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Central neurocircuitry involved in the development and shaping of orgasm-induced partner preferences. For full explanation, see Section 'A model'. (1, 2) Sensory input projects to thalamus; (3) from thalamus to the sensory cortex where orgasm is experienced as pleasurable, and associative cortices where explicit memories of Who, When, and How the orgasm was experienced are processed. (4) Spino-cerebellar pathway projects information to the cerebellum where implicit memories may be processed in coordination with cortices. (5) Deep nuclei, the main cerebellar output to midbrain and hypothalamus. (6) The cerebellumhypothalamic pathway. (7) Hypothalamus mediates sexual reward and motivation, and along with the medial amygdala may process social recognition and motivation. (8) Hippocampus may facilitate the crystallization between the experience of orgasm and cues on a partner. It can influence motivation via the mPOA to the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA), affecting the level of dopaminergic activity in ventral striatum (nucleus accumbens).
Source publication
Background
The effect of orgasm on the development and shaping of partner preferences may involve a catalysis of the neurochemical mechanisms of bonding. Therefore, understanding such process is relevant for neuroscience and psychology.
Methods
A systematic review was carried out using the terms Orgasm, Sexual Reward, Partner Preference, Pair Bond...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... out in non-monogamous species, like rats, indicate that repeated copulation with a partner can facilitate the development of a partner preference. This suggests that exposure to the same partner during orgasm in males and females can possibly sensitize brain areas that mediate bonding, even in species that would normally not bond, like rats (Fig. ...
Context 2
... inferior temporal gyrus, and anterior temporal pole ( Georgiadis et al., 2006). The areas activated during orgasm may also be activated in future encounters as implicit memories and conditioned responses during observation of cues that have been paired with orgasm in the past, facilitating retrieval of episodic memories and partner preferences (Fig. 2). For example, studies with fMRI have shown that bonded individuals that observe the lover's picture respond with increased activity in areas associated with memory such as the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus ( Bartels & Zeki, 2004), involved in the processing of episodic memory. The ventral region of the anterior cingulate cortex ...
Citations
... From the point of view of evolutionary psychology, human sexual response with orgasmic culmination is understood as a powerful stimulus that through positive reinforcement may increase the chances that the copulation will occur again with the same partner. The effect of orgasm on the development and shaping of partner preferences may involve catalysis of the neurochemical mechanisms of bonding [66]. Partner-related cues experienced in the presence of sexual reward come to elicit a representation of that reward and thereby become desired features that identify the partner as the beloved. ...
In recent years, scientific research into the therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds has experienced a resurgence of interest. New studies have shown promising results, supporting the use of psychedelic drugs in treating various psychiatric disorders, including treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and even alcohol addiction. The FDA has recognized 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) as a breakthrough therapy to treat symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. At the same time, interviews with recreational MDMA users have documented experiences of emotional intimacy while using MDMA, often without the desire for penetrative sex. However, some people have reported that MDMA increases their sexual arousal and specifically use it to enhance their sexual performance. This study aims to analyze current and planned research on the psychophysiological effects of entactogens on human sexuality. With their prosocial potential, the pharmacokinetic and neuroendocrine effects of entactogens may recreate the subjective experience of emotional intimacy, the initiation of intimate relationships, or even feelings of ‘falling in love’ with previously neutral individuals while under the influence of entactogens. This includes MDMA-induced sexual arousal-like effects observed through subjective behavioral perceptions of desire and arousal and specific physiological markers such as oxytocin and prolactin. Modern MDMA-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AP) protocols are transparent and follow strict ethical guidelines. However, despite these proposed ethical principles, little consideration has been given to the potential neurobehavioral effects of entactogens on the sexuality of participants in MDMA-AP protocols. The psychophysiological and sexual effects of entactogens should be discussed more openly in current MDMA-AP protocols, including the potential experience of the phenomenon of sexualized pharmacotransference.
