

Orgasms can vary in intensity, differ from position to position, and feel different for everyone. The female orgasm is not only an emotional and psychological response, but also a physiological one. At its core, orgasms are a physical phenomenon that varies from person to person.

Do you notice a difference in the intensity of your orgasms from month to month? That’s normal too! It can change depending on a number of things, such as your connection with your partner, sexual arousal, and so on. Have you recently learned to talk about a fetish and are you interested in bondage , pegging, or watching porn?

It is possible that these factors can affect the intensity of your orgasms. Also, relearning how to be intimate with your lover can make the experience more intense and special.

Types of orgasm

The two most common types of orgasm are clitoral and vaginal.

Many female orgasms are caused by clitoral stimulation - this is the most common type of orgasm in women. There is now also evidence that these two main types of orgasm (FYI, we're not kidding, there are other types of orgasms, like coregasms!) are separate phenomena.

Some experts also believe that the anterior wall of the vagina is intrinsically linked to the clitoris, making it difficult to stimulate the vagina without simultaneously activating the clitoris. Brain scans of masturbating women show that different orgasms stimulate different sensory cortices in the brain.

This could explain why women with spinal cord injuries (which disrupt communication between the clitoris and the brain) can still have orgasms when stimulated vaginally.

Women who orgasm regularly tend to have lower resting heart rates and are less likely to use maladaptive psychological coping methods than women who don't; while stimulating the elusive G-spot (via vaginal rather than clitoral stimulation) increases a woman's pain threshold.

Also, a woman should understand her own body, but not consider orgasm as a race. Seeing vaginal orgasm as a must, as a duty, is the most effective way to lose the happiness of sex!

Fun fact: About 70% of women have faked an orgasm . However, there are several surefire ways your partner can tell if it's real. These include retraction of the clitoral hood shortly before orgasm, a racing heart, dilated pupils, and spasms in the vaginal muscles.

Come as you are, uh, as you can...

Your brain produces oxytocin during an orgasm. This is a “feel-good” hormone involved in social bonding, which partly explains why orgasms can feel so amazing and bring you closer to the person you had them with.

And, because orgasms are so satisfying, some people use sex or masturbation to relieve chronic stress symptoms. Because oxytocin promotes relaxation, climaxing can make it easier to wind down after a long, stressful day.

According to research, rhythmic stimulation affects your brain activity during climax, which explains why orgasms can feel so damn good! Without getting too technical, sexual stimulation essentially focuses our neurons to the point that we enter a trance-like state. This meditative state allows us to focus entirely on the pleasurable sensation.

That takes the meaning of a mind-blowing orgasm to a whole new level!

There is even a model that shows how rhythmic sexual activity affects brain rhythms. Stimulating certain nerves in a specific way and at a certain pace, in a continuous motion, drives our neurons to focus on the activity and synchronize their activity with it. So, effectively, our neurons are participating in the pleasure. As the stimulation continues, this synchronization spreads throughout the brain, allowing it to focus solely on the experience that the body is feeling.

But while all this science stuff is super interesting and awesome, let's look at the real reason you kept reading:

Five Fantastic Reasons Why You Should Prioritize Regular Orgasms:

1. You feel relaxed

As anyone who’s ever been rendered speechless by an earth-shattering orgasm will attest, they have some pretty powerful sedative properties. That’s because climax raises prolactin levels, a powerful relaxation hormone that, when combined with endorphins, can induce drowsiness.

2. Orgasms can boost your mental health.

During sexual stimulation and orgasm, the brain produces and releases molecules called neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. These chemicals are beneficial for your overall physical and mental well-being. According to researchers, these chemicals can help relieve stress, improve sleep, boost immunity, and improve mood (sounds good, right?).

3. Orgasms can promote a healthy body image.

Have you ever thought about how body image can be related to sexual health? Well, it turns out that these two concepts are much more intertwined than we might think. Our body image can have a major impact on our mental health, which in turn affects how we behave towards ourselves and others. Positive self-esteem and self-love can be promoted through more satisfying orgasms, which can improve your sexual functioning and sex in general.

4. Orgasms are great for your skin

Because orgasms increase oxytocin (a hormone that communicates pleasure) and decrease cortisol (a hormone that signals stress), you’re less likely to break out or develop rashes if you orgasm regularly. The Big O has some immediate benefits for your skin, too. Orgasms produce a radiant flush on your face by increasing blood and oxygen flow to it. You may even notice that your increased oxygen intake stimulates collagen formation — say hello to collagen and goodbye to fine lines and wrinkles!

5. Orgasms keep things healthy down there

Finally, when you have an orgasm, blood and nutrients rush to your vagina, which helps keep things in good shape down there. It has also been reported that women who have an orgasm once a week are more likely to have regular menstrual cycles that last 26 to 33 days than women who have less or more irregular sex.

Healthy vagina = happy vagina!

Conclusion…make fun a priority!