What do we actually know about orgasm? What facts are there about the sexual climax of women and men?
Orgasm is sexual climax and the ultimate feeling of pleasure that both men and women can experience.
The clitoris plays an important role in female orgasms, while the penis needs to be stimulated in men. Orgasm is a complex physical reaction and can be achieved in different ways.
Image source: jcomp, via Freepik
There are a number of surprising facts about this peak of sexual arousal that many don't know. Find out 12 interesting facts about orgasm and sexual stimulation here.
01 The orgasm – We officially celebrate the sexual climax
Orgasm is the ultimate sexual climax in our sense of pleasure. It can be felt and experienced in different ways. female orgasm differs from the male climax .
In women, in addition to the vagina, the clitoris plays a crucial role in sexual arousal and orgasm. The body responds to sexual stimulation with increased blood flow and muscle tension in the genital area.
Image source: Freepik
While men often associate climax with ejaculation, women can also experience orgasm without a visible physical reaction
Hormones such as endorphins are released and increase the feeling of pleasure even further. There are many myths and misunderstandings about orgasm, but the fact is: everyone experiences it differently and there are different types of orgasms.
A fulfilling sex life with more frequent climaxes can help increase physical pleasure and strengthen the relationship with your partner. So it's worth taking a closer look at this topic and finding out more about the different aspects of orgasm.
Once a year, on July 31st to be precise, Happy National Orgasm Day is celebrated .
This special day is a variation of International Female Orgasm Day , which in turn is celebrated August 8th
The main goal of this day is to raise awareness of the taboos that still exist in our society and to promote the destigmatization of sexual pleasure.
On the 21st/22nd Every December World Orgasm Day , another day that invites us to discover the joys of (love) life.
02 Orgasms are good for health and well-being
Hopefully you are already familiar with the intense feelings of pleasure and health benefits that come with climaxing:
It reduces stress, boosts the immune system, relieves arthritis-related pain, improves concentration and is generally a wonderful way to keep relationships alive.
Although research on the positive effects of orgasms is limited, likely due to individual differences in how orgasms are experienced, Rosara Torrisi , PhD, certified sex therapist and founding director of the Long Island Institute of Sex Therapy, cite a number of health benefits.
An orgasm triggers a greatly increased release of hormones that produce a feeling of well-being . This can make you happier , calmer and less stressed .
This statement is also made by Dr. Kate White , MD, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Boston University School of Medicine and vice chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Boston Medical Center, confirmed health
Reaching climax can also make you feel more confident, which can further improve your mood.
Orgasms, especially from masturbation is normal and what is not when it comes to your sexual health View climax as an opportunity to connect with your body and notice possible signs of illness.
Image source: Freepik
Experiencing orgasms also creates a pleasant feeling for your body. Without this level of comfort, you may be hesitant to share health information with doctors.
You may also notice an improvement in your sleep after climaxing. The contraction during orgasm will benefit your pelvic floor muscles.
Some people may even pain relief , but this may not work for everyone.
03 The orgasm as a (universal) cure has a history
In the 8th century BC, Homer an Argonaut healer named Melampus in Greek mythology who treated virgins afflicted by a type of madness.
He attributed her problems to a lack of sexual satisfaction and encouraged her to have sex with strong young men.
This belief can be traced back to a medical work by Pieter van Foreest (known as Alemarianus Petrus Forestus) entitled Observationem et Curationem Medicinalium ac Chirurgicarum Opera Omnia from the Netherlands in 1653. In it, midwives were instructed “hysterical” patients with oils and to “massage the genitals from the inside with a finger .
This should cause the woman in question to become aroused to the point of climax (see Rachel Maines: The Technology of Orgasm: "Hysteria", the Vibrator, and Women's Sexual Satisfaction ).
04 Amazing expressions in different languages
A 2017 study in the Journal of Metaphor and Symbol New York Magazine examined linguistic expressions of sexual climax. What metaphorical terms are used to describe the word orgasm? Columnist Birgit Schmid addressed this topic in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung .
What sentences are uttered immediately beforehand and what images are used to describe this wonderful pastime?
I'm coming!"
This short phrase informs your partner in almost any language that the time has come. The climax is considered the desired goal.
Even the “climax” is a metaphor that occurs in seven of 27 languages. In English it is called “To climax” . When something goes up, there is something positive associated with it.
The Chinese say “gao chao” which “flood” : they are swept up by the waves.
And the word “orgasm” ?
It has its origins in Greek and means something like excitement or swelling.
