Subjective experience of orgasm across context, gender and sexual orientation

Thu, 12/22/2022 - 14:43
0
09/01/2023
Experiencia subjetiva del orgasmo a través del contexto, sexo y orientación sexual
Nuevo estudio sobre experiencia subjetiva del orgasmo 

Laura E. Muñoz-García, Carmen Gómez-Berrocal and Juan Carlos Sierra have studied the four dimensions of the subjective experience of orgasm, both in the context of sexual intercourse and in the context of solo masturbation, reported by heterosexual, bisexual and homosexual men and women.

Orgasm is characterised by an experience of intense pleasure, accompanied by psychophysiological responses that, as a result of sexual activity, culminate in a sense of well-being. Previous studies have shown that the subjective experience of orgasm is more intense in the context of sexual intercourse than in the context of solo masturbation.

The instrument known as the Orgasm Rating Scale was designed to assess four dimensions of the subjective experience of orgasm: Affective (emotions experienced during orgasm), Sensory (perception of physiological changes experienced during orgasm), Intimate (intimate aspect of the experience) and Reward (reinforcing effect of orgasm).

The study, which included more than 4,200 adults from the Spanish population, shows that, in the context of sexual intercourse, the subjective perception of the affective, sensory and intimate aspects of orgasm is more intimate compared to solo masturbation in both men and women (heterosexual, bisexual and homosexual). Furthermore, women perceive orgasm to be more affective, sensory and intimate than men, while men have a more relaxing perception of orgasm than heterosexual women in the context of relationships.  Further, the perception of the subjective experience of orgasm is more intense in heterosexuals than in homosexuals.

This study highlights the importance of taking into account the contexts of sexual intercourse and solo masturbation when studying the subjective experience of orgasm, as well as the need to approach its study from a gender and sexual diversity perspective.

Contact

- Laura E. Muñoz-García: @email

- Carmen Gómez-Berrocal: @email

- Juan Carlos Sierra: @email