Topics: Explained, Health, Life, Sex and Relationships, Social Media, Tyla Exclusive, Women's Health
OK, guys, we're just a matter of days away from seeing the words 'No Nut November' plastered all over our feeds.
In case you're unfamiliar with the term, No Nut November is pretty much exactly what it says on the tin: going through the entirety of November without having sex, masturbating and orgasming.
Now, while the term is largely centred towards men (given that 'nut' is a colloquial term for, ahem, ejaculation), that's not to say that some women don't jump on the trend too.
And, as we know, someone's sexual preferences, including how frequently they do or don't get it on, are entirely up to them and unique to every single individual.
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But, with that said, we were keen on hearing from a doctor about everything that actually goes on inside your body if you don’t orgasm for a whole 30 days...
Intimate health and women's health expert Dr Shirin Lakhani exclusively told Tyla that regular, pleasurable sex has been shown to increase immunity.
She pointed to one study which showed that those who have regular sex, classed as 'more than three times a week', were less likely to be infected with an illness and even had milder symptoms if they were infected.
Dr Lakhani continued: "Regular orgasms can also benefit your skin and hormone levels. When you have an orgasm, your heart rate as well as your blood pressure will go up. This, in turn, will increase circulation, which will help provide oxygen and nutrients to the skin, flushing out toxins faster too."
Apparently, getting it on can even do wonders for your collagen levels!
"Oestrogen is also released when you orgasm and this can impact collagen levels as oestrogen plays a role in preventing the breakdown of collagen, which helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles," she added, pointing to a study in 2009 from the University of Michigan which found that having an orgasm raises oestrogen in your body, which 'definitely helps maintain youthful skin'.
The expert went on to outline: "Any amount of orgasms will be beneficial to your health.
"However, in the 1990s, a study of 3,500 people did find that women who had three orgasms a week looked, on average, 10 years younger than those who only had two."
Dr Lakhani also told Tyla that regular, pleasurable sex can also benefit your heart health.
Studies have shown that women who are sexually active have a lower risk of cardiac issues later in life, she added.
Getting into the science-y bit a tad more, the expert explained that orgasms trigger the release of serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine, the 'feel-good hormones', as well as triggering the release of endorphins.
This can lead to benefits such as stress reduction, improved sleep and potential pain relief.
Oh yeah, and orgasms can also apparently help regulate appetite and burn calories.
They're great for your pelvic floor too as the doctor highlighted: "Orgasms involve contraction of the pelvic floor muscles and can help strengthen them. They also lead to increased blood flow in the pelvic region, which in turn can improve vaginal tissue quality and lubrication.
"Studies have shown that having regular, enjoyable sex (two to three times a week) can enhance these benefits."
And, of course, orgasms also play a role in improving your health and well-being.
"Therefore, I don’t believe it matters how long you need to have sex in order to deliver these benefits, but rather how often and how pleasurable," Dr Lakhani resolved.
