sexual health Archives

June 19, 2019 By Dr. Viral Thakkar 1 Comment

Pleasuring Yourself: Is it Good and Healthy? Part I

Kanika is studying in college. In her biology class, she read that stimulation of the clitoris leads to pleasure. While many of her friends studied and forgot about it, Kanika decided to try it out… and it worked! In fact, it worked wonderfully well! Gradually, she started doing it whenever she felt the urge and it felt blissful!

Kanika masturbates and it is perfectly normal and healthy. Masturbation is the sexual stimulation of one’s own genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation may involve hands, fingers, everyday objects, sex toys or combinations of these. It is frequent and common among both sexes and all ages and for many, it is the first sexual encounter.

Here is What Happens in the Body When You Masturbate

1. The Genital Area: When you start becoming aroused, several physical responses occur, including an increased heart rate, faster breathing, and increased blood flow through the body, including the skin. Muscles contract, and with the increased blood flow, genital organs such as the clitoris get bigger, in a male, the penis is enlarged. In a woman, the vaginal wall becomes more lubricated and the uterus even moves position to create space for penetration.

2. The Brain: It is said that the orgasm happens in the brain and physiology is a small part! The prefrontal cortex of the brain in women appears to be more active during masturbation than sex, which appears to happen when touches are imagined rather than felt. This is seen much more in women. As stimulation continues, the nerves in that area also become more responsive. Touching the erogenous parts of the body initiates the physiological responses described above. If sustained, usually leads to orgasm in most people.

Within the brain there is an increase in hormones, including dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin as you start masturbating. These are ‘feel good’ hormones, which reduce feelings of stress, and increase feelings of bonding between individuals. During masturbation, it is just you!

3. Blood: There is an increase in blood cells that help fight infections. In one small study, sexually active women had higher immunoglobulin G (IgG) at ovulation than sexually abstinent women. IgG is an antibody response and is the most common antibody expressed in blood. It acts directly on pathogens by either paralysing target cells or by immobilising them and marking them for disposal.

Why is it good for Health?

It’s good for you! Literally! It is FINE to masturbate and release that pent up energy. An excessive of it is not! Read more in the next article. The hormones dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin are released during masturbation. These are ‘feel good’ hormones, which reduce feelings of stress, and increase feelings of bonding between individuals. During masturbation, it makes you feel fulfilled. (Not undermining your partner here but this feeling comes up in many!). A study found a 74.6% increase in pain tolerance with masturbation, and pain detection ability increased by 106.7% due to the release of related hormones.
It is an exercise since the increased blood flow and muscle contractions during masturbation helps to exercise the pelvic floor effectively.
Cleaner vagina: Since the secretions from the vagina during and post orgasm keep it clean and at a normal acid-base level, thus decreasing the risk of infections, and the increased lubrication.
A beautiful fire lights up the brain: The hippocampus, amygdala, cerebellum and hypothalamus combine to get you to your peak. In a female, during masturbation, the brain’s prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain heavily associated with creative thinking turns up the volume. In the case of partner sex, it seemed that certain elements of it are actually turned off, specifically the part that seems responsible for self-control, overtime for you.
Becoming sexually aware: Masturbation also helps you figure out what you like sexually. Where do you like to be touched, stimulated. This can help you guide your partner if any.
There are speculations of reduced prostate cancer with frequent ejaculation.
It might help some men to practice solo and then with a partner. It might help you to understand how long it takes you to orgasm.

Well, coming back to Kanika, she read this article, and had the following questions. And we are here to help her

Kanika: Will my partner know that I masturbate? Is it correct to masturbate even though I have a partner?

Me: Your partner will never know unless you tell and pleasuring yourself is fine! Don’t be guilty, just enjoy!

Kanika: Will I lose my sex drive in the long run?

Me: There is nothing scientific about losing your sex drive because of masturbation. But yes, since you release the energy, many people report that the urge to be physical with the partner reduces. But for many, the physical act is equally important.

Kanika: Is it okay for women to masturbate?

