10 Interesting Facts about the Female Orgasm

At the moment of orgasm you grow wings, defy gravity and your soul slips quietly across the universe like a shooting star.

Chloe Thurlow

As we know… the female orgasm is extraordinary! There are so many different ways to experience one and they feel pretty bloody good. But did you know that orgasms also have health benefits and can actually physically change your body?

Here are my top 10 favourite facts about female orgasms!

1.Orgasms can help headaches

According to research published by the International Headache Society, 60% of migraine sufferers experienced moderate or complete relief after an orgasm.

2. Mind over matter

With so many things to think about each day, from work through to family life, it’s easy to find ourselves distracted in the bedroom.

But, according to research published in the Journal of Sexual Research, women’s ability to orgasm increased by 30% after taking part in a mindfulness program. Meditation has also been shown to help women reach orgasm.

3. Orgasms take time

The average woman needs 20 minutes of stimulation to reach climax, whereas men typically require between 2 – 10 minutes, there’s a surprise! It’s worth noting, however, that the time it takes to reach orgasm can vary significantly from person to person.

4. A natural painkiller

As well as helping to shift migraines, female orgasms can also help to increase your pain tolerance. When we orgasm, the body releases oxytocin and other mood-boosting endorphins, which help to increase the tolerance of pain.

Research has demonstrated that during orgasm, a women’s pain threshold can increase by up to 75%, while their pain detection threshold can increase by 107%!

5. Orgasms can shut down part of your brain

A lot happens in your body during orgasm, especially in the brain. It has been demonstrated that when you reach orgasm, the area behind your left eye, known as the lateral orbitofrontal cortex, shuts down. This is why it’s hard to focus on anything else when you’re enjoying the moment!

6. Increased sense of smell

During orgasm, the hormone prolactin is released. This stimulates the brain to produce more neurons in the olfactory bulb, where our sense of smell is controlled, who knew!!

7. Not all orgasms are equal

Not all orgasms feel the same. Why? The genitals are connected to several different pairs of nerves, and stimulating different combinations of nerves produces different sensations.

A blended orgasm occurs when multiple parts of the genital area are stimulated at the same time. For example, the clitoris is connected to the pudendal nerves, the vagina is connected to the pelvic nerves, and the cervix is connected to the hypo gastric, pelvic, and vagus nerves. When they are stimulated together, it can create a stronger, blended orgasm.

8. Orgasms make us more talkative

According to a study carried out at the University of Connecticut, when oxytocin is released during an orgasm, our sense of bonding is increased. This makes us want to share with our partners and, as a result, we become more talkative. This can affect both men and women.

9. Orgasms improve with age – Hallelujah!!

According to research, 61% of women aged 18 to 24 experienced orgasm the last time they had sex, compared to 65% of women in their 3-s and 70% of women in their 40s and 50s. It is thought that this is because they have more experience and confidence in the bedroom, and so aren’t afraid to express their physical and emotional needs. What’s more, women can achieve orgasm well past the age of 90!

10. Lube can make it easier to orgasm

If you’re struggling to reach orgasm, using lube might help. According to research undertaken by the Indiana University’s Centre for Sexual Health Promotion, nearly 50% of men and women said that using lube made it easier to have an orgasm.

What’s on this week?