Week 9 RF-Orgasms Flashcards
What is an Orgasm?
-Orgasm: A series of muscle contractions in the genital region that is accompanied by sudden release of endorphins.
-Orgasm normally accompanies male ejaculation as a result of sexual stimulation, and it also occurs in females as a result of sexual stimulation.
What neurotransmitters are released during a male orgasm?
-Dopamine increases with sexual desire, arousal and orgasm
-All neurotransmitters on table
-Premature in adrenaline as premature orgasm may occur in risky behaviours (not unprotected sex)
What neurotransmitters are released during a female orgasm?
-When the orgasm occurs, more adrenaline is released
What happens during an orgasm?
Regarding orgasm the two clear differences between men and women are that:
-Dopamine increases with orgasm AND larger effect for females.
-Adrenaline correlated with premature ejaculation for men BUT increases orgasm pleasure for females.
-The female orgasm is correlated more strongly with oxytocin than male orgasm.
-Could this have an evolutionary basis as it is more important for a female to have higher oxytocin during copulation in order to bond with their mate and potential co-parent?
-Oxytocin more bonding in women than men
What is the methods of Holstege et al’s (2003) study when investigating the male brain during an orgasm?
-Eleven healthy right-handed heterosexual male volunteers
The volunteers were asked to perform the following tasks twice:
-rest, erection, sexual stimulation, and ejaculation induced by sexual stimulation.
-To minimize motor activity by the volunteer during the scan, sexual stimulation was provided by his female partner by means of manual penile stimulation in the tasks stimulation and ejaculation.
-The volunteer’s head was maintained in position with a head-restraining adhesive band, and, to minimize visual input, volunteers were asked to keep their eyes closed.
-Participants had to practice during the week beforehand.
What were the results of Holstege et al’s (2003) study when investigating the male brain during an orgasm?
-The most prominent activation was found in large portions of the cerebellum during ejaculation.
-It is possible that this activity represents movements made by the volunteers during ejaculation, although these movements were relatively limited.
-The cerebellum, however, is not only involved in motor but also in emotional processing
-There was also activation of the secondary visual cortex which seems surprising, because the volunteers had their eyes closed.
-This activation might be explained, however, by the volunteers using visual imagery during the experiments.
Deactivations in amygdala and entorhinal cortex:
-Likely due to reduced fear during ejaculation.
-High stress fear situation would impede ejaculation (so deactivations are evolutionary beneficial)
What is the methods of Wise et al’s (2017) study when investigating the female brain during an orgasm?
-14 ‘highly orgasmic’ participants.
-Self stimulation vs. partner stimulation.
-4 phases: Early, Late, Orgasm, Recovery
-Not a specific difference between brain activations in late stimulation and orgasm
What were the results of Wise et al’s (2017) study when investigating the female brain during an orgasm?
There was no significant difference between groups for any brain regions during orgasm BUT…
-Mid stimulation and late stimulation was different
-Self stimulated highest in mid stimulation
-Partner stimulated highest inbetween mid and late stimulation
What is the evolutionary purpose of the male orgasm?
To get sperm up and through the egg
What is the evolutionary purpose of the female orgasm? Pavličev and Wagner (2016)
-Evolutionarily…Pavličev and Wagner (2016) found that as ovulation stopped depending on orgasm (as seen in other mammals), the clitoris stopped being located inside the vaginal canal.
-Oxytocin and bonding?
-They feel good, encouraging sexual intercourse?
-May be due to emotional bonding hence why clitoris may be on outside to increase chance of sexual intercourse and arousal (to procreate evolutionary wise)
Why are female orgasms important for reproduction?
-Fewer sperm in the post-coital “flowback” of women who had orgasms versus those who did not.
-Uterine contractions are the primary method of sperm transportation. These contractions move sperm not only into the uterus, but laterally, toward the more mature ovarian follicle, and women who are better at doing this are more likely to get pregnant.
-When an orgasm occurs, there are uterine contractions!
-Pair this with research showing that uterine contractions intensify during the oxytocin release triggered by orgasm, and you have compelling evidence that the female orgasm, while certainly not necessary, can play a role in fertilization (Komisaruk & Whipple, 2005).
What are some issues in researching orgasms?
Measuring blood hormone levels:
-cannot measure during orgasm.
-blood samples can create fear response (which is not conducive to orgasm).
-Could take salivary hormone levels (but spitting during orgasm is unpractical and may change hormone levels)
Measuring brain activity:
-extremely difficult to control the stages of orgasm.
-limiting movement during orgasm.
Contextual issues:
-any circumstance outside of ‘natural’ sexual activity may not represent the ‘natural’ orgasm experience.
-those who take part are self-selected and may not represent the average person.
-Biased sample
What are the benefits of an orgasm?
Good for your heart:
-Sexual arousal sends the heart rate higher, and the number of beats per minute reaches its peak during orgasm.
-BUT unless you’re having 150 minutes of orgasms a week, try cycling, brisk walking or dancing.
Fertility:
-Fewer sperm in the post-coital “flowback” of females who have orgasms versus those who do not.
Stress:
-Plenty of people find that intimacy or orgasm without penetration helps them feel relaxed, as do exercise or meditation. It does not have to be penetrative sex – it is whatever works for you.
Brody (2010) – a review of relative health benefits of different sexual activities found:
-Females who had orgasm solely through intercourse were more satisfied with their mental health than females who had only experienced orgasms through direct clitoral stimulation.
-Orgasmic frequency correlated with relationship satisfaction.
What are the benefits of an orgasm when older? (Jarząbek-Bielecka et al., 2012)
-Maintaining a level of sexual activity means the biological changes associated with aging less pronounced.
Some other benefits include:
-Sex burns fat and causes the brain to release endorphins, that act as painkillers and reduce anxiety.
-In men, sex stimulates the release of growth hormones and testosterone, which strengthen bones and muscles.
-Sex also seems to prompt the release of substances that bolster the immune system.
-Some studies suggest that sex (performed about three times a week) can slow aging and prevent wrinkles around the eyes from appearing.
-Continuing to have sex will preserve sexual vigor beyond middle age. Sexually active people have higher levels of naturally produced sex hormones.
What impacts an orgasm when older in men? (Jarząbek-Bielecka et al., 2012) PART 1
-Men may notice that achieving an erection may take longer and that it may not be as large or firm as before.
-The duration of orgasm decreases with age, there are fewer and less intense spastic prostate and urethral muscle contractions, and there is a decrease in expulsive ejaculatory force.
-These changes are normal and a result of a decrease in hormones.
But it is not just aging, other factors affect this change in sexual behaviour and orgasm experience:
-smoking
-excess alcohol
-Obesity
-lack of self-confidence
-depression
-performance anxiety
