When it comes to heterosexual sex, the orgasm gap is real and it is significant. Women are far less likely than men to say they orgasmed in their most recent sexual encounter, and the picture is especially bleak when it comes to casual hook-ups. The reasons behind the discrepancy are complex and wide-ranging, but there is no denying that living in a culture that has long associated women's sexual pleasure with shame and judgement bears a whole lot of the blame.
Which is why, without getting too earnest about it, it is a big deal when well-known women publicly embrace their sexuality and insist on not settling for not getting-off -- no matter how long it takes, or how much instruction they have to provide.
Here are 11 celebs who remind us all that a) orgasms are awesome, and b) women should feel way more empowered to get theirs.
"Sex can be amazingly great -- if you are turned on, and gross and terrible if you are not, so trust what is exciting to you," the comedian wrote on her site .
5. Rashida Jones:
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Jones has been vocal in her criticism of male-centric pornography.
"In my case, that makes me responsible for pretty damned good orgasms these days. Much better orgasms than when I was 22," the actress told Esquire .
8. Lizzy Caplan:
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She also takes issue with Freud's views on female sexuality, telling GQ that because of him, "millions of women took all of the blame for all the problems in the bedroom."
There actually might be something to the idea that we "glow" after sex. The hormone DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), which shows increased levels during sexual excitement , can actually make your skin healthier. (credit:Thinkstock)
Keeps Your Blood Flowing(02 of05)
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According to Dr. Jennifer Berman, co-founder of the Female Sexual Medicine Center at UCLA, orgasms increase your circulation, keeping the blood flowing to your genital area. This in turn keeps your tissue healthy! (credit:Alamy)
It's A Form Of Cardio(03 of05)
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Although it can't be considered an alternative to daily exercise, having an orgasm is a cardiovascular activity. "Your heart rate increases, blood pressure increases [and your] respiratory rate increases," says Berman. And because it's akin to running in many physiological respects, your body also releases endorphins. Sounds like a pretty fun way to work your heart out. (credit:Alamy)
It Relieves Stress(04 of05)
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Most of our lives are so hectic that it's hard to even imagine being relaxed. However, it turns out that sexual release can double as stress relief. Not only do the hormones help with this task, Berman says that being sexual also gives our minds a break: "When we're stressed out and overextending ourselves, [we're] not being in the moment. Being sexual requires us to focus on one thing only." (credit:Thinkstock)
Aids Your Emotional Health(05 of05)
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Last but not least, when you know what it takes to make yourself orgasm, you may increase your emotional confidence and intelligence. "When you understand how your body works and ... [that it] is capable of pleasure on its own, regardless of your partner status, you make much better decisions in relationships," says Logan Levkoff, Ph.D., a sexologist and certified sexuality educator. "You don't look to someone else to legitimize that you're a sexual being." (credit:Thinkstock)
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