• amygdala - regulates emotions
• nucleus accumbens - controls the release of dopamine
• ventral tegmental area (VTA) - actually releases the dopamine
• cerebellum - controls muscle function
• pituitary gland - releases beta-endorphins, which decrease pain; oxytocin, which increases feelings of trust; and vasopressin, which increases bonding

Although scientists have long been studying the pleasure center, there hadn’t been much research about how it relates to sexual pleasure, especially in women. In the late 1990s and the mid-2000s, a team of scientists at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands conducted several studies of both men and women to determine brain activity during sexual stimulation. The team used PET scans to illustrate the different areas of the brain that would light up and shut off during sexual activity. In all of the tests, the subjects were scanned while resting, while being sexually stimulated and while having an orgasm.

Interestingly, they discovered that there aren’t too many differences between men’s and women’s brainswhen it comes to sex. In both, the brain region behind the left eye, called the lateral orbitofrontal cortex,shuts down during orgasm. Janniko R. Georgiadis, one of the researchers, said, “It’s the seat of reason and behavioral control. But when you have an orgasm, you lose control” [source: LA Times]. Dr. Gert Holstege stated that the brain during an orgasm looks much like the brain of a person taking heroin. He stated that “95 percent is the same” [source: Science News].

There are some differences, however. When a woman has sex, a part of the brain stem called theperiaqueductal gray (PAG) is activated. The PAG controls the “flight or fight” response. Women’s brains also showed decreased activity in the amygdala and hippocampus, which deal with fear and anxiety. The team theorized that these differences existed because women have more of a need to feel safe and relaxed in order to enjoy sex. In addition, the area of the cortex associated with pain was activated in women, which shows that there is a distinct connection between pain and pleasure.

The studies also showed that although women m­ay be able to fool their partners into thinking they’ve had an orgasm, their brains show the truth. When asked to fake an orgasm, the women’s brain activity increased in the cerebellum and other areas related to controlling movement. The scans didn’t show the same brain activity of a woman during an actual orgasm.

Clitoral orgasms do not serve conception, and are not obtained through sexual intercourse. Clitoral orgasms serve physical health, and pleasure, and are obtained through specific clitoric stimulus.

Details:

Clitoral Orgasm

The natural purpose of the clitoris:

In the female body hormone levels widely fluctuate, to enable one to become pregnant.

To prevent hormones from causing negative side effects, the female body contains a ”reset-button” : the clitoris ;

By having a clitoral orgasm, a lot of  is released.  Sexual arousal also increases oxytocin release a bit, but only a real orgasm really does. The better the orgasm (subjectively), the more oxytocin is secreted.

And what is the purpose of this oxytocin release ?

Oxytocin & Fertility

From the male point of view, sex is equal to sexual intercourse. And from this point of view, female orgasmic oxytocin release must serve conception, improving sperm transport.  But the sperm itself already contains all the necessary oxytocin. 

Though female oxytocin plays a role in the menstruation cycle , and does enhance sexual behavior, oxytocin in women is not at all essential to become pregnant. Extra oxytocin in women does not enhance sperm transport, but even decreases pregnancy rate .

Oxytocin is a sex hormone like the others ; they all strongly interact. Oxytocin influences LH, FSH, progesterone and estrogen levels through influencing LHRH release. Estrogen increases oxytocin release. Progesterone inhibits estrogen-induced oxytocine receptor production.

So there is no functional connection what so ever between sexual intercourse and female orgasm. And to many women that is not a surprise, because there is no way women in general can obtain orgasm through being penetrated.

But what is the physical purpose of female orgasm then ?

Reset Function

Oxytocin is a multifunctional hormone. In pregnant women oxytocin is required for delivery contractions, and after delivery, oxytocin is essential in lactation. But also in women not pregnant or lactating, oxytocin is always essential. Like other sex-hormones (such as estrogen and progesterone) the body always composes and secretes some oxytocin, to influence different processes. Whenever the uterus contracts, like it does when you are having your period, oxytocin is secreted.

By having a clitoral orgasm, much more oxytocin is secreted. And these higher oxytocin levels are essential to reset the body. Like you need a compass sailing at open sea ; every once and a while you have to check the compass, and adjust your course. Without orgasms, your ship may sail way off course, causing a bacterial infection, a physically caused lack of interest, obesity, nervous breakdowns, psychotic behavior or even breast cancer ;

Here’s a list of symptoms that an oxytocin releases will address:

1. stress ; Stress increases ACTH- and prolactin release. Oxytocin de-stresses, through regulating prolactin and ACTH-levels.  Clitoral orgasms diminish stress. Now you know why you fall asleep after great sex.

1. cancer ; Stress increases prolactin secretion. And excessive prolactin can enhance breast cancer, brain tumors and leukemia. Oxytocin regulates prolactin secretion. Orgasms therefore decrease cancer risk.
2. Oxytocin increases dopamine level. Dopamine is known to inhibit excessive prolactin secretion. Like stress, progesterone increases prolactin level too.
3. obesity ; Oxytocin also regulates appetite, through receptors in the brain.  Oxytocin inhibits appetite to prevent obesity.
4. You know when you see a woman all of a sudden looking fab ? How many times have you heard this one : “Oh, I have a new boyfriend and we have lots of great sex ? But you think “Right, you just went on a diet”. Well sorry to bust your bubble, but it’s the sex, the orgasms and the oxytocin !
5. bacteria ; Oxytocin is a natural antibiotic, attacking hostile bacteria, decreasing susceptibility to uterine infection.
6. behavior ; Oxytocin is anti-psychotic ; oxytocin plays an important role in the regulation of normal cognitive functions and behaviors, which are disturbed in schizophrenia. Some forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder are also related to oxytocin dysfunction.
7. Oxytocin also gives you fighting spirit.
8. memory ; Oxytocin plays a key role in meltdown of prior learning in preparation for new learning , like new books in a library have to be catalogued and shelved.
9. Orgasms keep you inquisitive and investigative ; ready and hungry for new input.

Perfect Orgasm

The lust for a clitoral orgasm originates from the physical necessity for ‘being reset hormonally’. Like the lust for consuming fruit originates from the physical necessity to obtain sufficient glucose, when glucose level is low. The better the orgasm, the more oxytocin is released. And like you need glucose in your blood to live, you need great orgasms to be in good health.

Now where’s my new vibrator…time to schedule a more regular dates with my Mrs.  C.  This is one health plan I can stick to!