When people talk about coming, heat is usually not far away. The Finns say shortly before: “Nyt mä tulen” – in German “Now I am (the) fire” . In Tagalog, the most common language in the Philippines, orgasm is “nag-iinit” – meaning “heat up” or “warm up” .
In other languages, however, we often talk about letting go of something. Men especially use such expressions. For example, in Mandarin you say “yao she le” , which translates to “I shoot” ; “boşalmak” is used , which can be translated as unloaded.
The French show that this high feeling is all or nothing with their expression for orgasm - la petite mort - which literally means a small death. At this point nothing matters anymore and you enter a different state of consciousness and lose all control over it.
In Russian, orgasm is announced with the words “I’m done” – konchayu . Nothing will happen after that.
05 First written description of the female orgasm by a nun
The nun Hildegard von Bingen , an outstanding polymath of the 12th century, left the first written description of the female orgasm .
In addition to her musical compositions and sermons, she was famous for her writings on topics such as gender, medicine and theology. At the tender age of eight, she was sent to a Benedictine monastery, where she became an extremely prolific writer.
As a pioneer of her time, Hildegard described the female orgasm as follows:
During lovemaking with a man, the woman feels a heat in the brain that causes sensual pleasure and gives a taste of that pleasure in the process. This in turn leads to ejaculation of semen in the man. Once the seed has found its place, this intense heat from the woman's brain pulls it towards her and holds it in place. The woman's sexual organs then begin to contract and all the parts of her body that are normally open during menstruation now close - similar to how a strong man can hold something in his fist.
This revolutionary depiction of female climax marks a significant milestone in the history of human sexuality.
06 The evolutionary origin of the female orgasm
It has been difficult to find an evolutionary explanation for female orgasm. Orgasm in women obviously does not contribute to reproductive success and accompanies heterosexual intercourse in a surprisingly unreliable manner.
In a scientific study by Mihaela Pavlicev and Günter Wagner, two types of explanations were proposed:
One of them insists on existing adaptive roles in reproduction, another explains female orgasm as a byproduct of the selection of male orgasm, which is crucial for sperm transfer.
Scientists suspect that human orgasm is a reflex that originally triggered ovulation. This reflex became redundant with the development of spontaneous ovulation, potentially freeing the female orgasm for other tasks.
07 Special features of the female orgasm
Which brings us away from the factors relevant to reproduction and towards the diverse positive effects of the female climax .
In addition to the health benefits already mentioned, which both men and women benefit from, the climax in women also has a number of other benefits.
Increased brain activity
In 2017, Dr. Nan Wise, an expert in the field of neuroscience and sexual therapy, conducted a scientific study .
The aim was to research effects of female orgasm on brain activity The results of this study clearly showed that there is increased blood flow to the brain throughout the orgasm process.
As a result, activity in the brain gradually increases and reaches its peak at the time of orgasm. However, after this peak, activity decreases again.
These findings illustrate the positive influence of an orgasm as an effective training for the brain. In addition, a connection has been found between sexual activity and cognitive function - particularly with regard to a person's age.
another study found that people with an active sex life (including masturbation ) tend to better cognitive function as well as increased well-being.
So it's worth it in many ways to ensure that you regular sexual fulfillment .
Pain relief
Studies have been conducted that show that orgasm not only increases brain activity, but also causes women's pain tolerance threshold to increase by nearly 75% after a self-stimulated climax.
Skin aging slows down
In a 2009 study of the influence of sexual arousal on hormones in premenopausal women, it was found that orgasm increases estrogen levels in the body.
The effects of estrogens and aging skin have been extensively researched and research has shown that the administration of estrogens significantly slow the aging process of the skin .
An increase in estrogen levels in the body helps improve the elasticity of the skin and also helps retain its moisture.
Better sleep
Both oxytocin and the endorphins are associated with relaxation. One benefit of releasing these two hormones is more restful sleep, especially if you suffer from stress or anxiety-related insomnia.
Prolactin , another hormone that can promote sleep, is typically released after intercourse, explaining why many people fall asleep quickly after climaxing.
Improvement of pelvic floor muscles
An orgasm is a series of muscle contractions that can help maintain or strengthen the pelvic floor. The same muscles are used during an orgasm as during Kegel exercises.
Additionally, orgasms improve pelvic floor health by increasing blood flow to the pelvic area, thereby supporting muscle growth, says Sonia Bahlani, MD , a New York-based gynecologist and pelvic pain specialist.
A study published in March 2014 in the Journal of Investigative and Clinical Urology also found that regularly tensing the pelvic floor muscles can lead to better sex.
