What Are the Mental Health Benefits of Orgasms?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMental Health Benefits of Having an OrgasmSolo vs. Partnered SexWhat If I Don’t or Can’t Have an Orgasm?How to Improve Your Sexual Well-Being

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Mental Health Benefits of Having an Orgasm

Solo vs. Partnered Sex

What If I Don’t or Can’t Have an Orgasm?

How to Improve Your Sexual Well-Being

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Orgasms aren’t just pleasurable—they can be good for your mental and physical health. The benefits of orgasms include better sleep, less anxiety, improved mood, greater intimacy, and better physical health.

Humans are biologically designed to seek out pleasure,but in our current world, that can be surprisingly easy to forget about. We get wrapped up in our careers, our families, and dailystressors, and too often, we don’t even think about how healthy it would be to pause and take the time to do something enjoyable.

At a GlanceSexandmasturbationare acts that we think about in terms of increasing our physical happiness, but they have psychological benefits, too, especially when you orgasm. The flood of chemicals that are released in response to sex and orgasms can help you feel better, including boosting mood and lowering anxiety levels. Such effects aren’t just limited to partnered sex—you can benefit from solo sex as well.If you have trouble achieving orgasm, finding ways to relax, addressing physical issues that might play a role, and taking steps to improve your sexual well-being can help you better enjoy some of the many benefits of orgasms.

At a Glance

Sexandmasturbationare acts that we think about in terms of increasing our physical happiness, but they have psychological benefits, too, especially when you orgasm. The flood of chemicals that are released in response to sex and orgasms can help you feel better, including boosting mood and lowering anxiety levels. Such effects aren’t just limited to partnered sex—you can benefit from solo sex as well.If you have trouble achieving orgasm, finding ways to relax, addressing physical issues that might play a role, and taking steps to improve your sexual well-being can help you better enjoy some of the many benefits of orgasms.

Sexandmasturbationare acts that we think about in terms of increasing our physical happiness, but they have psychological benefits, too, especially when you orgasm. The flood of chemicals that are released in response to sex and orgasms can help you feel better, including boosting mood and lowering anxiety levels. Such effects aren’t just limited to partnered sex—you can benefit from solo sex as well.

If you have trouble achieving orgasm, finding ways to relax, addressing physical issues that might play a role, and taking steps to improve your sexual well-being can help you better enjoy some of the many benefits of orgasms.

Dr. Alyssa Dweck, sexual and reproductive health expert forINTIMINA, tells us that “Orgasm provides increases and [a] release indopamine(pleasure hormone),oxytocin(love and cuddle hormone) andendorphins(natural pain killers and well-being chemicals) in the brain.”

Let’s look at what the release of these chemicals leads to in relation to our psychological state.

Better Sleep

In studies, orgasms have been directly linked to an improved quality of sleep.This holds true whether you achieve orgasm alone or with a partner.

In addition to the hormones already mentioned, orgasms release vasopressin (a hormone),which goes hand in hand with your body’s production of sleep chemical melatonin.

Less Anxiety

Of course, for those who experienceanxietyon a regular basis, this benefit may not feel as pronounced as for those who do not.

Orgasms also help stimulate the vagal nerve, which plays an important role in relieving feelings of anxiety.

More Happiness

Each of the main chemicals released when we experience orgasms has a positive impact on ourhappiness. Additionally, people who engage in sexual activity more regularly experience more happiness in life overall.

The mood-lifting effects of orgasms may also help combat feelings of stress and depression.

That means that while it can be easy for pleasure to get lost in the shuffle of daily life, the benefits of ensuring you include sexual pleasure in your schedule include increased happiness.

Increased Intimacy

Sex and orgasm can also help increase yourintimacyand connection with your partner. Having emotional closeness is an essential part of ahealthy relationship. It helps you feel more comfortable, supported, and stable, which can help promote the longevity of your relationship.

Improved Physical Well-Being

Sex, even if conducted alone, causes your heart to beat faster, which is a similar experience to exercise and helps you to stay in better physical shape.

When we talk about having an orgasm, two things come to mind: sex alone, also known as masturbation, and sex with a partner (or more than one partner).

There’s a cultural myth that partnered sex is somehow better for us, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Dr. Dweck says that overall, the benefits of orgasms are the same whether they occur alone or with another person.

Dr. Dweck notes that the only difference may be in the body’s production of oxytocin. That’s because while your body produces some amount of that from the orgasm you have, it can produce even more when you add physical intimacy after. “Love and cuddle-related oxytocin have [an] obvious benefit with a partner,” she informs us.

However, because some amount of oxytocin is produced via the orgasm itself, it doesn’t mean that if you’re alone you won’t get any of it. You just won’t have the added benefit of cuddling with a partner afterward.

