Can an orgasm really improve your fertility?

When I first started researching the health benefits of an orgasm, I was shocked.  Not only by the number of ways that it improves our overall health but because we aren’t talking about it more. 

I feel like the orgasm should be the next superfood – like Kale or Goji Berries, if only we lifted the taboo or embarrassment associated with talking about it.  Sure, you may talk about the big O with your girlfriends, but when is it ever prescribed by your health practitioner as a form of stress reduction, a way to improve your sleep or yes…..a way to boost your fertility? 

It should be presented alongside the recommendations of exercise, meditation and yoga. But it’s not, and that’s a real shame.  It really does get overlooked in terms of the health benefits. 

So, let's dig a little deeper into this one, so you know all the ins and outs of an orgasm, and why it’s important to put it on your self-care list.

Firstly, let’s talk biology – what happens inside your body when you have an orgasm?

During an orgasm, your heart rate will increase very similar to when you exercise, so we all know how good you feel after exercise. Your brain is working overtime to produce a number of hormones and neurochemicals and one of those is Oxytocin which is a hormone that is released at the peak of your orgasm, they call this the feel-good hormone which helps you feel close to others and promotes affection. Then after that, you release another hormone Dopamine which is responsible for feeling good, pleasure, desire and motivation.  Basically, Orgasms release endorphins, known as feel-good hormones, which may make people feel sleepy, relaxed, or happy afterward.

These are the same chemicals that are released when you go for a run or do high-impact exercise, so for those of you who can’t exercise given you’re in the middle of an IVF cycle, or because you don’t have the energy, this is a great way to get a similar (or better) rush.

So, aside from feeling relaxed and happy (as if that isn’t motivation enough!), what are the physical health benefits you’ll experience as a result of an orgasm?

1. Alleviates pain (like headaches), due to a large number of endorphins released.
2. Boosts your immune system - after orgasm, the level of white blood cells in your body increases. This means that your immune system has a boost for fighting off any illnesses. It also releases the chemical DHEA, which helps balance your immune system, promotes bone health and assists in repairing tissues.
3. Better heart health. For both men and women who regularly participate in sexual activity and experience orgasms, they will experience a lowered risk for hypertension, rapid heart rate, and most cardiovascular diseases. 
4. Healthier hair and you’re less likely to experience skin breakouts. This is due to all the benefits it provides in terms of a better immune system, better sleep and better cell regeneration.
5. Slows down the aging process – having an orgasm boosts estrogen and collagen production.
6. Strengthens your pelvic muscles - this can lead to more pleasurable sex, and you’re less likely to experience incontinence or pass gas accidentally (eeekk!).
7. Most importantly, it boosts fertility – for all the health benefits already listed above, when our body is functioning better, we’re able to create better quality eggs, and our cycle is more balanced. And because it boosts your immune system, this helps with fertilization. Plus as an added bonus, when you orgasm during sex, you draw in more sperm. 

Looking after our mental health, especially when you’re on this journey is vital.  So, what are the mental health benefits of an orgasm?

1. Improved sleep – if your mind is racing before bed, or you struggling with insomnia, this may be your ticket to a good night's sleep. Because we can’t be brave when we’re tired, and everything flows better when we’re sleeping well.
2. Reduced anxiety and stress – our stress cycle has a beginning, a middle and an end. But a lot of us get stuck in the middle with no way out the other side.  An orgasm can help signal to your body that you are safe, and as a result of all the oxytocin, endorphins and dopamine released, it will automatically reduce your stress levels.  
3. It makes you happier - the oxytocin released during orgasm literally makes people happier. It's called the "feel good" hormone for a reason.
4. Calms your mind – I don’t know about you, but when I experience an orgasm, I feel a release, both physically and mentally.
5. You feel more focused – given your reduced stress levels, your mind is clearer and you’re better able to think through problems from a rational mindset.

And if that wasn’t enough, here are a few other benefits for you –

When you’re going through infertility or loss, our relationship with our body can become fragmented.  We feel frustrated that it isn’t working the way we want it to. And if you’re seeing a fertility specialist, or seeking fertility treatments, the probing and prodding in your lady bits is enough to make you feel disconnected from your body. An orgasm allows you to reconnect with your body and show yourself some love.

Now, I probably should have mentioned this at the top of this blog, but when I talk about experiencing an orgasm, I’m not referring to sex. I’m mainly talking about pleasing yourself. Because sex can also become strained when you’re experiencing infertility.  It becomes timed, it becomes a chore, a source of frustration, and the intimacy can be drained out of your experience, along with any kind of enjoyment.  Bringing yourself to an orgasm can feel empowering.  It’s like taking back control of your body.

And the quality of your pleasure and your ability to open up to intimacy starts with your relationship with your own body. So when we pleasure ourselves, it can remind us of the enjoyment of sex outside our fertility journey.  This may then open yourself back up to sex with your partner.  If shared, an orgasm can help strengthen our connection with our partner and our relationship with them.

Another huge benefit is that it can get us out of our minds (which can be a scary place to live when you’re struggling to conceive), and back into our bodies.  It’s a brilliant form of mindfulness.  So, if you struggle to meditate, this is a wonderful alternative…..with a bonus at the end!

At the end of the day, we need to be reminded that pleasuring ourselves is not dirty, cheap, or something to be embarrassed about.  We need to stop viewing our personal pleasure as self-indulgent or selfish. Nor does it have to be spoken about in terms of shared pleasure.  It can be ours. 

Intimacy with yourself or someone else, is about pleasure and communication, not just sex.

And now that you know a little more about the overall health benefits – both physical, mental and in terms of our relationship with ourselves and others, let’s start promoting it.

An Orgasm does not need to be justified.  But just in case you need to, refer back to the benefits.

So add it to the top of your self-care list, along with exercise, meditation, and gratitude. 

Oh yes, and if you’re looking for some pleasure products that are classy and focused on empowering women, I can personally recommend So Her.