11 things you never knew about orgasms

When you have an orgasm , your heart beats faster and your breathing gets quicker and heavier, says the NHS.

But from this list, there are so many more reasons to have orgasms - and so much more to learn about them.

People who orgasm more, look younger

A vigorous sex life was the second-most important determinant of how young a person looked.

Only physical activity proved more important than sex in keeping aging at bay.Climaxing is a great natural stress relieverPeople who orgasm more, look younger.

Climaxing is a great natural stress reliever

When we orgasm, the hormone oxytocin is released from nerve cells in the hypothalamus into the bloodstream and this molecule, affectionately known as the “love molecule”, helps people feel warm and fuzzy and induces feelings of optimism, increased self-esteem and trust.

Studies have also shown that a rise in oxytocin levels can relieve pain including from headache, cramps and overall body aches.

Climaxing helps tackle insomnia

While (anecdotally) sleepiness after orgasm is more associated with men than women, it can actually similarly affect both sexes.

Our brains release a cocktail of chemicals upon climax, which include oxytocin and vasopressin. These chemicals are associated with releases of melatonin, which helps regulate your sleep.

Birthgasms exist - and woman have them

Literally an orgasm when you're giving birth, it may seem like the furthest thing from your mind, but Orgasmic Childbirth, a film by childbirth educator Debra Pascali-Bonaro says labour is sexual and that pleasure during it is "a neglected human right." One mum has even gone into detail explaining how she had one .

Death becomes her - if she's really into it

Some women faint when they climax and, in rare cases, have had heart failure and died.

Coregasms are a thing, too

A coregasm is an exercise-induced orgasm, most widely reported to occur during core work.

First discussed through anecdotal accounts in 1953, sexologist Alfred Kinsey wrote in Sexual Behavior in the Human Female that 5% of women he spoke with mentioned experiencing orgasms during exercise.

Semen has antidepressant properties

A study from the State University of New York found that women who regularly have unprotected sex are less depressed.

It seems semen contains a hefty cocktail of molecules including mood-elevating estrogen and oxytocin, cortisol, melatonin, anti-depressant prolactin, thyrotropin releasing hormone and serotonin.

Orgasms boost the immune system

According to the British Medical Journal, there's a strong correlation between orgasms and mortality rates.

Those who orgasm two times a week or more can add up to eight years on to their life. Apparently it boosts the immune system, heart health and brain power.

So orgasms make us not only look younger, they help us to live longer too.

Men and women’s orgasm contractions both occur at 0.8 second intervals

Most couples tend not to orgasm together during coitus, with the vast majority of females, 69%, stating they rarely or never orgasm from intercourse alone while 75% of males do according to the LELO global sex survey .

It’s widely known more than two thirds of women prefer clitoral stimulation, but did you know that when men and women do reach climax, their orgasmic contractions both occur at 0.8 second intervals.

You can train yourself to have a better orgasm

The muscles that contract during orgasm are called PC muscles, a hammock-like structure that supports your pelvic organs.

Kegel exercises train this set of muscles, and offer well-known benefits such as better bladder control

However, in both men and women, performing regular Kegels can increase the intensity and frequency of orgasms as well

Dr Ian Kerner, author of She Comes First says: “Your intimate muscles are like any other muscle: their power and efficiency improve with a regular work out.”

Orgasms get better with age

The LELO Global Sex Survey shows only 4% of females are fully satisfied with their climax and only 31% orgasm during intercourse.

But the older women get, the more satisfaction they report, with more than 75% of those over 60 claiming their satisfaction is better than ever before, and more claim to orgasm during intercourse.