The Quality of Sexual Experience in Women Correlates with Post-Orgasmic Prolactin Surges: Results from an Experimental Prototype Study

Abstract

Introduction Sexual intercourse, orgasm, and sexual satisfaction are associated with well-being and improved quality of life. The pituitary hormone prolactin (PRL) may have an important role in regulating (and thus indexing) sexual satiety and satisfaction. Aim Physiological indices to quantify the quality and resulting satisfaction from female orgasm would be valuable. Therefore we aim to validate associations of orgasm-induced PRL surges with women's orgasm quality and subsequent sexual satisfaction. Methods In a prospective study, with a pre-post, single-blinded, cross-over design in a naturalistic field setting, we analyzed the correlation of women's post-orgasmic serum PRL surges following sexual intercourse with women's perceived quality of orgasm and resulting sexual satisfaction, as measured by a questionnaire. Main Outcome Measures PRL levels prior to and following penile-vaginal intercourse with and without orgasm, and scores from the Acute Sexual Experience Scale (ASES) on quality of orgasm and sexual satisfaction. Results An analysis of variance of the blood samples in nine women indicated large magnitude, significant effects of intercourse orgasm on PRL levels (P = 0.004, eta squared = 0.78), as well as an interaction with the effect of multiple orgasms (P = 0.008, eta squared = 0.80). PRL post/pre ratios and arithmetic difference correlated strongly with orgasm quality (r = 0.85, P = 0.016, and r = 0.69, P = 0.08) and sexual satisfaction (r = 0.75, P = 0.05 and r = 0.77, P = 0.045). Conclusion Women's intercourse orgasm induced PRL surges are strongly related to the quality of orgasm and subsequent sexual satisfaction. This implies that post-orgasmic PRL surges are an objective index of orgasm and orgasm quality. PRL might be used in future studies on basic research as well as a treatment target in sexual disorders in women.

Sexual Satisfaction, Sexual Compatibility, and Relationship Adjustment in Couples: The Role of Sexual Behaviors, Orgasm, and Men's Discernment of Women's Intercourse Orgasm

“…Similar results were obtained for studies of orgasm triggers: orgasm triggered directly by PVI per se (in the case of women, this is termed vaginal orgasm) was associated positively with satisfaction measures and other indices of favorable psychological and psychophysiological function [1,3,6,10–19]. For example, postorgasmic prolactin increases after intercourse are strongly associated with women's assessment of orgasm quality and women's subsequent sexual satisfaction [20], and for both sexes, the postorgasmic prolactin increases following PVI orgasm are severalfold greater than following masturbation [21].…”

Immature psychological defense mechanisms are associated with women's greater desire for and actual engaging in masturbation

“…Thus, the possibility that masturbation leads to poorer function requires serious consideration, given the implications for sexual health. There already exists experimental evidence that the post-orgasmic prolactin surge following PVI (strongly associated with women's ratings of orgasm quality and their sexual satisfaction (Leeners et al, 2013)) is 400% greater than that following masturbation (Brody & Kruger, 2006), and this neurohormonal regulatory mechanism has implications for central neurotransmitter regulation.…”

What is orgasm? A model of sexual trance and climax via rhythmic entrainment

“…Additionally, it should be noted that both orgasms and seizures vary not only in the frequency of their occurrence but also in their intensity (King, Belsky, Mah, & Binik, 2010; Leeners et al, 2013). Although surpassing a climactic threshold may be a particularly significant experiential event, it is important to keep in mind that sexual acts and orgasms can be qualitatively different and that differences in enjoyment and intensity can modulate the degree of conditioning.…”