Have you ever wondered what happens to your body and mind after you reach orgasm? Sexologists explain

Orgasm. Almost everyone describes it as an explosion of pleasure, but each body may experience it differently. Although it is a combination of physical experience and psychological factors, on the physical level the orgasm is always the same.

“In women, this is usually accompanied by muscle contractions in the uterus, vagina and rectum, and sometimes in other parts of the body. In addition, it may occur to a greater or lesser extent in women. female ejaculation, which is nothing more than a clear liquid consisting of various substances such as prostate antigens, enzymes, glucose and fructose secreted by the Skene glands. In men, contraction occurs in the penis, urethra and sphincter, and they are prone to ejaculation,” explains Silvia Cintrano, sexologist and psychologist specializing in couples therapy at Instituto Centta. El Pais.

According to a 2016 study, 10% to 14% of women are unable to achieve orgasm in their lifetime.

But what happens to the body?

The feeling of sudden release is accompanied in women by three to 15 muscle spasms in the genitals, occurring every 0.8 seconds.

In men, orgasm is usually accompanied by ejaculation from three to eight “bursts” and lasts a maximum of 10 seconds.

Eventually, the body returns to its original resting phase, and it can take anywhere from five minutes to an hour for everything to return to normal.

“This phase usually lasts longer in women than in men,” says Silvia Cintrano. El Pais. At this point, the hormone prolactin is released, which often acts as an inhibitor of sexual response. This is why men usually take longer before they can resume sexual activity.

What hormones are released?

During orgasm, other hormones are also released, such as oxytocin, which helps establish an emotional connection with your partner and also suppresses the production of stress hormones. Melatonin, which is responsible for regulating the biological clock, is also released, which helps improve sleep quality. In addition, during orgasm we also release endorphins, which provide well-being and happiness, explains psychologist, sexologist and director of Psicopartner Angel Luis Guillen.

What about on an emotional level?

According to sexologist Florencia Arriola, emotions play a fundamental role. “Many people often cry after orgasm, laugh, sneeze, or even feel rejected by the person they just met. This is a moment of release, a general reaction of the body that can also be expressed in the need for hugs and affection.” , He said El Pais.

Benefit for health

From a health perspective, orgasm also brings a number of benefits as it releases certain hormones such as adrenaline, endorphins and oxytocin, especially in women. These substances act as vasodilators in our body, improving blood circulation and thereby preventing the formation of blood clots.

A 1976 study concluded that lack of orgasms is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular problems in women. Another study found that men who had sex twice a week were 50% less likely to suffer a heart attack than those who had sex once a month.