Can Masturbation Help Relieve Stress?

Now that we understand how beneficial orgasms are for our psychological states, you may be feeling motivated to be more sexual. For some people, that’s an easy task—and for others, not so much. Difficulty achieving orgasm affects all genders,even though we typically associate it with women.

Mental Blocks That May Prevent an Orgasm

If difficulty achieving orgasm is a psychological issue, relaxing mentally first is key. “The obvious mental blocks include distraction and not being mentally present,” says Dr. Dweck.

Alyssa Dweck, MDThinking about the to-do list or stressful day-to-day items can interfere with reaching orgasm.

Alyssa Dweck, MD

Thinking about the to-do list or stressful day-to-day items can interfere with reaching orgasm.

Be sure to use the tools that work best for you to calm yourself mentally before getting involved in the act of sex. Ahealthy sex lifeisn’t about the frequency of sex (although that can be important, too). Communication, consent, respect, and pleasure are all paramount.

Physical Issues That May Make Reaching Orgasm More Difficult

If a physical issue is a problem, Dr. Dweck suggests managing pain and dryness so that you don’t anticipate discomfort, which is an obvious turnoff emotionally.

She also notes that for people with vaginas, “most with a clitoris reach orgasm through direct clitoral stimulation,” not vaginal penetration, so make sure you’re focusing on the area that will most likely to lead to pleasure and orgasm.

If You’ve Never Had an Orgasm

Knowing that it can be a challenge to set time aside for sex is the first step to making that time in your life. While it may feel anything but sexy to schedule time for sex or masturbation, it can actually be a simple way to ensure it happens.

Even if you’re partnered, Dr. Dweck recommends exploring your sexuality and your body alone in addition to with your partner. You can’t properly guide someone else to bring you to orgasm if you aren’t positive about what gets you there!

There’s no shame in masturbating, and it’s generally considered a very healthy thing to do overall.

Lastly, Dr. Dweck notes that your sexual health and general health are directly related. If you have a chronic health issue, or you’re onmedication that reduces sex drive, cut yourself slack for not prioritizing sex. If you’re concerned about your body and don’t feel confident nude, try practicingbody neutralityto get into a more calm and relaxed place about it.

What This Means For YouKnow that there’s no shame at all in talking about sex. It may feel vulnerable to speak with others about your sexuality and sexual activity, but if you’re experiencing difficulties in this space, it can be quite helpful. If you feel mental blocks are preventing you from being able to achieve orgasm, there aresex therapistswho specialize in helping people get more comfortable exploring their bodies. There are evenonline programsavailable.

What This Means For You

Know that there’s no shame at all in talking about sex. It may feel vulnerable to speak with others about your sexuality and sexual activity, but if you’re experiencing difficulties in this space, it can be quite helpful. If you feel mental blocks are preventing you from being able to achieve orgasm, there aresex therapistswho specialize in helping people get more comfortable exploring their bodies. There are evenonline programsavailable.

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Blum K, Gondré-Lewis M, Steinberg B, et al.Our evolved unique pleasure circuit makes humans different from apes: Reconsideration of data derived from animal studies.J Syst Integr Neurosci. 2018;4(1):10.15761/JSIN.1000191. doi:10.15761/JSIN.1000191Lastella M, O’Mullan C, Paterson JL, Reynolds AC.Sex and sleep: Perceptions of sex as a sleep promoting behavior in the general adult population.Front Public Health. 2019;7:33. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00033Magon N, Kalra S.The orgasmic history of oxytocin: Love, lust, and labor.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2011;15 Suppl 3(Suppl3):S156-S161. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.84851Sabihi S, Durosko NE, Dong SM, Leuner B.Oxytocin in the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex reduces anxiety-like behavior in female and male rats.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2014;45:31-42. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.03.009Bou Khalil R.P-1456 - Neurobiologic correlates between sexual activity and women’s mood.European Psychiatry. 2012;27:1. doi:10.1016/S0924-9338(12)75623-7Loewenstein G, Krishnamurti T, Kopsic J, McDonald D.Does increased sexual frequency enhance happiness?Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization. 2015;116:206-218. doi:10.1016/j.jebo.2015.04.021Bloch M, Meiboom H, Zaig I, Schreiber S, Abramov L.The use of dehydroepiandrosterone in the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder: a report of gender differences.Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2013;23(8):910-918. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2012.09.004Jenkins LC, Mulhall JP.Delayed orgasm and anorgasmia.Fertil Steril. 2015;104(5):1082-1088. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.09.029

