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PubMed1987

The semantics of success: do masturbation exercises lead to partner orgasm?

Do masturbation exercises assigned in preorgasmic women's groups enable previously nonorgasmic women to achieve orgasms during partner sex? Studies by Wallace and Barbach and Ersner-Hershfield and Kopel report encouraging partner orgasmic success rates of 87% and 82%, respectively, and these figures are commonly cited in reviews of the literature. I argue that these rates are misleading because they reflect overly liberal research definitions of "nonorgasmic," "orgasmic success," and "partner orgasm." A reanalysis of Ersner-Hershfield and Kopel's data using more stringent and intuitive criteria yields a partner success rate at 10 weeks after termination of 20% (or 47%, if women who require the use of a vibrator to have orgasm during partner sex are included as successes), as opposed to their original figure of 82%. These results suggest that masturbation training in preorgasmic women's groups is not the treatment of choice for most previously nonorgasmic women seeking partner orgasm. They also illustrate how different ideological conceptions of the meaning of sex can lead to different definitions of outcome categories and different evaluations of the same data.

Coitus↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Concordance between women's physiological and subjective sexual arousal is associated with consistency of orgasm during intercourse but not other sexual behavior.

Many studies have found a discordance between women's genital (vaginal pulse amplitude) and subjective sexual arousal responses to erotica. We hypothesized that the association between the physiological and subjective domains would be greater for women with greater orgasmic consistency during penile-vaginal intercourse but not for orgasm consistency during other sexual behaviors. We confirmed this specific hypothesis in a sample (N = 38) of postmenopausal women. In addition, we discovered that the correlation between the domains was unrelated to social desirability responding, that orgasm consistency was not less for intercourse than for other sexual activity, and that orgasm consistency during intercourse was uncorrelated with orgasm consistency during masturbation. We discuss the results in terms of the unique nature of penile-vaginal intercourse, our study's implications for sex therapy, and orgasm consistency during intercourse being an operational measure of functional vaginal sensitivity and sexual pleasure integration and organization.

Arousal↗

PubMed2001

Coitus-induced orgasm stimulates prolactin secretion in healthy subjects.

Previous data have indicated that orgasm produces marked alterations in plasma prolactin concentrations in men and women. Thus, the current study aimed to extend these data by examining prolactin response to coitus in healthy males and females. Ten pairs of healthy heterosexual couples participated in the study. Blood was drawn continuously for 20 min before, during, and until 60 min following sexual intercourse and orgasm. Plasma was subsequently analysed for prolactin concentrations. Coitus-induced orgasm produced a marked elevation of plasma prolactin in both males and females. Plasma prolactin concentrations remained elevated 1 h following orgasm. These data, together with previous evidence that masturbation-induced orgasm produces pronounced, long-lasting increases in plasma prolactin concentrations in both males and females, suggest a role for acute prolactin alterations in modifying human sexual desire following orgasm.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Sexual arousal and orgasm in women: effects of spinal cord injury.

Sexual disorders are common in women; however, the neurological basis of female sexual response has not been adequately investigated. This information is necessary to characterize the impact of various neurological disorders on sexual arousal in women and to develop appropriate management strategies for sexual dysfunction. To assess the spinal mediation of sexually stimulated genital vasocongestion in women, we conducted two laboratory-based, controlled analyses: (1) of women's genital, subjective, and autonomic responses to audiovisual erotic and audiovisual erotic combined with manual genital stimulation; and (2) of women's ability to achieve orgasm. Subjects included 68 premenopausal women with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) and 21 able-bodied, age-matched controls. Results indicated that preservation of sensory function in the T11-L2 dermatomes is associated with psychogenically mediated genital vasocongestion. Less than 50% of women with SCIs were able to achieve orgasm, compared with 100% of able-bodied women (p = 0.001). Only 17% of women with complete lower motor neuron dysfunction affecting the S2-S5 spinal segments were able to achieve orgasm, compared with 59% of women with other levels and degrees of SCIs (p = 0.048). Time to orgasm was significantly increased in women with SCIs compared with able-bodied controls (p = 0.049). Independent raters were unable to differentiate between subjective descriptions of orgasm from SCI women compared with controls. This information should be used when counseling women with spinal dysfunction about their sexual potential.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

The effect of orgasm on prostate-specific antigen.

