An evolutionary perspective on orgasm.

Abstract

The capacity to experience an orgasm evolved to promote high-frequency sex in species with low reproductive rates. Growing evidence shows that orgasms also have a variety of other reproductive consequences. Based on a distinction between orgasm frequency and orgasm intensity, there is emerging evidence in humans that orgasms function to promote and fine tune what are often very different, sex-specific reproductive outcomes. We provide an overview of the effect of hormonal contraceptives on orgasm, mate choice, and sexual satisfaction. The effects of sex during pregnancy, along with orgasm induced vocalizations, facial expressions during orgasm, and the putative effects of semen exposure on orgasm and sexual functioning in females are also discussed. Recent research suggests that female orgasms evolved to promote good mate choices, and we propose that instances of orgasmic dysfunction in many women may be a byproduct of an inability to find and/or retain high-quality male partners.

The other man: Knowledge of sexual rivals and changes in sexual behavior.

“…Women did not. Differences in various parameters of extrapair orgasmic experiences (latency to orgasm, frequency of orgasm, intensity of orgasm, and orgasm duration) were consistent with a priori predictions based on sex differences in fitness maximization (Gallup, Burch, & Petricone, 2012;Gallup, Towne, & Stolz, 2018).…”

“…At one extreme, orgasms can be brief and perfunctory, at the other, they can be lasting, intense, and inordinately gratifying. Gallup et al (2018) contend that all of these dimensions of orgasm evolved to promote specific reproductive outcomes. Gallup et al (2012) were the first to propose that variation in orgasm intensity for men is a proxy for sperm recruitment, and they refer to this as the Topping-Off Hypothesis.…”

The Clitoris—An Appraisal of its Reproductive Function During the Fertile Years: Why Was It, and Still Is, Overlooked in Accounts of Female Sexual Arousal

“…Unfortunately, the authors erroneously thought that this tenting reflex would facilitate sperm transport when it actually does the exact opposite, by delaying it! In fact, they are not the only authors (Gallup et al, 2018: King et al, 2016 who still question or ignore that vaginal tenting occurs when a woman becomes sexually excited and that this will delay the transport of spermatozoa until the arousal subsides. This rejection occurs despite a number of published studies that have incontestably confirmed the occurrence of vaginal tenting using direct observation and filming, genital imaging, and electrical recording (see Levin, 2011aLevin, , 2017b for the references).…”

Female Orgasm and In-Pair Copulation

“…Further challenges to the Sire Choice Hypothesis include data from Sherlock et al (2016) which found support for partner attractiveness increasing orgasm, but not masculinity, dominance, or fitness as found in previous studies. Gallup et al (2018) offer alternative explanations for absent but expected effects according to Sire Choice, suggesting that the methodology used may have limited partner fitness in the sample, since women were asked to report on their current partner and one with which they had the most orgasms. Still, it is fairly common for existing research on women's orgasm to ask women to reflect on a current or past partner, so similar criticisms could be lodged against those studies as well.…”