Cardiovascular and Endocrine Alterations After Masturbation-Induced Orgasm in Women

Exton, Michael S.; Bindert, Anne; Krüger, Tillmann H.C.; Scheller, Friedmann; Hartmann, Uwe; Schedlowski, Manfred

doi:10.1097/00006842-199905000-00005

Cited by 146 publications

(103 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…Rowland et al (1987) reported some increase in PRL while watching erotic videos; Carani et al (1990b) found no increase. In contrast, in a recent series of studies in which masturbation or sexual activity with a partner led to orgasm or ejaculation, a clear increase in PRL was observed following orgasm in both men (Kruger et al 1998(Kruger et al , 2003a and women (Exton et al 1999), with levels still raised after 60 min. This pattern was not found in a parallel study of men who masturbated without ejaculating (Kruger et al 2003b).…”

Section: Peptidesmentioning

confidence: 60%

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The endocrinology of sexual arousal

Bancroft¹

2005

Journal of Endocrinology

346

197

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The relevance of testosterone, oestradiol and certain peptides (oxytocin (OT), -endorphin and prolactin (PRL)) to sexual arousal in humans is reviewed. In addition to behavioural studies, evidence of distribution of gonadal steroid receptors in the brain and the limited evidence from brain imaging are also considered. Testosterone plays a key role in the adult male, with clear, consistent evidence from studies of hypogonadal and eugonadal men. The roles of testosterone in the development of sexual arousability, and in the aging male, are less clear. The relevance of aromatization and of non-sexual effects of testosterone which might indirectly influence sexual arousal are not well understood. Testosterone in the female presents a more complex, less consistent picture. One possible explanation is a much greater variability across women in responsiveness to testosterone. A 'desensitization hypothesis' to account for the striking gender differences is offered. There is limited evidence of a direct effect of oestradiol on sexual arousability in women. The extent to which testosterone in women acts by conversion to oestradiol or by increase of free oestradiol is not yet clear. The role of peptides in sexual arousal remains uncertain, partly because of the multiple roles and sites of action of most peptides. OT and -endorphin appear to have both excitatory and inhibitory effects. PRL has been proposed as an inhibitory factor via direct inhibition of dopaminergic activity, but the evidence for this is inconclusive. Whereas the traditional concept of 'hormone' continues to apply to the role of testosterone and oestradiol in sexual arousal, peptides present a more complex role.

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Section: Peptidesmentioning

confidence: 60%

“…So far, no changes in plasma levels of -endorphin have been found during sexual arousal or orgasm in men (Kruger et al 1998) or women (Exton et al 1999). The possible relevance of -endorphin to the postejaculatory refractory state will be considered below, together with PRL.…”

Section: Peptidesmentioning

confidence: 97%

The endocrinology of sexual arousal

Bancroft¹

2005

Journal of Endocrinology

346

197

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“…Mating-or sexual intercourse-induced PRL secretion seems to be similar in rodents and humans (Kamel et al 1975, Kruger et al 1998, Exton et al 1999. In addition, in rats, a specific release pattern is switched on after mating with PRL surges during early morning and late afternoon as outlined above .…”

Section: Pregnancymentioning

confidence: 83%

“…4; Exton et al 2001). This effect was not observed during sexual arousal per se (Kruger et al 1998, 2003a, Exton et al 1999, 2000. Furthermore, the magnitude of the PRL increase following intercourse was 400% greater than following masturbation, which may indicate the biological significance of cervicovaginal stimulation and/or physical contact with a partner (Brody & Kruger 2006).…”

Section: Sexual Behavior and Reproductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Prolactin secretion patterns: basic mechanisms and clinical implications for reproduction

Egli¹,

Leeners²,

Krüger³

2010

Reproduction

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Prolactin (PRL) is one of the most versatile hormones in the mammalian body affecting reproductive, sexual, metabolic, immune, and other functions. It is therefore not surprising that the neural control of PRL secretion is complex, involving the coordinated actions of several hypothalamic nuclei. A plethora of experimental data exists on the hypothalamic control of hormone secretion under various physiological stimuli. There have been even mathematical models and computer studies published, which help to understand the complex hypothalamic-pituitary network. Nevertheless, the putative role of PRL for human reproduction still has to be clarified. Here, we review data on the underlying mechanisms controlling PRL secretion using both experimental and mathematical approaches. These investigations primarily focus on rhythmic secretion in rats during early pregnancy or pseudopregnancy, and they point to the important role of oxytocin as a crucial PRL-releasing factor. Recent data on human studies and their theoretical and clinical implications are reviewed as well. In particular, studies demonstrating a sustained PRL surge after sexual climax in males and females are presented, indicating possible implications for both sexual satiation and reproductive functions. Taking these data together, there is evidence for the hypothesis that the PRL surge induced by sexual activity, together with the altered PRL rhythmic pattern, is important for successful initialization of pregnancy not only in rodents but also possibly in humans. However, further investigations are needed to clarify such a role in humans.

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“…It is important to note that our study assessed symptoms occurring post-coitally (with or without experienced orgasm) and not specifically after orgasm, hence do not cover a post-orgasmic condition. Given the hormonal changes that happen at the time of orgasm, which tend to be different from sexual excitement, this could be important (Exton et al, 1999;Krueger et al, 2003). To address this issue we conducted post-hoc analysis using a questionnaire sent to the twins in 2008 and asking about frequency of orgasm during intercourse.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Epidemiological Survey of Post-Coital Psychological Symptoms in a UK Population Sample of Female Twins

Burri

Spector

2011

Twin Res Hum Genet

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Postcoital psychological symptoms (PPS) is a virtually unexplored phenomenon in the female population even though women frequently complain about irritability and motiveless crying after intercourse and/or orgasm. The aim of this study was to explore the epidemiology and genetic influences of PPS in a UK population sample of women. 1,489 unselected female twins aged 18–85 completed questions on recent and persistent PPS and potential risk factors. Standard methods of quantitative genetic analysis were used to model latent genetic and environmental factors influencing variation in PPS. For identification of potential risk factors, regression analyses were conducted. Phenotypic variation in PPS was explored using a genetic variance component analysis (VCA) approach. We found 3.7% of women reported suffering from recent PPS and 7.7% from persistent PPS. Relationship satisfaction and experience of abuse were found to be independently associated with recent (OR 4.5, 95% CI 4.13–4.87 and OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.02–1.34, respectively) and persistent PPS (OR 2.53, 95% CI 2.17–2.81 and OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.09–1.26, respectively). VCA revealed that phenotypic variance was best explained by an additive genetic (AE) model, ascribing 28% (for recent PPS) and 26% (for persistent PPS) of phenotypic variance to additive genetic effects, with the rest being a result of individual experiences and random measurement error. To our knowledge, this is the first and largest study investigating the epidemiology of PPS. It seems that the most important targets for intervention and prevention occur outside of the family, such as relationship quality and satisfaction, and history of abuse.

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Cardiovascular and Endocrine Alterations After Masturbation-Induced Orgasm in Women

Cited by 146 publications

References 70 publications

The endocrinology of sexual arousal

The endocrinology of sexual arousal

Prolactin secretion patterns: basic mechanisms and clinical implications for reproduction

An Epidemiological Survey of Post-Coital Psychological Symptoms in a UK Population Sample of Female Twins

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