To identify the effect of orgasm on serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, a prospective trial before and after orgasm was performed in 14 healthy colleagues aged 32-62 years (mean, 44.4 years) with no evidence of prostatic disease. PSA determinations were performed on serum samples obtained before and after orgasm. Significant changes in PSA levels after orgasm were found (P = 0.002, analysis of variance). We conclude that the impact of orgasm on PSA levels should be taken into account when the latter are used for the detection of prostatic disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1979

Models of female orgasm.

Self-report instruments concerning personality and subjective responses to sexual orgasm were filled out by 281 female university undergraduates. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to evaluate the dimensionality of women's subjective responsiveness to orgasm. The results did not support the concept of a unidimensional orgasm process; separate coital and masturbatory factors of orgasmic experience were obtained. Highly internally consistent scales were developed to assess the two factors, and both scales were found to be significantly correlated with indices of extraversion, attitudes toward masturbation, and sexual experience. A path-analytic model was developed which is consistent with the hypothesis that heterosexual and monosexual behaviors act as mediators between extraversion, neuroticism, and attitudes toward masturbation, on the one hand, and subjective coital or masturbatory orgasmic responsiveness, on the other. It appears that attitudes toward masturbation may also have a direct influence on masturbatory responsiveness. Various therapeutic implications of the path model are described. Replications and extensions of the study with older, more experienced populations are necessary.

Adult↗

PubMed1980

The male orgasm: pelvic contractions measured by anal probe.

Pelvic muscle contractions during sexual response can be monitored conveniently by the anal probe method described. Eleven young adult male subjects were each recorded for three sessions of masturbation to orgasm. Electrical signals from an anal pressure probe were automatically digitized by computer. Orgasmic contractions were easily distinguished from voluntary contractions by the steadily increasing intervals and complete muscle relaxation between orgasmic contractions. At orgasm each subject produced a characteristic series of contractions starting abruptly at an intercontraction interval of about 0.6 seconds, and continued for 10 to 15 contractions at an increasing increment of about 0.1 second per contraction. Pressure amplitude, representing the force of contractions, increased from the beginning of the regular series to a maximum at the seventh or eighth contraction. Area under the pressure curve, reflecting muscular exertion during contraction, generally increased throughout the regular series. Each man's pattern of contractions was very similar from one session to the next and distinguished his records from others'. Individuals' patterns could be grouped into three types, based chiefly on the location of the regular contraction series within the subjective span of orgasm. The most common type was a simple series of regular contractions. It had the shortest duration and fewest contractions. The next most common pattern began with the regular series, followed by a number of irregular contractions. This type was longest in duration. One man with a third type of intermediate duration, had a number of preliminary contractions before the series of regular contractions began in midorgasm.

Adult↗

PubMed1976

Written descriptions of orgasm: a study of sex differences.

It has generally been assumed that a male's experience of orgasm is different from a female's experience of orgasm. In this study, a questionnaire consisting of 48 description of orgasm (24 male and 24 female) was submitted to 70 judges. These professionals (obstetrician-gynecologists, psychologists and medical students) were to sex-identify the description to discover whether sex differences could be detected. The judges could not correctly identify the sex of the person describing an orgasm. Furthermore, none of the three professional groups represented in the sample of judges did better than any of the other groups. Male judges did no better than female judges and vice versa. These findings suggest that the experience of orgasm for males and females is essentially the same.

Female↗

PubMed2001

Endocrine response to masturbation-induced orgasm in healthy men following a 3-week sexual abstinence.

