Emotional and Physical Symptoms in Women with Peri-Orgasmic Phenomena

Abstract

Objective:

Peri-orgasmic phenomena are unusual physical or emotional responses experienced by some individuals in association with orgasm, but are not related to the normal physiology of an orgasm. Our objective was to survey a convenience sample of women who experience peri-orgasmic phenomena to determine the relative frequency of symptoms, the consistency with which they occur, and when they are more likely to occur (with a partner or during masturbation).

Methods:

A short video explaining peri-orgasmic phenomena was posted on social media to recruit women who experienced physical or emotional peri-orgasmic phenomena. Women could then answer a six-question, anonymous survey about unusual physical or emotional symptoms/responses that they experience when they have an orgasm. This article used extracts of fully de-identified data where the article’s authors had no “key” to reidentify the subjects either directly or indirectly. The results of this small sample online anonymous survey focused on individuals and personal events, which by their nature could not lead to generalizable conclusions. All participants permitted the use of their responses in a scientific publication. For these reasons, the authors assessed that the participants did not meet the true definition of research “human subjects,” which would have required institutional review board (IRB) approval and is IRB exempt.

Results:

A total of 3,800 women viewed the video; 86 women (aged 18 years and over) who reported experiencing peri-orgasmic phenomena responded to the online survey. Of these women, 61% reported physical symptoms, including headache (33%), muscle weakness (24%), foot pain/tingling (19%), facial pain/itching/tingling (6%), sneezing (4%), yawning (3%), ear pain/other ear sensation (2%), and nose bleed (2%). Emotional symptoms were reported by 88% of women and included crying (63%), sadness or urge to cry with a positive sexual experience (43%), laughing (43%), and hallucinations (4%). More than half of respondents (52%) experienced more than one symptom, and 21% experienced both physical and emotional symptoms. While most (69%) women experienced these symptoms only sometimes with orgasm, 17% experienced them consistently with orgasm. The majority of respondents (51%) experienced symptoms exclusively with partnered sexual activity, 9% during masturbation, and 14% with the use of a vibrator.

Conclusions:

Peri-orgasmic phenomena encompass a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms. Although rarely reported, their awareness warrants further study to help reassure women that these phenomena are within the realm of a normal sexual response and to address their sexual health and well-being.