There was a surge in sex toy sales during last year because, let’s be honest, we had a lot more time on our hands. Also, we're seeing more female celebrities like Lily Allen and Dakota Johnson (AKA Anna Steele) coming forward and opening up the masturbation conversation for women.
As part of our heat Half Hour campaign, to encourage you to focus on your wellbeing by taking 30 minutes to yourself every day, we’ve quizzed LELO’s sex expert Kate Moyle (@katemoyletherapy) on the health benefits that come (excuse the pun!) with a good ol’ orgasm.
Aside from feeling mind-blowingly amazing, Kate tells us that having an orgasm can help you get a better night’s kip and that’s not just because you’re working up a sweat.
“We release endorphins and relaxant hormones such as oxytocin and prolactin during orgasms. Oxytocin is also commonly called the love or cuddle hormone, and so if we are having an orgasm with a partner it can make us feel closer and more connected to them. Orgasms have also been shown to lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) which is of good benefit for all-round health including our immune system.”
So, an orgasm a day really does keep the doctor away…
Although the clitoris is the only organ made for pleasure, boasting 8000 nerve endings, not everyone finds it easy to reach their peak, but Kate makes it simple by explaining, “Many women struggle to orgasm by not knowing what works for them as an individual. Exploring and getting to know your body is an important part of self-pleasure and wellbeing, and it will help in communicating your preferences to a partner.
If you haven't orgasmed before, don't make the goal of the experience to orgasm, as being focused on trying to achieve it can create pressure – just go with what feels good and follow that.”
Check out: the celebrity approved sex toys you need in your life right now
Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections.
Must-have celebrity sex toys
1 of 5LELO Soraya Wave
Love Island's Megan Barton Hanson is a fan of this award-winning luxe rabbit vibrator with wave motion technology to reach your G-spot and external stimulation arm for clitoral stimulation. It also comes in three snazzy colours, yas.
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2 of 5Tracy's Dog Suction Vibrator - Next Generation
When the Tracy's Dog's reviews were featured on LuAnna: The Podcast (a hilarious pod hosted by Luisa Zissman and Anna Williamson) the sex toy completely sold out on Amazon in minutes. After buying it themselves, the pair have since admitted that the sex toy is ruddy fantastic, thanks to it's 'sucking sensation'. Oo-er.
3 of 5Fusion Remote Control Panty Vibe
Let your partner take control of the remote with the pant vibe that lays against the clitoris with three-speed settings and seven vibrations for hands- free fun, making nights out extra saucy – it's great for solo play too. Maura Higgins is a huge fan of Ann Summers so we're sure she'll love this bad boy.
4 of 5Liberty by Lily Allen
Lily Allen loved the Womanizer so much, she teamed up with them to co-design her very own toy. This waterproof bit of kit uses pleasure air technology to gently simulate the clitoris and it features six intensity levels so there's a perfect pleasure setting for all.
5 of 5LELO Sila
This compact yet pretty bit of kit uses gentle sonic waves to stimulate the clitoris. Select the intensity of the vibration strength and chose from eight vibration patterns for whatever suits you.
£159
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In between work meetings and school runs it can be difficult find some ‘you’ time, but regardless of your schedule, an orgasm should be on you to-do list. “Making time and space in our busy schedules for focusing on our sexual wellbeing should be prioritised in the way we do other aspects of our health. The reality is that with female masturbation still being considered quite taboo, it often isn't.”
Some women shy away from masturbation and find that an orgasm should be something only reached with a partner but Kate says, “A common misconception is that people only masturbate if they are not fully sexually satisfied, but self-pleasure and partnered pleasure don't have to be mutually exclusive. Masturbation and partnered sex can offer different experiences, they don't have to be in competition.” Amen.