... Not only is orgasm physiologically rewarding thanks to the substantial release of dopamine, but by activating the cerebellum, orgasms are associated with increased relaxation, improved sleep, pain relief, increased immune system functioning, and positive mental health like decreased anxiety and depression [for a review see, 10]. Neuroscience research has further identified that the postorgasm brain is in "learning mode" from the perspective of learning patterns of reward and punishment [11,12]. For example, researchers used a differently-scented stimuli pre and post orgasm to condition rats to different sexual partners. ...
... For example, researchers used a differently-scented stimuli pre and post orgasm to condition rats to different sexual partners. They found that over time, both sexes of rats developed preferences for sexual partners with whom they had more orgasms [11]. ...
Purpose of review: Women's orgasms have been subject to controversial discussions among scholars throughout history. Even today, narratives of women's orgasm being complicated or less important (cp. to men's) for their sexual functioning and satisfaction are prevailing and reflected in gendered sexual scripts. This review aims to compile evidence for the relationship between orgasm and sexual well-being in women. We consider orgasm's role in women's sexual pleasure, sexual satisfaction, and desire in the context of both casual and committed sexual encounters.
Recent findings: Substantial evidence supports a significant link between orgasm and sexual pleasure, satisfaction, and desire in women. Orgasm has been identified as an important factor in predicting relational satisfaction as well as positive outcomes of casual sex. For instance, orgasming during casual sex completely accounts for the persistent gender differences researchers have observed in emotional and evaluative responses to casual encounters.
Summary: As we cover in this review, there is no shortage of research demonstrating the myriad of favorable physical, psychological, and interpersonal associations with women's orgasms across relational and sexual contexts. Because orgasm has continually surfaced as such a critical component of women's positive sexual experiences, we argue the female orgasm should be taken seriously as a meaningful site of research on women's well-being, and orgasm equality should be taken seriously in the pursuit of gender equality.
... Furthermore, u-hippocampal activity can be induced by injecting opiates into the brain stem (26). Indeed, the rat brain may enter a learning mode during the postorgasmic phase, analogous to the memory consolidation that is known to occur during sleep after learning (27). We did not observe MOR activity in the hypothalamus despite its role in sexual functioning in rodents (6). ...
The endogenous μ-opioid receptor (MOR) system plays a key role in the mammalian reward circuit. Human and animal experiments suggest the involvement of MORs in human sexual pleasure, yet this hypothesis currently lacks in vivo support. Methods: We used PET with the radioligand [11C]carfentanil, which has high affinity for MORs, to quantify endogenous opioid release after orgasm in man. Participants were scanned once immediately after orgasm and once in a baseline state. Hemodynamic activity was measured with functional MRI during penile stimulation. Results: The PET data revealed significant opioid release in the hippocampus. Hemodynamic activity in the somatosensory and motor cortices and in the hippocampus and thalamus increased during penile stimulation, and thalamic activation was linearly dependent on self-reported sexual arousal. Conclusion: Our data show that endogenous opioidergic activation in the medial temporal lobe is centrally involved in sexual arousal, and this circuit may be implicated in orgasmic disorders.
... Muchos de los neurotransmisores involucrados en la cascada de la respuesta sexual humana (RSH) son las hormonas como la oxitocina, la serotonina, la dopamina, entre otras, las cuales interaccionan en las diferentes fases dando lugar a la satisfacción sexual del orgasmo. Durante el orgasmo, la concentración de los NTs como la Oxitocina (Ox) y la Prolactina (PRL) aumenta en el fluido cerebroespinal y en el flujo sanguíneo, modulando el apetito sexual y las fases sexuales consumatorias dando lugar a un estado de recompensa de la RSH (Mas, 2007;Acuña, 2008;Coria et al, 2016;Georgiadis et al, 2006). A partir de la fase de deseo y de la activación de los neurotransmisores comienza la relajación del músculo liso trabecular y vascular de la vagina iniciando la lubricación; durante esta fase intervienen diversos NTs. ...