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Blum K, Gondré-Lewis M, Steinberg B, et al.Our evolved unique pleasure circuit makes humans different from apes: Reconsideration of data derived from animal studies.J Syst Integr Neurosci. 2018;4(1):10.15761/JSIN.1000191. doi:10.15761/JSIN.1000191Lastella M, O’Mullan C, Paterson JL, Reynolds AC.Sex and sleep: Perceptions of sex as a sleep promoting behavior in the general adult population.Front Public Health. 2019;7:33. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00033Magon N, Kalra S.The orgasmic history of oxytocin: Love, lust, and labor.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2011;15 Suppl 3(Suppl3):S156-S161. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.84851Sabihi S, Durosko NE, Dong SM, Leuner B.Oxytocin in the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex reduces anxiety-like behavior in female and male rats.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2014;45:31-42. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.03.009Bou Khalil R.P-1456 - Neurobiologic correlates between sexual activity and women’s mood.European Psychiatry. 2012;27:1. doi:10.1016/S0924-9338(12)75623-7Loewenstein G, Krishnamurti T, Kopsic J, McDonald D.Does increased sexual frequency enhance happiness?Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization. 2015;116:206-218. doi:10.1016/j.jebo.2015.04.021Bloch M, Meiboom H, Zaig I, Schreiber S, Abramov L.The use of dehydroepiandrosterone in the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder: a report of gender differences.Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2013;23(8):910-918. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2012.09.004Jenkins LC, Mulhall JP.Delayed orgasm and anorgasmia.Fertil Steril. 2015;104(5):1082-1088. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.09.029

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Blum K, Gondré-Lewis M, Steinberg B, et al.Our evolved unique pleasure circuit makes humans different from apes: Reconsideration of data derived from animal studies.J Syst Integr Neurosci. 2018;4(1):10.15761/JSIN.1000191. doi:10.15761/JSIN.1000191Lastella M, O’Mullan C, Paterson JL, Reynolds AC.Sex and sleep: Perceptions of sex as a sleep promoting behavior in the general adult population.Front Public Health. 2019;7:33. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00033Magon N, Kalra S.The orgasmic history of oxytocin: Love, lust, and labor.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2011;15 Suppl 3(Suppl3):S156-S161. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.84851Sabihi S, Durosko NE, Dong SM, Leuner B.Oxytocin in the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex reduces anxiety-like behavior in female and male rats.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2014;45:31-42. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.03.009Bou Khalil R.P-1456 - Neurobiologic correlates between sexual activity and women’s mood.European Psychiatry. 2012;27:1. doi:10.1016/S0924-9338(12)75623-7Loewenstein G, Krishnamurti T, Kopsic J, McDonald D.Does increased sexual frequency enhance happiness?Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization. 2015;116:206-218. doi:10.1016/j.jebo.2015.04.021Bloch M, Meiboom H, Zaig I, Schreiber S, Abramov L.The use of dehydroepiandrosterone in the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder: a report of gender differences.Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2013;23(8):910-918. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2012.09.004Jenkins LC, Mulhall JP.Delayed orgasm and anorgasmia.Fertil Steril. 2015;104(5):1082-1088. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.09.029

Blum K, Gondré-Lewis M, Steinberg B, et al.Our evolved unique pleasure circuit makes humans different from apes: Reconsideration of data derived from animal studies.J Syst Integr Neurosci. 2018;4(1):10.15761/JSIN.1000191. doi:10.15761/JSIN.1000191

Lastella M, O’Mullan C, Paterson JL, Reynolds AC.Sex and sleep: Perceptions of sex as a sleep promoting behavior in the general adult population.Front Public Health. 2019;7:33. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00033

Magon N, Kalra S.The orgasmic history of oxytocin: Love, lust, and labor.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2011;15 Suppl 3(Suppl3):S156-S161. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.84851

Sabihi S, Durosko NE, Dong SM, Leuner B.Oxytocin in the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex reduces anxiety-like behavior in female and male rats.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2014;45:31-42. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.03.009

Bou Khalil R.P-1456 - Neurobiologic correlates between sexual activity and women’s mood.European Psychiatry. 2012;27:1. doi:10.1016/S0924-9338(12)75623-7

Loewenstein G, Krishnamurti T, Kopsic J, McDonald D.Does increased sexual frequency enhance happiness?Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization. 2015;116:206-218. doi:10.1016/j.jebo.2015.04.021

Bloch M, Meiboom H, Zaig I, Schreiber S, Abramov L.The use of dehydroepiandrosterone in the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder: a report of gender differences.Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2013;23(8):910-918. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2012.09.004

Jenkins LC, Mulhall JP.Delayed orgasm and anorgasmia.Fertil Steril. 2015;104(5):1082-1088. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.09.029

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