Subjective Experience of Orgasm in Same-Sex and Different-Sex Couples
The subjective experience of orgasm is an essential construct of sexual functioning, referring to the perception/valuation of orgasm from a psychological perspective, whether it occurs in the context of sexual relationships or solitary masturbation. The scientific study of orgasm has largely focused on aspects related to its presence or absence, orgasmic frequency, and difficulties associated with orgasm. Therefore, focusing on how individuals interpret this facet of sexuality constitutes a novel and still underexplored approach, particularly in people or couples who deviate from traditional heterosexual norms. Additionally, most studies examining the subjective orgasmic experience have done so by considering isolated individuals, rather than analyzing the couple as a unit.
Researchers Carlos Pérez-Amorós, Juan Carlos Sierra, and Pablo Mangas have recently published a study in the *Journal of Social and Personal Relationships*, analyzing the dyadic subjective experience of orgasm in the contexts of sexual relationships and solitary masturbation among 179 Spanish couples of different-sex and same-sex. The authors found that the intensity of the orgasmic experience in a practice as individual as solitary masturbation influences the intensity of the orgasmic experience experienced in the context of sexual relationships; however, this influence varies depending on the relationship configuration (i.e., male-female, male-male, female-female).
Specifically, in couples that include a woman (i.e., male-female and female-female), it was found that the greater the difference in how the partners valued their orgasms in one context, the greater the difference in the other. This may be due to differences in how men and women live and experience sexuality. Thus, men may focus more on their sexual experience, while women may pay more attention to their partner’s experience. Additionally, the association between both subjective orgasmic experiences was confirmed in all three types of couples. Female couples showed a greater influence among their own orgasmic experiences (actor effects), while male couples were the only ones in which one partner’s experience directly affected that of their partner (partner effect).
In summary, these findings contribute to a better understanding of how the subjective experience of orgasm varies in the contexts of solitary masturbation and sexual relationships according to the type of couple, which could be useful in sexual therapy and research on couple relationships.
Reference:
Pérez-Amorós, C., Sierra, J. C., & Mangas, P. (2024). Subjective orgasm experience in different-sex and same-sex couples: A dyadic approach. *Journal of Social and Personal Relationships*. Early online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075241251860
Related publications by the authors can be found at: https://www.labsexugr.es/blog/