This current study examined the effect of a 3-week period of sexual abstinence on the neuroendocrine response to masturbation-induced orgasm. Hormonal and cardiovascular parameters were examined in ten healthy adult men during sexual arousal and masturbation-induced orgasm. Blood was drawn continuously and cardiovascular parameters were constantly monitored. This procedure was conducted for each participant twice, both before and after a 3-week period of sexual abstinence. Plasma was subsequently analysed for concentrations of adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, prolactin, luteinizing hormone and testosterone concentrations. Orgasm increased blood pressure, heart rate, plasma catecholamines and prolactin. These effects were observed both before and after sexual abstinence. In contrast, although plasma testosterone was unaltered by orgasm, higher testosterone concentrations were observed following the period of abstinence. These data demonstrate that acute abstinence does not change the neuroendocrine response to orgasm but does produce elevated levels of testosterone in males.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Urinary incontinence during orgasm.

Urinary incontinence occurring during orgasm in women is an infrequently volunteered symptom. We studied 3 such patients to understand the mechanism behind such leakage. Urodynamic studies were performed prior to and during orgasm. It was found that during orgasm, there was involuntary bladder contraction with simultaneous urethral relaxation, resulting in leakage. Similar studies performed prior to orgasm did not reveal any involuntary bladder contraction. We believe that incontinence during orgasm is multifactorial: the most important causes are sphincter incompetence, neuropathic hyperreflexic bladder, and non-neuropathic idiopathic bladder instability.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

The coital alignment technique and directed masturbation: a comparative study on female orgasm.

To evaluate the effectiveness of two sexual therapy techniques, a non-clinical population of 36 married women were randomly assigned with their spouses to either a sexual enrichment workshop with instruction on the coital alignment technique (19 women) or directed masturbation (17 women). Both workshops yielded clinically significant improvements in orgasm consistency during sexual intercourse, orgasm strength, and the overall number of orgasms experienced in partner-related activities. In instances where differences in the workshop were discovered (increases in orgasm consistency during sexual intercourse), the coital alignment technique yielded a somewhat more positive outcome than did directed masturbation. Treatment approaches that combine the two techniques, such as orgasm consistency training, may prove more beneficial than a treatment model that depends on either one or the other.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[Changes in the psychophysical experience of orgasm in pregnancy].

A semistructured questionnaire was used as the basis for an examination of qualitative and quantitative changes in orgasm among 200 pregnant women brought to term. The frequency of orgasm gradually diminished over the 9 months in most women, only occasionally increasing. A total of 149 women (79.5%) said they had felt no pain during orgasm, 20.5% reported increased pleasure or incomplete post-orgasmic resolution. It should be pointed out that none of the women had experienced painful orgasm prior to their pregnancy.

Female↗

PubMed1987

[Psychologic study of the female orgasm].

In contrast to the physiology of female orgasm the orgasm experience (the psychology of orgasm) has hardly been examined and not precisely been determined. In most cases descriptions of the experience are cited. A standardized procedure to estimate the frequency and intensity of symptoms recognized at orgasm is introduced here. The sample included 422 females aged from 18 to 50 years, among them 25 patients in psychotherapeutic settings and 23 twin pairs. Results show inter alia: large differences in the frequency of recognizing the different symptoms of orgasm (14 have been selected here). Three groups of symptoms are distinguished. A surprisingly low reflection of the muscle contractions in the mind. This problem is being discussed more in detail. What is the actual rating of the contractions of the orgastic ring? Multiorgastically reacting women observe all symptoms more often and intensively.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

Treatment of secondary orgasmic dysfunction: an outcome study.

This study investigated the differential effectiveness of various treatment formats for 55 couples in which the woman reported secondary orgasmic dysfunction (defined as the inability of the woman to reach orgasm during intercourse, with or without clitoral stimulation, more than 50% of the time for the last 5 months). Couples received two 2-hr sessions of sexual reeducation and were then assigned into one of four treatment conditions (a communication skills format, a sexual skills format, one of two combination formats) or into one of two control conditions (an attention-comparison control condition which consisted of didactic presentations, or a waiting-list control condition). Treatment was conducted by one of two female clinical psychologists in groups of between four to six couples. No significant differences were found between the different treatment conditions at the posttest or at the 6-month follow-up. Statistical comparisons conducted between the combined treatment and combined control conditions showed that the couples who received treatment reported significantly less overall sexual dissatisfaction and significantly greater sexual harmony at the posttest; however, these differences became nonsignificant at the follow-up. In comparison with the women in the control conditions, a significantly greater number of women who received treatment reached or exceeded the project's 50% criterion for coital orgasmic functioning at the posttest; however, these differences became nonsignificant at the follow-up. Couples who reported less relationship adjustment prior to treatment showed greater overall gains in coital orgasmic frequency than couples who reported better relationship adjustment.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Hemodynamics of sequential orgasm.

