There are many things, such as exercise or eating a well-balanced diet, that can contribute to an overall better mental health. But did you know that sexual satisfaction too plays a big role when it comes to our mental well being?
In fact, there are many positive attributes associated with sexual wellness, be it solo or with a partner, that can aid in an enhanced overall life satisfaction and emotional balance.
Today, we’ll take a look at these different facets, including brain chemistry, in such a way that it’ll affirm that sexual satisfaction is an integral part of psychological well being.
First, let’s take a look at the science behind sex and mental health… aka, all of the feel-good hormones that are released during sex and orgasm.
The Science Behind Sex and Mental Health
Side note: When we use the word ‘sex’ it does not specifically mean the act of two people engaging in heterosexual penetrative sex. Sex has a different meaning for everyone. In this case, we mean engaging in sexual behaviour either with a partner or with oneself.
During sexual self-care—to the point of climax—several different things happen in the brain. These things contribute to the release of a cocktail of feel-good hormones.
When orgasm is reached (and post-orgasm), the following hormones are hard at work:
- Oxytocin: this is often known as the “love” or the “bonding” hormone, and promotes a feeling of connection, closeness, and satisfaction with a partner or with oneself.
- Dopamine: this is often known as the “happy” hormone, and is associated with feelings of pleasure, desire, reward, and motivation.
- Serotonin: this neurotransmitter is associated with good mood, relaxation, and contributes to a feeling of calm and overall well being.
- Endorphins: endorphins come from the word “endogenous” which means within the body, and “morphine” an opioid painkiller. This is because it’s the body’s natural pain and stress reliever. This hormone is also associated with feel-good emotions and being in a positive state of mind.
Evidently, the science adds up. The more sexually active you are, solo or with a partner, the happier, more calm, and more in-tune you may be, while experiencing less anxiety and negative emotions.
To further prove this point, a study was undergone to evaluate the Benefits of Sexual Activity on Psychological, Relational, and Sexual Health During the COVID-19 Breakout.
The results found that those who engaged in sexual activity, regardless of gender, were more protected from quarantine-related ailments such as anxiety and mood disorders.
How Sexual Satisfaction Improves Mental Well-Being
For argument’s sake, let’s take a closer look at the effects of sex on mental health, and how sexual satisfaction improves mental well being.
Hint: when climax is reached through sexual fulfilment, there are many orgasm benefits!
Stress Reduction
While serotonin is linked to feelings of calm, a good mood, and relaxation, engaging in sexual experiences to orgasm is also linked to stress reduction due to lower cortisol levels. Cortisol is often called the “stress” hormone, and plays a crucial role in controlling one’s mood, motivation, and fear. When orgasm is experienced however, one’s cortisol level can decrease, resulting in increased happiness and well-being.
Improved Sleep
When one engages in self-love to the point of orgasm, there is a higher chance of enjoying improved sleep. This is because of the hormones oxytocin and prolactin. Oxytocin, which we’ve mentioned above, induces a feeling of closeness and relaxation, while prolactin has a relaxing and sleep-promoting effect.
Boosted Self-Esteem
During self-exploration, such as masturbation, an opportunity arises to engage in self-knowledge of the body. But even during couples play, these moments allow us to get in-touch with ourselves and our partners, nevermind the fact that we enjoy a slew of feel-good hormones in the process. This kind of self-love and boosted self-esteem have a positive impact not only on your sexual life, but also on your physical and emotional health which is incredibly important.
Decreased Anxiety & Depression
While there are a plethora of tools available to help those with anxiety and depression, there is also a positive influence available when engaging in solo or consensual intimacy and sexual fulfilment. You see, our brain is the most powerful tool, and our hormones are working endlessly. And so, we’ve learned that, during intimacy—especially that which leads to orgasm—results in a rush of hormones that can bring out positive feelings of well being. From calmness, less anxiety, a positive mood, better sleep, feeling more in-touch with oneself, and levels of motivation, an orgasm can contribute to overall decreased anxiety and depression. Of course, we are not recommending this as the only course of treatment and we do not underestimate these conditions.
The Role of Sexual Intimacy in Emotional Connection
There is definitely a link between intimacy and emotional health. And to dive into it, we’re going to talk some more about the hormone, oxytocin, aka the “love” hormone.
As we now know, the release of oxytocin during orgasm can induce a sense of bonding. And, according to Psychology Today, when two partners are being intimate with each other, it can also increase levels of empathy and communication, enhancing an emotional bond.
Interestingly, this was not just true when an orgasm was experienced. Oxytocin levels were shown to rise during physical touch, affection, and social interaction too.
All of this can result in better psychological well-being, such as stronger levels of trust, less stress, more relationship satisfaction, reduction of stress and anxiety, and mental resilience.
And then, of course, the more intimacy experienced, the more positive emotional benefits could follow suit.
The Mental Health Benefits of Self-Pleasure
Partnered play aside, let’s focus on self-pleasure—something beautiful that everyone deserves.