... El NO actúa en conjunto con la Dopamina y la Oxitocina a nivel del núcleo paraventricular activando la Guanilciclasa soluble (GCs) que cataliza las reacciones bioquímicas con la finalidad de relajar la musculatura lisa y aumentar el flujo vascular, por lo que una anomalía en la producción del NO puede ocasionar la falta de lubricación en la vagina que puede dar lugar a relaciones sexuales dolorosas e insatisfactorias. En la vagina existe un tipo de esfínter liso cubierto por fibras adrenérgicas y colinérgicas y nervios no adrenérgicos no colinérgicos en donde el NO influye en el aumento del flujo sanguíneo que puede estar relacionados con la sensibilidad y el placer sexual (Acuña, 2008;Coria et al., 2016;Georgiadis et al, 2006). ...
... La Dihidroepiandrosterona (DHEA) es considerada un andrógeno y es precursora de diversos andrógenos y estrógenos, que en la mujer tiene gran importancia por su posible conversión a Testosterona, además de que tiene un efecto directo sobre la vagina facilitando la maduración del epitelio vaginal aumentando la libido. La respuesta a los niveles de testosterona dependerá de la cantidad de receptores existentes de la hormona que las mujeres presentan en sus células (Acuña, 2008;Coria et al, 2016;Parra, 2016). ...
El orgasmo femenino es una experiencia completamente placentera, producto de la estimulación física o mental de áreas erógenas como la vagina, el clítoris, el área perianal, los pezones y la piel. La cual activa tanto a la inervación periférica como áreas centrales. Dependiendo del origen de la estimulación, la literatura ha catalogado al orgasmo como vaginal (el cual se obtiene solamente durante la penetración o estimulación vaginocervical), clitorial (donde la estimulación del clítoris es necesaria para poder desencadenarlo), y, finalmente, orgasmo psicogénico, en el cual la estimulación de estas áreas no es mecánica, sino mental. Se ha propuesto que la capacidad de poder experimentar uno u otro tipo de orgasmo, depende de la anatomía de los genitales femeninos, o de neurotransmisores, e incluso de la experiencia previa. En el presente capítulo analizaremos tanto los aspectos anatómicos como fisiológicos de cada una de los tipos de orgasmos, teniendo en cuenta que durante el coito la estimulación pude provenir de diferentes áreas, lo cual al final converge en una cascada de neurotransmisores, los cuales son los responsables de esa sensación de éxtasis que llamamos orgasmo.
... Neuroendocrine studies also point to a close association between pair-bonding and orgasm. In the human species, the neuropeptides oxytocin and prolactin-both related to pair-bonding, infatuation, and parental care-increase greatly in the body during orgasm (Coria-Avila et al., 2016;Veening et al., 2015). Similar results were also found in non-human primates (Snowdon & Ziegler, 2015). ...
... Furthermore, it is possible to induce theta hippocampal activity by injecting opiates into the brain stem (Leszkowicz et al., 2007). Indeed, Coria-Avila et al. (2016) suggested that the rat brain enters a "learning mode" during the post-orgasmic phase, analogous to the memory consolidation that is known to occur during sleep following learning. ...
Sex is one of the most rewarding and motivating behaviours for humans. Endogenous mu-opioid receptor system (MORs) plays a key role in the mammalian reward circuit. Both human and animal experiments suggest the involvements of MORs in human sexual pleasure, yet this hypothesis currently lacks in vivo support. We used positron emission tomography (PET) with the radioligand [11C]carfentanil, which has high affinity for MORs to quantify endogenous opioid release following orgasm in man. Subjects were scanned twice: Once immediately after reaching an orgasm and once in a baseline state. Haemodynamic activity was measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging during penile stimulation from partner. The PET data revealed significant opioid release in hippocampus. Haemodynamic activity in somatosensory and motor cortices as well as hippocampus and thalamus increased during penile stimulation, and thalamic activation was linearly dependent on self-reported sexual arousal. Altogether these data show that endogenous opioidergic activation in the medial temporal lobe is centrally involved in sexual arousal.
