(048) PERI-ORGASMIC PHENOMENON IN WOMEN: VARIABILITY AND CIRCUMSTANCES
Authors: Streicher L , Simon J 
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Introduction: Peri-orgasmic phenomena are rare physical or psychological responses experienced by some individuals in association with orgasm. By definition, a peri-orgasmic response to orgasm is not related to the physiology of orgasm and does not include psychological, whole body, or genito-pelvic sensations commonly experienced during sexual activity. While many women may experience coital incontinence, uterine contractions, female ejaculation from peri-urethral glands or pelvic pain simultaneous with orgasm, these are not considered to be peri-orgasmic phenomena. The literature on peri-orgasmic phenomena is sparse and comprised almost exclusively of case reports and reviews. Examples of reported physical symptoms include cataplexy, facial pain, ear pain, foot pain, and sneezing. Emotional symptoms include crying, dysphoria, laughter, hallucinations, and panic attacks. While a number of mechanisms to explain physical phenomena have been proposed, the etiology of these symptoms is not understood.

Objective

Objective: To survey a population of women that experience peri-orgasmic phenomena to determine 1) the relative frequency of various symptoms, 2) the consistency in which symptoms occur, and 3) if the symptoms are more likely to occur in partnered sexual activity as opposed to masturbation.

Methods

Methods: A short video explaining peri-orgasmic phenomena was posted on social media for the purposes of recruiting women who experienced physical or psychological peri-orgasmic phenomena. They were then directed to a six-question anonymous survey.

Results

Results: 3800 women viewed the video. 72 women, ages 18 to over 65 who self-identified as experiencing peri-orgasmic phenomena responded to the online survey. 62% of women reported physical symptoms: Headache- 33%, Muscle weakness 24%, foot pain or tingling 20.56%, facial pain or itching 3.25 %, sneezing 2.22%, yawning 1%. 87.5% of women reported psychological symptoms: 60.32% crying, 42.86% sadness or urge to cry (with a positive sexual experience), 38% laughing, 4.76% hallucinations. 14% of women experienced symptomatology consistently with orgasm. 74.65% only experienced symptoms “sometimes”. The majority of respondents (50.7%) experienced symptoms exclusively with partnered sexual activity, 9.86% during masturbation, and 14.08% with the use of a vibrator. Many respondents experienced more than one symptom. Over 30% experienced both physical and psychological symptoms.

Conclusions

Conclusions: Peri-orgasmic phenomena, while rarely reported, appear to occur more frequently than generally appreciated. Most women who report peri-orgasmic phenomena experience psychological symptoms such as crying or laughing. Physical symptoms occurred less often, and in most cases were headache, muscle weakness, or foot pain. While some symptoms are more common, there is a wide range of both physical and psychological symptoms reported in this survey. These phenomena do not occur consistently with orgasm and are more likely to occur with a partner than during masturbation, suggesting that there may be an emotional component to both physical and psychological symptoms. Vibrator use was not preferentially associated with peri-orgasmic phenomena indicating that it is unlikely that the intensity of the orgasm determines the likelihood of symptomatology. More research is needed to determine the etiology of these psychological and physical responses to orgasm.

Disclosure

Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Sermonix.