This manifests itself, among other things, in improved vaginal lubrication as well as reduced pain during penetration and increased intensity of the orgasm. A stronger pelvic floor helps improve blood flow and can therefore allow for a firmer grip during intercourse.
weight loss
Weight loss is not usually associated with orgasm. However, according to a study in the European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, regular sexual activity and vaginal orgasm can lead to a slimmer waist and less belly fat .
This also has positive effects on cardiovascular health and prevents diseases such as heart disease.
Although the female orgasm is still debated as to its evolutionary necessity, it is clear that it has several other positive effects in addition to its general health benefits.
So if you think regular orgasms are just for pleasure, you'll be happy to know that they also support a better quality of life 🙂
08 Orgasms strengthen relationships
In a relationship , experiencing orgasms together can strengthen the bond.
On a biochemical level, an orgasm causes the release of the neurotransmitters oxytocin and prolactin, as we learned in the previous section.
But both oxytocin and prolactin not only promote sleep, but also bonding between partners , which, according to the authors of a study published in the journal Socioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology , may explain why climaxes with a sexual partner can create strong emotional connection
Of course, not achieving orgasm with your partner doesn't necessarily mean that your relationship is doomed.
However, if your sexual partner gives you good orgasms, there is a higher likelihood that you will want to see them again and invest in that relationship. Additionally, knowing that they can bring you joy can also boost your confidence and happiness .
09 The G-spot aka Gräfenberg point aka gynecological UFO
The G-spot , named after researcher Ernest Gräfenberg , was first described in the 1950s.
In his 1950 study in the International Journal of Sexology, Gräfenberg mentioned a highly sensitive zone along the urethra on the anterior wall of the vagina.
He emphasized the importance of this region in treating sexual problems in women and called for greater attention to it.
critics continually emphasize that this special female erogenous zone is not so much a discovery as an invention (see the topic article in the Ärzteblatt ).
To this day, the G-spot is discussed in a variety of fantasies, advice and business ideas. This can be easily checked on the Internet. The debate about the existence of the G-spot continues in the 21st century: is it real or just an unproven myth?
A study from the 1990s surveyed 2,350 women in health and social care in the United States and Canada about the G-spot. With a response rate of 85 percent, 84 percent of women were convinced that there is a highly sensitive zone on the anterior vaginal wall. Hines (2001), on the other hand, after reviewing existing literature and evaluating this study using “evidence-based” criteria, draws the following conclusion:
The widespread acceptance of the presence of a G-spot goes beyond existing evidence. Based on existing anatomical studies, it can be concluded that it is unlikely that a richly innervated tissue area has remained undetected over the years. Until a thorough and careful histological examination of the relevant tissue has been undertaken, the G-spot must be viewed as a type of gynecological UFO. Much searched for, much discussed, but not verified by objective data.”
10 Male Ejaculation Beats Usain Bolt
The speed of ejaculation is 45 kilometers per hour, exceeding the top speed of Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, who reached a top speed of 44.7 kilometers per hour (see Euronews ).
11 record for most female orgasms in one hour
According to a purported study by the Center for Marital and Sexual Studies in California, one woman reportedly had 134 orgasms within an hour - the highest number ever documented.
That corresponds to an average of 2.2 orgasms per minute. In contrast, the record for men is just 16 orgasms in the same period.
This staggering number is related to a newly defined phenomenon called ESR (Expanded Sexual Response) , known as
the ability to experience long-lasting and/or prolonged and/or multiple and/or repeated orgasms that are longer lasting and more intense than those classically described"
is defined. Sounds pretty exhausting.
And to top it off: earlier this year, a woman actually had a real orgasm during a LA Philharmonic Orchestra concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
This happened during the performance of Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony. It's not the first time something like this has been triggered by music; There are claims that certain notes can even induce orgasms.
12 orgasm premiere on the big screen
At her peak in the 1940s and 1950s, Hedy Lamarr , the great Hollywood star, was considered the most beautiful woman on earth and fascinated with her charisma.
She was a self-taught inventor who developed technology that later contributed to the creation of GPS, Bluetooth and secure WiFi.
Additionally, she served as a model for Disney's Snow White and inspired DC Comics' Catwoman.
She also caused controversy by depicting a female orgasm on camera - one of the first of its kind.
When Lamarr was 19 and still living in Vienna, she played the lead role in the controversial romantic drama “Ecstasy” (1933), directed by Gustav Machatý.
In this film she presented the first ever non-pornographic female orgasm .
The strip caused such a stir that her husband at the time, Friedrich Mandl, tried to buy all existing copies to prevent it from being distributed. A nice but very unsuccessful attempt on Mandl's part.