... In humans, instead of reproduction, a relationship seems to be one of the main goals of females, an aim reinforced by orgasm, as suggested by the orgasmic increase in oxytocin, a typical neurochemical mechanism of pair bonding [17], and by a higher prevalence of orgasmic experience during homosexual intercourse, where there is no reproductive goal, compared to heterosexual sex [23]. ...
... The clitoris is an organ located under the urogenital diaphragm, in the anterior vaginal wall. It is mostly made up of highly vascularized erectile tissue, and its visible parts are the Table 1 Theories for the evolution of orgasm in female Theories Orgasm as a tool to reinforce pair bonding [17] The orgasm helps in the selection of the "right" partner [18] Both real or fake orgasms are a tool to increase the partner's gratification [19] The orgasmic reward motivates women to have more sexual intercourse [20] The orgasmic contractions may help the swimming spermatozoa to reach the egg [21] Immobilizing women for a little time in the recumbent position, the orgasm prevents sperm leakage [22] Note that none of them is to be considered universal and scientifically robust, and none of them is useful enough to explain the complexity of the female orgasmic reaction compared to the male one glans and the prepuce [37]. The erectile tissue here, histologically and functionally similar to that of the penis, is not surrounded by a complete albugineal layer, which explains why the vasocongestive process occurring during arousal and intercourse does not lead to a visible "erection", like in males, but rather to a tumescence [38]. ...
In the field of female sexuality, the existence of the so-called “G-spot” represents a topic still anchored to anecdotes and opinions and explained using non-scientific points, as well as being overused for commercial and mediatic purposes.
Purpose of Review
The scope of this review is to give an update on the current state of information regarding the G-spot and suggesting potential future directions in the research field of this interesting, albeit controversial, aspect of human sexual physiology.
Recent Findings
From evolutionary, anatomical, and functional points of view, new evidence has rebutted the original conceptualization of the G-spot, abandoning the idea of a specific anatomical point able to produce exceptional orgasmic experiences through the stimulation of the anterior vaginal wall, the site where the G-spot is assumed to be. From a psychological perspective, only few findings to date are able to describe the psychological, behavioral, and social correlates of the pleasure experience by G-spot-induced or, better, vaginally induced orgasm (VAO).
Summary
Recent literature suggests the existence of a G-spot but specifies that, since it is not a spot, neither anatomically nor functionally, it cannot be called G, nor spot, anymore. It is indeed a functional, dynamic, and hormone-dependent area (called clitorourethrovaginal, CUV, complex), extremely individual in its development and action due to the combined influence of biological and psychological aspects, which may trigger VAO and in some particular cases also female ejaculation (FE).
... Our data demonstrate that BP and MP male voles showed not differences in the display of sexual behavior parameters, but CM may induce a contextual reward in BP but not in MP male voles (Fig. 5). During mating and cohabitation, the cues from the partner are associated with the reward of mating, contributing to the recognition of the sexual partner and the preference over another conspecific [65,66]. The sexual reward is probably an enhancer that accelerate pair bonding. ...
