Orgasm may be a neuropsychological process associated with diverse forms of stimulation, according to the findings of a study published in the International Journal of Sexual Health. The investigators analysed comments from 919 individuals who responded to an anonymous post in 2013 on the website PostSecret.com. The individual, unknown to the research team, described having an orgasm during exercise. The respondents posted comments about their own experiences of non genital/non sexual orgasms.

All the comments were screened for eligibility for inclusion in a content analysis. There were 687 eligible comments out of 919 (74.8%). Most of the comments (481) did not refer to the individual’s gender; there was enough information to infer the gender was female in 191, male in 14, and transgender in one case.

One of the most prevalent kinds of orgasm was exercised induced (23.7% of comments). These were possibly linked to genital pressure and/or friction during activities such as horse riding and cycling, with specific detail such as riding bikes on bumpy surfaces especially cobblestones. Others were related to core abdominal muscle engagement such as roller skating, swimming, yoga and chores such as stacking bags and mopping.

Some described orgasms induced by childhood playground games such as climbing poles and swinging from monkey bars or on swings. One wrote of a specific experience: ‘First one was climbing the basketball pole in the playground where we lived. I never knew what it was, but I kept climbing the pole over and over again. A lady yelled out the window: “I know what you are doing, I used to do that too.”‘I was so embarrassed I didn’t do it ever again.’

Vibratory motions probably explained some orgasms experienced in vehicles which were described by 10% of respondents, particularly on bumpy journeys; one even described an experience on a plane strapped in a tight seatbelt during turbulence.

Some people described orgasms experienced with urination (n = 33) and defecation (n = 17) or their suppression. Orgasms arose from stimulation of other body parts were described including stimulation from foot massages and breasts.

Some women described orgasms during breastfeeding and it was a relief for some to share this experience as it helped them to accept these feelings and to feel normal. In the same vein, several women described orgasms during childbirth.

Other experiences included orgasm associated with the use of recreational drugs, sleep, eating certain foods, reading (erotica, intellectual stimulation, beautiful prose or an emotional experience), auditory and visual stimulation, competition anxiety, bodily pain or discomfort including tattoos or piercings, and scratching itches or insect bites.

There has been much written about non sexual orgasm experiences but this is often limited to case reports. The study authors conclude: ’This analysis supports the idea that orgasm may be best considered a variably experienced neuropsychological process associated with diverse forms of stimulation.’

 ‘Our study provides information about the diversity of human orgasm in ways that may inform sex education, therapy and clinical practice,’ they add.

Dr Richard Ma

Herbenick D, Barnhart K, Beavers K, Fortenberry D. Orgasm range and variability in humans: A content analysis. Int J Sex Health published online 15 Nov 2018 DOI:10.1080/19317611.2018.1491920