Here's What Actually Happens To Your Body During Orgasm

As it turns out, there are at least three types of vaginal orgasm (a “wave”, a “volcano”, and an “avalanche”), and as many as six types for people with penises.

Which is pretty good news, considering we know that climaxing has been linked to better immunity, improved sleep, and even a longer life.

But what actually happens when we reach the Big O? 

We asked licensed sexologist, relationship therapist, and author at Passionerad, Sofie Roos, to share what’s going on inside the body and brain during the release.

What happens to your body during orgasm?

1) Your brain releases plenty of “happy hormones” 

As you orgasm, your body releases a “cocktail of feel-good hormones” in “a very short period of time,” Roos explained. 

“The brain’s reward system [gets activated], and chemicals produced by our body, such as dopamine and oxytocin, [are] released into the bloodstream.”

The British Psychological Society says that dopamine in particular is a key driver of orgasm in humans, as it makes us feel pleasure and satisfaction.

Oxytocin, meanwhile, makes us feel relaxed and close to our partner, added Roos.

2) Your body gets better at managing pain

“The body’s natural pain-relief system is also activated during a climax, which... contributes to us feeling even better,” said Roos.

Orgasm can raise our pain threshold to as much as twice its usual capacity. Part of the brain called the paraventricular nucleus has been shown to release oxytocin, which can help to relieve pain, during both childbirth and vaginal sex.

Another part of the brain called the dorsal raphe nucleus seems to contribute to serotonin surges, too (serotonin likely blocks pain).

Detailed brain scans have also shown that despite previous beliefs, the brain actually becomes far more active – not less – during the moment. 

3) Your heart rate and blood pressure rise

You can expect a “higher pulse, higher blood pressure and more intense breathing” when aroused, Roos continued.

And while blood pressure doesn’t actually seem to peak at orgasm, heart rate does – though both get back to normal about 10 minutes afterwards.

It can also increase your overall blood flow.

4) Your muscles contract 

Orgasm leads to “rhythmic contractions in the muscles around our genitals,” said Roos. These are usually just under a second apart, and last for several seconds.

Interestingly, women who have more orgasms seem to have stronger pelvic floor muscles and decreased odds of experiencing urinary incontinence.

5) You get sleepy 

Orgasm can also make you “feel sleepy, relaxed, and dozy afterwards,” the sexologist stated. 

That might be down to the physical exertion of sex and/or the release of chemicals like prolactin, vasopressin, and oxytocin, which have all been associated with sleep.

For reasons we don’t yet understand, orgasms from partnered sex seem to lead to up to four times as much prolactin as those that come from masturbation.

Still, Roos ended, “I’d also like to point out that all people’s orgasms are very individual... what happens in your body and how you’re feeling afterward is different to everyone, and can also shift from time to time”.