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The Big “O” (and I don’t mean Ohio)

Ageless Medicine or Wellness Medicine deals with keeping people feeling young and vibrant for as long as possible. I have the opportunity to address exercise, nutrition, hormone replacement, and aesthetic treatments that all play a crucial role in a person’s wellness and quality of life. I also talk about the physical and psychological benefits of sex. What does sex have to offer? Ask my patients over 70 who haven’t had sex for ten years before bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Men and women alike say they miss it! Sex can rekindle feelings of intimacy that have been long gone. Sex done right will also lead to the Big “O”.

“Oh my goodness! He isn’t going to talk about orgasms is he?” The orgasm is the natural end point or climax to sex. Men know that orgasms are healthy. We know that it is reprehensible to fake something that has such obvious health benefits. Indeed, the December 1997 British Medical Journal (BMJ) entitled Sex and Death: Are they Related? paints a “glowing” picture of the health benefits associated with orgasms in men. Men that experienced an average of 300 orgasms per year had a 50% decreased mortality rate compared with men that only experienced 100 orgasms per year. As reported in the Men’s Journal according to Dr Michael Roizen, chair of Cleveland Clinic’s Wellness Institute, 350 orgasms per year can increase average lifespan by four years. Math isn’t my strongest subject, but 300+ per year is even a bit more frequent than the 3 times per week that both my wife and I recommend to our patients to maintain vaginal mucosal health.

Now I know at least one woman is reading this article and thinking “Hmm, so he might live four years longer with frequent sex. I can withhold sex and have him kick off sooner!” Ladies, the benefits aren’t just restricted to the guys. Ever heard the phrase “cutting off your nose to spite your face”?

So, an orgasm is beneficial in reducing the risk of death from coronary artery disease. I don’t have any major risk factors for heart disease. Are frequent orgasms important for me? Depends… Do you have risk factors for depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, osteoporosis, chronic pain, Alzheimer’s, or stress? Even if you aren’t afflicted with any of the above diagnoses you certainly have risk factors for them. Orgasms have been shown to improve all of the above!

Orgasms release many different hormones including oxytocin, endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, HGH, DHEA, testosterone, and estradiol. Oxytocin, the so-called “cuddle” hormone increases feelings of intimacy. Endorphins help the body deal with pain. Dopamine and serotonin both act on the satisfaction and reward centers of the brain and gut. (Slow bowels or IBS- try increasing your orgasm frequency). HGH and DHEA help the body recover from cellular trauma and slow down the aging process. I’ve previously written about estradiol and it’s precursor testosterone. Hormone deficient? Have an orgasm!

“But wait, doc. How can I have an orgasm with low libido?” It’s a double-edged sword. Normal libido not only makes an orgasm easier to achieve, it also makes it more likely. Feel like your body just isn’t up to par or been out of the game for too long? Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can naturally and safely bring your hormone levels back to normal.

This article was written to highlight some of the positive health benefits associated with orgasms. Feel depressed or like you’ve fallen off the wagon after reading this? Have an orgasm! Doctor’s orders!

Disclaimer: Dr Stephen Rath, MD, DABA is a board certified anesthesiologist, Air Force flight surgeon, FAA AME, paramedic, and pilot as well as the owner and medical director of Fusion Medical Spa located in Ruidoso, NM. He is committed to continuing his personal research into the benefits of the Big “O”! Comments or questions? His email address is: DrRath@FusionMedicalSpa.net.