Around 5% of mammals are socially monogamous and both parents provide care to the pups (biparental, BP). Prairie voles are socially monogamous rodents extensively used to understand the neurobiological basis of pair bond formation and the consequences that the absence of one parent has in the offspring. Pair bonding, characterized by selective affiliation with a sexual partner, is facilitated in prairie voles by mating for 6 h or cohabitation without mating for 24 h. It was previously shown that prairie voles raised by their mother alone (monoparental, MP) show delayed pair bond formation upon reaching adulthood. In this study we evaluated the effects of BP and MP care provided on the offspring’s development, ability to detect olfactory cues, preference for sexually relevant odors, display of sexual behavior, as well as the rewarding effects of mating. We also measured dopamine and serotonin concentration in the nucleus accumbens (ventral striatum) and dorsal striatum after cohabitation and mating (CM) to determine if differences in these neurotransmitters could underlie the delay in pair bond formation in MP voles. Our data showed that MP voles received less licking/grooming than BP voles, but no developmental differences between groups were found. No differences were found in the detection and discrimination of olfactory cues or preference for sexually relevant odors, as all groups innately preferred opposite sex odors. No differences were found in the display of sexual behavior. However, CM induced reinforcing properties only in BP males, followed by a preference for their sexual partner in BP but not MP males. BP males showed an increase in dopamine turnover (DOPAC/DA and HVA/DA) in the nucleus accumbens in comparison to MP voles. No differences in dopamine, serotonin or their metabolites were found in the dorsal striatum. Our results indicate that MP voles that received less licking behavior exhibit a delay in pair bond formation possibly because the sexual interaction is not rewarding enough.
... As described above, sexual desire may be unlike other basic drives. In the case of a true drive, the behaviors associated with that drive are reinforced by relief of the urgency associated with that drive: the reward for eating when you are hungry is that you no longer feel hungry, but in the case of sexual desire, the associated behaviors (i.e., initiation or receptivity to initiation of sexual activity) are reinforced by the rewarding qualities of the act itself [27], including orgasm [28] and intimacy and pleasure [29,30]. Put simply: if the sex a woman is having is not very fun, it is not surprising that she would not be very motivated to seek it out. ...
Purpose of Review
Although healthcare providers are increasingly interested in addressing their female patient’s sexual well-being in a holistic fashion, most do not receive training in how to conceptualize the complex interactions between mind, body, and spirit that drive health and wellness, let alone how to apply empirical data in any of these dimensions to their individual patients. Here, we present a simple mind-body-spirit model, grounded in an integrative medicine approach, to help translate research on sexual functioning and satisfaction into a shared decision-making plan for the management and enhancement of women’s sexual wellness.
Recent Findings
In considering the dimensions of physical and behavioral health, spirituality, and sensuality, physicians can help women orient to the ways in which their sexual healthcare can address their core values and connection to others, which in turn can improve sexual satisfaction. The application of the model is outlined in a case study.
Summary
Too often female sexual well-being is not discussed in the medical setting and this mind-body-spirit model is a tool that health care providers could use to address this important aspect of well-being.
... Given oxytocin's well-documented role in mammalian pair bonding and attachment (e.g., [20], post-orgasm elevations in oxytocin may promote feelings of closeness, affection, and emotional security between sexual partners (e.g., [21,22]. These feelings of closeness may influence future sexual choices, thereby reinforcing sexual bonding through repeated satisfying interactions [18,23]. ...
... These questions have important implications for clinical research on individuals with arousal or orgasm difficulties. Future research should also investigate the broader functional significance of oxytocin for humans and other non-human primates: does oxytocin play a role in mate choice [18,23], sperm transport [18], or post-sex emotional closeness and affiliation [21,22]? Research on these questions will benefit by close attention to the context of sexual activity (masturbation, partnered sex) and the specific types of pairings involved (sex with a long term versus a new partner and same-sex versus other-sex contact). ...
Purpose of Review
The purpose of the present review is to outline what is currently known about oxytocin and human sexual behavior. The present review utilizes existing research to outline an important question remaining in the field; does oxytocin facilitate sexual behavior or is it simply a result of the said behavior?
Recent Findings
Existing studies which measure oxytocin by way of blood or saliva reliably find elevations in oxytocin during sexual arousal and following orgasm. In contrast, studies which administer oxytocin intranasally report fewer significant results surrounding arousal and orgasm.
Summary
Existing research has yet to fully understand the function of oxytocin. Because of long-standing questions such as function, future research should pay close attention to the context of sexual activity (masturbation, partnered sex) and the specific types of pairings involved (sex with a long term versus a new partner and same-sex versus other-sex contact). Similarly researchers should carefully consider the mode of oxytocin assessment in consideration of question/s they wish to answer.
