Not only do they feel good, but the benefits of the female orgasm for your mind and body are pretty spectacular. Did you know that orgasms can regulate your period by “sending blood to the organs in the pelvic area,” causing women who orgasm weekly to more frequently have 28-day cycles? What about the fact that orgasms can better your memory and brain function by increasing your body’s release of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)? And don’t forget that they’re just really pleasurable. Just in case you need any other reasons to want an orgasm, you’ll be very happy to know that science proves experiencing an orgasm reduces stress levels for many women. Some researchers even recommend using sex as a stress-management technique due to an orgasm’s ability to improve mood, lower blood pressure, and release tension.Language even reveals this beneficial aspect of climaxing. La petite mort is a French idiom for orgasm, translating to “the little death.” The phrase references the relaxed, transcendent state following orgasm, thanks to your body’s release of hormones and endorphins. Higher levels of these chemicals lower your system’s level of cortisol, or the “stress hormone.” So, lucky for us, this little death can be a stress killer as well. But how exactly do orgasms relieve stress?

It all happens in the brain.

Sexologist Beverly Whipple compiled information and research about orgasms in her book, The Orgasms Answer Guide, answering many of the questions that we may have about orgasms. Whipple writes, “When a person experiences orgasm, the hormone oxytocin is released from nerve cells in the hypothalamus (a region of the brain) into the bloodstream.” Oxytocin is also known as “the love hormone” or “the cuddle hormone” because it is the chemical responsible for creating that ~warm and fuzzy~ feeling that we associate with romance, love, trust, and happiness. In a 2007 report for Planned Parenthood, Carol Rinkleib Ellison wrote, “Orgasm relieves tension as oxytocin stimulates feelings of warmth and relaxation.” Ellison also explained, “Low levels of oxytocin are correlated with higher incidence of anxiety disorders,” while “increased levels of oxytocin” both reduce stress levels and change a person’s response to stressors. It makes sense, then, that a study cited in Whipple’s book shows that 39 percent of American women masturbate in order to relax, from a surveyed group of 2,632 women. Whipple also explains that “orgasmic pleasure in a mutually loving relationship can benefit the mental health of the partners,” further relieving stress and tension.

Aside from the research of Whipple and Ellison, scientists in the Netherlands from Groningen University discovered that the amygdala, or “part of the brain associated with fear and anxiety,” shows hardly any activity — if any at all — in women mid-orgasm.

Orgasms provide other health benefits that can contribute to reduced stress levels. Specifically, they can help you conquer…

Insomnia

Whipple’s book cites a study that revealed “32 percent of women who reported masturbating” engaged in self-pleasure to help themselves fall asleep. Researchers have explained that while the rush of oxytocin already relaxes you, orgasms also release other endorphins that act as sedatives. And since insomnia and stress are often related, orgasms can help counter the sleep disorder, and your stress, through relaxation and sedation.

Pain

Orgasms make great natural painkillers. Whipple explains that “orgasm produces the greatest increase in pain thresholds,” and references studies that show vaginal masturbation to climax increases pain thresholds from 40 percent to 100 percent — effectively cutting pain in half. When you are able to get through a day without aches and pains hindering your productivity, happiness, ability, and comfort, you will probably feel less stressed.

Headaches

In 2013, German researchers from the University of Munster found that orgasms provide excellent pain relief for migraines and cluster headaches; specifically, sex to orgasm lessened headaches in 60 percent of the studied migraine sufferers and one-third of the cluster headache patients. Researchers assume that orgasms from masturbation will be as therapeutic as the orgasms induced by partners. Tension headaches, caused by stress, will be greatly helped by stress-relieving activities like sex and masturbation.

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Good Sex and Good Mood

In an Arizona State University study on 58 middle-aged women, physical affection or sexual behavior with a partner significantly predicted lower negative mood and stress, and higher positive mood the following day.1

Simply put, researchers found that sex and physical intimacy led women to feel less stressed and be in a better mood the next day. (These results weren’t found when women had orgasms without a partner.)

Good Mood and Good Sex

The same study found that being in a good mood predicted more physical affection and sexual activity with a partner the next day, showing that the sex-stress management connection works both ways: sex can lead you to feel less stressed, and being less stressed (or at least in a better mood) can lead to more sex. This is further proof of the importance of effective stress management.

Sex and Blood Pressure

Another study examined participants’ blood pressure as a measure of their stress responses during public speaking or challenging math problems—situations that often elicit stress. It was found that those who had recently had intercourse tended to have either lower baseline blood pressures, less of a blood pressure rise during stressful events, or both.2

These findings suggest that having sex can lead to less of a stress response during challenging situations, which is a good thing.

Sex and Stress Response

Along those lines, another study looked at women’s heart rate and cortisol levels as a measure of stress response and found that women exhibited less of a stress response after ‘positive physical contact’ with a partner. Emotional support alone didn’t have the same effect.

Orgasm and Health

Orgasm itself has many benefits for health and stress relief. It can relax your body and release many hormones that are supportive of your overall health and wellness. This type of relaxation can also be great emotionally.

Aside from these scientific findings, sex has some obvious stress management components. In addition to effectively taking your mind off of your worries for a decent period of time, sex provides some of these other stress management benefits:

Deep Breathing

This deep, relaxed type of breathing releases tension and reduces the stress you feel. It’s true that you can simply perform breathing exercises on your own and achieve stress management benefits, but combining the benefits of breathing exercises with the pleasure and intimacy of sex with a loving partner can be so enjoyable, why not do both?

Sense of Touch

Studies show that massage can be a great stress reliever. In fact, we need touch for our emotional health; studies also show that babies who are not touched enough can fail to thrive, and touch continues to be important into adulthood.

The type of relaxing, loving touch you can exchange with a good partner can be a great stress reliever as well.

Social Support

People who have a supportive social outlet tend to manage stress better, live longer, and enjoy increased overall health. The type of emotional intimacy that sex can help supply is good for you.

Endorphins

Sexual activity releases endorphins and other feel-good hormones. (You may be surprised by how many, and what they do.) These chemicals can relax your body and mind, leaving you feeling better for hours afterward.

Physical Workout

Depending on your level of enthusiasm, you can burn a lot of calories during sex, and gain the stress management benefits of exercise as well.

Unfortunately, many people find that, when they’re under stress, their sex drive suffers. Luckily, with a little intention and effort, it is possible to get in the mood for sex even when you feel too stressed.

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