Make Orgasms Part of Sexual Health Awareness

When we think of orgasms, we often miss the inherent connection to sexual health.

Instead, we might discuss how many ways there are for people to orgasm. And orgasms are a good sexual health topic. Women can have clitoral and vaginal orgasms. Men can have penile and prostate orgasms. And almost everyone can have anal orgasms.

We might also discuss how well we sleep following a satisfying climax. Or perhaps how orgasms can do wonders for our stress levels. We might even get into lengthy debates about whether female ejaculation is real. [Spoiler alert: It most definitely is!]

Orgasm-related insights are ever-increasing, so it's no longer just a question of how to get there or what kind it is when you do get there. Maybe more important than all of that is the relationship between orgasms and your sexual health. There's plenty to discuss.

Can orgasms impact your chances of getting an STD or STI?

The answer to this question isn't absolute. Orgasms won't increase your chances of contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or infection (STI). They won't help you avoid one, either, though.

"Orgasms are not related to any increase or decrease in the risk of STDs," said Adeeti Gupta, M.D., founder and CEO of Walk In GYN Care in New York City. "STDs occur due to direct contact with infected secretions or organs within the reproductive tract."

The exchange of bodily fluids or skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity can transmit STIs regardless of whether orgasm occurs, explained James J. Elist, M.D., a urologist in Beverly Hills, California, who specializes in impotence and male sexual dysfunction.

"However, certain behaviors that may be associated with orgasm—such as unprotected sexual activity or having multiple partners—can increase the risk of contracting an STI," he said. "It's important to practice safe sex and get tested regularly."

Can orgasms from either partner impact someone's ability to get pregnant?

"For men, orgasm and ejaculation are necessary for fertilization to occur, as the semen containing sperm needs to be ejaculated into the woman's reproductive tract," Elist said.

Where female orgasms are concerned, though, they are by no means essential to conception.

"The sperm just need to get in the vaginal canal and then find their way into the cervix and the uterus, and then it's all up to the alignment of various other hormonal factors that allow the fertilization to happen," Gupta said.

But there's a chance that a female orgasm might occasionally be able to help a pregnancy happen.

"For women, orgasm can cause the cervix to open slightly and create a suction effect, which may help to draw sperm into the uterus, increasing the chances of fertilization," Elist said. "Additionally, the contraction of the uterus during orgasm can help to move sperm closer to the fallopian tubes, where fertilization occurs."

Elist added that orgasm is by no means the most crucial element to consider if you're trying to conceive.

"Timing of intercourse during ovulation and using contraception are more important factors to consider," he said.

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Can orgasms benefit gynecological health?

Certainly, one benefit of the female orgasm is that it can reduce period pain.

"Regular sexual activity and orgasms may help to maintain healthy vaginal and pelvic floor muscles, which can be beneficial for gynecological health," Elist said. "More research is needed to fully understand the specific ways in which orgasms may benefit sexual and gynecological health."

However, Elist said orgasms and overall sexual health are linked. Poor sexual health—this could include untreated STIs or erectile dysfunction (ED)—can be a barrier to achieving orgasm. Orgasms can also be an indicator of overall sexual health.

"Difficulties achieving orgasm can be a sign of a sexual dysfunction, such as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD)," Elist said. "Achieving orgasm can also have a positive impact on sexual health by releasing endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce stress. Additionally, regular sexual activity can improve overall cardiovascular health and boost the immune system."

Orgasms can benefit our health in more ways than the purely gynecological. Given their importance, is it accurate to say that orgasms should be covered more extensively in sex education?

"Absolutely," Gupta said. "There is still a stigma attached to the word. Orgasms need to be normalized and the understanding needs to be taught sooner than later. For example, one myth many people still believe is that both partners need to orgasm at the same time, whereas this is not a norm at all. But when it doesn't happen, it can cause a lot of rifts in relationships."

How can orgasms affect relationships and intimacy?

"There are benefits for individuals and couples who reach orgasm together," said Orlagh Reid, an accredited psychotherapist and relationship therapist from County Kildare, Ireland, who specializes in clinical sexology, intimacy, sexual health and compulsive sexual behavior. "It reflects their sexual compatibility and sexual chemistry and possibly their ability to communicate and direct each other intimately."

When both partners can orgasm together, this can be a healthy bonding experience for a couple.

"Orgasm can enhance and create feelings of connection," said Wendi L. Dumbroff, L.P.C., a licensed professional counselor specializing in couples and sex therapy, in Madison, New Jersey. "When we're with our partner through the intimacy of physical connection and orgasm, we may feel more bonded to them. However, orgasm is not necessary for feelings of connection to be created."

Of course, no matter how many times we're told, many people still believe that orgasms herald the natural and desirable "endpoint" of sex. This notion can make things very tricky for couples.

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"There can be a lot of focus about having an orgasm," Dumbroff said.

Too many people place an unnecessary emphasis on climaxing during intimacy, according to Reid.

"This internal pressure to perform can be so overwhelming that desire becomes diminished," she said. "The reality is that life gets in the way, sex is complicated and unpredictable sometimes, and orgasm shouldn't be the ultimate goal. When the focus is overtly on reaching orgasm, you actually take attention and focus away from the eroticism and sexual build-up that comes with getting to that sweet orgasmic phase.

"Alleviate the pressure and emphasis on orgasm by giving as much attention to the excitement and plateau phase of the sexual response cycle."

[Editor's note: Check Masters & Johnson's explanation of sexual activity for more details on the four phases of human sexual response: excitement, plateau, orgasm and resolution.]

The bottom line

Given the myriad sexual health benefits and opportunities for bonding—don't forget the pleasure of the experience itself—is life better if you have more orgasms?

As with most things, the answer to this question depends on the individual.

"There is no one truth for people in life, whether around orgasm or how they communicate or what their personal boundaries are," Dumbroff said.

It depends on what works for you. If that means having plenty of orgasms, that's great. If not, though, that certainly doesn't have to mean you're missing out.

"It's time to stop glorifying orgasms," Reid said. "Wonderful and euphoric as they are, it's not realistic to have one or even desire one every time, all of the time. Deep sexual satisfaction can also come from the sexual experience itself, a sense of eroticism, the simple sexual chemistry two people have together, or simply the act of giving and receiving sensual pleasure."

The most important thing, always, is to know your own body and know what works for you. Always speak to a healthcare professional if you're ever concerned.

"Healthy sexuality begins with learning about our bodies, being aware of the sensations, the reasons behind those sensations and the normalization of those experiences," Gupta said. "We should not be afraid to ask our gyno, our friends or explore these topics with our partners."

The real question is whether life is better when you know your body. Because the more you get to know what works for you, the more likely it is you'll have a satisfying orgasm.

"Having a good understanding of one's body and sexual response through education and self-exploration can be beneficial for sexual health and for experiencing pleasurable orgasms," Elist said.