Me: Yes. Yes. Yes.

Kanika: My friend seems to be addicted to masturbation. How do I know if I am addicted? How much masturbation is good or bad?

Me: That’s tricky. Let us look at it in detail.

Stay tuned for the next article!

#BeTheForce

April 19, 2019 By Dr. Viral Thakkar Leave a Comment

Epitome of Climax: The Big “O” Part II

I believe that a good night’s sleep, A good laugh and an exhilarating orgasm can solve humanity’s problems (not technically! But I hope you get my message!) None of us need to be convinced to make love and orgasm. We all accept and love that feeling! Having an orgasm could help improve your health as well!

In the Vedic texts, having a good and satisfying sex life is a prerequisite to reach higher spiritual realms. The Khajuraho temples depict that one can get the most from the energized temples if one is completely ‘over’ other needs and desires, including making love.

Apart from the said spiritual gains, a good and satisfying sex life has numerous other benefits too!

Having an orgasm is fun and that’s it! If a good one can bring in some happiness, which in turn impacts other aspects of a human’s life, then one must go for it!

Benefits of an Orgasm

Stress Relief: Having an orgasm releases Oxytocin, the relaxing hormone. It also stimulates feelings of warmth and relaxation. The part of the brain associated with fear and anxiety, shows little to no activity. And hence the “ahaah” feeling.
Building a Relationship: Pleasuring your partner by making love is critical among many other aspects as well. A number of psychosomatic disorders are linked to unsatisfied or unwanted sexual life.
Relieving Pain: Orgasms lead to Neurotransmissions which reduce the feeling of pain. This includes pain from arthritis and pain after surgery. According to research, women’s pain tolerance and pain detection increased by 74.6 percent and 106.7 percent respectively, when those women masturbated to orgasm.
Better Skin: Ever seen that glow on the face of people who are in love? The feeling of being in love and cherished is also felt by people who orgasm. You will feel happy, loved and cherished inside which will reflect on your skin tone too!

What can you do to Orgasm?

While the actual ‘act’ matters to reach the O, a number of other random factors impact it too.

A few things to do before THE ACT

While I do not want to emphasize that you plan, but just be aware of what your partner wants. Does he/she likes it when you hug or kiss? Or does a simple “I love you” works? Does he/she like it romantic? Remember, pleasuring your partner many times will lead you to your own pleasure as well. And needless to say, it helps build your relationship.
Communicate: Ask what your partner likes and tell what you like.
Take a few mindful moments to decompress from your day. Focusing on being present with your partner will make you more likely to Orgasm.
Enjoy. Yes, sex is for procreation, but it is to have fun too! Be in the mood & go for it.
It is said that the chances of a healthy sex life largely depends on your equation with your partner. If you love them, the better your chances are of orgasming. So the one night stands might not always lead to the gratification you are looking for!
It might seem like your orgasm is your partner’s responsibility (and let’s be honest, having the moves definitely contributes), but researchers have also found that your sense of self-esteem and satisfaction with your body is a huge contributing factor. So be happy with yourself, with the body you have and go for it!
Eat foods which increase the heat in the body, like garlic, onions, potatoes, broccoli, nuts, etc. are known to increase the libido.

Do you have any queries? Want to know more about orgasms? Let us know in the comments below!

#BeTheForce

Disclaimer: Reader discretion is advised. This content is for an older, mature audience who seek to improve their health and wellness. GOQii is not responsible for any misrepresentation of this information.

April 18, 2019 By Dr. Viral Thakkar 1 Comment

Epitome of Climax: The Big “O”

What is an Orgasm?

The climax of coitus, the mountaintop of making love and the ultimate, the almighty orgasm! Yes! This is what this article is about. You will agree that the pleasure of an orgasm is so heightened, it is difficult to know what is happening; but knowing what’s going on inside of us may heighten that.

Orgasm is the sudden discharge of accumulated sexual excitement resulting in rhythmic muscular contractions in the pelvic region of men and women. It is controlled by the involuntary or autonomic nervous system & associated with other involuntary actions, including muscular spasms in multiple areas of the body, a general euphoric sensation and, frequently, body movements and vocalizations due to intense pleasure.

