Orgasm and Skin health

It might be time to start saying “an orgasm a day keeps the doctor away” because besides feeling amazing, the Big O also has plenty of important benefits for the body, especially on your skin.

That elusive glow you’ve been chasing after? You just might see it in your reflection the next time you finish a spin in the sack!

Ever find that having an orgasm calms you down? You’re not alone. In fact, getting it on can actually help skin maintain itself. Planned Parenthood reports that in a 2000 survey, 39 percent of 2,632 U.S. women reported masturbating to relax.

Other studies have found that low levels of oxytocin in the bloodstream are correlated with high levels of stress, tension, and anxiety disorders. And when you’re stressed out, a big organ like your skin might take the hardest hit. Not only can stress trigger inflammation in conditions like rosacea and psoriasis, it can also trigger those oh-so-annoying breakouts we all experience.

There’s a strong correlation between lack of sleep and acne, so doctors recommend sleeping for a full eight hours in order to allow skin to perform the maintenance necessary for glowing skin. The immune system and inflammation heals itself during deep, long sleep stretches, too. So take advantage of that urge to roll over and fall asleep right after you climax.

A 2009 study at the University of Michigan found out that having an orgasm raises the levels of estrogen in your body. And that’s good… why? Because estrogen actually appears to aid in the prevention of aging skin in a number of ways.

First, it prevents the decrease of collagen, an important protein for maintaining the appearance of youthful skin. It also helps with skin thickness, keeping skin resistant to wrinkles. Mentioning wrinkles — estrogen’s effects on the elastic fibers of the skin prevent them as well! And finally, estrogen may also lock in the skin’s moisture, keeping skin plump.

If you’re wondering where exactly that post-sex glow comes from, we’ve got the goods. During sex, there’s an increase in the rate of blood flowing through your body, meaning more of those blood cells carrying oxygen can reach your face.

When your blood vessels start to dilate, you get that rosy flushed look, and an increased amount of oxygen stimulates collagen production. So it’s hello collagen, goodbye wrinkles!

Science supports the idea that frequent sex and affection make people happy. You’re no longer sleepy, completely stress-free, and glowing — so we wouldn’t blame you if you’re grinning ear to ear in the morning as well. And that smile does wonders, like making people think you’re younger. A 2016 study confirms this correlation, noting that when people smiled they were actually perceived as looking younger.

The fabulous thing about the benefits of orgasm on your skin is that it doesn’t involve any fancy and expensive creams or lotions. But the best part is that you can reap all the good benefits orgasming alone, just as much as you can with a partner!

So go forth, get your glow on, and thank us when you take your next selfie.

References:
Asadamongkol B, et al. (2014). The development of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for skin rejuvenation and treatment of photoaging.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3977684/
DeAngelis T. (2008). The two faces of oxytocin.
apa.org/monitor/feb08/oxytocin.aspx
Debrot A, et al. (2017). More than just sex: Affection mediates the association between sexual activity and well-being.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0146167216684124
Hass NC, et al. (2016). Be happy not sad for your youth: The effect of emotional expression on age perception. DOI:
doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0152093
Komisaruk BR, et al. (2009). The orgasm answer guide. Baltimore, MD: John Hopkins University Press.
Lancel M, et al. (2003). Intracerebral oxytocin modulates sleep-wake behaviour in male rats.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12832103
Magon N, et al. (2011). The orgasmic history of oxytocin: Love, lust, and labor. DOI:
10.4103/2230-8210.84851
Misery L, et al. (2015). Consequences of acne on stress, fatigue, sleep disorders and sexual activity: A population-based study. DOI:
10.2340/00015555-1998
Reducing stress may lead to clearer skin. (2014).
aad.org/media/news-releases/reducing-stress-may-help-lead-to-clearer-skin
Van SM, et al. (2009). Associations among physiological and subjective sexual response, sexual desire, and salivary steroid hormones in healthy premenopausal women. DOI:
10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.01123.x
https://www.healthline.com/reviewers/debra-rose-wilson-phd-msn-rn-ibclc-ahn-bc-cht
Written by Mariah Adcox — Updated on October 10, 2019
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/orgasm-benefits
Photo Credit: Mehdi Zegna