Self-love and sexual fulfilment is a normal part of the human experience, not something to be ashamed or embarrassed about. And actually, there are so many mental health benefits that can come about from it.
Empowerment & Self-Discovery
There’s evidence to suggest a correlation between masturbation and good mental health. This includes a boost in self-esteem and body image, as individuals can become more self-aware of their bodies and their orgasms. For example, they can learn what causes them pleasure which, in turn, increases the release of all of the feel-good hormones.
Solo Intimacy as Stress Relief
During sexual excitement, the activity in the frontal cortex is reduced, which decreases feelings of fear and anxiety. That, plus we’ve learned that during intimate moments, there’s a decrease in the release of cortisol, which is the “stress” hormone. Altogether, masturbation can give off a calming effect.
Sex Toys & Mindfulness
When one uses sex toys, they’re expanding their network of stimulation. It’s a way in which to enjoy self-care that nurtures both body and mind. Sex toys can help increase self-awareness in a more mindful way as they experiment with different sensations to find what brings the most pleasure. It also means embracing the importance of self-care. This, in turn, could lead to a confidence boost and personal contentment, plus a reinforcement of self-image and empowerment.
How to Improve Sexual Wellbeing for Better Mental Health
In this portion of the article, we’ll take a look at ways in which one can improve their sexual wellbeing for better mental health.
This essentially means that, if you’re having trouble finding your sexual groove, by yourself or with a partner, there are a few things that you could do.
In a partnership
Prioritise open communication: it may not be easy for some, but communication is key to ensure that sex is fun, enjoyable, and safe for everyone. Find a comfortable time to sit down and talk about some of the things you like or don’t like during sex, and ask your partner if there’s anything they’d like to share. This involves active listening and responding, and could start with something as simple as, “Hey, I think it’s important that we’re on the same page. I’d really like to try something new, and I’d love to hear what you think.”
Solo (or in a partnership)
Explore sex toys and intimacy tools for enhanced pleasure: with the availability of so many inclusive sex toy brands today, there’s a toy with your name on it. Using a sex toy or another tool for intimacy for enhanced pleasure is a great way to tap into new parts of yourself and to find bliss that you may have not yet discovered, leading to more body confidence, more orgasms, and thus more feel good hormones.
Incorporate sexual wellness into a broader self-care routine: oftentimes, one may not consider sexual wellness to fall under the category of self-care. But sex, be it masturbation or any other type of sexual play, is a basic human function. To explore one’s body is to have a healthy dose of curious exploration, and to truly take care of the body and mind.
Addressing any underlying psychological barriers to sexual satisfaction: sometimes it’s just not as simple as needing a conversation or trying something new. It may just be that someone is living with a condition that’s hindering them from enjoying sexual satisfaction. With the help of a (sex) therapist or possibly a psychiatrist, perhaps these issues can be addressed and pave the way for a more satisfying sex life.
Common Myths & Misconceptions About Sex and Mental Health
Having had a look at how powerful the link between sexual satisfaction and mental health is, it’s still a shame that myths and misconceptions exist.
These myths and misconceptions negatively influence individuals to believe that sexual activity and sexual exploration is “bad” or “wrong” and thus leave people all over the world yet to experience the many benefits that come about from it.
This is especially true for vulva owners. There’s a myth that sex is solely for procreation and thus masturbation is deemed redundant. And if a woman does engage in it, they may be seen as impure or unethical.
If this is to be true, we ask: why do women have a clitoris? The clitoris has but one function and that is, pleasure!
There’s also a misconception that sexual satisfaction is only for partnered individuals. With all of the information given above, it’s evident that engaging in masturbation comes with a slew of benefits, and deserves a spot in your self-care routine.
But that’s not the only stigma or misconception that exists. There are cultural, religious, and societal reasons why any kind of sexual activity is seen as a taboo.
And because so many cultures and societies seem to be shy or unwilling to talk about safe, consensual, and satisfying sex, we’re often left in a world where young people learn about sex from the wrong channels, such as adult films.
Sexual wellbeing, as seen through the lens of pornographic films, is completely inaccurate and damaging.
Oftentimes, it leads us to believe that sex is a male-dominated experience, that women are subservient, that sex is good all of the time, and that rough sex is how it’s done. It also leads us to believe that people orgasm all of the time.
In the world of porn, there’s rarely a view of soft intimacy or mutual respect, which can damage how people feel they should be exploring their sexuality and if they’re actually experiencing any sexual satisfaction at all.
Luckily, there is a rise in ethical porn, but these are not rife on mainstream porn sites. We can only hope that soon they will be, perhaps helping all who access them to know the true meaning of sexual wellness and care.
To conclude, we’re happy to know that there’s such a strong link between sexual fulfilment and mental health.
And with this information, we hope that you’ll embrace your sexual wellbeing as part of your overall self-care routine as it really does make a big impact on how you feel and how you see yourself.
If you’re interested in taking a gander at some pleasure products for your self-exploration journey, why not check out some of our bestselling sex toys?
Additionally, you can find a sea of further sexual wellness information at our blog.
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