AND HAPPY EASTER MY STARS.
To break out of the post-holiday family dinner slump that drags on for two and a half weeks, we've put together a few sex facts that can act as a palate cleanser...
1. The sperm marathon
While the ejection speed can reach about 45 km/h, the journey is a true obstacle course. To reach the egg, a sperm cell must travel a distance proportional to several kilometres on a human scale. Fewer than 1% of them manage to pass through the cervix.
2. The heart in full sprint
During orgasm, the heart rate can climb to 140 or 180 beats per minute. That's the equivalent of intense physical effort, like a sustained sprint or rushing up the stairs.
3. A natural painkiller
Orgasm releases a massive dose of endorphins and oxytocin. These hormones dramatically raise the pain tolerance threshold. Studies suggest that an orgasm can be more effective than a standard painkiller at relieving a migraine or menstrual pain.
4. The fertility window
The survival of sperm in the uterus and fallopian tubes is impressive: they can remain fertile for up to 5, or even 7 days. This is why sexual intercourse during menstruation can, in certain short cycles, lead to a pregnancy.
5. Synchronised heartbeats
During an intense kiss or sexual intercourse, the partners' heart rates tend to synchronise. It's a fascinating biological phenomenon linked to empathy and physical closeness.
6. Seminal fluid, a complex cocktail
Semen doesn't only contain gametes. It's a mixture of vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, fructose (for energy) and proteins. It's a true biochemical concentrate, albeit in tiny quantities.
7. Smell, the invisible ally
Humans can detect hormonal changes through smell. Some research has shown that the scent of a person's skin is perceived as more attractive by potential partners when they are at their peak fertility period, and this happens in a completely unconscious way.
8. The clitoris, the hidden part of the iceberg
What we can see of the clitoris is only the glans (the external part). In reality, the complete organ measures between 8 and 12 centimetres in length. It extends inside the body and has roots that swell with blood during arousal.
9. Energy expenditure
A sexual activity of average duration (about 25 minutes including foreplay) burns about 4 calories per minute for those who produce sperm and 3 calories for those who don't. It's a moderate physical activity, comparable to a brisk walk.
10. The brain in "let go" mode
During orgasm, the brain temporarily deactivates the areas linked to fear and anxiety. The lateral orbitofrontal cortex goes "on pause", which explains the state of deep relaxation and total disconnection felt by many after the act.
So which one is your fave?
See you very soon for more gems of all kinds <3
PS: MERRY CHRISTMAS for real.
Léa ☁️
A word juggler for 10 years across a wide range of topics, I recently turned to sexology after training with Mathilde Magnien. Passionate about relational dynamics, here we'll chat in an uninhibited, inclusive and (a little) funny way too.
