Physiological correlates of imagery-induced orgasm in women.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Within-subject physiological study in a pre-selected group of women (case-series/laboratory design).
PubMed 1580785 · doi:10.1007/BF01542589
What was done
Women who reported the ability to experience orgasm from imagery alone were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Autonomic and sensory responses—specifically systolic blood pressure, heart rate, pupil diameter, pain detection threshold, and pain tolerance threshold—were measured during self-induced imagery orgasm, genital self-stimulation orgasm, and resting control conditions.
What was found
Both imagery-induced orgasm and genital self-stimulation produced significant increases in systolic blood pressure, heart rate, pupil diameter, pain detection threshold, and pain tolerance threshold relative to resting baseline. The magnitude of these increases during imagery-induced orgasm was comparable to that observed during genital self-stimulation. The abstract does not provide exact numbers, confidence intervals, or p-values.
Why it matters
This study demonstrates that the objective sympathetic activation and pain-threshold elevations characteristic of female orgasm can occur entirely in the absence of tactile or genital stimulation.
Limits
The abstract does not state the sample size, numerical data, or participant demographics. The findings are restricted to a select subpopulation of women capable of imagery-induced orgasm and may not generalize to the broader population.
Cited by
- contradicts Having regular orgasms lowers blood pressure, improves oxygen saturation and respiratory rate, and increases pain tolerance by affecting nociception in the brain.