Everything that happens to your body when you orgasm
Orgasms, orgasms, orgasms.
It seems like no matter how technologically advanced we become, how far artificial intelligence has travelled, how integrated smartphones and social media are into our daily lives - we're all still base animals who simply can't stop humping each other.
And, with No Nut November just around the corner (and all the chatter that comes along with it), it seems like quite a few peeps out there are keen on knowing the nitty-gritty of what actually happens to our bodies and brains when we orgasm.
Now, an orgasm is created by the tensing and releasing of certain muscles, and along with the release of feel-good hormones such as endorphins, and it's these bad boys which create feelings of physical and emotional pleasure.
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But what actually happens to us, biologically speaking, before, during and after the fact - beyond the pleasure principle?
Before an orgasm
There's a whole load going on inside our brains and bodies when we're about to reach climax.
When a person with a vagina is aroused physically by touching or feels excited, the blood vessels within their genitals expand alongside an increased blood supply, causing the vulva to swell.
You may also notice yourself getting 'wet' down there as fluid passes through the walls of the vagina, which also makes the vulva swollen. And, on the inside, your vagina also becomes longer.
On top of all that stuff going on 'down there', your heart rate and breath quicken as well as your blood pressure increasing.
All this can lead to you looking flushed, particularly on the neck and chest.
Speaking of breasts, they can also increase in size by as much as 25% and nipples can appear less erect because of increased blood flow, Brook notes. And, lastly, the clitoris pulls back against the pubic bone, sometimes seeming to disappear.
During an orgasm
Once you're actually climaxing, your pelvic floor muscles will contract around every 0.8 seconds.
Orgasms for people with vaginas typically last an average of 13 - 51 seconds.
And, good news for anyone with vaginas out there as they do not have a refractory (recovery) period and so can have further orgasms if they are stimulated again - although this is not possible for everyone.
These are known as multiple orgasms.
After an orgasm
Verywellmind explains that orgasms signal the parasympathetic nervous system to shut down, which calms the body.
"The brain also pumps out serotonin, which is responsible for good mood, relaxation, and post-sex drowsiness which can make us want to nap," the experts note, adding: "Both men and women may release oxytocin, though women typically release more of the feel-good, connecting hormone.
"Oxytocin may help relieve pain, potentially helping to reduce headaches after sex or reducing pain from rougher (consensual) sex."
Echoing this, Science Alert adds that once an orgasm has occurred, your brain tends to slow down. But it doesn't go off-duty entirely.
"In both men and women, the orgasm signals the parasympathetic nervous system to start down-regulating (or calming) the body. The prefrontal cortex, which was previously activated leading up to orgasm, also becomes down-regulated – and this is linked to increased levels of oxytocin to facilitate attachment," clinical psychologist Daniel Sher told INSIDER.
Cognitive psychologist Kayt Sukel added that the brain also churns out serotonin after an orgasm.
"This hormone is known to promote good mood and relaxation. In some people, serotonin can also lead to drowsiness and the desire to curl up for a nap," the outlet adds.
Topics: Sex and Relationships, Life, Women's Health, Health, Explained
Rhiannon Ingle