How Does it Happen?

I believe it is extremely essential to be attracted to your partner before indulging in any sexual activity. In fact, I would go ahead and say, indulge only if you love the person, else do not! More about this in another article.

If you are in this wonderful state, the continual stimulation of erogenous zones, such as the genitals, anus, nipples, or perineum by your partner might lead to an orgasm. Many believe that orgasms actually happen in the brain. Hence, one can reach an orgasm through masturbation as well. Physiologically, orgasms occur following two basic responses to continual stimulation:

Vasocongestion: The process whereby body tissues fill up with blood, swelling in size as a result
Myotonia: The process whereby muscles tense, including both voluntary flexing and involuntary contracting

If you thought having an orgasm is just a minute’s game, then you are in for a surprise. The body undergoes a long process to reach that state through the sexual response cycle, which is the sequence of physical and emotional changes that occur as a person becomes sexually aroused and participates in sexually stimulating activities, including intercourse and masturbation.

Phase 1: Excitement

As the name suggests, this is the stage when you blush and breath heavily in the hope of your coitus. In this stage:

Skin may become flushed
Muscle tension will increase
Heart rate quickens and breathing is accelerated
Nipples become hardened or erect
Vaginal lubrication begins
Blood flow to the genitals increases, resulting in swelling of the woman’s clitoris and labia minora (inner lips), and erection of the man’s penis
The woman’s breasts become fuller and the vaginal walls begin to swell
The man’s testicles swell, his scrotum tightens, and he begins secreting a lubricating liquid

Phase 2: Plateau

This is the phase when you are about to get an orgasm, but haven’t yet! The part of the brain that controls sensations – the primary somatosensory cortex – sees an increase in activity and the parts of the brain that control alertness and anxiety – the amygdala and hippocampus – dropped off.

Several other areas of the prefrontal cortex all show a decrease in activity. In other words, having an orgasm shuts the parts of your brain that make you worry. No wonder all of mankind is crazy about having orgasams! It’s a great stress buster! It’s in the way our bodies are built!

The general characteristics in this stage are:

The changes of phase 1 are intensified
The vagina continues to swell from increased blood flow, and the vaginal walls turn a dark purple
The woman’s clitoris becomes highly sensitive (may even be painful to touch) and retracts under the clitoral hood to avoid direct stimulation from the penis
The man’s testicles are withdrawn up into the scrotum
Breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure continue to increase
Muscle spasms may begin in the feet, face, and hands
Muscle tension increases

Phase 3: Orgasm

The climax – It is the shortest of the phases and generally lasts only a few seconds. Both sexes feel the contractions in a variety of places from the head (that explains funny faces) to the feet (that explains clenched toes). You cannot control these contractions as they are involuntary and cannot be contained… kind of like when you sneeze. The loss of control can be messy, but it is ultimately why we enjoy our orgasms so much.

General characteristics of this phase include the following:

Involuntary muscle contractions begin
Blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing are at their highest rates, with a rapid intake of oxygen
Muscles in the feet spasm
There is a sudden, forceful release of sexual tension
In women, the muscles of the vagina contract. The uterus also undergoes rhythmic contractions
In men, rhythmic contractions of the muscles at the base of the penis results in the ejaculation of semen

Phase 4: Resolution

This is the feeling of “Oh my! What was that?” In this stage, the man enters a temporary recovery phase where further orgasms are not possible. This is known as the refractory period, and its length varies from person to person. It can last from a few minutes to a few days, and this period generally grows longer as a man ages. During this phase, the man’s penis and testicles return to their original size. The rate of breathing will be heavy and fast, and the pulse will be fast.

Orgasms are an inbuilt mechanism of human body (mammals). Our brain, emotions, and physiology are wired so that a person can experience it. In the second part of my article, I will elaborate on the benefits of orgasms, and why it is important to have a few now and then!

Want to know more? Drop a comment below!

#BeTheForce