Seventeen women masturbated to orgasm several times in succession while being measured intravaginally by a device that allows continuous oxygen and blood flow readings. Analysis of covariance showed significant differences between fantasy and orgasm and between orgasm and interorgasm relaxation periods. The data do not provide physiological evidence that successive orgasms are either physiologically or subjectively stronger but do provide physiological evidence of a plateau phase of sexual response in women.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Orgasm-induced prolactin secretion: feedback control of sexual drive?

Recent studies from our laboratory have investigated the hormonal response to various forms of sexual stimulation, including film, masturbation, and coitus in both men and women. This series of studies clearly demonstrated that plasma prolactin (PRL) concentrations are substantially increased for over 1h following orgasm (masturbation and coitus conditions) in both men and women, but unchanged following sexual arousal without orgasm. Here we discuss evidence suggesting that the PRL response to orgasm may play an important role in the control of acute sexual arousal following orgasm. Supporting this position, chronic elevations of PRL (hyperprolactinemia) produce pronounced reductions in animal sexual activity, and significant reduction of libido and gonadal function in both men and women. These data suggest that PRL may represent a peripheral regulatory factor for reproductive function, and/or a feedback mechanism that signals CNS centres controlling sexual arousal and behaviour. Thus, we propose a theoretical model of the role of PRL as a neuroendocrine reproductive reflex.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

[Some factors which modify the ability of the female to achieve orgasm].

Between 1952 and 1984 a sexological study was conducted among 2,159 gynecologic patients who had been referred to Franzensbad for treatment. All the women had been married for at least one year. Their ages ranged from 21 to 40. The number of women those born between 1911 and 1960 who frequently achieved orgasm has increased. Women with late menarch (from age 16 onward) generally were less able to achieve orgasm than those with menarche at age 11. The average age at menarch among women born between 1911 and 1920 was 13.92 years. Among women born after 1950 it was 13.06 years. Within the same period of time the age at which the first coitus took place dropped from 20.75 to 17.92 years. The average age at which the first coitus occurred increases commensurately with age at menarche. Statistically, women who experienced orgasm began their full sex-life significantly earlier than those with low orgasm ability or anorgasmy. On average, women with only elementary school education first had sexual intercourse earlier than those who had attended a higher school and sat a school-leaving examination. Only 7% of the women born after 1950 had grown up in families with 6 or more children, while this was the case for a quarter of the women surveyed who were born between 1911 and 1920. The findings described support the view that the positive changes in women's sex-lives are influenced by the simultaneous effect of biological and psychosocial factors.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Methodological issues in the study of sex therapy: effective components in the treatment of secondary orgasmic dysfunction.

Three components commonly utilized in sex therapy for secondary orgasmic dysfunction (Sensate Focus I, Sensate Focus II, and ban on intercourse) were studied, with the aim of not only exploring their effects on therapy outcome but also, in part, of sensitizing investigators to the benefits of incorporating component analyses within larger investigations of therapy outcome. The subjects were 23 married couples with the problem of secondary orgasmic dysfunction in the wife. Subjects were administered a multicomponent therapy program over a 14-week period. Daily self-monitoring data were analyzed to assess the impact of Sensate Focus exercises and banning intercourse on both broad (e.g., enjoyment) and narrow (e.g., orgasmic response) criteria of therapeutic effectiveness. Results indicated that for females, sensate focus exercises, in combination with a ban on intercourse, led to a significant increase in level of enjoyment for subsequent noncoital sexual caressing as well as intercourse. Orgasmic responsiveness, however, was not affected. The methodological issues of broad versus narrow therapeutic effects, compliance with treatment, and cost-effective techniques for the study of sex therapy components are discussed.

Adult↗